“Do we not have moments of grace?”

“You . . .’ I whispered, ‘are worth every moment I have left on this earth. Even if I have to love you from afar for the rest of my days.’Lenah to Rhode-”

“Kind of why I can’t always go along with everyone’s happy attitude all the time. Life sucks sometimes and most people don’t get it. They think - well all of the people at this school anyway, they think everything is just handed to them. Real easy, ya know? Like, the day is never something you have to fight through.” I placed my hand on top of Tony’s and let it rest there for a moment. What could I say? I was a death giver. Happy to do it. I had been so good at being dead.”

“Lenah?""Yeah?" I replied."Will you go to winter prom with me?""Of course," I whispered, sure I would fall asleep in moments. "Justin?""Mm-Hmm?" he said, moments from sleep himself."What's a prom?”

“I'm going to kiss you now,' I whispered. Rhode lifted his eyes to mine. 'I was hoping you would say that,' he whispered back, and we both cracked a smile. 'Lenah,' he said, and I could feel his body heat humming off him. 'What will I do without you?'I shivered as one word travelled through me.'Live.”

“Time does not tick on for the dead. After we die, we cannot keep it. It is the master of the living. For the dead, for the vampire, time is a hornets’ nest. Dangerous, best to be avoided – always humming in your ear.”

“I stay because there is an extraordinary difference between thinking of you and seeing you in the mortal flesh. I stay for the one moment you smile throughout the day. Or to watch you run your hand through your hair. Because I must, must –" his breath was short – "must be near you, in any way I can.”