Jason felt humiliated and frustrated. Rejected by a rock.

Hope is a dangerous thing, Raisa thought. Once kindled, it's hard to put out. It makes wise people into fools.

Will you give the girl to me?" she said. "Will you let me try?" He nodded, dizzy with relief. "Please, Willo. Please. Save her. It doesn't matter...what happens to me.

Tears stung her eyes. She sank her knees next to the sleeping bench and gently raked strands of golden hair from him forehead. "Don't you die. don't you dare. I forbid it." As if Han Alister had ever listened to anything she said.

You look like a boy who has eaten the fruit of the tree of knowledge and doesn't like the taste.

Weird is good, strange is bad.

You do not respond to an attempt on your life with a slap on the hand. Or a joke.