"Not too often," she says. "But blood sweats and nosebleeds usually accompany any major work. I go through a lot of makeup."

She sounds younger and more informal than she ever has; almost giddy.

"It was astounding. I can't even begin to imagine how this might change what I know. Elemental thanergy. Magic beyond necromancy. Beyond..." She hesitates before saying it, but there is no Eighth House here. "Beyond God Himself."