There are certain people I trust no matter what. Even when it seems like they've turned into monsters, you need to stay true to them. Because, in the end, they'll be the ones backing you up.

Unfortunately, diplomacy was a dance I needed to learn.

"How did you - " "Fool your guards? They're not very good. They forgot to check the ceiling for spiders." Valek grinned. His angular face softened.

She's the nicest person I know." Zila chewed on her lower lip. "Well, the second nicest. Avry's the first.

There, that's better. Now you look like the wild scrub that fell into my life." "Because you loosened the vent's screws." "Best. Decision. Ever.

Here we go. Kerrick was as subtle as a thunderstorm.

You put on such a brave front. But I know if I took another step toward you, you'd wet your pants." "With your blood." I brandished my knife. But I couldn't keep a straight face; the boast sounded ridiculous even to my own ears. I snickered. She laughed. The release of tension made me giddy, and soon I was laughing and crying.