But we still have it easy. You’re the strength, the pillars . . . our defenders, our children’s defenders.

Look, Sage. I don’t know much about chemistry or computer hacking or photosynthery, but this is something I’ve got a lot of experience with.” I think he mean photosynthesis, but I didn’t correct him. “Use...

Not much could have distracted me from coffee, but hearing Julius Caesar quoted at Spencer’s certainly did.

I know I’m not supposed to say this, but I love you.

Would you do a brooding, deadbeat Moroi the honor of being his wife?

Did Belikov bend the rules of time and space to get here so fast? He can do that, right?

I tried to dredge up the same reaction other girls had around Marcus, but nothing happened. No matter how hard I tried, I just didn’t have that same attraction His hair was too blond, I...

I went to bed feeling melancholy, wishing I could havepoured out all my fears and insecurities to my mom. Wasn’tthat what normal mothers and daughters did?

Whether it’s simply some fierce animaljoining of mates or a sublime mergingof souls, she is mine, and I am hers.

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

Want to try it out?

Well, that’s the most accurate thing you’ve said so far.”I grabbed the basket and jerked open the car door. Without another word, I stormed off, refusing to look back in case he saw the tears...

Sage, I’ve been waiting two months to hear you say those words. You want me to bring a ladder?

Emerald green eyes studied usfrom a face that could have been sculpted by one of theclassical artists I so admired. Shocked, I dismissed thecomparison as soon as it popped into my head. This was avampire,...

Hello,” I said stiffly.His smile split into a full grin.”So nice to see you again.””Always a pleasure.” My lie sounded robotic, but hopefully it was better than sounding afraid.”No,no,” he said. “The pleasure’s all mine.””If...

I guess I just had trouble shaking thatfeeling that I had to take care of everything because no one else could do it right.

The question was which spell did I make? Which did I have time to make?The answer was eerily simple.I had time to make all of them.

Adrian tipped my face up toward his and kissed me. Like always, the world around me stopped moving. No, the world became Adrian, only Adrian. Kissing him was as mind-blowing as ever, full of that...

Nothing he said could change what I think of you. I’ve had my mind made up about you for a long time… and it’s all good.

Really, Sage? A date?”I sighed. “Yes, Adrian. A date.”A real date. Not, like, doing homework together,” he added. “I mean like where you go out to a movie or something. And a movie that’s not...

Of course. I never claimed strength in the face of your charms, Sage. I’m just an ordinary man. Now put the shirt back on.

Plus it’ll give you a chance to get us a wedding present. We’re not registered anywhere, but we could seriously use some china and a blender.

I think you like the ‘other things.

But listen to me when I say this. You are an exceptional, talented, and brilliant young woman. Do not ever let anyone make you feel invisible. Do not let anyone – not even a teacher...

He was too perfect, despite being one of the most imperfect people I knew.

His reasonable words centered me and allowed the gears of logic that ran my life to take over again.

I had an accident.””That seemes to happen a lot.””It wasn’t my fault.””It never is.””I just have bad luck.””Or you’re just trouble.””You got a problem with that?””No problem at all.””Oh my God! Are you going to...

I wrote back with a quick message: How do you know about 24601? I refuse to believe you read the book. You saw the musical, right?I hit send and received a response back from him...

My wife, ladies and gentlemen. Beauty, brains, and now brawn.

That we should’ve been doing this a long time ago.

I’ll lead you there,” she whispered.”We’re going on a road trip,” Sydney declared. “Get ready.”Dimitri and I were still standing right next to each other, the anger between us beginning to diffuse. Sydney looked proud...

My nails dug into his back, and he trailed his lips down the edge of my chin, down the center of my neck. He kept going until he reached the bottom of the dress’s V-neck....

If I keep loving you, maybe you’ll crack and love me too.

I hope I’maround the day you actually notice someone is interested inyou.” I continued to be mystified, and she spent the rest ofclass bursting out with spontaneous giggles.

He’s been out for a while,” she said. “You ready to take a break?”Hopper could exist in this living form or be transformed into a small statue, which helped avoid uncomfortable questions when people came...

Wait for me. Be strong, and I’ll be strong too. I’ll fight my way out of whatever they’ve got in store. I won’t forget you. I won’t ever turn my back on you, no matter...

I love you, and beneath all that logic, calculation, and superstition, I know you love me too.

I’m sorry ma’am,” I said. Really, I had no idea what else to say. I’d spent the weekend caught up in an epic battle to save humanity, and now… jean shorts?

What were you thinking?” I demanded once we were moving to the music. I was trying to ignore his hands. “Do you know how much trouble you may have gotten me in?”Adrian grinned. “Nah. They...

You are to me.”And somehow, against all reason, we were kissing.

I’ve always made it a rule in my life not to pick fights with children, cute animals, or ignorant old men. I will, however, make an exception for you if you ever touch or insult...

Maybe instead of stalking her, you should go out with someone else.”He sighed. “You don’t think I’ve tried? How can anyone compare? You might not believe this, but there is no one like Ageline at...

God help me,” I murmured, earning a surprised glance from Neil.

We will undo whatever that Moroi boy has done to you.””You sure about that, Dad? Because he’s done everything to me.

Something clenched in my chest, and for a moment, the whole world narrowed down to the green of his eyes.

Everything about her has to do with me.

I also had to come tonight to apologize. If you need to go to Mexico to finish this process off, then I understand. I was wrong to criticize you for it or even imply that...

An image of Sydney’s face appeared in my mind’s eye, calm and lovely.I believe in you.My anxiety faded.I took a deep breath and met the gazes of all those watching me in the room.Who was...

Are they? I would hope your beliefs would be your beliefs.”I’d never thought about it that way before, but I suddenly hoped desperately that her words were true.

Those words, that voice, had more power over me than any phantom ever could.