Quotes by Deborah Blake

She was tasked with guarding the doorway to the Otherworld, keeping the balance of nature (as much as anyone could in these modern times), and occasionally, helping a worthy seeker.

Is he evil? the dog asked, an eager gleam in his wide brown eyes. If hes evil, Id be happy to eat him for you.

A Baba Yaga never breaks a promise. Legs, yes. Hearts, occasionally. But never a promise.

Guilt can be a very destructive emotion.

In the middle of the night, shed woken up with a memory of her grandmothers voice ringing in her ears. When it happens, the older woman had said, holding on to Jennas hand with surprising strength for someone with one foot in the grave, and it will, dont stay in the cities. She can find you in the city. Too many eyes and whispering tongues that no one can see. Run to the woods, far away from everything and everyone you ever knew. Run, girl, run as far and as fast as you can.

A bedraggled woman stood on his doorstep in the pouring rain, and his first impulse was to slam the door in her face. But she had clearly come as far as she could; her pale face was twisted in pain, and she shivered convulsively beneath a denim jacket that was as soaking wet as the rest of her. Long black strands of hair hung down in twisted ribbons like seaweed in the vanishing daylight, reminding him of a sea creature hed once dated briefly in his more adventurous youth.

I swore I wasnt going to rescue any more damsels in distress, Day muttered. To his surprise, Barbara gave him a lopsided grin, banging on the side of the trailer to make it produce a door. What makes you think she isnt rescuing you? she asked, and stomped inside without a backward look.

A rising tide of desire threatened to swamp her like a tidal wave, washing away fear and doubt and leaving behind it the knowledge that in her topsy turvy life, she was certain of only one thing: she wanted this man, right now, and shed deal with the consequences later.... I want to make love to you, he said, his voice low and thrumming through her veins as if it were a music only she could hear.

Sam could feel his jaw drop open, but it took him a moment to gather himself together enough to shut it. He blinked at Jazz. Did that cat just talk, or am I losing my mind? Koshka laughed, a bizarre sound coming from something with whiskers and ear tufts. So you believe in witches but not to talking cats? You have a very limited worldview, Human. You might want to work on that.

Sam started to move away, and she pulled him closer. Where are you going? she asked. Shhh, he said. Im just going to grab the blanket and turn out the light. Ill be right back. Bella chuckled sleepily and waved her right hand. The blanket lifted off the back of the chair where shed left it and came slowly sailing across the room to drape itself over their entwined bodies. A snap of her fingers and the single lamp in the kitchen went out. Sam blinked in the sudden darkness. Youre a very handy woman to have around, he said. You have no idea, she replied, and proceeded to demonstrate that she wasnt quite as tired as hed thought.

Sam held one of the mice up by its tail over the box and then hesitated. Her, you want to have a go?... If Sam thought she was going to squeal at the sight of nature in the raw, he had a lot to learn. Bella fed the owlet, cheering as he gulped down his food with a greedy intensity that bode well for the little guys future recovery. And she grinned to herself when she heard Sam mutter under this breath. This has got to be the weirdest first date in history.

Bella laughed, her head thrown back to expose the smooth line of her throat, and Sam suddenly lost his train of thought. While theyd been eating, the sun had set, and the sight of Bella standing in the moonlight laughing took his breath away. He didnt think hed ever seen anything so beautiful in his life. And that was more terrifying than any fire.

You know, like Prince Charming. Because you never know, maybe hes an enchanted prince under an evil spell. Life isnt a fairy tale, you know, Sam said. Wanna bet? The teen smirked at him.

Youre welcome to join us again sometime, Bella said.... Right. Well, I dont know. Sam looked at the ground. scuffing one boot in the dirt. Im usually not very good company. Im hanging out with a teenager and a temperamental cat. Bella said with a small smile. The bar is set very low around here.

Son, if you were any farther from fine youd be in Nebraska.

You say wicked like its a bad thing.

You should stay, he repeated. The worst of the storm may be over, but it is still raining. Its pitch-black out there, and youre already tired and soaked to the bone. Not exactly great conditions for riding a dirt bike. I wouldnt want you to get hurt. Bella took another small step toward him, tilting her head up so she could look into his eyes. And thats the only reason you want me to stay? To keep me safe? Sam shook his head. No. Not the only reason. And he leaned down to kiss her, suddenly realizing hed been wanting to do it since the day he met her.

Chewie gave a bone-scented sigh and rubbed his jowl affectionately against her leg. I cant tell you what to do, Beka. I can just tell you that I would be very sorry if you werent my Baba. Ive kind of gotten used to having you around.Beka blinked back unexpected emotion. Thanks, Chewie. Thats really sweet.He was quiet for a moment, and then said. You know whats really sweet? Smores, thats what. He gazed up at her with an innocent expression. Just sayin.

Er, hello, Chewie, he said politely.Woof, the dog said back.Chewie is a Newfoundland, Beka explained. Theyre great water dogs. They swim better than we do, and even have webbed feet. Theyre often used for water rescue, and the breed started out as working dogs for fishermen.Uh-huh... Chewie - I guess you named him for Chewbacca in Star Wars. I can see why; theyre both gigantic and furry.Beka giggled. I never thought of that. Actually, Chewie is short for Chudo-Yudo. Also, he chews on stuff a lot, so it seemed fitting.Chudo what? Marcus said. The dog made a snuffling sound that might have been canine laughter.Chudo-Yudo, Beka repeated. Hes a character out of Russian fairy tales, the dragon that guards the Water of Life and Death. You never heard of him?Marcus shook his head. My father used to tell the occasional Irish folk tale when I was a kid, but Im not familiar with Russian ones at all. Sorry.Oh, dont be, she said cheerfully. Most of them were pretty gory, and they hardly ever had happy endings.Right. Marcus looked at the dog, who gazed alertly back with big brown eyes, as if trying to figure out if the former Marine was edible or not. So, you named him after a mythical dragon from a depressing Russian story. Does anyone get eaten in that story, just out of curiosity?Chewie sank down onto the floor with a put-upon sigh, and Beka shook her head at Marcus. Dont be ridiculous. Of course people got eaten. But dont worry. Chewie hasnt taken a bite out of anyone in years. Hes very mellow for a dragon.

The boy stuck his hand out politely and shook hers, then extended it to Fergus, his eyes bright as stars in the night sky. Thats cool, he said, looking down at Ferguss hand and turning it sideways so he could get a better look. You have little webs between your fingers. Does that hep you swim?Marcus cleared his throat, looking embarrassed. Tito, dude, its not polite to comment on peoples, um, oddities. He shrugged an apology at Fergus, who just laughed.I do not mind, Fergus said, grinning at the dark-skinned boy. He leaned down and whispered. Can you keep a secret? I am actually a Merman from an undersea kingdom; that is why I have webs between my fingers. He held up one bare foot and said in a more normal tone, Toes, too, see?Titos face was a study in conflicting awe and disbelief. I never heard of a Merman, he said, dubiously. I thought there were only Mermaids. And theyre made up.Fergus snorted. If you do not have any Mermen, how would get more Mermaids, eh?