The implications weren't that enormous to Rue. He had dinner dates with that kind of power, passed him in the hallway. And how many people can say they're consort to someone who was killed, their spirit trapped and replaced in another body, regrown, a perfect copy of their own. Thiede's power was staggering. He was more than they all were. And he had his paws in everything. Rue had once thought his life to be just a misfortune. A mistake made that forever trapped him. Now he thought he knew the truth. Thiede and his web.

Rue just sighed. "Price, perhaps. Or someone finally found a way to get rid of us. Or rather, me."

Rue gave a small smile. "Maybe they have a thing for blondes."