Thunder rumbled. My heart beat faster. I turned away from Evernight for the last time and looked back at the flower as it trembled upon its branch. A single petal was torn away by the wind. Pushing my hands through the thorns, I felt lashes of pain across my skin, but i kept going determined. But when my fingertip touched the flower, it instantly darkened, withering and drying as each petal turned black.

How did you learn all this?" Vic sighed. "See, while you spend all your time making out with Balthazar, and Raquel stays holed up with her art projects, and Ranulf's off studying his Norse myths again, i do something else. Something crazy. Something strange. I call it 'talking to other people.' Through this miraculous process, I am sometimes able to learn facts about two or three other human beings in a single day. Scientists plan to study my method." ~Vic

It wasn't badass. I don't really do badass.

All of my best friends are dead people. Someday I've got to figure out how that happened.

I'd rather be wrong to set you free than be right to do you harm (162).

God? Nope." requel's smile told me she was joking around to make this easier for me "santa clause? No again.

Tell me why.” My voice shook. “Tell me right now.