Soooo," Arriane said. "Now you've met Randy." "I thought his name was Cam." "We're not talking about him," Arriane said quickly. "I mean the she-man in there." Arriane jerked her head toward the office where they'd left the attendant in front of the TV. "Whaddya think-dude or chick?" "Uh, chick?" Luce said tentativley. "Is this a test?" Arriane cracked a smile. "The first of many. And you passed. At least, I think you passed. The gender of most of the faculty here is an ongoing, schoolwiide debate. Don't worry, you'll get into it.
Lauren KateI'll always choose you." Yes that was the word. "Every single lifetime, I'll choose you. Just as you have always chosen me. Forever.
Lauren KateWhat does my soul look like to you?' 'I couldn't reduce it to words if I tried, but its beauty is unsurpassed.
Lauren KatePeople who are chronically tardy never understand the many ways in which they screw up the schedules of people who are punctual and 'normal'.
Lauren KateOooh!" Bill squealed. "Very rococo." "So, I'm really doing this? I'm just going to go down there and pretend--" (Luce) "No pretending." Bill shook his head. "Own it. Own that cleavage, girl, you know you want to.
Lauren KateCam's wings were so bright they were almost blinding as they pulsed. "Holy Hell," Callie whispered, blinking."More or less," Arriane said
Lauren KateAnd she knew without opening her eyes that it was Daniel. No other body in the universe fit hers so well.
Lauren KateFight for the only thing she knew was good enough, noble enough, powerful enough to be worth risking everything... Love.
Lauren KateCooking is the best way to unwind at the end of a long writing day. There's something mindless and hands-on about cooking, which makes it feel like the very opposite of writing, which is heady but inactive.
Lauren KateIn this lifetime you're nothing more than you appear to be: a stupid, selfish, ignorant, spoiled little girl who thinks the world lives or dies on whether she gets to go out with some good-looking boy at school. [...] I'd still relish this moment, killing you.
Lauren KateHer heart pounded as [Cam's] lips bypassed hers and came to a stop, whispering in her ear: 'Don't let him flip you off next time.
Lauren KateIt's such a beautiful question, Luce. I adore you for asking it, and I wish I could explain it better. All I can tell you is this: The only way to survive eternity is to be able to appreciate each moment.
Lauren KateOh that moment when Daniel thought heโd lost her to Camโs starshot! His wings hat felt too heavy to lift. Colder than death. In that instant , heโd given up all hope.
Lauren KateDaniel Grigori!" Arriane hooted through her hands. "No!" Daniel hooted back without missing a beat.
Lauren KateAnd while Luce dreamed below of the most glorious wings unfurling-the likes of which she'd never seen before-two angels in the rafters shook hands.
Lauren KateDaniel took Luceโs hands in his. He closed his eyes, inhaled, and let his massive white wings unfurl. Fully extended , they would have filled the entire kitchen , but Daniel reined them in, close to his body. They shimmered and glowed and looked altogether too beautiful. Luce reached out and touched them with both hands. Warm and satin smooth on the outside, but inside, full of power. She could feel it coursing through Daniel, into her. She felt so close to him, understood him completelyโAs If they had become one.
Lauren KateAt last." He breathed into her, finding her lips. "You found me," she whispered. "Always.
Lauren KateNo, he hadnโt just dragged her to California. Heโd dragged her into a cursed eternity. A burden that should have been his alone to bear.
Lauren KateDaniel had ruined that coupleโs life. Killed their daughter. All because heโd been some hotshot angel who saw something he wanted and went after it.
Lauren KateArriane sized her up, tapping one finger against her lips. "Perfect," she said, stepping forward to loop her arm through Luce's. "I was just thinking I could really use a new slave.
Lauren KateDaniel didn't have to shoulder his punishment alone anymore. It was something they could do together.
Lauren KateAnd Daniel?" She asked. "Daniel was a player-" "Hey!" "That's what they called the actors." Bill rolled his eyes.
Lauren KateThen the angels, the demon, and the Nephilim flew to distant corners of the sky, leaving a moment's brilliant flash of light behind them, as below, Luce and Daniel fell in love for the first-and the last- time
Lauren KateThis was weird. The thing that could have driven two friends instantly apart was actually drawing them closer together.
Lauren KateMortality is the most romantic story ever told. Just one chance to do everything you should. Then, magically, you move on.
Lauren KateGabbe jumped up and seized the cocanut first, giving its contents a sniff. "Arriane, she has just been through a trama," she scolded. Arriane tossed her shoulders back. "Precisely why she needs something with a kick," she argued, holding the tray possessively while she and Gabbe engaged in a stare-down. "Fine," Arriane said, looking away from Gabbe.
Lauren Kate