“We passed Dee’s empty bedroom. It looked like Pepto-Bismol threw up in there.”

“Dee’s hand fluttered around her as she spoke. “I was outside, and it looked as if a light show was going on in your bedroom. Daemon said you were probably mas—”And Dee also knew no boundaries. “Ah, no, please don’t finish that sentence.” He lowered his hands, eyes narrowing at his sister. “Don’t ever finish that sentence.”

“I…I was just excited.”“Yeah, I’d say you were,” Dee said, grinning like an idiot.Daemon was staring at me like he’s just won the lottery. “I kind of like this level of excitement. Makes me think of—““Daemon!” both of us shouted.“What?” He grinned, tousling Dee’s hair. “I was only suggesting—““We know what you were suggesting.”

“Dawson sprang off the bed, but his feet never touched the floor beside it. He hovered, staring down at himself. He was glowing. Like in full motherfreaking alien mode up in her house, in her bedroom.”

“I've always found that the most beautiful people, truly beautiful inside and out, are the ones who are quietly unaware of their effect." His eyes searched mine intently, and for a moment we stood there toe to toe. "The ones who throw their beauty around, waste what they have? Their beauty is only passing. It's just a shell hiding nothing but shadows and emptiness.”

“What does he smell like?” “Smell like?” I scrunched up my face. “You know, he looks like he’d smell good.”

“And if you don’t agree, I’ll tie you up—and not in the fun way—and lock you in your bedroom.”My mouth dropped open.“Okay, maybe in the fun way. Like later, after everything is done, I’ll come back and—”I cut him off. “I’d like to see you try to tie me up.”His eyebrow arched. “I bet you would.”“Shut up,” I growled. “I’m being serious.”“So am I. You’re wearing the opal.”I scowled. “This makes no sense.”“It makes perfect sense.”