Quotes by Richelle Mead

I wanted him. I arched my back, fully aware of how vulnerable that made me and that I was giving him an invitation. He accepted it and laid me back against the table, bringing his body down on top of mine. That crushing kiss of his moved from my mouth to the nape of my neck. He pushed down the edge of my dress and the bra strap underneath, exposing my shoulder and giving his lips more skin to conquer.

Life, unfortunately, doesnt seem to care what we want.

But what are loyalty and caring really worth?To me? Everything.

Things die. But they dont always stay dead. Believe me, I know.

I’d said it before and meant it: Alive or undead, the love of my life was a badass.

Only a true best friend can protect you from your immortal enemies.

Whats up? I asked.You tell me, he said. You were the one about ready to start making out with Adrian.It was an experiment, I said. It was part of my therapy.What the hell kind of therapy are you in?

Takes a lot of tries before you hit perfection. He paused to reconsider that. Well, except for my parents. They got it on the first try. (Adrian)

You know what would help? I asked, not meeting his eyes.Hmm?If you turned off this crap music and put on something that came out after the Berlin Wall went down.Dimitri laughted. Your worst class is history, yet somehow, you know everything about Eastern Europe.Hey, gotta have material for my jokes, Comrade. Still smiling, he turned the radio dail. To a country station.Hey! This isnt what I had in mind, I exclaimed. I could tell he was on the verge of laughing again.Pick. Its one or the other.I sighed. Go back to the 1980s stuff.He flipped the dail, and I crossed my arms over my chest as some vaguely European-sounding band sang about how video had killed the radio star. I wished someone would kill this radio.

From behind Lissa, I heard Christian say, Worst. Timing. Ever. Adrian studied Lissa and then looked at Christain sprawling on the bed on the far side of the suite. Huh, Adrian said, letting himself in. So thats how youre going to fix the family problem. Little Dragomirs. Good idea. Christian sat up and strolled toward them. Yeah, thats exactly it. Youre interrupting official Council business.

Okay, God, I thought. Get me out of this and I’ll stop my half-assed church-going ways. You got me past a pack of Strigoi tonight. I mean, trapping that one between the doors really shouldnt have worked, so clearly youre on board. Let me get out of here, and I’ll...I don’t know. Donate Adrian’s money to the poor. Get baptized. Join a convent. Well, no. Not that last one.

Yeah? Can you draw a skeleton riding a motorcycle with flames coming out of it? And I want a pirate hat on the skeleton. And a parrot on his shoulder. A skeleton parrot. Or maybe a ninja skeleton parrot? No, that would be overkill. But itd be cool if the biker skeleton could be shooting some ninja throwing stars. That are on fire.

Abe held my gaze a bit longer and then broke into an easy smile. ʺOf course, of course. This is a family gathering. A celebration. And look: hereʹs our newest member.ʺ Dimitri had joined us and wore black and white like my mother and me. He stood beside me, conspicuously not touching. ʺMr. Mazur,ʺ he said formally, nodding a greeting to both of them. ʺGuardian Hathaway.ʺ Dimitri was seven years older than me, but right then, facing my parents, he looked like he was sixteen and about to pick me up for a date. ʺAh, Belikov,ʺ said Abe, shaking Dimitriʹs hand. ʺIʹd been hoping weʹd run into each other. Iʹd really like to get to know you better. Maybe we can set aside some time to talk, learn more about life, love, et cetera. Do you like to hunt? You seem like a hunting man. Thatʹs what we should do sometime. I know a great spot in the woods. Far, far away. We could make a day of it. Iʹve certainly got a lot of questions Iʹd like to ask you. A lot of things Iʹd like to tell you too.ʺ I shot a panicked look at my mother, silently begging her to stop this. Abe had spent a good deal of time talking to Adrian when we dated, explaining in vivid and gruesome detail exactly how Abe expected his daughter to be treated. I did not want Abe taking Dimitri off alone into the wilderness, especially if firearms were involved. ʺActually,ʺ said my mom casually. ʺIʹd like to come along. I also have a number of questions—especially about when you two were back at St. Vladimirʹs.ʺ ʺDonʹt you guys have somewhere to be?ʺ I asked hastily. ʺWeʹre about to start.ʺ That, at least, was true. Nearly everyone was in formation, and the crowd was quieting. ʺOf course,ʺ said Abe. To my astonishment, he brushed a kiss over my forehead before stepping away. ʺIʹm glad youʹre back.ʺ Then, with a wink, he said to Dimitri: ʺLooking forward to our chat.ʺ ʺRun,ʺ I said when they were gone. ʺIf you slip out now, maybe they wonʹt notice. Go back to Siberia. notice. Dont worry, Roza. Im not afraid. Ill take whatever heat they give me over being with you. Its worth it.

Its okay, I said soothingly. Youre just getting your stride back. Once youre up to full power, Ill go crack a rib or something so we can test it.She groaned. The horrible part is that I dont think youre joking.

A gun. I had been brought down by a gun. It was practically comical. Cheaters, I thought.

Relax, having kids is years away. But can you imagine? Your brains, my charm, our collective good looks... then add in the usual physical abilities dhampirs get. Its really not even fair to everyone else.

Are you sleepwalking? A voice asked behind me. I was testing dorm security, I said. It sucks.

You were wrong. She really is the new general in town.I smiled back, hoping he wasnt aware of my bodys reaction to us standing so close. Maybe. But, its okay. You can still be colonel.He arched an eyebrow. Oh? Did you demote yourself? Colonels right below general. Whats that make you?I reached into my pocket and triumphantly flashed the CR-V keys Id swiped when wed come back inside. The driver, I said.

I wasnt fooled. He was avoiding looking at me. Theres nothing to talk about.I knew youd say that. Actually, it was a toss-up between that and I dont know what youre talking about.Dimitri sighed.

Do not do that again, he said stiffly.Dont kiss me back then, I retorted.He stared at me for what seemed like forever. I dont give Zen lessons to hear myself talk. I dont give them because youre another student. Im doing this to teach you control.Youre doing a great job, I said bitterly.