"Just enough," Lust agreed. "I remember when they first told me about the life I supposedly live in this world. It was strikingly similar - disarming, even. I don't know how they can possibly know, but they do. They know everything." And they used it as a weapon - which was smart of them. She had to admit that they were good at what they did.

"I've met him," she said, referring to Alfons. "The similarities are striking. I've heard that there are versions of us, in his world and I must admit I'm curious. But the difference is you don't remember this boy. I remember Mattias. I remember the life I had with him, if only in fragments. And I feel as though I should have some feeling for him. Or feel guilt for where my affections lie. Or at the very least feel grateful to him for my existence. But I don't. There's simply nothing. Human emotions are complicated, vexing things. How do you manage to live with them?"