`` mona , you are some young woman , '' he said , and he smiled in a way that she 'd seldom seen him smile . he studied them for a long moment . `` it does n't count if you only just decided . '' i 'm getting just a little too old for surprises . ' you will not succeed ; i will kill you . holding hands , the couple headed for the door . i closed my eyes and took a breath , stepping more carefully , concentrating on the mind-blanket . 