I'm older than I look. [A pause.] I'm almost eighteen. Or maybe I am already-- time is strange here. The point is that I am nearly an adult, and I can handle a little pain.

[He's sure Eithan understands that.]

Mana withdrawal can twist people into monsters-- Wretched-- if they lose their grip on reality. I was only six when I saw it happen to people I knew. [The door opens finally, but Belth doesn't budge immediately; he just levels Eithan with a firm stare.] I've endured far worse than whatever your bite can do to me.