“And you look beautiful," she added."I look like a cake.""But a beautiful cake.”

“He told me how special you are," he said, flashing Shay an unfriendly smile. "Because of your great-great-times-a-hundred-grandmother Eira who got us into this mess when she became a demon's mistress." "Thanks for reminding me," Shay said. "So now you know why you and Calla were supposed to cut my throat instead of a cake at your wedding. Too bad that didn't happen." Ren Stiffened. "I'm not sorry you made it out of Vail alive. As for the rest of it ... we'll see how that turns out, won't we?”

“He had to clear his throat before he could say, “You know, I always thought it would be cool to have a kid sister.”“Be careful what you wish for.” Adne looked up at him and grinned. “I'm kind of a brat.”Ren laughed.I couldn't help myself. “She's not kidding.”“Thanks, Lily.” Adne glared at me, but she was laughing too. “What do you say we continue trading insults where we're less likely to be in mortal peril?”“She calls you Lily?” Ren was gazing at her, astonished.I groaned. “She does.”“Great minds.” He flashed a wicked smile at me before winking at her.”

“I stared at him. "Did you just call me an abomination?Silas looked me up and down. "Yes. Yes, I did.”

“I growled and then slapped him."Hey!" His hand pressed to his cheek."You always say that when I slap you," I said."I think it's a problem that you know what I say when you slap me," he said. "That's not the kind of intimacy I'm looking for.”

“Your sweetheart isn't too happy about this," Shay said, still smiling. I looked toward the back of the room. Ren watched us, holding a pair of scissors. I'd never seen a classroom tool look so dangerous.”

“I'm sorry, An," I said, hesitating before I spoke again. "Why did you think I turned Shay? I mean besides smelling the other wolf in the cave."Ansel raised his gray eyes to meet mine, his irises hard as flint. "Because I would have run away with Bryn if anyone told me I couldn't be with her. If she weren't a Guardian, I would've turned her, and I would've run for the rest of my life to keep her by my side."I looked at him for a long moment and then nodded slowly. He loves her. That's what love is. It must be.”