And they were quiet but their blood and nerves and butterflies were not—they were rampantly alive, rushing and thrumming in a wild and perfect melody, matched note for note.

It was brave," countered Issa. "It was rare. It was love, and it was beautiful.

What can a soldier do when mercy is treason, and he is alone in it?

She had fallen in love with him twice. She loved him now with both loves, so overpowering it was almost unbearable.

My phone buzzes. It’s from Karou: a list of conversation openers that I won’t be needing. —a) Hi. I’m Zuzana. I’m actually a marionette brought to life by the Blue Fairy, and the only way I can gain a soul is if a human falls in love with me. Help a puppet out? —b) Hi. I’m Zuzana. The touch of my lips imparts immortality. Just sayin’. —c) Hi. I’m Zuzana. I think I might like you.

Her courage was a guise. She wondered if courage always was, or if there were those who truly felt no fear.

The truth, she found, felt smooth, like a skipping stone in the palm of your hand.