“And he realized... that fragile, mortal life wasn't just important to him. It was more important than his own.”

“She was more than willing to let him walk off his temper. And the man had one, even if he wasn't willing to admit it.”

“Brenna was fixing some kind of a small computronic device when he found her in her quarters. “Judd,” she said, putting down her tools. “You can’t be here. The dissonance—”He interrupted her panicked words. “I need to ask you something important.”“What could be more important than your life?” She sounded close to tears.“Your life. If you die, I don’t know if I’d stay sane.” A simple truth.”

“You should sit,” Lucas said, and he wasn't talking to Mercy.Sascha stared at him. “I didn't realize pregnancy of four weeks' duration made me incapable of standing upright.” “It makes me incapable of reason.”

“If this is death, Guild Hunter,he thought to his mortal as angelfire scored through his bones and touched his heart, then I will see you on the other side.”

“A man’s pride was a fragile thing. A warrior’s pride was his greatest weapon. A sheik’s pride upheld the honor of his people.”

“The walk to the exit brought him into contact with several changelings. That wasn't unusual. What was unusual was the response his presence elicited. Smiles, waves, shouted hellos and even slaps on the back when he didn't move away fast enough.”