“She lay in the dark and knew everything.”

“The lamp sizzled as it burned. It made everything seem close and safe, a little family circle they all knew and trusted. Outside this circle lay everything that was strange and frightening, and the darkness seemed to reach higher and higher and further and further away, right to the end of the world.”

“He gave her everything. Everything but the promise of a future. And she met his dark strokes with a plunder of her own, holding his gaze, raking his soul of its secrets. She knew just what she meant to him.”

“. . . from what he knew about the Creatures of the Dark they wouldn't waste their time laying elaborate traps. They'd just eat someone.”

“She was an elfShe turned the lake to swampA dark and warm marshHer body sunk downThere unshaken lay”

“Laying a hand on his heart, she timed its beats to her own. And knew the truest magic was there.”