You look confused," said Adrian. I shook my head and sighed. "I think I'm just overthinking things." He nodded solemnly. "That's why I try to never do it.

Another power I don't have," said Lissa ruefully. I grinned. "Hey, I have yet to meet any spirit user who can throw a punch like you can. That was poetry in motion, Liss." She groaned.

Adrian was easily distractible by wacky topics and shiny objects.

You and I have been through too much together. We're too close, too connected. I wasn't that crazy on spirit when I said you're my flame in the dark. We chase away the shadows around each other. Our backgrounds don't matter. What we have is bigger than that. I love you, and beneath all that logic, calculation, and superstition, I know you love me too.

Okay, but if you try to get me to pray with you, I walk.

I didn't like having reasonable arguments thrown at me.

ʺWhy,ʺ he began slowly, ʺis Victor Dashkov joining us?ʺ ʺWell, itʹs kind of a funny story . . .ʺ