Clinical, brilliantly medical-minded Adam believes in fate. A fate with FIA.

— Kiersten White

Cole gets up and then says, “Adam. Five texts. I can read them to you.” He pauses. “Unless they’re personal.” I roll my eyes. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m pretty sure he’s desperately in love with my sister.” Cole snorts. “He’s crazy.” “He’d have to be, right?

— Kiersten White

Crazy must run in your family,” he says.“You do know FIA!” I blurt, then bite my lip.

— Kiersten White

Dearest Benjamin, I have not had a letter from you in a month. (You are a terrible daughter.) I blame the slowness of the boats and hate the distance between us. (How could you leave me?) Your cousin Jacob responded to my inquiries after your well-being with only the vaguest of terms. (I threatened Jacky Boy if he did not update me on your life.) I take this to mean you have seen him regularly and have also forbidden him from updating me on your life in the big city. (Why are you spending your time with him when he is clearly not running in the right circles?) How are your studies? Have you met anyone interesting? (Why have you not given me news of your father?) I suspect you do not write because you have found someone. (Please, please tell me you have found someone.) I know it. (I beg the spirits for it each night.) A mother can feel these things. (I will drag you back to the island and force you into marriage if you do not take care of it yourself.) Please tell me whether he is of a good family and when I can expect happy tidings to share with my friends. (Do not do anything I cannot crow about to the neighbors.) I knew you would not be on your own for long. (Give me grandchildren. Soon.) Dear Henry has asked after you, though, so if you are lonely you know you have many options here. (I pestered Henry until he finally asked after you and took it as a sign he still wishes to marry you.) Write me soon, or I will perish for want of daughterly affection. (You are a terrible daughter.) All my love, (All my love),Mama

— Kiersten White

Did you do this?”“There are other ways to beat someone than with fists.” Reid poked her in the side with a finger. She surprised him by laughing. He stood up straighter, a proud grin at having surprised and delighted Lady bursting across his face. She never laughed unless she was laughing at him. He had done something right! Then the lashings began. Radu’s smile wilted and died. He looked away. He was safe now. And Lady was proud of him, which had never happened before. He focused on that to ignore the sick feelings twisting his stomach as Aron and Andrei cried out in pain. He wanted his nurse—wanted her to hold and comfort him—and this, too, made him feel ashamed. Lada watched the whip with a calculating look. “Still,” she said. “Fists are faster.

— Kiersten White

Do you dislike Children? I ask, entertained at the little one’s cleverness in dodging capture attempts. “I don’t dislike them, nor do I like them. I’ve never understood why one must love children simply because they are children. I don’t love people because they are people; in fact, I rarely like any people at all. If a child is somehow deserving of admiration, I certainly won’t deny it, but why hand it out like candy on Queen’s Day?” I laugh, surprising him. “Do you think me terribly cruel, then?” “Actually, I agree. It is another great fault of mine my mother endeavored to correct. Children in general I’ve never cared for, though individual children I love very much.

— Kiersten White

Everyone here is insane. I am the insanest of the insane.

— Kiersten White

Fabulous" Jack said, reaching down and plucking a crimson flower. A small scream sounded from it as he severed the stem. He smiled maliciously, then started stomping with abandon through the beds of blossoms, a chorus of tinny, shrill screams punctuating every step.

— Kiersten White

Fire burned in her heart, and her wounded soul spread out, casting a shadow like wings across her country.

— Kiersten White

Freedom was a foot away when they turned back to me. The one who kept speaking, a tall vamp with a handsome curly-haired glamour, shook his head. "Sorry." He bared his fangs in an apologetic grin. "We're glad you aren't what's hunting us, but we're no friends of IPA. And we're all very, very, thirsty."" What, no flirting?" I asked, trying to buy time. "Aren't you going to at least try to be sexy? Think of all those vampire fans out there--they'd be so disappointed." I pulled out my silver knife. Probably should have paid more attention during my knife training. "Tell you what. Let me go, and I promise not to tell anyone that you aren't suave.

— Kiersten White