“She'd seen the kindness in him that he hid from the world, and she'd glimpsed some of the pain that he kept to himself. While she knew she should hate him, every day they were together, she discovered another part of his soul, and it wasn't frightening.It was strangely beautiful.”

“She was plain and far from skinny or petite. As for parties...she'd rather be alone in a corner somewhere reading. She hated being nice to people she didn't like because her father wanted contributions. She hated being fake. All she wanted was to be herself.”

“She didn’t judge him or hate him for things that weren’t his fault. She accepted him and that was the greatest miracle of all.”

“Be glad you have a mother who loves you."He was glad of that. A lot, since she was basically the only person on earth who did. But now that he was a full head taller than her, it was weird when she tried to cuddle him like he was a baby. He could be almost seven feet tall like Acheron, and she'd probably still try to pull him into her lap.”

“Let me tell you a story, Alix. This ship…the Talia? It’s named after my father’s older sister. She killed herself when she was fourteen because she couldn’t stand living the horror of her life for another day. With her death she both condemned and freed my father from his monster of a father. I never knew the pain of her life or his. But I named this ship after her to remind me of all the children out there like her and Omari…the children out there like your sister who are silent in their pain. They have no voice and no hope. But I hear them. Every time I think of my parents. Every time I see Omari, I hear the sobs that are kept inside for fear of it making their lives worse, and I will not stand by and see your sister torn apart by an animal. You help me nail him and I swear to you, I will lay Merjack down at your feet and hold him there while you take your revenge. (Devyn)”

“A smile curved his lips.Stunned, she stood there unable to move as she saw the one thing she'd never thought to see form him. A real, full-blown smile. The man was absolutely gorgeous."My God, you have dimples."His smile vanished instantly. "I know.""No, no, no, no, no!" she said, reaching up to touch his cheek. "Don't you dare hide those. They're beautiful."He dodged her touch. "They look stupid."She let out an aggravated breath. "They are sexy as all get-out. Trust me. Dimples like those will definitely get you laid.”

“Most of all, she'd missedfeeling connected to someone else. Being a vital part of them—aching when theywere on a trip, knowing that someone was out there missing her and counting theheartbeats until they were back together again. There was nothing else likeliving and breathing for the smile of someone she loved. -leta”