“You're like something drawn with the sun's fire, and I can take only little glimpses of you.”

“What do you make of him?" I asked Elizabeth. "Apart from the fact he's clearly insane?""What can he learn from Konrad's blood?" I said. "Except that he needs it in his body to live!""There is something ghoulish about it.""He's like a vampyre,”

“I know you pretty well.""Better than anyone I think."I smiled. Her compliment was like a gift itself, only more precious than anything that could be bought.”

“If you were closer, I'd slap you," she said. "Let me help," I replied, and stepped closer. She promptly slapped me, which surprised me only a little. We glared at each other in the near dark, and then she looked away. "I'm sorry I slapped you," she said. "That's all right. I quite enjoyed it.”

“I believe there is something on this earth that you desire more than anything, and it isn't me.”

“Let me get you all some punch,” I said.“You're leaving us?” said Isabel, sounding panicky.“I'll be right back,” I promised. “If anyone comes near you, just scream and run.”

“This way," she said, veering toward the roof's edge. "Can you jump?""Oh, I can jump!""Then jump!”