I locked the door, for what good it would do me, and went to bed. The Browning Hi-Power was in its second home, a modified holster strapped to the headboard of my bed. The crucifix was cool metal around my neck. I was as safe as I was going to be and almost too tired to care. I took one more thing to bed with me, a stuffed toy penguin named Sigmund. I don't sleep with him often, just every once in a while after someone tries to kill me. Everyone has their weaknesses. Some people smoke. I collect stuffed penguins. If you won't tell, I won't.

You're up to something," I said. He turned, eyes wide, long fingers pressed to his heart. "Moi?" "Yeah, you.

You either mellow at 30, or your head explodes - take your choice.

The rule is that if they have a weapon and want to take you someplace else, it is so they can kill you slower--Peter

one of the good things about being a woman is that my level of testosterone poisoning is lower than most men's.

That was the true terror of love, that you could love with your whole heart, your whole soul, and lose both

I was shaking all over, and it wasn't from the vampire. Memories have teeth, too.