"A lack of intentional cruelty in the case of one woman does not preclude my being a monster. It merely means I am also intelligent enough to look after my own interests appropriately," she warned. "I am a selfish creature, Arkady, and whatever is necessary to have things the way I prefer them, I do. At present, that does not include behaving like a monster, but I assure you, I am capable of it, without hesitation, without guilt, and without regret."
There was no apology in her voice; it was simply a statement of fact. She was not vicious, but she was no angel either.