The plain truth is that the period I study is the 16th century, and they were absolutely obsessed with witches and spiritual beings.

If the butterfly wings its way to the sweet light that attracts it, it's only because it doesn't know that the fire can consume it.

I'd studied 16th century science and magic. I thought it was strange that people were interested in the same kinds of things my research was about. The more I thought about it, the more intriguing it became and pretty soon I was writing a novel about a reluctant witch and a 1500-year-old vampire.

I wanted to know how humans came up with a view of the world that had so little magic in it. I needed to understand how they convinced themselves that magic wasn’t important.

Scholars do one of two things when they discover information that doesn't fit what they already know. Either they sweep it aside so it doesn't bring their cherished theories into question or they focus on it with laserlike intensity and try to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Be still,” he said, voice harsh. “I might not be able to control myself if you step away.

I want a simple, ordinary life . . . like humans enjoy.