Jealous?””Maybe.””No reason. I like my ladies with a pulse.
You’d be surprised what people will do for money that they wouldn’t do forlove.Myrnin.
Crap, are you thinking what I’m thinking?””I’m thinking we have about fifteen vampires and no blood,” Claire said. “Is that it?””No, I was thinking we’re out of chips. Of course that’s what I was thinking.
Run first,’ Shane said. ‘Mourn later.’It was the perfect motto for Morganville.
You’re still here. No beer. I’m not corrupting a minor.” a minor,” she pointed out. “At least for beer.””Yeah, and by the way, how much does it suck that I’m an adult if I kill somebody, and I’m not if I want a beer?
My dad used to say that life’s a journey, but somebody screwed up and lost the map.
[Myrnin to Claire about their costumes of Pierrot and Harlequin, respectively]”Don’t they teach you anything in your schools?”.””Pity. I suppose that’s what comes of your main education flowing from Google.
That’s kind of a leap, but the Russian judge gave you a nine point five for style, so okay.
She can go with us to the lab and keep Myrnin pinned down while we pull the plug, if he’s not… you know, better.””Define BETTER with that guy.””Not all fangs and raaaaar.
Sure,” she said, and hugged the laptop bag closer. “What could go wrong?”Michael’s eyes flashed to meet hers in the rearview mirror.Besides everything, I mean,” she said.
Myrnin turned away to pick up his Ben Franklin spectacles, balanced them on his nose, and looked over them to say, “Don’t do drugs. I feel I ought to say that.
Maybe I should, I don’t know leave? Because this is starting to sound like one of those reality shows I don’t want to be in. Maybe you guys want to take turns in the confessional booth.
Shut up!” Eve yelled from somewhere upstairs. “Jackass!””You know, when people say that, I just hear the word awesome,
See?” she heard Shane yell at the kitchen. “She doesn’t stomp around like a cattle stampede!””Bite me, Collins! No bacon for you, either!
Promise me, Amelie, that you’ll crucify me with silver before you allow me to fall in love.”“I hardly think there’s any chance of that,” Amelie said. “I doubt you have the capacity.
Michael had to pound me a couple of times to convince me not to go stage a rescue.” Shane shrugged. “He hits like a girl, for a vampire.
How’d you get to be so good at this?””I had a good teacher.””Better not have been Myrnin or I’ll have to kick his predatory ass.””I mean you, dummy.””Oh.
Now,” said Brandons low, cold voice. “Lets not be rude eve.
Shane kissed her one more time, lightly and softly, and fluffed her hair back from her face. “To be continued,” he said. “I hate cliff-hangers.” “Blame Eve.
There are three parts to learning: information, knowledge and wisdom, A mere accumulation of information is not knowledge, and a treasure of knowledge is not in itself, wisdom.
[Myrnin to Claire about their costumes of Pierrot and Harlequin, respectively]”Don’t they teach you anything in your sch
Damn, Claire. Warn a guy before you do a face-plant on the floor next time. I could have looked all heroic and caught you or something -Shane
Perv.”He pointed to himself. “Male and eighteen. What’s your point?
Scoot over, man. I don’t like you that much.” “Dick. That’s not what you said last night.””Bite me.
Shane looked…pale. Pale and shaken and—how predictable was this?—pissed.
Shane dragged Eve’s suitcase into the room and dumped it on the floor beside her bed. “Hey, Dark Princess? Here’s your crap. Also, bite me.
Me neither,” Shane put in. “Homie don’t play that.”“I wonder, sometimes, if your generation speaks English at all,” Amelie said.
Does it hurt?”He bent his head and lightly kissed her forehead. “Only when I laugh.”“I’ll try not to be funny.”“Epic fail, beautiful.
I think so,” she [Claire] said. “Just watch your back, okay?” “Nah, Michael’s got mine.” He [Shane] looked straight into her eyes.“I’ve got yours.
No,” Shane said. “I’m not leaving you two here alone. We stick together.”“I’m still not kissing you,” Michael said.“Tease.
I never meant it,” he was saying. “Never meant it to happen. Can’t stand it,seeing her suffer. Must do something, do something… What do I do? What can I do…?
This is the biggest damn IPod I’ve ever seen,” Claire said, which made him choke on his beer. “Kidding. I have seen a jukebox before.
They came out in a dim, damp basement – a generic sort of place, full of moulding boxes. ‘You take me to the nicest places,’ Claire said, and sneezed.
At the very leadt, we can grab Monica and hustle her skanky ass back to her dad wile you brave, strong menfolk hold off the bad guys. Right?
You couldn’t be romantic if your life depended on it.” “You know what’s lucky? Most bad guys don’t ask you to be romantic on command, so that probably won’t matter.
Myrnin was silent for a beat, and then he said, “Bob would be very disappointed in you.
Great,” Shane said. “Look i’d rather not be on janitorial duty. I have allergies to cleaners.””And to cleaning,” Michael said.”Look who’s talking, Didn’t the do one of those Animal Planet documentaries about the roaches in your room?
I ended your experiment. Because you’re not a scientist. You’re a monster. I’m not leaving any of them at your mercy.
Delighted,” Jess said. “I think all houses should be stuffed with books. It makes them–“”Homes?” the doctor finished. “You are quite the heretic, for someone in a Library uniform.””Guilty.
Oliver: Fear is the natural state of anything that dies.
Sometime, somewhere, life always comes to a fight, and peace always comes to an end.
Now we’re in the middle of a three-sided vampire war. Which would be an awesome video game, but I’m really not interested in playing for real. I like my reset buttons.
Whatever, crazy chick who maybe lives here and maybe also breaks into Michael’s house when they’re all gone. I’m out. Have a nice delusion. -Shayne
Does it give you déjà voodoo how alike the houses are?””That’s déjà vu, and I hate you right now
He dunked his tea bag and watched the results critically. “I really must get a new supplier. This tea is pathetic. America just doesn’t understand tea at all.
I suppose I’ll have to clean up Freddy’s brains; I hate to leave a mess for the home owners. Hand me that plastic bag; I need to put it over his head to keep him from leaking. Oh, relax, Freddy; I’ll tear an airhole for you.” – Mercer
His eyes ignited into a color found only in the heart of the sun. ‘‘Yes?’’‘‘Yes, already. I’ll marry you. Yes. Hell, yes. What am I, stupid?
In real life, you don’t get a reset, and you don’t get extra lives, and I got the crap pounded out of me.
An intriguing world where vampires rule, only the strongest survive, and romance offers hope in the darkest hours.
She needs you for more than just protection. It’s how it works. You want the strong girl, you understand that she’s with you because she wants to be. Not because she has to be. You know that, right?
It’s an illusion, control,” Naomi said. “You ought to understand that by now, young Claire. We are never in control of our destinies, even the strongest of us. All we can hope to do is not be too badly damaged by events.
It’s not your enemies who are likeliest to hurt you. It is, always, those you trust.
You should have trusted me. I’m really tired of people not trusting me.
And without forgiveness, there is never any peace.
God is forgiving or we would not still be walking this world. But to be moral is not to need his divine forgiveness, I think.
Losing one pint of blood’s an accident. Losing two is carelessness.
Santi and Wolfe exchanged a look. Wolfe inclined his head a little to the side, with a strange, crooked smile. “You see? They’re as bad as we are.””Worse,” Santi sighed.
I didn’t bring you here,” he said. “You think you’re Miss Special Destiny of the
I know you want me to feel some sympathy for them, but that’s not who I am. I care only about those I know, and even then, not all that deeply. Strangers get nothing from me.
Do be careful. I can’t replace you as easily as all that.
In her experience, groups of friends like that just didn’t open up to include underage, undersized geeks like her. They hadn’t sounded mean, they just sounded — self-confident. Something she wasn’t.
I’m going to have to give him shit for all this,’ Shane said, as he wandered around. ‘He lives alone and makes his bed? Who does that?”People who like things neat?”Its not natural.
If Myrnin pokes his crazy head up before then, call me and try to keep him, you know, stable.”Is he UNstable?”I don’t know, how can I tell? You’re the crazy whisperer!’She had a point. Claire couldn’t help but smile about that.
As Jess watched in numb horror, the man tore a page from the book and stuffed it into his mouth.
This was like watching murder. Defilement. And it was something worse than either of those things. Even among his family, black trade as they were, books were holy things.
You are so lucky I’m too tired to murder you right now.
There are always a few, Claire, who like being told what to do instead of being required to think. And those are the ones you should fear. That goes equally for humans, I’m afraid. Critical thinking has become a sadly rare skill these days.
You weren’t picky about who got hurt. Still aren’t. So don’t preach at us like you’re some kind of saint. You’re just another sinner.
Stop using him, and start protecting him. I know he thinks he doesn’t need it, but sometimes he does. Sometimes we all do.
No bacon for you.””Then no eggs for you. Either of you.”Eve glowered at him. “Prisoner exchange?”They glared at each other, then swapped pans and started scooping.
I am sorry my decisions do not meet with your approval, but nevertheless, they are mine, and the consequences are also mine.
Your personal dignity was always more important to you than mere emotion, wasn’t it?
Her eyes felt swollen, and she knew she looked a mess, but sometimes…sometimes the emotions were just too big to hold.
They’ve all got stories, Jess thought. I need to know them. Best of all, he could know them. He could learn anything here. It felt like limitless possibilities.
You’re just Little Miss Optimist, aren’t you? Do you come with accessories, like a glass half full and lemons to make into lemonade, too?
Welcome to Morganville.You’ll never want to leave.And even if you do…well, you can’t. Sorry about that.
You know what we call pedestrians in Morganville? Mobile bloodbanks.
Oh, Claire,” he said. “You think me a far better man than I am. That’s kind, and flattering.” “Are you saying that you -“”Doughnuts!” Myrnin interrupted her and darted away, to zip back in seconds with an open box.
You’ve turned into quite a bossy little thing,” Myrnin said. “I think I might like it.
Nobody’s cut out for this town,” Shane said. “Nobody sane anyway.””Says the kid who came back.””Yeah, kind of proves my point.
See?” he said, with an unholy amount of glee. “I hardly broke any laws at all. I should drive more often.””No. Trust me, you shouldn’t,” Eve said. “Think of all the little old people and the children.
Myrnin said softly. “And how is it that you do not understand that HERE, in THIS place, this girl belongs to me, not to you?
Hey!” Claire called after him, as she leaned her backpack against the wall.”No onions!””Your loss!””I meant for YOU! Not if you want to get kissed tonight!””Damn, girl. Harsh.
You’re much shorter than my mom.””Brat,” she said, surprised into a giggle.”That’s no way to talk to a vampire.””Bloodsucking brat.””Better” he said.
You can’t go around… licking things that come out of a water treatment plant. That’s just… unsanitary.
He was a nice guy, middle-aged, a little tired, like most doctors usually seemed to be, but he just nodded and said, “Let me take a look at him. Shane?””I’m not dropping my pants,” Shane said. “I just thought I’d say that up front.
He hung up on her. She’d just been hung up on by a disembodied brain in a jar. Fantastic.
Even bipolar vampires needed sleep from time to time, and he was well past his recommended safe dosage of stress.
That’s very rude,” Myrnin said. “I haven’t brought my fangs our for some time. Not in mixed company, anyway.
Myrnin was heading for Kim when she picked up a crossbow lying on a table nearby and shot him pointblank in the
Michael…Michael got bitten. And now he’s a vampire. But he doesn’t remember becoming one, and that’s a big problem. So if you see him, don’t, you know, hug. He bites. He doesn’t mean it, though.
Let’s say that it belong to me as much as it belongs to anyone alive today. If I am, strictly speaking, living. The old word was undead, you know, but aren’t all living things undead. I dislike imprecision.
So, been attacked by any vampires yet?””Not one.””Zombies? Giant spiders? Water monsters?”It’s been really quiet on the supernatural front””Too bad, ’cause I got attacked by a devil dog. It was not awesome.
This won’t stop her from getting elected…Stupider people get elected all the time. It’s America. We love the sleazy. And the crazy.
This won’t stop her from getting elected,” Shane said. “Stupider people get elected all the time. It’s America. We love the sleazy. And the crazy.” “I would like to think better of us,” Claire said, “but yeah. You’re right.
Survival,” I said softly. “It’s selfish, and it’s dark, and we’ve always been a species willing to do anything to satisfy our needs. Individuals have morals. Mobs have appetites.
His smile was bright and sweet and hot enough to melt solid steel. “Is this the part where I kiss you?””If you like.””Oh,” he said, “I like.
Afternoons are hard. Mornings are pure evil from the pits of hell, which is why I don’t do them anymore.
Doorman: Good morning Mr. PeaknisMr. P.: Go to hell
Well,” Naomi said cheerfully, “what’s the worst that can happen?” They were silent, considering that, because there were just so many possibilities. But in the end, it was a better idea than Facebook.
Shane: “Bro,” he said, in an injured tone, “I had to go out with a flamethrower, and you weren’t there to see it.” Michael: “Pics or it didn’t happen.” Shane: “Dude, little busy for pics. You know, throwing flame.
Get in here and make me some dinner—now, woman.””News flash, Michael, you’re supposed to be evil, not redneck!
There were a few things scarier than a bipolar vampire off his meds, but to be honest, not that many.
I need to be a vampire,” she said. “and I want one of them to make it happen. Michael will do fine. I don’t care who turns me. The important thing is that if I change, I’ll be a princess.”I was wrong. She was really crazy.
You know,” I said to Michael, “my girlfriend took him down with a broken tree branch.” “Too bad she isn’t here,” he said.
I’m your worst damn nightmare, Skeletor. I’m a vampire killer with fangs and a grudge.
One thing you learn early growing up a girl–people always talk, whatever you do,’ Glain said. ‘What bliss it must be to be male.
Here’s a tip…If you leave a girl crying you’re probably not doing your Don Juan routine right, asshole.
I’m good. And it’s good to see you’ve kept up the tradition of getting the holy shit beat out of you,even when you’re in a nice, civilized place.
Don’t read it. Just shred and burn, or your eyes will melt.
Parents had some kind of sin radar, Claire thought. They always called when you were in the middle of something you just knew they’d consider wrong. Or at least risky.
Bad men skulking in the darkness have always been there, and always will.
People bond themselves into families and groups for protection, and strangers…strangers are always at risk.
Okay, this was kissing. Serious kissing. Not just a kiss before moving out, not a good-bye, this was Hello, sexy, and wow, she’d never even suspected that it could feel this way.
I had a good teacher.””Better not have been Myrnin or I’ll have to kick his predatory ass.””I mean you, dummy.
Did you talk to him about it?””Oh, sure. Nothing happened, yadda yadda. The usual. But my maydar went off like crazy.””Maydar?””As in, he may be thinking about super hot sex with her. Like radar, only not as sure.
I can handle Glory.” “Can you?” Eve asked. “Because I notice you never call her Gloriana. Just Glory.” He shut up. Which is probably about the only smart thing he can do, Claire thought.
If she were any friendlier, she’d be giving you a lapdance right now.
I had no name for that particular hue of orange, other than unfortunate.
Shane stood up when he saw her, which made her heart turn cartwheels, and he pulled out her chair. Eve and Michael shared an amused look.”So cute,” Eve said. When Shane glared, she smiled. “No, really. It is. Dude, chill.
Maybe she’d seen too many Japanese horror movies, and maybe it was just a tingle of warning from generations of superstitious ancestors, but suddenly she knew that what Alyssa wanted was not to be saved, but for Shane to join her. In death.
And about Shane, I swear, if he doesn’t snap out of it, I’m going to punch him in the face. Well, punch him in the face and then run like hell.” – Eve Rosser
We’re clear,” she said. “You’re kind of a psycho. I get that
I’m not obliged to defend your dignity. Provided you have any.
Well, I can throw a mean comeback, so there’s that. I will crush them on wit.
Follow my finger.” He moved it around, tracking my eye movements. “Any blurred vision?””Well I think I’m hallucinating, because I see a big talking pile of crap.” – Joanne Baldwin.
He’s named you heir apparent to the Apocalypse. Congratulations.