“Besides, if you're sick, I'm on life support. As wrong as that joke is.”

“You're a zombie. If you're not missing body parts, you're doing it wrong!”

“Issy, nobody invited you along. You don't get a vote. Mostly becuae you're an idiot.""A total idiot," he said. "Look, right now I am completely in agreement with you. I am an idiot of legendary proportions. But I'm an idiot who wants to live, thank you. Besides, you told Nora we'd wait right here! What if he can't find us?""The idiot has a point," Michael allowed.”

“Miss Dearly, please understand! You're in danger! I'm here to help you..your father would want me to help you!"This was such a ridiculous statement that I unthinkingly ceased my efforts to free myself,if only for a second."My father is dead! Unless you've come from the hereafter,I'm pretty sure you've no idea what he wants!”

“Tell him what I told the others-that I'm happy to have you watch me, and serve as my assistant, but only on my terms. Or,if you're feeling lucky...you can tell him that Dearly said he can go to hell.”

“Besides that, she's a fine young lady.""I'll be sure to remind her of that next time she starts yelling at us.”

“I heard my father trail off, my face hidden in Bram's chest."Ah...I should have told you about that," Samedi said, sounding a trifle embarrased. Bram urged me back again and bent down to give me another peck on the lips, a calmer one. I melted into it."You do realize that this is wrong?" Bram joked. I opened my eyes and found him looking at me as if he wanted to rememorize my face."So,so wrong," I agreed, reaching up to finger another new cut he'd acquired on his hairline. The skin along his right cheek was lightly singed. He was still the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen."No, it's all right, Samedi," I heard Dad chuckling. "It's all right.”