Stephanie leaned back a little bit, listening to Alistaire. She certainly understood his implication well enough, though she was less than sure of the wisdom of doing so. There were far more powerful and dangerous people than Alistaire who had an interest in keeping the Inner Circle as little more than a memory.

"Just remember that there's more than just Shinobi to consider there, Alistaire. Do remember what happened to my father, your grandfather." Shinobi was an essentially short-term problem. Stephanie was far more concerned about attracting the attention of either Essex or Selene, either of whom, bluntly, were a little above her or her nephew's level. At least for the time being.

"I still suspect all this is likely to be a feint, before he attempts to have us dealt with permanently. That is certainly in his style, after all."