“We need the slower and more lasting stimulus of solitary reading as a relief from the pressure on eye, ear and nerves of the torrent of information and entertainment pouring from ever-open electronic jaws. It could end by stupefying us.”

“Happiness comes from the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed.”

“There is only one world the world pressing against you this minute.”

“You-your explanations have made you more tolerable.”

“Lift your head to me...’ His is the kiss of a timorous lover. Feel his inhuman lips on the throat, the heat of it. The bite, when it comes, is cold. Begin to sink as the blood flows into his mouth; it is almost soothing. No pain. No pain at all. His teeth grind into the muscles; ecstasy and torment. Life, the very being, is flowing out. Unholy nourishment. Holy nourishment. Drained slowly.The trauma of it feels like being torn, but it is no more than suddenly having the ability to experience reality in a different way. Waiting for the end... for what? Cannot foretell. No longer flesh, no longer blood. Soul. Free.”

“One of us had to be brave and ad­mit to vir­gin­ity. I fig­ured it should be the war­rior.”

“We dwell in forever.”