Andrea Cremer

“The mouthful of turkey sandwich I’d bitten off caught in my throat when Ren rested his hand on my leg, his fingers exploring the curve of my thigh. I coughed and snatched the bottle of water from his other hand, taking several desperate swallows before swatting his fingers from my leg. “Are you trying to kill me?” I choked the words out. “Keep your hands to yourself.”

“(Ren's) eyes were sad but resigned. “And where will you go?”I couldn’t keep the fear out of my reply. “I don’t know.”“Please don’t do this,” he whispered. “Come back with me. We’ll talk to Logan; there has to be an explanation. The Keepers need us; we’re the alphas. We’ll figure this out. They won’t hurt you. I won’t let them.”

“You do realize you just mixed Disney metaphors, right? Disney metaphors. Wow, Calla, now I'm just sad for you.”

“Stop whining; you're eighteen years old and you keep acting like a puppy.Throgh my complaint carried a teasing note, the irriated eddge behind it was real. The focus required by the hunt made me tense. It's not my fault. His plaintive reply came back. I've never had a tail before. I can't figure out what exactly it's supposed to do. It's so distracting.”

“My eyes moved over his face. His chiseled jaw and high cheekbones twisted in agony. Even writhing he was beautiful, muscles clenching and unclenching, revealing his strenght, his body's fight against its impending collapse, rendering his torture sublime. Desire to help him consumed me.I can't watch him die.”

“I don’t have a compact.”

“... taking my faltering as a sign of imminent emotional breakdown.”

“Where are you from?” I started with what I thought was an easy question.“Everywhere,” he grumbled.“Everywhere?” I stared into the blackness of the espresso. “I don’t think I’ve been there.”

“If you guys were humans, you’d already be diabetic.”

“... coffee should be drunk in equal parts with sugar.”

“No human could withstand a Guardian’s warning glare.”

“Wait.” Shay clasped my arm, turning me toward him. “Calla, you know, right?”“Know what?” I asked, caught in the mystery of his eyes.“That I love you too.”

“The patter of tentative footfalls reached my ears. I flipped on my side to face the door and saw Ansel wander by. I rolled onto my back, rubbing sleep from my eyes. I'd crashed on my bed as soons as I'd gotten back from school, collapsing under the weight of the day. The floorboards squeaked as Ansel passed by my door again. I caught his nervous glance in my direction before he hurried down the hall. 'Ansel, I'm not the sun; stop orbiting and get in here,' I called.”

“A friend... sort of. Ren watches me like I'm a cookie jar he wouldn't mind being caught with his hands in.”

“Just because you're a warrior doesn't mean you can't be enticing.”

“It's just,' he said. 'If you don't want to be with him, you shouldn't be.”

“We could run away. I'd stay with you.”

“Her attitude? You mean Efron enjoys spiteful bitchiness...”

“I closed my eyes and leaned back into his body; his fingers kneaded my hips, caressed my stomach. God, it felt good.”

“That is exactly why you can't have me yet, Ren. I'm not going to share.”

“All I wanted was to take a hot bath, to go to sleep, and to not wake up. EVER.”

“It's been a pleasure, she-wolf.”

“You're a freak for not being terrified of me.”

“Ren watched us as he leaned casually against the table, holding a pair of scissors. I'd never seen a classroom tool look so dangerous.”

“Ansel, I'm not the sun, stop orbiting and get in here.”

“Are you going to apologize for slapping me?""No.""I didn't think so," he said.”

“I didn't realize I needed to point out that if we are attacked by a fire-breathing bitch, you can change forms.”

“Calla," Shay called from the hall. "Without your nakedness to distract me, I'm remembering that we're in serious trouble. Hurry, please.”

“I'll help you with whatever's made you upset," he said. "But this morning you blew me off and I'm not going to kiss you today just so you can tell me to go to hell tomorrow."-Shay”

“The relationship of a girl and her favorite novel can be complex indeed.”