You’d think I wouldn’t be into something named that—you know, considering my own personal experience with Russians. But they’re surprisingly delicious. The drinks, not real Russians.

It was worth it. You looked…happy

He smiled willingly. “Well, I always aim to help others in need.””Yeah,” a new voice suddenly said. “That’s exactly what comes to mind when I think of you, old man.”I hadn’t thought anyone could shock...

… imperfection would get me farther than perfection.

His eyes were on his heart, completely caught up in his work. ‘Just something kicking around in my head. Reminds me of you. Fiery and sweet, all at the same time. A flame in the...

I remembered those frantic seconds when I’d thought all I loved and knew, all that was Sydney Sage, would be lost from this world. My battered friends and I had just had a brush with...

Adrian Ivashkov wasn’t easy to surprise, but I surprised him then when I brought his mouth toward mine. I kissed him, and for a moment, he was too stunned to respond. That lasted for, oh,...

Escape plan number seventeen,” I told her. “Run away and open a juice stand in Fresno.””Why Fresno?””Sounds like the kind of place people drink a lot of juice.

You’re a solid person, Sage. You’re easy on the eyes, if a little skinny, and your ability to memorize useless information is going to totally hook in some guy.

And you doing scientific and magical calculations. We’re thinking, cerebral beings one minute . . . and the next, completely given over to physical acts of passion. How do we do that? Back and forth,...

We all screw up. Everyone makes mistakes. That’s what she did. It was bad judgment, that’s all. You don’t cut off the people you love for mistakes like that.

I sent a quick text to Adrian: I have a hickey! You can’t ever kiss me again. I honestly hadn’t expected him to be awake this early, so I was surprised to get a response:...

You look confused,” said Adrian.I shook my head and sighed. “I think I’m just overthinking things.”He nodded solemnly. “That’s why I try to never do it.

Whereas Angeline’s antics made me want to pull out my hair sometimes, Trey found them endearing.

The ghost of a smile flickered across his lips. ‘You’re always the voice of reason. Just try listening to yourself once in a while.

She continue kissing me with that ferocity, so much so that her lips lightly scraped my teeth. It was only a few drops, but as the sweet metallic taste of her blood touched my tongue,...

I didn’t realize when I brought him back here that you’d inflict more damage.” I said, once I’d finished the story.”I was defending your honor.” Adrian gave me that devil-may-care smile that always managed to...

You look too pretty to be useful.

Our lips met hungrily, and his clever artistic hands wrapped around my hips. A sudden buzz from my regular cell phone startled me from the kissing.”Don’t,” said Adrian, his eyes ablaze and breathing ragged.”What if...

Think of me.

The tension between us kicked up a notch, and I realized that along with our bodies being nearer, so were our lips.

Not everything about me is cute.””That’s true, some things are cute. The rest are sexy. Astonishing, agonizingly sexy. It’s a wonder I can get anything done at all, when all I ever think about is...

Well, this is a nice surprise,” he said. He looked us over. Jill had changed into her normal clothes during her isolation today, but I still had on the Amberwood blouse and skirt. “Sage, aren’t...

Oh God. She probably thinks we were off doing—you know—romantic type, um, things—

As far as I’m concerned, you’re both.

Already crazy about you, Sage.

If you went twenty-four hours without cigarettes, I’d drink a can of pop. Regular pop. The whole can.”Isaw the glimmer of Adrian’s earlier smile returning. “You would not.””I totally would.” “Half a can would put...

My boyfriend was insanely sexy, vampire or not, and I couldn’t keep my hands off him.

Sage, did you just swear?

Bryan gaped, as though that was more than he’d been expecting. “Oh. Okay. Well, um, there’s a silent film festival downtown next week. Do you think you’d want to go?” I shook my head. “No,...

I’m into anything, so long as you’re with me.

You might not believe this, but there is no one like her at this school.””Oh I believe it,” I said, thinking back to the time Angeline had forgotten her locker’s combination and tried to get...

Do you want me to call you Celery Stick instead of Cupcake or Honey-Pie? It just doesn’t inspire the same warm and fuzzy feelings.

Moroi shied from the sunlight but as I watched Sydney, I knew without a doubt that humans had been made for the sun.

Damn, you have no idea what I have been through today.””Actually I have a pretty good idea.

He broods a little. Okay … a lot.

All that mattered was that he was Adrian, my Adrian. My match. My partner in crime, in the long battle I’d just signed on for to right the wrongs in the Alchemist and Moroi worlds....

Adrian, you’re a genius.

Somehow, Sydney had an internal clock that told her when time was up. I think it was part of her inherent ability to keep track of a hundred things at once. Not me. In these...

He froze, and for one moment, we stood locked in time. I could feel the silk of his shirt against my skin and the warmth of his body. The lingering scent of the overpriced cologne...

He’d moved toward me again. His hands released mine and moved to my waist, and I noticed I wasn’t the only one breathing heavily. He pulled me to him, bringing our bodies together. The world...

Sorry” I’d probably freaked him out

He loves that you love the car more than he does and thinks it’s awesome you’re getting so good in your defense class. Not that that’s a surprise. You’re always so good at everything, and...

He smiled, and it lit up his whole face.

Well, ‘we’ are certainly happy to hear that. Oh, and I’m also happy to watch our darling little love child dragon while you’re in St. Louis.”I grinned back.

Some things are worth the trouble.

Why not see which is brighter: your aura or the sun?

I’m guessing whatever ‘ways’ you have in mind aren’t Jill-appropriate either.” “Put your books away and I’ll show you.

He nodded toward the sub. “This is going to be a blow-off day.”I dragged my mind away from magical intrigue. After being homeschooled for most of my life, some parts of the “normal” school world...

I thought I was so smart. And each time I talked to her, I dismissed her as some dumb, scattered girl. Meanwhile, she was laughing and countering my moves every step of the way. It’s...