“Can you burn me up with holy water? Poke me to death with your crucifix? Pelt me with communion wafers?”

“Take your hands off her, Sinclair told the guy behind me, Or they'll write books about what I'll do to you.”

“I looked up. Mom looked down at me with the compassion/practicality combo that was her trademark.”

“Tina was kneeling before me, holding Donald's head by the hair and very plainly trying to hand it to me. "Majesty, I beg your forgiveness for the indignity you suffered and offer you the head of our enemy as—" "Put that thing down," I said impatiently. "I can't talk to you when you're shaking his head like a damned maraca.”

“He snarled at me. "This isn't over yet, Betsy.""Excellent," I said. "I would also have accepted 'You haven't seen the last of me' and 'You'll regret this'.”

“He's all right. His hair is cute."Jonas froze, his lobster fork halfway to his mouth. " Oh my God, you're in love.""I'm not in love.""'his hair is cute'? You never say anything nice about anyone. Coming from you, cute hair is a mating call."" I talked to the guy for thirty seconds. And then he waved at me while i was in the tank.""Holy fuck, you're getting married, aren't you!"" Will you simmer. I certainly am not.”

“Also,I loathe it when you refer to me as dude" Eric Sinclair to Betsy”