“Jack wasn't worried. Wherever Mirie was stuck, she had probably taken over and was ruling as the de facto empress.”

“Bubba said something about Willowdean having a stalker,” Miz Demetrice said.“A stalker?” Aunt Caressa repeated as if she was unfamiliar with the word.“You know, someone who follows you around, sends you cards, dead flowers, and turns up unwanted,” Miz Demetrice said. “Oh, you mean kind of like a Republican,” Aunt Caressa Concluded.”

“Fuck you and the paranormal horse you rode in on.”

“The superstitious one will never walk upon a grave. It's said that its sinful in the day and terrible bad luck in the dark.”

“He held up his index finger. 'Rule one: in any dispute between mates, the male is always to blame, even when he is clearly blameless. Rule two'—his middle finger joined the first—'whenever in doubt, refer to rule one.”

“Over. My. Rotting. Corpse.”

“<> I love you... I want you... I need you. The words chanted in her head with the beat of her pulse, repeating over and over. His voice - or was it hers? - grew more insistent with each utterance. <> Come to me. Give yourself to me.”