More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
No, it was a vampire who watched me now.
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee
His unnatural eyes floated back to mine. “You have a marvelous way of evoking the past for your readers.” I took that as a compliment, since a vampire would know if it was wrong.
“For someone so smart, you really are clueless. I bet you ten dollars he asks you out before the week is over.”
until the Black Crow carries it away to its death.”
Interesting
“History only became more challenging when it became less neat.
By that time we were standing in the doorway, looking out into the courtyard. I saw the keystone over the house’s gate: 1536. “I built it,” he said, watching me closely. Matthew Clairmont was at least five hundred years old.
Normal’ is a bedtime story—a fable—that humans tell themselves to feel better when faced with overwhelming evidence that most of what’s happening around them is not ‘normal’ at all.”
there’s nothing more powerful than human fear—not magic, not vampire strength. Nothing.” “Fear and denial are what humans do best, Diana, but it’s not a way that’s open to a witch.”
He nodded and pulled the badge out by the cord. It swung freely, glinting as the light struck it. “It’s an ampulla from Bethany.” It was shaped like a coffin and just big enough to hold a few drops of holy water. “Lazarus,” I said faintly, eyeing the coffin.
We looked at each other for as long as we could stand it, working another fragile spell between us.
It was over in a matter of seconds, but as I knew from using magic to get Notes and Queries off the Bodleian’s shelf, a few seconds was all it took to change your life.
vampires. “I’ll try to calm down.” “There’s no need,” Matthew said shortly. “It’s not your job to calm down. It’s our job to exercise a modicum of courtesy and control.”
“I’ve seen courage like yours before—from women, mostly.” Matthew continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “Men don’t have it. Our resolve is born out of fear. It’s merely bravado.”
I don’t want to look back on a life where I took everything rather than earned it.”
Somewhere in the center of my soul, a rusty chain began to unwind. It freed itself, link by link, from where it had rested unobserved, waiting for him.
She’s a witch, he reminded himself as he watched her sleep. She’s not for you. The more he said it, the less it seemed to matter.
Marcus knew that a vampire’s life was measured not in hours or years but in secrets revealed and kept.
She answered with another faint murmur. “I’m brave enough for both of us.” Matthew bent his head toward hers. “You’ll have to be.”
“Coco Chanel didn’t meet with Ysabeau’s approval. You may be aiming a bit high.”
“Do you know how many scientific advances have taken place between Darwin’s time and today? It’s a scientist’s prerogative to change his mind as new information comes to light.”
“What spell have you put on me?” He searched my face. “It’s not simply your eyes—though they do make it impossible for me to think straight—or the fact you smell like honey.”
What a complicated, delicate business it was going to be to love him.
“Am I dreaming?” “You’re not dreaming,” Matthew said. “And, Diana?” He hesitated. “I love you.” It was what I most wanted to hear. The forgotten chain inside me started to sing, quietly, in the dark. “Come here and tell me that,” I said softly, my eyes filling with tears of relief. “You haven’t changed your mind?” “Never,” I said fiercely.
“It was an oath. And having made this promise to each other, you are outlaws. May the gods help you both.”
“I’ve never liked the word ‘mate,’ though. It always sounds impersonal, as if you’re trying to match up socks, or shoes.”
“Where did the pain go?” “It’s magic,” he said, attempting a lopsided grin for my benefit. “Morphine,” I said slowly, remembering the list of drugs he’d given to Marthe. “That’s what I said. Everyone who has ever been in pain knows that morphine and magic are the same.
At the mention of another member of her species, Tabitha strutted into the house through the cat door. With a look of complete devotion, she dropped a tiny, dead field mouse at Matthew’s feet. “Merci, ma petite,” Matthew said gravely. “Unfortunately, I am not hungry at present.”
No one else will go through this kind of hell because they love someone they’re not supposed to love. I won’t allow it.”
“Let’s find you something to eat. That always makes you more agreeable.” “Are you managing me?” I asked darkly. “You’ve just now noticed?” He chuckled. “It’s been my full-time job for weeks.”
“It’s time for you to take a big step into the mysterious, Diana. The magic and wonder that was always your birthright is waiting for you.
