“It’s okay. I’m just in a weird mood. Have you ever had a feeling like something was about to happen?”“Of course,” Kat replied. “It’s called PMS.”

“Do you think I'll ever have a real life?""Define real.""You know... a job, a family, a house, stuff like that.""Is that what you want?""I don't know. I used to think the idea of normal was awful, but maybe that was just because I never thought I could have it.”

“Hello, James,” Deven replied mildly. “Had any consensual sex lately?”

“I will protect you," she promised the Bosendorfer inside. "I won't let you down."Sophie gave her a quizzical look."Bastards better not hurt my piano," Miranda replied."That's what you're worried about right now? What about your boyfriend?”

“He toke his gaze off Miranda long enough to size up kat. Miranda could see the calculation in his face:human, female,harmless. "hello". he gave drew a disdainful glance and, after that, barely allotted him the notice he would give a troublesome insect.”

“Deven tilted his head again, set down his glass, and said, "Any fight between us, my Lady, will be short and unpleasant.""Just like you." Miranda bit back.Silence.Then Deven laughed.Miranda didn't, but she felt the tension in the air dispel and sat back with her wineglass."I like her," Deven told David. "She's bright and fearless, just like they say. Give her fifty years and she'll be a force of nature.”

“What about you? If I asked you . . . would you turn me?"Faith's eyes went wide. "Turn you into a vampire?""No, turn me into a frog. Could you do it?"Faith finished her beer in one long swallow. "I might be able to, physically. But I wouldn't."Miranda had known she would say that, but still, her heart sank. "Why not?"She laughed. "Because my boss would kill me.”