“You will not live through this if she does not”

“If I can live through the events,” she said, “I can get through the memories.”

“Wow," she breathed."I know, right? Hung like a horse.""If you're really nice-and you live through this-I'll promise not to tell V.""About my size."She laughed a little, "No, that you assumed I'd look at you in any fashion other than professionally.”

“She was glad she didn’t know where it would take her. Because sometimes the only thing thatgot you through hell was that you were in too deep to pull out. [Ehlena]”

“When he nodded, the physician disappeared into thin air, and then a moment later, Payne felt a warm palm encompass hers. It was Vishous's un-gloved hand against her own and the connection between them eased her in ways she couldn't name. Verily, she had lost her mother . . . but if she lived through this, she still had family. On this side.”

“As much as we have free choice, absolute destiny is immutable. What is meant to happen does, through one measure or another.”

“Payne looked back through the glass at the human on the bed. "Yes. I am in love with him. And if you try to dissuade me by the fact that I have not lived yet enough to judge, I say unto you...fuck off.”