His face is close enough that Johnny will be able to feel the little puff of air when he laughs, a rolling baritone chuckle. 'Power, dear boy,' he says, like it should be obvious. 'What on earth would be the point in having power over the world,' his hand tightens briefly on Johnny's throat in emphasis, 'without power over oneself?'

The words give way to the ambient noise of the room for a moment, and Unthank inhales once, deeply and slowly, before straightening again, drawing himself back to his full height. His bright eyes study Johnny as if he were a bug on a pin.

'You learn enough, and you can take that house that's still a part of you and use or discard it as you please. You'd have no need to fear it. The things in the dark, the crawling, impossible horrors that drive men mad; you've known madness; you could have them cowering at your feet. Or ignore them altogether,' he adds lightly, 'if that's your pleasure.'

Tilting his head to one side, he releases his hold on Johnny's throat, bringing his hands up to lace his fingers together across his chest.

'What do you want, Johnny? Hmm?'