Quotes from Kelley Armstrong

Was that okay?" I said when we were out of earshot. "My girlfriend surprises me at the airport and drags me off to a hotel? I don't think my rep will ever recover. I definitely owe you.

Just a guy. A college-aged guy. Talking to Chloe. I watched him bend over the table, hands planted on it, his gaze fixed on Chloe, his lips parting in a smile as he said something to her. A slow burn started in my gut, and before I could stop myself, I was barreling down on them, Simon's protests fading behind me.

Anyone who beats our Sweet Sixteen gets to kiss her. The lineup forms behind me." Brendan got behind him. Daniel grinned at me and joined. The other guys filed in. "Oh my God," I said. "What are you guys? Twelve?" "No," Brendan said. "Just really, really immature." "In other words, typical guys," said a voice.

But the point, Maya, is that you don't give anyone a second chance. One strike and we're out." "So I'm inflexible and intolerant." "Maybe." "Well, then it's a good thing you're done with me, isn't it?" I headed for the house. Rafe let out a curse.

She texted to say she was fine." "Then she is." Impatient now. "Just because she said she's fine doesn't mean she is, Gabriel." Silence. Ricky could imagine him struggling to process the possibility. There were guys in the gang who joked that Don had hired a cyborg who did a remarkably lifelike impersonation of an actual human. Gabriel wasn't robotic. He just wasn't exactly personable. Or emotionally literate.

So what do I get when I beat everyone?" I said. " When ?" Corey shook his head. "Do you need a wide-load sign for transporting that ego? Fine. Beat all of us and I'll kiss you." "Speaking of egos…" "Beat us and we'll install more holds over there." Daniel pointed to a tougher and higher section of the rock face ten feet down, then looked at me. "How's that?" I smiled. "Game on.

When I got downstairs the next morning, Daniel was already up, sitting with Dad, looking over his shoulder as he monitored the fires. "So what's the latest word from the flaming frontier?" I asked as I poured myself an orange juice. "It's not flaming enough to cancel school," Dad said. "Damn.

You really think I'd let you go to school without me? I'd show up tomorrow and hear that I got pinned running from a cougar, only to be saved by you rushing in and staring him down." "Um, yeah, that's pretty much how I remember it." "Exactly why I'm going. To get my version out first.

So what do I get when I beat everyone?" I said. " When ?" Corey shook his head. "Do you need a wide-load sign for transporting that ego?

We are imprisoned by the truth we dare not see. We are imprisoned by the questions we dare not ask. "I'm asking!" I shouted. "I'm asking and asking and asking, and all I get are riddles and useless visions. What else do you want me to do?

Chloe) She considers me a friend." (Derek) "Does she? Huh. Never thought friendship started with one girl locking the other— bound and gagged— in a crawl space."

As the abyss widens, though, I begin to fear that coming back to the surface may, someday, not be under my control. Because at the bottom of my abyss is not death, it's madness.

But it should have a phone," I said. "Or maps to show us where we are. Also, there must be cottages nearby if there's a gas bar." "Ha!" Corey said, spinning and pointing at Hayley. "Ha!" He took off at a lope. We followed. Corey stopped a few feet from the door. "Open weekends after Labor Day," he called. "What's today?" "Not the weekend," I called back.

She handed me her teacup for a refill. I took it and ignored Daniel's outstretched empty coffee mug. He arched his brows. "You want a ride to school or not?" "If you don't drive me in, Dad will have to. There are dangerous predators on the loose." Daniel sighed and got up to fill his mug.

I hate you." "So you've said. It's situational. I don't take it personally." "You should. I realize interpersonal relationships aren't your forte, but a word of advice? You don't fix problems by forcing people to do what you want." "Then I've been doing it wrong for a very long time. At immense profit and professional success." He looked at me over his shades. "Perhaps you're doing it wrong.

And then it will rain.

He pointed to the bandage on his neck. "Elf bite." "Vampire elf?" Gabriel said. "There is no such thing as vampires." I turned to Ricky. "He keeps hoping for them, and he's always disappointed." "I am not—" Gabriel began. "Are too.

Ambition is healthy. Obsession is not.

So what do I get when I beat everyone?" I said. " When ?" Corey shook his head. "Do you need a wide-load sign for transporting that ego? Fine. Beat all of us and I'll kiss you." "Speaking of egos…

Would you like to join us, Rafael?" my mom asked. "Or do you go by Rafe?" "Usually." A disarming grin. "Unless I'm in trouble.

I heard you guys broke up," she said. "We did." "Did you decide he wasn't good enough for you?" If I had, I wouldn't be looking for him, would I?

So beware dark places, dark impulses, and betrayals. That last one can't really be avoided, though. Unless I'm the one doing the betraying.

He likes you." I looked at her. She shrugged. "I'm just saying, if you didn't want to break up, he'll come back. He really likes you." A sardonic twist of a smile. "Everyone does.

Beside the door stood a cooler. It was unplugged and filled with pop cans and bottles. A handwritten sign advised those looking for milk to check aisle two, for the powdered and canned variety. "No beer?" Corey said. "What kind of place is this?