“Know thyself and thou shall know all the mysteries of the gods and the universe.”

“Know thyself, and thou shalt know the universe and God.”

“Love, you know, seeks to make happy rather than to be happy. ”

“Afternoons, when the fossil sea was warm and motionless, and the wine trees stood stiff in the yard, and the little distant Martian bone town was all enclosed, and no one drifted out their doors, you could see Mr. K himself in his room, reading from a metal book with raised hieroglyphs over which he brushed his hand, as one might play a harp. And from the book, as his fingers stroked, a voice sang, a soft ancient voice, which told tales of when the sea was red steam on the shore and ancient men had carried clouds of metal insects and electric spiders into battle.”

“How long has it been since you’ve been human?” “Don’t remember,” he said. “A couple months, maybe.” Pen frowned. “And you just . . . live as a lion?” “Mostly.” He angled her a smirking smile, then dipped it toward her breasts. “I shift for various reasons.” “Other lions not doing it for you?” “Wouldn’t know. I haven’t found any.” With another curse, he kicked at the heavy piece of asphalt that had grabbed his toe. He shifted his pack higher on his shoulder. “Just walk.” “Quite the seduction you’ve got going on. I don’t know how I’ll stand the anticipation.”

“I gave you my all, love. I did, I did.”

“How can you be so optimistic about the whole damn world but not about yourself?” “My magic, you mean.” “Your neck, Pen.” She drew her head back as if he’d just shouted. His words struck her that forcefully. “My . . . ?” “I adore your neck. And your eyes. Do you know how long it’s been since I thought the word ‘indigo’? Maybe when I read it in a poem, years ago. But that’s the color you use to stare at me.” Heat shivered up her spine, along the tops of her breasts and across her cheeks. Never. Not ever had she imagined such a treasure. So shocked, she said the first thing that came into her head. Pure instinct. “Yours are like a clear piece of glass with the sky behind it.” He grinned lazily. “Is that what you think? Well, feel free to continue.”