“I wanted to tell her that Luka wasn't like any other boy I'd ever know before. Not because he was a ghost. Because he was Luka.”

“I want to take away your sunshine, Lukas. Not because I'm evil but because the sun can't exist without shadows. I want to examine the lie that keeps you afloat--the idea that it's wonderful to be Lukas, that it's splendid to be the tsar's favorite dwarf, that there's nothing better to do than bring crackers to Menshikov like some kind of dog. When does it hurt the most, Lukas? That's what I'd like to know. What hurts you more than anything else? Is it when the tsar mocks you? Or is it when he can't remember your name? Is it when he forgets all about your for a year or two? When are you going to curse Peter Alexeyevich to Hell, Lukas? That's what I'd like to know. I want to get behind that smile of yours, and your clown's heart. And then I'll console you when you fall apart--I'll console you when you realize that you are infinitely unloved. At that moment I'll be at your side, but no before. Not a moment before.”

“It's not because we knew” Lukas said, sucking a gasp of air. “It's because we did it.”

“But she found herself drawn to Ivy because he wasn't like her at all, wasn't like anyone, really. Most people were different because they wanted to be noticed. ivy was different because he couldn't be anyone else”

“Lukas grinned at me. "I didn't know how badass you are. That's kind of hot.”

“Great. So if I saw a guy standing still, and he wasn't wearing an old uniform, I just had to ask him to walk through furniture. If he stared at me like I was crazy, then I'd know he wasn't a ghost. - Chloe”