I want you to have this.” He extended his hand. On his palm sat the beautiful butterfly he had carved. Silver spots on the wings glinted in the sunlight, and a silver chain hung from a small hole drilled into its body. Valek looped the necklace around my neck. “When I carved this statue, I was thinking about you. Delicate in appearance, but with a strength unnoticed at first glance.” His eyes met mine.

The uniform enhanced his athletic body, and my thoughts drifted to how magnificent he would look with his uniform puddled around his feet.

Bad dreams are ghosts of our fears and worries, haunting us while we sleep. I doubt Valek is in trouble.

You had lots of visitors, but they were all quiet." "Oh real funny. Tease the blind man." ~Trella to Logan, pg. 114-115

I balled my hands into tight fists to keep them from wrapping around Mr. I-Know-Everything's superior neck.

Exactly. You can shoulder all the blame and become a martyr. Provided anyone knows what or who you're martyring for. Or you can accept that some things are important enough to fight for and realize there will be sacrifices along the way.

He made a weak attempt to look innocent, but I knew better. "Should I guess how many concealed weapons you have or should I strip search you?" "A strip search is the only way to be absolutely certain." Valek's deep blue eyes danced with delight.