Rashad is about to point out the absurdity of supposing the dead could simply rise on their own when Johnny's demeanor shifts. The discrepancy in Rashad's behavior is an unfortunate oversight, but one that can be remedied. He lets out a nervous-sounding chuckle before taking another mouthful of smoke to give himself a moment to formulate his response. He even manufactures a little tremble of the hand to sell it. "Common? Thank the angels, no. But the dead do not rise on their own."

It's not unusual for him to adopt the persona of someone unused to magical combat. How much did Johnny see, though? Rashad did not sense him until he had already dispatched the zombie, but he is not positive the human was not there a few moments earlier.