I smile bitterly at him, then weave an illusion of his face across my own. Rafael’s expression flickers in surprise for a moment before settling back into its pool of calm. “They may have a hard time finding me,” I reply. Raffaele gives me a tight smile in return. “Do not underestimate your enemies, Your Majesty,” he says.

— Marie Lu

I stare at him, trying to comprehend what he’s done. He saved Mariano from falling overboard. He saved me. Furthermore, he is taking this mission seriously, however much he loathes us.“Maybe next time,” he says to me with that smile, “you won’t be so lucky.

— Marie Lu

I suppose you come in here often, then,” I say, half teasing. “Bringing your maids and admirers?” Magiano frowns at that. He shakes his head. “You think I’m bedding every maid I speak to?” he says and shrugs. “Flattered, Your Majesty. But you are very wrong.”“So, what you’re telling me is that you come to this secret space alone?” He tilts his head in a flirtatious way. “What’s wrong with a thief wanting a little private time now and then?” He comes closer. His breath warms my skin like the fog that hovers over the water. “Of course, here you are. I suppose I’m not alone, after all.

— Marie Lu

Let go of me,” I choke out, clawing blindly at Tarn. The sharp tang of blood suddenly fills my nostrils, and I realize that it is from his wrists, spreading a film of scarlet around us. Somewhere ahead, the silhouette of our ship looms. We are getting closer.“I wish I could,” Tarn spits, dripping venom. “There’s nothing I’d like to see more than you in the Underworld, Adelina.” His words spark my fury. He never intended to finish this journey with you. Tarn grips my arm again so hard that I scream in pain. He is pulling us both toward the ship, his face set in grim determination. Then I hear him shout, “But I won’t.” But I won’t. My fury wavers, turning into bewilderment.

— Marie Lu

Make no mistake—we don’t trust each other, not by any stretch of the imagination.

— Marie Lu

No. I cannot let him control me. You are mine, Adelina, Enzo growls. Turn your powers against your own fleet.

— Marie Lu

Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, so she destroyed them all.

— Marie Lu

The fire in you burns as fiercely as it did when I first met you.

— Marie Lu

There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.

— Marie Lu

The world’s deadliest mercenaries choose to serve you, the whispers say, because they have yet to meet me.

— Marie Lu