“Water was a state of mind. If you think it your friend when you swim in the river or wash away the dirt, why call it your enemy when it comes from the heavens? From the cup of the gods themselves.”

“Choose.She closed the door and stamped her feet on the icy ground, smiling as she drew in a deep breath of Russian air and felt her heart race. There was a future ahead, one that she and Chang An Lo would carve together. It was a risk, but life itself was a risk. That much she'd learned form Russia, that much she'd learned from Jens. With a farewell wave to Alexei and a final touch of the Chinese amulet around her neck to tempt the protection of Chang An Lo's gods one last time, she looped her bag onto her shoulder and headed for the gateway.”

“The sight of you brings joy to my heart and makes my blood thunder in my veins. I know not how long I will be allowed to stand here. So there are words I must say. That you are the moon and the stars to me, and the air I breathe. To love you is to live. So if I die.... I will still live in you.”

“Elena gave a low laugh. "Maleeshka, little one, it's me you're talking to, not the Cossack. I am a whore and I know the smell of men and the smell of sex. You stink of both.”

“Naslonila je glavu na prozorsko staklo i udahnula.Toliko je dugo čekala da je zaboravila koliko je uzbudljivo živjeti u sadašnjosti.Imati ono što želiš.Htjeti ono što imaš.”

“...ne možeš loviti prošlost kako bi izbjegla budućnost...”

“Odreci ga se.Nikad nećete biti sretni zajedno.Ne mogu,kao što ne mogu ni prestati disati.”