“I don't believe in angels, I believe in what I can do for myself.”

“He watched as I slipped one of the shoes on. "You have a guardian angel.""I don't believe in angels," I told him. "I believe in what I can do for myself."Well then, you have an amazing body." I glanced up at him with a questioning look. "For healing, I mean. I heard about the accident...”

“I don't believe in soul mates, not exactly. I think it's ridiculous to think there's only one person out there for us. What if your 'soul mate' lives in Zimbabwe? What if he dies young? I also think 'two souls becoming one' is ridiculous. You need to hold on to yourself. But I do believe in souls being in sync, souls that mirror each other.”

“Things die. But they don't always stay dead. Believe me, I know.”

“I threw myself against the bars, so rapidly that even Mikhail flinched. "But I love you!" I hissed. "And I know you love me too. Do you really think you can spend the rest of your life ignoring that when you're around me?"[...]"...All my feelings...my emotions for you...they changed. I don't feel the way I used to. I might be a dhampir again, but after what I went through...well, it's scarred me. It altered my soul. I can't love anyone now. I can't—I don't—love you. There's nothing more between you and me.My blood turned cold. I refused to believe his words, not after the way he'd looked at me earlier. "No! That's not true! I love you and you—""Guards!”

“Do not do that again," he said stiffly."Don't kiss me back then," I retorted.He stared at me for what seemed like forever. "I don't give 'Zen lessons' to hear myself talk. I don't give them because you're another student. I'm doing this to teach you control.""You're doing a great job," I said bitterly.”

“I don't think most people take honest well. They prefer the games. They want to believe the pretty lies.”