What happened? Did a house fall on your sister?" I asked. Maybe there was a benefit to our language barrier. She pursed her lips. "You can't stay here much longer," she said. My mouth dropped open. "You...you speak English?" She snorted. "Of course.

Vladimir did great things—so could she. Besides, they come first, right?" "Not always." I stared. I'd had they come first drilled into me since I was a child. It was what all guardians believed. Only the dhampirs who'd run away from their duty didn't subscribe to that. What he said was almost like treason. "Sometimes, Rose, you have to know when to put yourself first.

I couldn't stop staring at the cave, back where Dimitri was, back where half of my soul was.

If I let myself love you, I won't throw myself in front of her. I'll throw myself in front of you.

Your truths are worse than your lies.

Oh... Adrian, I've got one more favor to ask you. A big one." "Fondue?" he asked hopefully.

I'm backing down now. I really do love you. That's why I'm doing this.