Now and then I see something in her eyes, and I wonder if I’ve ever grasped how much pain she’s really in.

I figured if I played nice, I’d get more time with you.

You look tired." "Yeah," I agreed, and shrugged. "Near-death experiences do that to me . . .

My mom is part albino.

Don't be self-conscious, if I could dream at all, it would be about you. And I'm not ashamed of it.

The waves of pain that had only lapped at me before now reared high up and washed over my head, pulling me under. I did not resurface.

Jared glared balefully at the old man, his eyes full of the shock and pain of the betrayed. I had only human comparisons for such a look. Caesar and Brutus, Jesus and Judas.