The healer couldn't keep from blushing nor could he prevent the hitch in his voice as he answered.

"You're a flatterer. And I don't want to hear it," he muttered, half to convince himself. "No more false compliments. There's only one thing you want - well you won't get it!"

He backed away from the demon, hoping to get into an adjacent room where he could throw the door shut and lock it, then wait until Mictain went away.

"I don't need your criticism or your compliments. Just get out," he said, half insisting and half pleading.