Pet the cat dude," says Sam. "She brought you a present. She wants you to tell her how badass she is." "You are a tiny tiny killing machine." Daneca coos. "What's she doing?" I ask. "Purring!" says Daneca. She sounds delighted. "Good kitty. Who's an amazing killing machine? That's right. You are! You are a brutal brutal tiny lion! Yes, you are.
Holly BlackGreat. Lookout. I'm a lookout. Another thing to put on my college applications. What do I do if I see someone?" Val looked back. "I'm not sure, actually.
Holly BlackBut now I wonder--what if everyone is pretty much the same and it's just a thousand small choices that add up to the person you are? No good or evil, no black and white, no inner demons or angels whispering the right answers in our ears like it's some cosmic SAT test. Just us, hour by hour, minute by minute, day by day,making the best choices we can. The thought is horrifying. If that's true, then there's no right choice. There's only choice.
Holly BlackYesterday when we went over the plan again and again, I never thought about Grandad showing up. Because I'm an idiot, basically--an idiot with poor planning skills. Of course he's here. Where else would he be? Seriously, what else could go wrong?
Holly BlackI think Bob appreciated my outfit. He made me buy the more expensive pendant. You might think that was to my disadvantage, but I accept that status comes with a price.โ โNot usually so immediately.โ I shake my head. โYou better not be hitting on federal agent ladies. Theyโll arrest you.โ His grin widens. โI like handcuffs.โ I groan. โThere is something seriously wrong with you.โ โNothing that a night being worked over by a hot representative of justice couldnโt fix.
Holly BlackYou got a lot of ladies to get through. Youโre still young. First loveโs the sweetest, but it doesnโt last.โ โNot ever?โ I ask. Grandad looks at me with a seriousness he reserves for moments when he wants me to really pay attention. โWhen we fall that first time, weโre not really in love with the girl. Weโre in love with being in love. Weโve got no idea what sheโs really aboutโor what sheโs capable of. Weโre in love with our idea of her and of who we become around her. Weโre idiots.
Holly Black