Right. As opposed to your cradle-robbing mentor. I don't really see you making much progress with him.

That's pretty hot," he said. "Punching me in the eye?" "Well, no. Of course not. I meant the idea of getting rough with you is hot. I'm a big fan of full-contact sports." "I'm sure you are.

ʺWho′s a spirit user?ʺ said Robert. ʺFormer spirit user,ʺ said Victor, ʺShe became a Strigoi to get away from it.ʺ ʺYes . . . always a lure to that . . . kill to live, live to kill. Immortality and freedom from these chains, but oh, what a loss . . .ʺ said Robert.

Then, as one hand tightened on me and his other ran gently over my hair, I noticed something. He didn't smell right.

When you've got everything you need, why complicate it?

I felt the need to clarify we were there for the self defense class, in case he also taught about dog breeding or riding the high seas.

It was a lame excuse, and I knew that wasn't the reason he was canceling. If he wanted to avoid me, I would have preferred he made up something about how he and the other guardians had to up Moroi security or practice top-secret ninja moves.