Jim Butcher

« It must be very lonely, doing what you do. »
« Sometimes, » I said.
« Always being so strong when others can’t. That’s… well, it’s sort of heroic. »
« It’s sort of idiotic, » I replied, my voice dry. « Heroism doesn’t pay very well. I try to be cold-blooded and money-oriented, but I keep screwing it up. »
She let out a little laugh. « You fail to live up to your ideals, eh? »
« Nobody’s perfect. »