“I warn you," the boy went on. "I am a magician of great power. I control many terrifying entities. This being you see before you" - here I rolled my shoulders back and puffed my chest up menacingly - "is but the meanest and least impressive of my slaves." (Here I slumped my shoulders and stuck my stomach out.)”

“You should go," I breathed. "You should definitely go.""Go here?" His mouth was on my shoulder. "Or here?" It moved up my neck.”

“Hey there, sleeping beauty…”Over his shoulder, the sky had deepened to a denim blue. “Did you kiss me awake?”“I did.” Daemon was propped on his side, using his arm to support his head. He placed his hand on my stomach and my chest fluttered in response. “Told you, my lips have mystical powers.”My shoulders moved in a silent laugh. “How long have you been here?”“Not long.” His eyes searched mine. “I found Blake sulking around the woods. He didn’t want to leave while you were out here.”I rolled my eyes.“As much as it bothers me, I’m glad he didn’t.”“Wow. Pigs are flying.”

“I am a canvas of my experiences, my story is etched in lines and shading, and you can read it on my arms, my legs, my shoulders, and my stomach.”

“I’ll carry you over my shoulder if I must, just as I did last night. If I’m forced to do it, however, I cannot guarantee you’ll make it out of this cell with your clothes on. Understand?------It appears I am the one who will notmake it out of here with my clothes on.”

“Now, you fuckers," I said as I rolled my head around my shoulders and palmed some knives. "Let me introduce myself.”