“Nah. I’m a consultant, of course. Everyone’s favorite nondescript yet well-paid white-collar job.”

“Lissa's guardians- she had a fleet now- walked with her. I was among them, wearing my finest black and white, including the red collar marking me as a royal guardian.”

“You, know I'm the Queen's favorite great nephew, Well, yeah I'm her only great nephew, but that's not important, I'd still be her favorite...”

“Abe swept in, resplendent in a gray and yellow suit that coordinated bafflingly well with Adrian's paint job.”

“What were you thinking?" I demanded once we were moving to the music. I was trying to ignore his hands. "Do you know how much trouble you may have gotten me in?"Adrian grinned. "Nah. They all feel bad for you. You'll achieve martyrdom after dancing with a mean, wicked vampire. Job security with the Alchemists.”

“Nah, you always look good. As for me … well, it's hard to explain. The auras are getting to me. There's so much sorrow around here. You can't even begin to understand. It radiates from everyone on a spiritual level. It's overwhelming. It makes your dark aura downright cheerful.”

“As far as we know, everyone’s right—Strigoi don’t want to hang out in Palm Springs.”Eddie became about one percent less tense.”