Jimmy manages a laugh that makes my skin crawl. “Do you really think what you read in those books is true? Sure, some of it may be but have you ever actually paid attention to it? It's all false set upon us as truth. You can't coat something with lies and intend it to go away. It's asinine and lackluster at best.

— Celia McMahon

Just as I had done, my father sleeps off and on for days. Sometimes I sit by the bed in Marta's house and stare at him until I feel like it isn't a dream anymore. Sometimes Jimmy joins me and sometimes, when I'm alone I weep, and I am not sure why. Maybe it's because of everything I had been through to get to this point, or maybe it was for everything I had lost. Part of me thinks that I should be glad for all the things I had gained. But the hero doesn't get the reward. The hero pays the price. As it is in every story.

— Celia McMahon

Just because you have power, doesn't mean you should use it, especially for the wrong reasons.

— Celia McMahon

Maybe I don't know him as well as I thought. Maybe I didn't know myself. Maybe my world is turning upside down and I can't find my footing.

— Celia McMahon

Maybe you should stop putting so much faith into what you read in books.

— Celia McMahon

My dear cousin means the world to me. He is my only ally and I lost him. Deep in my heart I know he didn’t want to blame me, but his heart is set on that training and I had been beginning to think that took priority over family. I hope he would see reason, but I can't blame him if he doesn't. Breaking free from this castle is a dream not only held by me. But I can't imagine having to reason with someone who stole your future.

— Celia McMahon

Now go. Leaving quickly is the best thing you can do. Don't think about it, don't look back, and don't think that what's behind you is better than what's in front because it's not. Not in the very least, Hannah.

— Celia McMahon

Odd once said that when you speak excessively, it isn't necessarily communicating,” Jimmy says as he hunches over, resting his elbows on his knees. He yawns and doesn't cover his mouth.“What does that mean?”“It means that you can shut your mouth and still say what you need to say using the other gifts the gods gave us.

— Celia McMahon

Since the beginning of time there was always stories like this,” he replies. “As children we reveled in the dream that there was a place out there that was different from the one we lived in.

— Celia McMahon

The darkness is no place to be in times like this.

— Celia McMahon