Dampyr #104 (2008) pages 33-34: Worse than I seem

Nikolaus and Caleb chat outside after their meeting with Harlan:

“It's started snowing again. I like it... I'm attached to this city, and I'm willing to do anything to avoid being sent away. You too, right? Why didn't you tell Harlan about your problem?”

“We agreed, Nik. Harlan mustn't know that I'm under investigation because I helped him against Thorke. And besides, you yourself know how these things drag on. It will take time.”

“Nergal could grease the wheels of bureaucracy and speed things up. Well, I warned you, not that I care.”

“I'm still grateful to you, Nikolaus. And I wonder why you want to appear worse than you are...”

“It's part of my charm, and my role... Besides, blondie, who's to say that I'm not actually cleverly pretending to appear better than I am?”

“I can read the secrets of every soul, Nikolaus. Even well-guarded, hidden, and twisted ones, like yours.”

“Do you understand what I'm telling you right now? To the devil with you!”

As Caleb and Nikolaus walk away, we see their angelic and demonic aspects again. The world seems to bend around them. Hanneke is watching them too: “It's impossible!”

(A dragon above Hanneke speaks) “What's impossible, Hanneke?”