Flea stared at us, “I can’t decide what’s worse. Losing family members or not having a family member to lose.

Old soul.” I laughed. “You’re Thirty.””It’s not the years, it’s the experience,” he paused.

The uniform enhanced his athletic body, and my thoughts drifted to how magnificent he would look with his uniform puddled around his feet.

I mulled over the implications and decided not to waste my time worrying about what everyone else thought, or to bother attempting to change their perceptions. My time at the Keep was just a stopover....

They were my family, yet they were strangers.

The benefit of appearing so young is I’m constantly underestimated

Prove me wrong.

Valek coalesced from the shadows and wrapped me in his long lean arms. I soaked in his musky smell, listening to his heart beat. Strong and steady. No indication that he had been sneaking around.

I peered deeper and found my soul. A little tattered and with some holes, but there all the same. It had always been there, I realized with shock.

Living is a risk,’ I snapped at him. ‘Every decision, every interaction, every step, every time you get out of bed in the morning, you take a risk. To survive is to know you’re taking...

Nothing like having a warrant for your execution to get a girl motivated.

I had a scimitar at my throat. I’d like to see you try signaling under those conditions.”-Janco and Ari bickering

Your soul fits the void in my soul perfectly.

You have poisoned me.

I remembered my little brother, Allyn, had appeared so innocent and angelic when he slept–similar to Kerrick. It must be a survival tactic. If Allyn hadn’t looked so sweet, we would have killed him while...

Lief. That’s not nice, considering all your sister has done for you,” admonished Perl.”Oh right. How could I forget that she made me bait for a snake, left me on house arrest in Ixia, and...

Many have tried to kill us. All have failed.-Valek

You can’t let the past ruin your future, I changed over in my mind.

But you’ve slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart.

The heart is a strange beast and not ruled by logic.

Your fear remains strong. You are not ready to face your story, preferring instead to surround yourself with knots. Someday, they will strangle you.

I am Trella the victorious leader of the Force of Sheep rebellion. Yes the name sounds ridiculous, and I still can’t believe we named a major life changing event after livestock—or actually a stuffed animal—but...

Only the weak invite their demons to live with them. Isn’t that right?

When I carved this, my thoughts were on you, love. Your life is like this snake’s coils. No matter how many turns it makes, you’ll end up back where you belong. With me.

Glass is an amazing material. Versatile,

Fear causes the dog to bite and Roze was one bitch.

Of course, you didn’t want our help. Now I have to go beat up some soldier just to keep my ego intact.

Trusting is hard. Knowing who to trust, even harder.

Another relative?” Valek asked.A broad smile stretched Moon Man’s lips. “Yes. I am her mother’s uncle’s wife’sthird cousin.”–Valek and Moon Man

followed a step behind. My thoughts churned as my emotions seesawed

Fear can be a big motivator.

But they fight in the name of the creator.” “I don’t care if they fight in the name of broccoli. The goal remains the same.

And I did it.

Why did Mother ask you to help me rescue Gelsi?” I asked Leif.”She thought I could assist you in some way. Instead, I had tried to-“”Kill me? You can join the ‘I Want to Kill...

Don’t judge what you don’t know.

… I had realized my fears and acknowledged my mistakes.

We don’t take orders from you, Sergeant.” Quain said. “Your man tried to assassinate-“”He isn’t mine. My man has eyes that change color with the seasons.

Good food, fresh water, and an occasional sweet and someone to care for. That’s what everyone should have. A simplistic and unrealistic view I knew, but it soothed me.

How did you-“Fool your guards? They’re not very good, the forgot to check the ceiling for spiders.”Valek grinned. His angular face softened.

I stepped closer to him and lowered my voice. ‘If you could change one thing, what would it be?’He pulled the sheep pendant from his pocket. A question filled his eyes. I held out my...

It’s a dirty way to fight, but I’m late for lunch.”- Valek to Yelena

[Janco] paused. His eyes held a distant gleam as if seeing into his past. ‘My first practice was a shock. I was a cocky smart aleck–‘[Opal] ‘Was?'[J] ‘Be quiet. I’m telling a story here.

Positive thoughts lead to positive results.

There’s always another storm. It’s the way the world works. Snowstorms, rainstorms, windstorms, sandstorms, and firestorms. Some are fierce and others are small. You have to deal with each one separately, but you need to...

Hasn’t stopped us before. And besides, if they wanted to kill us, we’d be dead by now and would be having an entirely different conversation. I wonder if I’d still be mad at you, or...

only one way to find out

Valek was liquid in motion. As i watched him, one word came to mind: beautiful.

Is there anything else you haven’t told me?”My head spun. So much had happened and we still needed to stop a powerful magician. Death was a real possibility. I needed Valek to know how I...

Everyone grieves in different ways. For some, it could take longer or shorter. I do know it never disappears. An ember still smolders inside me. Most days, I don’t notice it, but, out of the...

Fourteen years without a mother had me believe I could be stoic when I finally met her.