“Valerie stood with the other women, watching the men go. She couldn't help bristling at this division of the sexes. Her fingers itched to hold a weapon, too, to do something, to kill something with her anger.”

“If the innocent are unjust, I'd rather be counted among the guilty."-Valerie”

“Though Valerie and Peter were dancing differently, their bodies moving in different ways, they were both doing the same dance. It was a jealousy dance, old as the human race”

“I am going to save your daughter. And then I intend to marry her. I would like your blessing in this, but I can live without it.”

“She didn't want to be considered a woman yet, wasn't ready to be the recipient of jewelry from men.”

“Peter had stolen a knife. We were seven years old, and we'd caught a rabbit in a trap. We looked at each other darkly, a look I'll never forget, one of a shared savage thrill, like young wolves taking down their first kill.A spill of blood issued from the rabbits neck, a quick red streak across pristine white fur, slow enough to be cruel. I hadn't cut deep enough. Had I wanted to spare its life or prolong its misery? I've never wanted to know the answer.”

“How strange to have a sister, Valarie thought. Someone you might have been.”