[For all that Spade was far from helpless in a physical fight, the Storm Guardian always had been stronger than him and better at it, enough that he didn't really stand much chance, particularly with the off-guard moment.]

[He knew he was powerless, and depending on how long G'd been here, if G knew how this place worked, he couldn't bluff his way out of it, even if he'd had the slightest faith that threats would work on G.]

[That didn't mean he was about to let G know how much of an upper hand he had, or be intimidated himself; the most G was going to get out of him was a wry half-snarl.]

And prove you're a short-sighted twit with no self control?

[...so maybe there were still enough old nerves for him to not exactly be on top of his game as far as manipulating people went.]

By all means, I'm sure you have everything about being trapped here well in hand yourself.