This one sank deep into her marrow and made her heart soar like the shuttles piercing the stratosphere.

Every flutter in her chest when he sat beside her, every flush to her cheeks after a compliment, and every longer-than-average embrace would end tonight.

Sorry, one night stands don’t stack up as credentials for tending bar.

My dad had always said to not trust something unless it’s taken a tumble in the dirt. He’d meant it for people, and for things. Shiny and new didn’t exist for humankind any more.

We’d never talked about his parents, like he was some underwater Peter Pan.

The sharp light of the stars and moon sliced away her misconceptions and pared down their layers until the feelings that had always existed between them lay bare.

Blonde hair drawn into a no-nonsense bun, her new manicure the deep red of fresh blood, she’d even donned a blouse and slacks for the occasion, something Neve had forgotten Veronica owned.

Whatever crimes this man had committed, they weren’t as egregious as his inflated self-image.

Harsh, bitter laughs exploded from her like shrapnel, and she didn’t care who was cut in the process.

The rest of them looked proper when they did it, but somehow Edward made even this gesture appear like in seconds he’d rip off her corset and do away with her skirt.

Aggression like this demanded slinging the first punch in a bar brawl, firing rounds at a range, or setting a car on fire.

Edwin, you’re turning this infirmary into a speakeasy.

She glanced outside at the sky, filled with clouds and smog. All the pollution, all that hell—even the stars didn’t stand a chance.

As the sky faded to night, her anger dissipated—but not in a healing way, just dulled, like forged iron sizzling in a cold pail of water.

Jealousy colors you black, Geoff. If you wanted to be a pretty princess too, I would have bought you a crown. I’ll be back soon.

He looked so frustrated and perfectly serious, and yet here we were talking about his missing seal pelt.

You promoted me for my ruthless stubbornness and dog-headed determination, not my tech savvy. Plus, I’m a damn good shot.

Better to leave with good memories than have the last ones be the embarrassing, smoking ruin of what once had been a fantastic friendship.

Overhead the sliver of a moon barely illuminated anything and shadows slunk on every corner.

Shards flew everywhere, slicing her hands, her forearm, and cascading to the floor like snow glistening on a winter morning.

Take to the Sky,” but the rest of the time blurred after I drank absinthe with the Captain.

The choice lay out for me. Stay on land or plunge into the icy depths of the sea. I always chose the sea.

Edwin’s creations landed hit or miss on the board and one miss a year ago ended with us heaving overboard for a week. Fortifying meal solutions, my ass.

Fine, fine, I’ll indulge in this ‘socializing’ thing you always rave about.

The Cottage Diner’s homey lights glowed onto black asphalt which just sucked up the beams to spit out more shadows.

You’re as stubborn as one.

Why, that’s adorable!

Any sense of safety kind of bites it after that. You watch your back because no one else can.

My hands trembled, so I took a deep drag to calm my frayed nerves. I just wanted to forget that terrible sight, but questions multiplied in my mind as the smoke furled.

Like a rollercoaster, my mind had climbed its way to the top—only to witness how far there was to fall. And like a coaster, the second the fear hit, my stomach plummeted with the drop.

He might have perfect form and better swordsmanship, but I had one thing on my side that stacked the deck in my favor. I was absolutely crazy.

Yeah, doesn’t work on them either.

They aren’t insane enough to join the party.

The night had darkened to the murky sort where the air hung like descending clouds and the overhead branches made the liquid darkness even more impenetrable.

When honor and glory get your squad killed and your brothers-in-arms shoved under the rug, you stop believing in the terms.

Time to make herself scarce because, hell, she didn’t want to pass that thunderhead on her way out.

Because if I fell any deeper for the way his eyes crinkled with his smile or his habit of tapping on his nose to emphasize a point, my ship would be sunk.

From the way his face lit with curiosity to the slight tilt of his jaw, even the lingering scent of brine and breeze gave him away.

Being inside this cottage, with dark wooden walls and hand-carved furniture like my own home, cast a darkened stain onto my heart.

Beauty was a weapon as well, one Viola enjoyed wielding.

Luckily, common sense had never been a strong suit of mine and my feet moved faster than my brain.

Too late; my awkwardness had already made an unforgettable appearance, so, of course, I couldn’t be let off the hook.

The tides rolled up to crash against the shore while we sat feet from one another with the remnants of all we’d left unsaid driving us apart.

Despite the gentlemanly kiss, a ferocity burned behind his gaze promising something primal.

As she’d walked along this street, a million stars stretched across an indigo canvas, holding all the freedom she’d yearned for every night.

Wasn’t allowed to have pets. I killed my pet cockroach when it crawled into my ear.

Geoff’s arm emanated with a solid warmth I longed for after our days aboard S.S. British-Craphole.

His heat warmed her, even as her insides turned to ice.

Despite the sea being wild and the waves rolling away from the shore, the tide always returns.

I sent a silent prayer up to the Phoenix to keep her safe a little longer, because I would tear the shifters limb for limb until I got my baby sister back.