“She took a breath, exhaled slowly, and then told him, "If you fail me, I'll kill you. I swear it, Keenan. If you fail me, I'll rip your heart out with my own hands.""If I fail you, I'll cut it out for you." He stared up at her.”

“If you fail me, I'll kill you. I swear it, Keenan. If you fail me, I'll rip your heart out with my own hands.""If I fail you, I'll cut it out for you.”

“After a steadying breath, Aislinn turned to Keenan. "I'm sure you can figure out lunch without help. So, umm, go make friends or whatever."And she walked away. He sped up to stay beside her as they entered the cafeteria. "May I join you?""No."He stepped in front of her. "Please?""No." She dropped her bag into a chair next to Rianne's things. Ignoring him-and the stares they were attracting-she opened her bag.He hadn't moved.With a shaky gesture, she pointed. "The line's over there."He looked at the throng slowly progressing to the vats of food. "Can I get you something?""A little space?"A flare of anger flashed over his too-beatiful face, but he said nothing. He just walked away.”

“And he was gone before she could think clearly enough to explain that her yes was a Yes, I'll marry you.”

“Some mortals--like you--are already half in love with death. It is who you are, and I'll not make it harder on you by telling you things you don't need to know. Ask me again when you die. Then I'll tell you everything, anything, nothing.”

“We can end this before anyone gets hurt." William held his hands out to sides as if to show her he was unarmed. "You don't want to hurt people, do you? You will if you don't come away with me. You know that.""I'm not bad," Daisha whispered."I believe you." He held out a hand to her. He curled his fingers toward him in a beckoning gesture. "You can do the right thing here. Just come with me. We'll go meet some people who can help us.""Her. The new Graveminder.""No, not her. You and I can fix this all on our own.”

“you're @ home?"She could hear him moving around..."I'll let you go then.""What if I dont want you to?"he said.She heard the music as he walked toward his room, some sort of jazz.her heart sped up, thinking of him stretched out on his bed too, "Good night, Seth.""So ur running again, then? One of his boots thudded on the floor."I'm not running.".."Really?""Really.Its just--"She stopped."Maybe you should slow down, so i can catch you."He paused, waiting.He seemed to do that more & more lately, make statements that invited her to admit something dangerous to their friendship.When she didnt answer he added, "Sweet dreams, Ash.”