“When the effort fails, is it worth the cost?”

“It's the effort, not the results that matter.”

“Many have tried to kill us. All have failed.-Valek”

“Maximum damage. It was the beginning of the end. Either we would fail or not. At least we could say we tried.”

“Anything else you want to tell me?” I asked Valek as we stopped a few feet short of the castle’s south entrance. “Did Ari and Janco set me up for Nix’s attack? Do you have another test of loyalty for me up your sleeve? Maybe the next time, I’ll actually fail. A prospect that seems appealing!” I pushed away Valek’s supporting arm. “When you warned me that you would test me from time to time, I thought you meant spiking my food. But it seems there is more than one way to poison a person’s heart, and it doesn’t even require a meal.”

“We talked through Gillie's life from start to finish, including all her accomplishments and major life events. The woman fell asleep with a dreamy half smile still on her lips.I remained by her bedside. Cog would be amused by my efforts to comfort an upper. No. Not amused. Proud. I liked Ella. She was a good sort, much nicer than Trella, and I hoped she managed to survive the next thirty hours.”

“Usually, when you slice a person, he backs off or atleast hesitates. And he's more cautious when you have drawn his blood. But these things just keep coming. Their intestines can be falling out, but it doesn't matter.”