“Vane’s lips tightened to suppress a smile. “Why so hostile, love?”“You whacked me on the head with a ball!”“You deserved it.”

“Why did you wear heels? How are you supposed to fight a gargoyle in what you're wearing?”

“My name is Arianna Morganna Brittany DuLac--you can imagine why I went by the name Ryan.”

“Vane grabbed me. “DuLac, let’s chat.”Chat. British-speak for “Stand still while I yell at you.”

“I caught his hand. “What do you want me to do?”Leaning down, he kissed the pulse beating on my neck just above the damaged skin. “Tomorrow, I need you to die.”

“Rough palms cradled my face while my fingers gripped the pillow on either side of his. Lips, teeth, tongue, mingled together. I ate him up and didn’t let go until I had to come up for air.”

“If you keep waiting for the right time, it may never happen. Sometimes you have to make the most of the time you have.”