"There are always the extreme exceptions, of course," Solomon said. "But, as I said, those are things I'm attempting to change. Assuming that the views of a collective handful are the views of the whole is something of a faulty assumption, is it not?"

He had no reason to stop her. She was a teen; her ability to remain still and interested for so long said a good deal about her patience--at least with regard to subjects that interested her. That, of course, had to end sooner or later. She was also stubborn; persistent in her belief that secrecy only meant something untoward was occurring. A product of her generation, seeking some excitement.

He only smiled, unconcerned by her assumptions and yet amused, nearly teasing, at her presumptuousness. His bright eyes gleamed with it. "Then let me convince you I'm worth your while. It seems imprudent to consider making you an item without knowing whether you're capable of my magic at all. Shall we test whether or not you've a touch of Necromancy?"