'Not saying much' was about right. For Evangeline most people got divided up into 'tolerable' and 'intolerable'; the notion of treating someone like an equal was essentially foreign to her.

"It could," Evangeline agreed only in the most technical sense, looking at the lighter dubiously. Perhaps for lightning any explosives one might improvise, but on its own it was a good deal less useful than any of the potential improvised weapons she'd had her pick of at the hardware store. Unless, like her, he needed it as an implement for some supernatural ability.

She gave more careful consideration to his bite, though. If the wound was not completely healed, would the effects of the infection linger? She didn't know enough about the nature of the contagion or the healing and suppression that accompanied the night/day transition to really guess.

"You should do the same tonight," Evangeline said, with a lightness that didn't suit the subject in the least. "If the effect returns and you attack someone you could easily be killed."

She matched his grin at the offer of chess easily, though. "Go easy? I'm named Athanasia for a reason, you know. If you can't show me something new you won't win or even keep me entertained."