1. “Everyone suffers at least one bad betrayal in their lifetime. It’s what unites us. The trick is not to let it destroy your trust in others when that happens. Don’t let them take that from you.”
3. “My father used to say that life is what you make it. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. You can’t change the past, but the future isn’t set in stone. You can effect a change there. Move forward not with hatred or love. Move forward with purpose. (Simone)”
8. “Hey!" Caleb snapped as he realized Nick was about to lock him on the outside with their attackers. He pushed the door open and glared at him. "No man left behind."Nick scoffed. "This aint' the army, boy. It's every man for himself. Fall behind. Get eaten”
9. “When you love someone, truly love them, you lay your heart open to them. You give them a part of yourself that you give to no one else, and you let them inside a part of you that only they can hurt-you literally hand them the razor with a map of where to cut deepest and most painfully on your heart and soul. And when they do strike, it’s crippling-like having your heart carved out.”
19. “Acheron kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Rest. We'll be back when he needs you." He watched herclimb into bed before he took his nephew down to his room."Well, it appears to be just the two of us, little one. What say you we get naked, drunk and find us somewenches?"The baby actually smiled up at him as if he understood.Acheron nodded. "So that's it, eh? Barely a month old and you're already lecherous. You are your father's son.”
20. “Ahhh, you two are special friends." Nick"How do you mean?" Kyrian"He thinks we're a couple" Ash"No No No Definitely not. Not that Acheron is not an attractive man, not that I've ever really noticed whether or not he's attractive, but male is not my type." Kyrian”
23. “You stubborn bastard. Take it from someone who knows firsthand, there’s a lot to be said for forgiveness. Grudges seldom hurt anyone except the one bearing them.""And there’s a lot to be said for knocking enemies upside their heads and cracking skulls open."Ash & Urian”
24. “Your destiny is shaped by choice, never by chance. Beware the decisions you make, no matter how small, for they will be your salvation...or your death.”
25. “Nick... I hope one day you find you a woman who loves you like my Melissa loved me. Whatever you do, boy, don't turn your back on her. If she says she needs you for something, don't matter how stupid it sounds or what deadline you got, you go to her and you do it. Screw work or whatever else. In the end, the only things that matter are the people in your life. The ones who make your life worth living and whose smiles light up your world. Don't ever push them aside for fair-weather friends. Everything else is just cheap window dressing that you can replace. But once them people are gone..." He winced. "You can't buy back time, Nick. Ever. It's the only thing in life you can't get more of, and it's the one thing that will mercilessly tear you up when it's gone. It takes pity on no soul and no heart. And all those fools who tell you it gets easier in time are lying dumb-asses. Losing someone you really love don't never get easier. You just go a few hours longer without breaking down. That's all... that's all. - Bubba”
26. “Jo? Look at me. I’m about to do something really f**king stupid. When I do this, I need you to remember three words for me. Omni rosae spina.” Thorn“Every rose has its thorn?” Jo“Good, you understand Latin. Yes. Commit those words to memory in the event I lose control. Okay?” Thorn”
32. “Simi? What was it you told me once about families?We have three kinds of family. Those we are born to, those who are born to us, and those we let into our hearts.”
34. “Athena came to stand by her side. She reached out and ran a light touch over the read wrap. 'Nice dress."Grace frowned in disbelief. 'They're fighting to the death and you're admiring my clothes?'Athena laughed. 'Trust me, I pick my generals well. Priapus doesn't stand a chance.”
35. “You have no idea how many times in my life I've wanted to publicly bitch-slap my brother. Thank you for the amusement." Athena"I thought you were going to choke me for it." Bethany"Not for this. But don't think for even one heartbeat that we're friends." Athena"I know. But I am a goddess of justice, and while I have no problem tearing open someone who deserves it, I cannot stand to see anyone, even a Greek, wrongfully tortured." Bethany"Now can I have my body back? No offense, but I don't wear old man well." Athena”
37. “I learned the bad guys are not always bad, the good guys are not always good, and to quote Captain Barbossa, the parameters are like rules, mostly guidelines. And that it takes a little bit of bad boy to fight the evil in the world.--Terri Mitchell”
38. “Every time I think that it’s not worth it – that the people in it deserve the misery of their lives – I come across someone who makes me rethink that.”
44. “She didn't understand that. "How can anyone be afraid of love?""How can they not?" His face was completely aghast. "When you love someone... truly love them, friend or lover, you lay your heart open to them. You give them a part of yourself that you give to no one else, and you let them inside a part of you that only they can hurt—you literally hand them the razor with a map of where to cut deepest and most painfully on your heart and soul. And when they do strike, it's crippling—like having your heart carved out. It leaves you naked and exposed, wondering what you did to make them want to hurt you so badly when all you did was love them. What is so wrong with you that no one can keep faith with you? That no one can love you? To have it happen once is bad enough... but to have it repeated? Who in their right mind would not be terrified of that?”
48. “Show no fear to your enemies. Only contempt. Never let anyone look down on you. You're just as good as any of them. I don't care who they are. Better in fact. In our world, Dagans are royalty and you, my son, are a prince.”
49. “If they think they can stop me, I defy them to bring the best they have and I shall roast them over a pit of their own arrogant stupidity."--Maxis”
51. “All of us are a culmination of vital parts of our parents and our pasts. A vital parts of the circumstances we were raised with. Everything that happens to us, good and bad, leaves a lasting impression on our souls. You take one part of that out, and you can rewrite something crucial about us. By and large, we're not shaped by the big things. It's the little, day-to-day moments that make us who we are. Who we're going to be.”
52. “Life's not easy for anyone. Everyone has scars they're afraid to show and we all get slammed headfirst into a proverbial locker from time to time by someone bigger and badder.”
55. “Ain't nothing going to eat you while Bubba's around." Caleb laughed. "They might toy with him for a bit but he won't let any past." Caleb to Nick."Is something wrong?" Nick to Bubba"Nah... I just..." Bubba nervous."Please, God, Bubba, tell me you're not about to ask me out, are you?" Nick to Bubba.Bubba made a rude sound at him. "Hell, nah. I'd date Mark first, provided he took a bath so I wouldn't have to fumigate my truck or store.""But," Bubba continued, "now that you mention it... that is what I wanted to ask you about.""Dating Mark? Really?" Nick to Bubba.'Cause the kid with a brand-new license was such an expert on going out with others.”
56. “By the power of Grayskull. . . I have the power!" Nick"By the power of Grayskull, I'm going to cleave your skull from your shoulders if you don't take this seriously." Caleb”
58. “Malphas surveyed the women's bodies with utter disgust and sorrowuntil he realized Tabitha was still alive. He knelt by her side and cradled her head tenderly. "Tabby... I'm so sorry"Grimacing she opened her eyes as she labored to breathe. She laughed bitterly, exposing a set of bleeding teeth. "there are some things that sorry doesn't fix, Caleb.""Shhh, don't speak. I can--""you failed us," She went limp in his arms. Her eyes went Dull.Wincing, Caleb held her close to his heart and stroked her bloody hair. "No, Tabby. I failed myself.""Most of all, I failed Nick.”
59. “Don't look at me for this. As stated I lack the necessary female equipment for wet nursery. And I once killed a cactus and Bubba's goldfish watching over them. No offense, I don't want to kill Malphas or find a toilet big enough to flush him. Come to think of it, I don't recall him eating anything around me. Ever. Last time he went down, he told me he wanted blood to heal, and I only do that for the Red Cross." Nick”
60. “Galen punched his brother hard. "You bastard! You married and din't tell me?"Bathymaas moved to blast him. Aricle stopped her. "I'ts alright my lady. That's his normal reaction.""He needs to find another." Bathymaas"How could you have not told me? I'm your brother! Your twin! When did you marry?" Galen"While you were all gone." Aricles"Have you any idea the shit storm you are about to unleash?" Caleb"It's why I backed down from the fighting. I didn't want anyone hurt. Least of all Bathymaas." AriclesMalphas growled. "Now I want to punch you. . . . But I understand." He rubbed his gold necklace that never left him. "The heart wants what it wants, and nothing will deny it. But damn . . ." He turned his glare to Bathymaas. "Damn.""So what does this mean?" Monokles"The gods will attack her for this. Openly. Those who hate her will say that she can no longer perform her duties because she's been corrupted by the thouch of a mortal. And they will be after Aricles with everything they have." Caleb"I still don't trust him. He bowed out when we needed him the most." Phelix"To protect his wife." Haides reminded Phelix. "Right or wrong, I doubt there's a one of us who wouldn't do whatever he had to to keep his woman safe." Haides"he's right, there's nothing I wouldn't do to protect my wife and her honor." MonoklesGalen hugged Bathymaas and then his brother. "I hate you." galen"I hate you too." AriclesBathymaas scowled. "We don't mean it, my lady. Rather, it's our way of saying that we're still mad, but are willing to forgive." Aricles"Mortals are so strange." Bathymaas”
64. “Go stand in the corner until you learn to be more positive in your thinking. You need an attitude adjustment, Mr Daeve!" Nick"My attitude is fine. What I need is an environmental change where I'm not locked in a hovel with an ass" Glares at Jaden the Nick---- "and a pimple."Caleb"Why are you laughing?" Nick"I'm reveling in the fact he left me off his hate list." Xev”
67. “They say when you're about to die, you see your entire life flash before your eyes. They lied. The only thing Nick Gautier could see flashing was Kyrian Hunter's vampire fangs.”
69. “Acheron: You're really not right, are you?Nick: Yeah. I know. It was all the paint chips I ate as a kid. They were good, but chromosomally damaging”
70. “Calm down. I’m a demon, Nick. Hematite doesn’t like my genetics. It doesn’t mean anything other than I have really bad parentage.”“Then why am I having flashes of you killing me?”“What’d you eat this morning?”Nick didn’t care for that answer. Not one little bit. “I saw it happen. You were choking the life out of me.”Caleb rolled his eyes. “Oh yeah. That is definitely a figment of your overactive, over-Hollywood-stimulated imagination. I assure you. I don’t kill people that way. Takes too long. I’m not into torture. I prefer a quick death so that I can move on to something more satisfying.”Strangely enough, that he believed. Patience wasn’t a virtue Caleb practiced. “You sure?”“Dude, look at me. You think I’d have let the demons pound all over me last night so that you could escape if I had any intention of killing you? Really?”
71. “The only vampires I've ever seen are the Goths trying to get a glimpse of Anne Rice's house, who drink strawberry sodas and tell each other it's blood.”
72. “Well . . . he lets it ruin his life. He gets so obsessed with going after the one thing that hurt him that he loses sight of everything else. He becomes isolated from everyone and everything. Paranoid. He feels like he can't trust anyone around him ever. In the end, he loses everything, even his life. And for what? Total stupidity, if you ask me.”
73. “All of us are a culmination of vital parts of our parents and their pasts. A vital part of the circumstances we were raised with. Everything that happens to us, good and bad, leaves a lasting impression in our souls. You take one part of that out, and you can completely rewrite something crucial about us. By and large, we're not shaped by the big things. It's the little day to day moments that make us who we are. Who we're going to be."His head was pounding from trying to digest all of this. "I'm so overwhelmed.""Most of us are, Nick. Even though we look calm and peaceful on the outside, most of us are barely hanging on by our fingernails.”
74. “Be glad you have a mother who loves you."He was glad of that. A lot, since she was basically the only person on earth who did. But now that he was a full head taller than her, it was weird when she tried to cuddle him like he was a baby. He could be almost seven feet tall like Acheron, and she'd probably still try to pull him into her lap.”
75. “Are you sure Savitar is on our side?" Nick"I can hear you, kid," Savitar growled "And yeah. I'm on your side.""Just checking. My other former allies turned out to be myths.”
76. “That's right. Uh-huh. Uh-huh," Nick said arrogantly. "You might know karate, boy, but I know gorilla, and I'm a level 40 champion in it. Let's hear it for Diddy Kong! Ew! Ew! Ew! Ew! Ew!" He mimicked the sound of a gorilla as he held on for dear life.”
77. “Power without control is worthless." Acheron's favorite saying. At least it was Ash's pet phrase any time Nick got behind the wheel and laid into the accelerator."Damn it, Nick! You've got to learn to go slow and not rush off into traffic at warp ten, especially not when it's heading straight for you!" Acheron's oth favorite rant where he was concerned.”
80. “I know I don't want to ask this, but the compulsion's more than I can bear. What's kind of human?" Ash"She's a ghost." Nick"What kind of idiot dates a ghost?" Ash”
81. “Babe, I don't know you and my no zone has a very short guest list. Consider my belt the velvet rope no one crosses without an express invitation.”
86. “You drank my blood?" Nick"Aye" Aeron"Dude, that's gross. I hope you brushed your teeth afterward. Saw a dentist. Drank a gallon of Listerine." Nick"I told you he wouldn't be angry for it." Nashira”
87. “Take care of him, Soteria. And remember it takes great courage and heart for a man who knows no kindness to show it to another. Even the wildest of beasts can be tamed by a patient and gentle hand. (Takeshi)”
88. “I swear if that's a pair of demon horns digging into my belly and stabbing me right now, Ash, I'm going to beat you after it's born." 'Cause face it, horns on the head didn't come from my side of the family or genetic code.”
89. “His mom always said that trust was something you earned. And it wasn't something you gave easy. Too often, it was a tool your enemies used to hurt you with. 'Give them nothing, baby. Not until you have no choice. The world is harsh and it is cold. People can be good and decent, but most of them are only out for themselves and they'll hurt anyone they can'.”
91. “You're going to throw me naked into a pit and make me drench myself in baby lotion, aren't you?" BrideYou live in New Orleans, where they can't even dig a grave. So tell me where I'm going to find this pit?" Vane"It's an above ground pit." Bride"Hardly secretive." Vane"But possible," Bride”
94. “Come on, where did you learn to fight? Miss Manners’ School for Girls? My baby sister could hit harder than you when she was three years old. Damn, if you’re going to turn Daimon, the least you could do is take a few fighting lessons so you can make my boring job more interesting. (Wulf)”
95. “La manera de vencer al hombre enojado es con la gentileza, al hombre malo con bondad, y al avaro con la generosidad y al mentiroso con la verdad.”
96. “Human will is the strongest will ever created. There are those who are born to succeed and those who are determined to succeed. The former fall into it, and the latter pursue it at all costs. They won’t be denied. Nothing daunts them.”
97. “What’s so funny? (Astrid)I’m just thinking, here I am a slave who touched a star who then made him a demigod. I have to be the luckiest bastard who ever lived. (Zarek)”
98. “How does someone know the difference between that and infatuation?"He sat up between her legs, then pulled her into his lap to cuddle. "I don't think there is a difference. Ithink infatuation is like a garden. If tended and cared for, it grows into love. If neglected or abused itdies. The only way to have eternal love is to never let your heart forget what it's like to live without it.”
99. “Freewill.Some have called it the greatest gift bestowed on humanity. It is our ability to control what happens to us and exactly how it happens. We are the masters of our fate and no one can foist their will on us unless we allow it.Others say freewill is a crap myth. We have a preordained destiny and no matter what we do or how hard we fight it, life will happen to us exactly as it’s meant to happen. We are only pawns to a higher power that our meager human brains can’t even begin to understand or comprehend.”
105. “Sadly for you, I think I'm going to live, Simi. You can stop slapping me now. I've already lost enough sense. Can't afford to lose any more brain cells. I really really need my last three before I forget how to spell my name. It's hard enough to pronounce." Nick"well, poo. Not poo that you'll live, 'cause the Simi would probably miss you if you died, but poo that I'll miss all that good old salty boy meat. Though we needs be fatting you up some to make you really good eats. Hmmm." Simi”
106. “When I was a little girl, I used to try and bring sunshine to my mother. I felt so bad that she had never really seen or felt it. So I would try and catch it in jars. When that failed, I captured jars and jars of lightening bugs and told her that if we could catch enough of them, then it would look like the sun. She’d laugh, hug me, and then set them free and tell me that nothing should have to live its life in a cage. (Cassandra)”
107. “Dearly weird and motley beings, we're gathered here today for . . . yada, yada, yada. Seth say something profound and sweet to Lydia." Savitar"My Lydia is like a star rising to guide me through the darkest night." Seth"Look, kid, I can say the words for you, but I think she'd rather hear them from your lips. Ignore the assholes in the chairs. If one of them laughs, I'll gut him for you." SavitarLydia laid her hand against his cheek and kissed his lips. "Hey, hey, hey!" Savitar snapped. "You're jumping ahead, woman. It's your turn to make a vow to him.""Love is paitent. Love is kind.It does not envy. It does not boast. It does not proud.It is not rude. It is not self seeking.It is not easily angered> It keeps no records of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.It always protects, it always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Lydia"Yeah, okay,beings . . . now you ." Savitar"Alright then, to the handful here, let me present Mr. and Mrs. Demigod jackal beings." Savitar"You know this would be much easier if some of us had last names." Savitar to Seth and Lydia"Would you stop ruining this for them?" Ma'at"I'm not ruining it, Mennie, I'm making it memorable," Savitar”
109. “Hey, Ms. P," Tad called, "what's going on?"She let out a slow breath before she answered. "You won't believe this... Brian Murrey tried to eat Scott Morgan."Nick's eyes widened at the unexpected explanation. Had he heard that right?”
111. “Descobri a minha estrela. Ela é bela e graciosa. Elegante e divina. O meu riso no inverno. Ela é corajosa e forte. Arrojada e tentadora. Diferente de qualquer outra no universo e não posso tocar-lhe. Nem me atrevo a tentar.”
112. “The strongest steel is forged by the fires of hell. It is pounded and struck repeatedly before it's plunged back into the molten fire. The fire gives it power and flexibility, and the blows give it STRENGTH. Those two thing make the metal pliable and able to withstand every battle it's called upon to fight.”
113. “What kind of lifehave you lived, little one, that everything seems to be a question of fair and unfair? Life and death just are. Fair has nothing to do with it.”
114. “In theory, especially in the case of Stone, those who have human hearts would remain cognizant of their behavior and in control of themselves. Those who are Katagaria . . .”
115. “You need to calm down and remember that everyone grieves differently. Doesn't mean they don't care. You don't judge people in pain, and you damn sure don't lash out at them when they've lost what Syn has!”
116. “By the way, I have a bone to pick with you." Esperetta"Only one?" Velkan"At the moment." Esperetta"Then I can't wait to hear it." Velkan"'Bram' and 'Stoker'?" Esperetta"It was fitting, I thought." Velkan”
121. “It's easy to look at people and make quick judgements about them, their present and their pasts, but you'd be amazed at the pain and tears a single smile hides. what a person shows to the world is only one tiny facet of the iceburg hidden from sight. And more often then not, it's lined with cracks and scars that go all the way to the foundation of their soul.”
122. “And neither do you, ciratile. you EVER try this shit again with me and mine, and i will rape and plunder the village ,and burn the motherfucker to the ground..." He looked around at the bodies on the floor. "And as you've seen here today there ain't nothing you bitches can do to stop me. Talk is cheap. Pain is free. And I'm peddling the shit out of it. so you come on and get some.”
125. “Aimee pulled him to a stop. "Thank you, Xedrix. I really appreciate this.""Really wish I could say the same. Damn bears, getting demons killed. What did we ever do to you?"Kyle let out a nervous half-laugh. "Well, you did try to eat me."Xedrix scoffed. "Man up, Kyle. We only took one small bite.”
126. “«Ma com'è possibile aver paura dell'amore?»«Com'è possibile non averne paura... Quando ami qualcuno... Quando ami davvero qualcuno, un amico o una donna, gli doni il tuo cuore. Gli doni una parte di te a cui nessun altro ha accesso e che nessun altro può ferire. È come se fossimo noi stessi a dargli il coltello indicandogli il punto più fragile e doloroso da colpire(....)»”
128. “What is memory foam? How does it remember things? Does it have its own brain?” Edilyn“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Suffice it to say, it’s something future man will thank modern science for. There’s also a toilet in the bathroom.” Virag“A what in the who?” Edilyn”
129. “Fate was a bitch, but she always had a wicked sense of humor. Today, he was her punch line. Tomorrow, she'd be laughing at them.-Darling's thoughts”
130. “So what's it to be, Bear?"Dev lifted his leg and gave a sarcastic slap to his thigh."By golly, I'll take door number two, Bob. You know the one that calls for straight suicide with a side of mutilation and pain? Sign my hairy ass up for that and don't be late.”
131. “Holy crap, Caleb! You're my uncle." Nick"No!" Caleb"It's worse. He's the half-brother of your great-grandfather." Kody"You're not helping." Caleb"No, but I'm entertaining myself at your adorable expense." Kody"Yeah, y'all are missing the important fact. To a Cajun, that makes him my uncle." Nick"Great. I always wanted to be a monkey's uncle. Nice to know I finally succeeded." Caleb”
132. “Nick snorted. “Fine. Whatever. We’ve got to find him. If for no other reason, we don’t need him to do something that could out himself in public.”“Yeah,” Caleb said sarcastically. “They have laws against exposing yourself in public.”
135. “I am glad that though someone did me grossly wrong my final mark on this world is not one of countering hurt with more hurt but is one of love and friendship. We will always be known by our actions. Let them always be good ones.”
138. “Looks like I missed a party. Good. I wasn’t really in the mood to off demons this evening. Haven’t had my coffee yet. (Jared)You drink coffee? (Stryker)No, but it was my pathetic attempt at humor. (Jared)”
140. “If it is our destiny to be hit by the train, we will be hit by the train. The only thing we can change is how the train turns us into a hamburger.”
141. “Xypher flashed himself into Simone's bedroom, expecting to find her there.It was empty.Closing his eyes, he sensed for presences in the condo. There no Simone, but Jesse and Gloria in Jesse's room.Without thinking, he flashed in there to find the two ghosts naked on the bed. "Oh g-ds, I'm blind." He spun around to give them his back."Don't you knock?" Jesse said.”
142. “Simone couldn't move as she caught the hot look in his eyes. This was it and she knew it. She was lost to him. How could she deny him after all he'd done to protect her?"Simone!"She jumped at Jesse's shrill call.He popped into the room, then screamed like a girl. "I'm sorry. You two continue."Xypher let out a low, evil growl as he hung his head down and shook it over her. "I don't know about you, but that just killed my mood. The only thing to do more damage would would be to see Jesse naked. That would probably make me impotent for eternity. I think we just found the perfect birth control.”
143. “What's the difference between Darling Cruel, the wind, and a vacuum? A vacuum only sucks. The wind only blows. But Darling sucks, blows, and swallows.”
146. “I didn't think he'd go back for him. But it shouldn't surprise me, either, I guess . . . given their relationship. I'm extremely curious where they're hiding him, as he doesn't blend. At all. Ever. I can't imagine where they could put him that he wouldn't attract a lot of attention . . . in either form." Xev"Well, aren't we Mr. Dark and Cryptic . . . shall we call him?" Nick pulls out his phone."I doubt he knows how to work that. I'm sure he'd sniff it and eat it if you gave him one. Do you know where they're keeping him?" Xev"You know how akri-Caleb's house is up off the ground and gots all that room under it for storage?" Simi"Oh dear Gods, he's in my wine cellar? Seriously? I'm thinking I should have made amends with my brother sooner and moved him into my house to watch the puca. What kind of mutant life form do I have living in my cellar? And do I need to fumigate my house?"" Caleb”
147. “Sam gave Captain Suicide a droll stare. "How did you die again? Oh wait, I know this. 'I can take 'em. I don't need to wait for reinforcements. I can do it myself.' How'd that work out for you again?”
148. “He made a sound of disgust in the back of his throat. "Oh thank you so much. That's what every man wants to hear about his name. You might as well call me 'Little Pecker' while you're at it and tell me you would love to have me go shopping with you for feminine hygiene products. Oh and by all means, carry a big, sparkling pink bag with flowers on it and make me hold it.”
149. “People aren't just ants rushing around over a crust of bread. Every life, no matter how isolated, touches hundreds of others. It's up to us to decide if those micro connections are positive or negative. But whichever we decide, it does impact the ones we deal with. One word can give someone the strength they needed at that moment or it can shred them down to nothing. A single smile can turn a bad moment good. And one wrong outburst or word could be the tiny push that causes someone to slip over the edge into destruction.”
150. “When they know what makes you cry, they know what hurts you most. Don't give your enemies that." Solin, character in The Guardian by Sherrilyn Kenyon”
152. “I can't believe you cheated!" "I can't believe you didn't know it. Man, what kind of got are you? I never knew stupidity had a divine representative. Guess I was wrong, huh?" "You're such an asshole."-Phobos & Diemos”
153. “I can't believe you cheated!" I can't believe you didn't know it. Man, what kind of god are you? I never knew stupidity had a divine representative. Guess I was wrong, huh?" "You're such an asshole."-Phobos & Diemos”
154. “But life isn’t about learning to forgive those who have hurt you or forgetting your past. It’s about learning to forgive yourself for being human and making mistakes.”
156. “Writers,” Esther said simply. “For some reason, a lot of you reject what you hear and see in your heads. If you go too long ignoring it, it builds up and then you do all sorts of weird things. Mumble to yourself. Nightmares. Daydreams. Total anarchy and chaos. Before you know it, the writer is either sitting in a corner feverishly humming to his- or herself or on Prozac.”
157. “Will you accept me?" Fury"No. I'm here naked with you because all my clothes fell off by accident and I can't find them." Angelia"You're a sarcastic little critter, aren't you?" Fury"I learned it from you." Angelia”
159. “Tell me of a happy memory, Zarek. One thing in your life that was good."He hesitated for so long that she didn't think he would answer. When he spoke, his voice was so soft that it made her ache. "You.”
160. “Sometimes stars do fall to earth. It was true. They did and then became commonplace like the rest of the dirt on the planet. His star was one of a kind.He would never allow her to be like any other. Never allow her to be common or sullied.No, her place was in the sky. With her family. With her stinking pet wolf. Never with him. "Have a nice life, princess.”
161. “Come poteva quella donna avere fiducia in lui se era proprio lui il primo a non averla? «Sei davvero cieca, lo sai?»«No. Io ti vedo, Zarek. Ti vedo come nessuno prima d'ora ha mai saputo fare.»”
162. “«Che sciocchi che sono questi mortali» sussurrò.Ma anche lui ci era passato. L'amore rendeva ciechi e stupidi. Era lo stesso per gli umani e per gli dèi.”
163. “La vendetta era qualcosa che Zarek conosceva fin troppo bene. In suo nome aveva perfino venduto l'anima. Poteva biasimare il demone per aver fatto la stessa cosa?”
164. “Zarek era stato forte per tutta la vita e voleva continuare a esserlo. Non l'avrebbe mai legata a sé. Non sarebbe stato giusto.A volte una stella cade sulla terra.Sentì le parole di Acheron in testa. Aveva ragione; a volte succedeva, ma col tempo quella stella si omologava alla banalità e alla sporcizia del mondo.La sua era speciale.Non avrebbe permesso che diventasse come le altre. Non avrebbe permesso che venisse infangata e perdesse la sua unicità.No, il suo posto era nel cielo. Con la sua famiglia.”
165. “L'amava come mai avrebbe creduto possibile. Si ricordava ogni volta che lei lo aveva toccato, che aveva riso con lui.Il modo in cui l'aveva fatto sentire umano.E non voleva vivere senza di lei. Neppure per un momento.Zarek cadde in ginocchio incapace di sopportare il pensiero di non vederla mai più.”
167. “«Le stelle non dovrebbero piangere» sussurrò in modo che soltanto lei lo potesse sentire. «Devono ridere.»«Come posso ridere se mi è stato strappato via il cuore?»Zarek le prese una mano e le baciò ogni polpastrello. «Tu ce l'hai, un cuore.» Si posò le dita della donna sul petto. «Un cuore che batte solo per te, principessa.»”
169. “«Vieni con me, Astrid.»«Perché dovrei?»Gli occhi di lui ardevano d'amore nei suoi. «Perché ti amo, e senza di te avrei freddo anche se fossi sdraiato sulla superficie del sole. Ho bisogno della mia stella. Di sentirla ridere.»”
171. “En la vida no todo es seguridad. Es ser capaces de recoger los pedazos después de que todo haya pasado y continuar adelante. Podemos elegir el ser unos cobardes que temer dejar a alguien entrar en nuestro interior y hacerlo todo solos o podemos elegir el ser valientes y dejar que alguien esté a nuestro lado y nos ayude. Yo no soy una cobarde. Nunca lo he sido. Y no tengo ninguna intención de irme a otro lugar que no sea el que está a tu lado. Para siempre. Ya sea en la Tierra o en este infierno si es lo que se necesita. Yo siempre estaré contigo.En ese momento, Seth se dio cuenta de que no necesitaba la golondrina para evadirse del dolor. Todo lo que necesitaba era a ella.Y además tenía razón. Se necesitaba mucho más valor para dejar el corazón abierto a otra persona que el mantenerlo cerrado. Dejar que alguien se metiera muy dentro de ti donde sólo ellos pudieran herirte.Sólo Lydia podría destruirle.Y, sin embargo, sólo le había dado una vida... al menos una que merecía la pena vivir.”
172. “In case you haven't noticed, they're moving a lot faster. I don't know about the laws of physics on your planet, but where I come from an object moving at subclass speed can't catch up to one running at starclass. But if you know something about turbines, thrusters and engines, quantum or classical physics that I've somehow missed, then please enlighten me.- Caillen Dagan to Desideria Denarii”
173. “Ah its fine. I don't mind." Hadrain sucked his breath in sharply. "Ooo, T. Have a care with that word. It always gives me chills."Talyn frowned. "What word?""Fine. I hate it.""Seriously?""Uh yeah. Are you out of your mind? I live with Jayne and two daughters. The most terrifying four-lettered-f-word a woman says in my house is 'fine.' I swear, every time I hear it, I cringe." Nero laughed. "Jayne? What have you done to my brother?"Kissing her cheek, Hadrain flashed a teasing grin. "Let me put it to you this way... God forbid anything should ever happen to her, but if it does I'm under orders to chain and lock her coffin shut during the middle of the funeral just to freak everyone out”
174. “Ah its fine. I don't mind." Hadrain sucked his breath in sharply. "Ooo, T. Have a care with that word. It always gives me chills."Talyn frowned. "What word?""Fine. I hate it.""Seriously?""Uh yeah. Are you out of your mind? I live with Jayne and two daughters. The most terrifying four-lettered-f-word a woman says in my house is 'fine.' I swear, every time I hear it, I cringe." Nero laughed. "Jayne? What have you done to my brother?"Kissing her cheek, Hadrain flashed a teasing grin. ";et me put it to you this way... God forbid anything should ever happen to her, but if it does I'm under orders to chain and lock her coffin shut during the middle of the funeral just to freak everyone out.”
177. “And I wanted to put my fist through your pretty, pampered face." Galen"As I recall, you did. And then you kicked me in the ass and sent me sprawling, pampered face first, into a pile of horseshit." Styxx"And you said not a word about it to anyone. You got up, took your training sword, and faced me as if you landed in a bed of poppies. All the while, shit dripping down you."Galen”
178. “is it just me or does it seem like the gods have a vendetta against us?" Hector"They want us dead" Aricles"Ah, good. I'm not the only one who's noticed. And here I thought it was just me." Hector"It is disconcerting, isn't it? And battle isn't all I thought it'd be." Galen"Is that remorse I hear?" Aricles"It's remorse. I keep going back to that day on the farm when they came to recruit us. Do you remember what you said to me while we packed?" Galen"Not to forget your cloak?" Aricles"You told me that battle wouldn't be the same as the war games I' played. That the day would come when I'd grow tired of walking through blood-saturated fields." Galen"And has that day come brother?" AriclesGalen nodded.”
179. “―Es algo que mi padre solía decir cuando yo era un niño. Hacia el infinito, significa que ves algo sin final. Nick no lo entendió. ―El infinito es interminable. ―Eso es correcto, lo que significa que seguirás adelante y adelante sin importar lo que ocurra o los obstáculos que encuentres. Por encima, por debajo, alrededor o a través. Siempre hay un camino. Y si tienes que perseguir algo hasta el infinito, ponte tus pantalones de chico mayor, calzate tus botas y en marcha.”
180. “Even though Styxx was taller, Galen had carried him off the field of battle and held his hand the whole time they’d closed the wound. “Squeeze when it hurts, and don’t worry about breaking anything, Highness. Trust me, if my deceptively strong Thia wasn’t able to break it during her childbirths, there’s no damage you can do. And at least you’re not threatening to cut off my balls, fry them up, and feed them to me.”
183. “—¿No tienes amigos con quien pasar el rato? (Nick)—Los tengo. Pero el problema es que cuando paso el rato con mis amigos, por lo general se pone feo para el resto de vosotros. Especialmente cuando estamos aburridos. Nada nos entretiene más que las plagas, la guerra, el hambre, y masacres sangrientas. (Grim)—Juegas a Dragones y Mazmorras, también, ¿eh? ¿Quién es tu Maestro de los Calabozos? (Nick)—La diferencia entre mi grupo y el tuyo, es que nuestros juguetes son reales." (Grim)”
185. “The strongest of metals is forged under the most violent of conditions, my lord. It is buried deep in the hottest coals and then beat and pounded until it is bent into shaped. Then it becomes the strongest, most lethal of weapons. A thing of absolute beauty and force”
187. “Hi,Bas.""You want to hold him?" Tory asked.Terrified at the mere thought, Styxx shook his hed."I might break him and piss off Acheron"Tory and Bethany laughed."you can't break him, sweetie" Bethany said."I don't know. The lat time i held a child that age, I must break it 'cause it leaked all over me”
188. “Um, Galen . . . This one is leaking."StyxxGalen laughed.Danae cried out in horror. " am so sorry, Highness! I--""Bah," Galen scoffed, interrupting her. "Not the worst that boy's had on him, is it, young prince?""Definitely not. But . . ." He passed Elpis back to Galen. "I fear I have no experience with this realm of domesticity. I've never even seen a pana, never mind tried to apply one to such a small person.”
189. “Hubris you say, brother? Please, tell us the nature of the prince's actions against you. Let everyone know exactly how Prince Styxx offended you." Bethany Disguised as Athena"He has held himself up as a god. His arrogance and pride are an affront to us all." Apollo"Held himself up as a god? Pray tell, when was this? .... Ah, yes, I remember... It was when he dared to slay your Atlantean grandson during battle. Is that not right, brother? I'm sure, like me, you remember that day well. The Atlanteans, led to our shores by your own blood kin, were slaughtering hundreds of Greeks until the beach sands turned red from good Greek blood. The onslaught was so fierce that entire veteran regiments fled from the Atlanteans and cowered. Even the brave, noble Dorians pulled back in fear. But not Prince Styxx. He rode in like a lion and jumped from his horse to save the life of a young shield-bearer who was about to be killed by one of the Atlantean giants." Bethany/AthenaBethany swept her gaze around the people there, who were completely silent now. "And with reckless disregard for his own life and limb, this prince picked the boy up and put him on the back of his royal steed and told him to ride to safety. He spent the rest of the day fighting on foot. Not as a prince or a god, but as a mere, heroic Greek soldier." She turned back to Apollo. "His actions so enraged the Atlantean gods that they turned all of their animosity toward him. And still Prince Styxx fought on for his people, wounded, bloody, and tired. He never backed off or backed down. Not even when your own grandson almost buried his axe through the prince's skull. He hit Styxx's hoplon so hard, it splintered a portion of it off. And as Xan held the prince down, the prince, who was barely more than a child, managed to stab him through the ribs. But now that I think about it, you don't remember that day, do you, Apollo? You weren't even there when it was fought, but later that very night-”
190. “The past is history written in stone that can't be altered. The future is transitory and never guaranteed. Today is the only thing you can alter for certain. Make the most of it.”
192. “I should have thought of this years ago.But that was the problem with being sane. Sane people played by the rules. They looked for rational explanations and solutions in an insane universe.”
194. “Everyone buckled in?" Sasha snorted, then gaped as he realized Jess wasn't joking about it. "Really?" Is there anyone here one hundred percent human? No. I think dying from an unbuckled belt is the least of our concerns right now.""And I don't put it in drive until everyone's secure. That means you, wolfboy."Sasha's exasperated expression was priceless. "Unfrakkin'-believable. I'm in hell. With a lunatic. Might as well have stayed with Zarek. Next thing you know, you'll be drowning pancakes in syrup, too." He made a grand showing of buckling himself in. "Hope you get fleas" he mumbled under his breath. "Thank you." Jess pulled out of the garage.She pressed her lips together to keep from laughing at them. No doubt they'd take turns beating on her if she did. Curling his lip, Sasha sarcastically mocked his words in silence. "By the way, cowboy, you do know that if we were to wreck, I can teleport out of this thing right?" "Is Scooby still bitching?" Jess asked Choo Co La Tah. "Remind me to check his vet record when we get back. I think he might have distemper or rabies or something.”
195. “Sasha groaned from beside her as he struggled with his belt. "I think I'm going to barf a hairball." Jess let out a frustrated breath as he tried to loosen himself. "You can't. You're canine.""Tell that to the hairball in my stomach." Jess cursed as his hand slipped while he was trying to get loose. "Bet you're glad I made you fasten that seat belt now, aren't you, Mr. I-can-flash-myself-out-if-we-get-hit?" Sasha groaned. "Shut up, asshole." He glared at Jess. "And I would have flashed out of the car, but because we were rolling, I didn't want to get hit by it. Damn those Rytis laws.”
197. “sasha growled low in his throat. "Send the wolf to watch them," he mocked in falsetto. His nostrils flared. "I swear Z, if I live, I'm going to rip that damned goatee off your face and stick your shaving cream in the fridge.”
198. “All right, everyone. Fess up. Who just shat in their pants? C'mon. Admit it." He raised his hand. I know I did and I'm wolf enough to own it." Jess ignored him. "Are you all right?" he asked Abigail. She was still a little too pale for his tastes. "I think I'm going to own Sasha's question. Definitely put me on your list.”
199. “Can you drive it?" "No. I can't drive a stick at all. It's why I took Andy's car and not one of yours." "Oh people, for goodness' sake...move over." Choo Co La Tah pushed past Jess to take the driver's seat. Curious about that, she slid over to make room for the ancient. Jess hesitated. "Do you know what you're doing?" Choo Co La Tah gave him a withering glare. "Not at all. But I figured smoeone needed to learn and no on else was volunteering. Step in and get situated. Time is of the essence." Abigail's heart pounded. "I hope he's joking about that." If not, it would be a very short trip. Ren changed into his crow form before he took flight. Jess and Sasha climbed in, then moved to the compartment behind the seat. A pall hung over all of them while Choo Co La Tah adjusted the seat and mirrors.By all means, please take your time. Not like they were all about to die or anything...She couldn't speak as she watched their enemies rapidly closing the distance between them. This was by far the scariest thing she'd seen. Unlike the wasps and scorpions, this horde could think and adapt. They even had opposable thumbs. Whole different ball game. Choo Co La Tah shifted into gear. Or at least he tried. The truck made a fierce grinding sound that caused jess to screw his face up as it lurched violently and shook like a dog coming in from the rain. "You sure you odn't want me to try?" Jess offered. Choo Co La Tah waved him away. "I'm a little rusty. Just give me a second to get used to it again." Abigail swallowed hard. "How long has it been?"Choo Co La Tah eashed off the clutch and they shuddred forward at the most impressive speed of two whole miles an hour. About the same speed as a limping turtle. "Hmm, probably sometime around nineteen hundred and..." They all waited with bated breath while he ground his way through more gears. With every shift, the engine audibly protested his skills. Silently, so did she. The truck was really moving along now. They reached a staggering fifteen miles an hour. At this rate, they might be able to overtake a loaded school bus...by tomorrow. Or at the very least, the day after that. "...must have been the summer of...hmm...let me think a moment. Fifty-three. Yes, that was it. 1953. The year they came out with color teles. It was a good year as I recall. Same year Bill Gates was born." The look on Jess's and Sasha's faces would have made her laugh if she wasn't every bit as horrified. Oh my God, who put him behind the wheel?Sasha visibly cringed as he saw how close their pursuers were to their bumper. "Should I get out and push?" Jess cursed under his breath as he saw them, too. "I'd get out and run at this point. I think you'd go faster." Choo Co La Tah took their comments in stride. "Now, now, gentlemen. All is well. See, I'm getting better." He finally made a gear without the truck spazzing or the gears grinding.”
200. “As I've always said to Talyn, tough times never last. But tough Andarions. I learned that from watching you as a boy. Your parents, grandparents, and Keris treated you like shit and yet you never once spoke against them. You'd just lift your chin and carry on. 'Barking dogs don't bother me,' you used to say. 'Sooner or later, they reach the end of their yard and hit a fence. I'll keep going past it, and won't hear them anymore.”