Carolyn MacCullough

“Then one last thought tugs at me, so I turn back."So why did you name me Tamsin?" I ask. "You always promised to tell me later. Even though, technically, it's earlier."My grandmother's smile flickers, deepens."It's how you introduced yourself to me tonight. I just assumed that's what you wanted to be named.”

“The future's written in water.”

“I was born on the night of Samhain, when the barrier between the worlds is whisper-thin and when magic, old magic, sings its heady and sweet song to anyone who cares to hear it.”

“You are a beacon for us. One of the most powerful." "I'm not," I say softly. "Not anymore." Smiling, my grandmother presses my hand. "Always, Tamsin. Because of you, we have a future. That's why you will always be a beacon for us." Still holding my hand, she turns toward the house, toward the sound of laughter and music spilling out from the lit windows. Looking back at her, I mile, close my eye in her trademark wink, and say, "Ah.”

“Please!" I stop my pacing, glare at him. "Is that all you can think about at a time like this?"Gabriel rolls up on one elbow and smiles at me. "I'm a guy. It's what I think about all the time.”

“There. What do you think?" he takes half a step back and i look at myself in the mirror again. Somehow, he has managed where i failed to roll my hair an pin it low on my neck. The curl that keeps escaping has now been positioned behind my ear."Not bad," i say. "You know if the musician thing doesn't work out, you could always be a-" Behind me Gabriel makes a stabbing motion over his heart.”

“Okay," I gasp. "I can't really breathe, but other than that, okay.""Breathing's overrated," Gabriel advises me."I'm discovering that right about now with this damn tie.”

“Gabriel: You're not going to do anything stupid, are you?Tamsin: You mean intentionally?”

“You and I are more alike than you think,” Alistair says.“I don't see that at all,” I say.“Besides the fact that we both lied about our names,” I add.”

“Your father and I will deal with him.”“What are you going to do?” I say.“We will talk to him.” I snort.“Yeah, that's going to work.”