Go on,” he said in a low tone that was a dare. “Keep on poking the hungry wolf, see how naked it gets you.

A lot of women have trouble with their mothers-in-law.” Raphael’s look was priceless. “My mother is an insane archangel.

You trying to make me crazy?” “Everyone needs a hobby.

Illium grinned, unrepentant. “Want to try again? I’ll move extra slow — you are both so much older, after all.” The last words were a conspiratorial whisper. Galen glanced at Raphael. “How has he survived this long?” “No one can catch him.

Bluebell,” she said, remembering from Erotique. “Pretty name.” “I call Dmitri Dark Overlord.” “Shae,” Dmitri said and the female vampire rose at once to walk quickly into the house. “Now, pretty Bluebell” another languid stroke across her skin “tell the Overlord what you discovered.

Voles-tu, mon petit papillon.” Illium laughed at Galen’s instruction to “fly, little butterfly

And he realized... that fragile, mortal life wasn't just important to him. It was more important than his own.