“Even as a small child, I understood that woman had secrets, and that some of these were only to be told to daughters. In this way we were bound together for eternity.”

“The sisters were glad to be together. They had the easy sort of relationship where they didn't have to speak to be understood.”

“And then I understood that she had no idea what she'd done to my family. She thought love and hatred were equal.”

“If we had paid attention, we would have understood there are some things in this world you cannot outrun.”

“I thought you were supposed to be the champion of your people,' I said.I live because I need to do that. For anyone who is left.'Don't you see? No one will be left. Protect them now or there will be no one to protect!' This is a battle that goes on and on. It never ends. You're too young to understand.No! You're too much of a coward to fight.'I was sick of lies and secrets and of battles so old we had to erase who we were to fight back. And still we lost. Still we were tied to posts.”

“I loved him even now, as he took a knife to my throat, as I drowned in blood, as I whispered "Cousin, you were wrong. We were born to live.”

“We are only an instant, that's true. But we are eternal.”