“It happened. It was frightening and horrible and we both wish it hadn't happened, but it did.”

“Listen, Sebastian," he whispered. "That beautiful sound belongs to us for the rest for our lives. That's your mother. She's sunshine. No matter what happens in our lives, we have that.”

“Fine," Julian agreed grudgingly. "But if that idiot Barack happens by with his hangdog look, tell him to keep going.”

“I think my vision's blurred," he murmurred.SHe responded with a hesitant laugh. "If that's all that happened, you're a heck of a better kisser than I am. I can't stand up.""I'm afraid to touch you. We might go up in flames."She sighed. "They story of my life...”

“Stay out of my mind.You certainly weren't invited." Her hands went to her hips. "And just for the record, your mind needs to be washed out with soap! Half the things you think we're going to do are never going to happen. I could never look at you again."He laughed. Aloud. An actual, real laugh. It welled up unexpectedly and emerged low and husky, with genuine amusement. Gregori nearly leapt the distance between them and dragged her into his arms, grateful beyond imagining.She flung a pillow at his head. "Go ahead and laugh, you arrogant jerk." She wished she had a two-by-four handy.”

“Gregori glided through the cypress trees, tall, fit,healthy. Even his clothes were immaculate. His hair was shining clean, tied at his nape with a leather thong. His silver eyes were clear, and once more his face was a mask of sensual beauty. "Gary"-the voice, as always, was of purity and strength-"please leave us for a few moments.""Will she be all right?" Gary asked fearfully. In spite of himself, he had checked her pulse several times."She must be all right," Gregori said very softly.The voice was like velvet, but there was something in it that sent a shiver of apprehension through Gary.If anything happened to Savannah,Gary realized that no one,nothing in the world,would ever be safe again from the Carpathian.He hadn't considered that before,and he had no idea where the knowledge came from, but he knew it absolutely.”

“Stay out of my mind. You certainly weren't invited.' Her hands went to her hips. 'And just for the record, your mind needs to be washed out with soap! Half the things you think we're going to do are never going to happen. I could never look at you again.”