“You told me to tell the truth, and this is exactly why I didn’t want to. You want me to think I’m selfish.” “I want you to own your thoughts and actions, and not be afraid of them. Accepting your limitations is every bit as important as embracing your strengths.”

“You have no concept of fairness, apart from your desire to have your own way. I suggest you put that notion from your head, because despite what you believe, the realms will not cater to your whims, and neither will I.”

“There is nothing about our duties that necessitates like or dislike. You have your purpose and I have mine. That’s the end of the matter.”

“You’ll do fine if you have any strength at all, but listen to your Green angel and give yourself more exit points. You’re in for some rude awakenings in battle, and young souls often retreat under fire. You’ll end up trying to find a shortcut back home and that always makes a big mess.”

“No, this is wonderful!” Mrs. Hernandez’ face turned into a wrinkle mosaic when she smiled. “It’s not what you give, but the spirit in which you give. That’s what’s important.” Rise was on the fast track to hell, if that was the standard. Her neighbor had trouble with a heavy box, so she reached to help, thinking it might slow her descent into the fiery pit of eternal damnation.”

“He ran the back of his fingers along her cheek. “Being withyou this weekend made me realize how much I actually missed you. Andnot just sexually. I miss your smile. Your laugh. Your presence. Our latenight conversations while we lie in bed and I hold you. The way you raiseyour right eyebrow when you think I’m being an idiot. The way youknow exactly what I’m thinking or what I need without me having to evensay it. It just hit me hard that I truly miss you.”

“What are they fighting about?” Saba listened for a moment and closed her eyed in frustration. “They’re arguing scripture.” “Your brother is arguing scripture? With an angel?”