The Dagger and the Flame (The City of Fantome, #1)

by Catherine Doyle

After all, to swallow Shade was to become a reaper. And everyone feared the Reaper.

She glowered up at him. “Stalker.” “I prefer the term assassin,” he said, tossing it aside. “What about gutless prick?” He stroked his stubbled jaw. “No, I don’t think I like that one.”

Now, the Dagger was just a man. She was a flame.

When the world is at its darkest, we must reach bravely through the shadows to find where the light blooms.

You are my hobby, Seraphine. Do you want to come out and play?

Careful, Dagger. I might burn you again. The paper dart had barely left her hand before returning again. Maybe I want to burn, spitfire.

Content are the souls who submit to the winding strands of fate. Blessed are those who dare to spin their own.

suppose I can’t decide which is better,” she confessed. “Being alone somewhere beautiful and free. Or being with the only people I’ve ever loved, here in the darkness.”

His words were all gravel. “How many minutes do you want, Seraphine?” “As many as you can spare.” He brushed his nose against hers. “How about eternity?”