“If you need to talk about your childhood, you’re safe with me. If you need to break into a million pieces, I’m right here, Lev. I’ll find them all, I’m good at details, and I’ll put you back together. You’re safe here.”

“You just like to piss me off,” Jack said.“Well, there’s that. On the other hand, we’ll find out really fast just how much of a bastard you’re going to be to live with—with your woman around. You get out of line, and I’ll have to take you out behind the barn.”“We don’t have a barn.”“I told you we needed a barn, damn it,” Ken said. “You had to have a shop. It doesn’t sound the same saying I’m taking you out behind the shop.”

“Shea! The call was loud, a flood of fear and confusion, an impression of strangling, of darkness and pain.I’m here, Jacques.Come back to me. I need you.She smiled at the demand in his voice; her heart somersaulted at the raw truth in his voice. He never tried to hide anything from her, not even his elemental fear of her leaving him to face the darkness alone. Spoiled brat. She sent it tenderly. There’s no need to sound like the lord of the manor. I’ll be right in.Just come to me. He was more relaxed now, beating back his fear of isolation. I do not want to wake alone.”

“His lips slid over her ear. "My mind shares yours. If you're determined to go through with this, then know whatever this takes you, you won't be alone, Tansy. I'm strong. I'll find your mind and I'll bring you back.""Last time I broke into a million pieces.""I'll find each one.”

“I’m not a violent man.”Joshua, Jerico and Evan choked dramatically and began coughing.Remy snorted. “And if you believe that, Saria, I’ve got a sinkhole I can sell you for farmland.”“You’re not helping my cause,” Drake complained.“Ignore them. I always do,” Saria advised.”

“What the hell was he shooting at? You? Or the birds?''He fired off a few rounds at me, both from here and back there.' Lev turned to indicate the spot where the assailant stood. 'Then he was shooting at the owls.''The ones that attacked him.' There was open skepticism in Jonas's voice.'I don't carry spare owl feathers in my pocket,' Levi said.”

“You listen to me this one time, Dahlia. If something goes wrong, anything at all, you haul butt out of here fast. You have the cell phone and the number. Call Lily. The Ghost Walkers will be here as soon as possible."She caught him before he could turn away. "You listen to me this one time, Nicholas. If anything goes wrong, don't be a hero. Haul your butt out of there and in one piece. We'll call Lily, and she can send the others.”