Jason shrugged. His own coffee tasted bitter in his mouth, or perhaps that was merely the thoughts her words had brought on.

Now don't mope, my dear! Don't sulk and moan
Solitude you needn't fear. You never are alone...

Jason closed his eyes against the devil's whispers, a little grimace curling his lip. He signaled the waiter for more coffee, fresh coffee.

"Did you have any other questions about your reading?" he said, changing the subject and not bothering to pretend he was doing anything but that.