“I can’t believe I’m mated to someone who’s allergic to me. (Ravyn)You? I’m the one who should be having a hissy. How do I introduce you to people? Hi, this is my…what? Significant other? Mate? Pet? (Susan)”

“And they choose our mates. (Ravyn)So what do they do? Jump here on earth, tap you on the shoulder, and say, ‘Hey, bub, marry her’? (Susan)”

“Why must every relationship I have be so damned impossible? (Ravyn)Hey now, defeatist talk from a catman like you? I’m the one who should be freaking out here. I mean, damn, you could give me fleas or something. (Susan)”

“But you can’t make war personal,” I say, “or you’ll never make the right decisions.”“And if you didn’t make personal decisions, you wouldn’t be a person. All war is personal somehow, isn’t it? For somebody? Except it’s usually hate.”“Lee—”“I’m just saying how lucky he is to have someone love him so much they’d take on the whole world.” His Noise is uncomfortable, wondering what I’m looking like, how I’m responding. “That’s all I’m saying.”“He’d do it for me,” I say quietly.I’d do it for you too, Lee’s Noise says.And I know he would.But those people who die because we do it, don’t they have people who’d kill for them?So who’s right?”

“I’m assuming those are Daimons. (Susan)No, they’re Avon ladies. (Ravyn)”

“What have I done to anger you, mate?”“That. That’s what you did. I’m not your mate.”He leaned in close and ran his nose up her neck, inhaling a deep breath. “Yes, you are,” he whispered next to her ear.”