“Of course I can climb it. I'm practically a progidy in PE," I pointed out. "The question is, can you, Mr Smoker?”

“Your wit is always such a delight, Mr. Zeklos. I can barely contain myself around it.”

“Thanks for looking out for her, Sage. You're okay. For a human."I almost laughed. "Thanks.""You can say it too, you know."I walked over to Latte and paused. "Say what?""That I'm okay...for a vampire," he explained. I shook my head, still smiling. "You'll have a hard time getting any Alchemist to admit that. But I can say you're okay for an irreverent party boy with occasional moments of brilliance.""Brilliant? You think I'm brilliant?" He threw his hands skyward. "You hear that, world? Sage says I'm brilliant.”

“We?" I asked.Of course. I'm not leaving you alone on this, no matter what. You know I'd never abandon you.”

“I'm sure. But it doesn't work with me. for one thing, you won't look me in the eye. As for the other...I don't know. I can just tell.”

“Rose, I have all sorts of reasons to want you. I haven't been able to stay away fromyou since I saw you at the ski lodge."I shifted closer to Adrian on the bed and pressed my head against his chest. "We can make this work. I know we can. If I screw up again, you can leave.""If only it were that easy," he laughed. "You forget: I have an addictive personality. I'm addicted to you. Somehow I think you could do all sorts of bad things to me, and I'd still come back to you. Just keep things honest, okay? Tell me what you're feeling. If you're feeling something for Dimitri that's confusing you, tell me. We'll work it out.”

“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...”