I was Jake's insurance policy. He thought maybe he wouldn't have to use me. He hoped, anyway. But down deep he knew, and I knew, and we both hid the truth from the others because Cassie couldn't let Jake make that decision, and Tobias couldn't let me, and those two, by loving us, would have screwed everything up. It was a war, after all. A war we had to win.

And that's how we ended up discovering the evil horses that threatened all of humanity.

Death's gruesome face taunts: soulless eyes, crimson grimace. I really hate clowns.

Anger only gets in the way.

My favorite color is rainbow.

I always tell the truth, Stella replies. Although I sometimes confuse the facts.

Is there anything sweeter than the touch of another as she pulls a dead bug from your fur?