All I want is to become someone new. In this case, Tobias Johnson, son of Evelyn Johnson. Tobias Johnson may have lived a dull and empty life, but he is at least a whole person, not this fragment of a person that I am, too damaged by pain to become anything useful.

What's worse: to be idle while someone dies, or to be exiled and empty-handed?

It's not that I ever sat down and outlined a trilogy, but I always have a sense of what size an idea is when I start it.

His hand touches my waist, steadies me. The touch sends a shock through my body, and all my insides burn like his fingers ignited them. I pull close to him, pressing my body against his, and lift my head to kiss him.

Let the guilt teach you how to behave next time.

He's one of the last friends I have," she says, her voice breaking. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to look at you the same way again.

I don't need to relive my fears anymore. All I need to do now is try to overcome them.