Empire of the Vampire (Empire of the Vampire, #1)

by Jay Kristoff

Let the dark know my name and despair. So long as it burns, I am the flame. So long as it bleeds, I am the blade. So long as it sins, I am the saint. And I am silver.

there’s a difference between those who swim with the flood and those who drown fighting it. And its name is Wisdom.

“‘This is the hand, “‘That wields the flame, “‘That lights the way, “‘And turns the dark, “‘To silver.’”

Some people are born lucky. And some people make their own.

“‘I’m no princess. I’m a fucking queen.’”

“‘Hearts only bruise. They never break.’

‘When in a storm, the wise woman prays to God. But she also rows for shore.’

‘Mark my words, youngblood. You don’t want to be a hero. Heroes die unpleasant deaths, far from home and hearth.’

“There’s no sin so dangerous as the sin that is chosen. “No sin so glorious as the sin that is shared.

“In justice and hope, no hope there be, “In mercy and bliss, no bliss for thee, “In death and truth, no truth I see, “Through blood and fire, now dance with me.

“‘I have forever, boy.’ “‘I am forever.’”

I know this world is cruel. That saints and sinners suffer one and the same. I know every time you give a piece of yourself to someone, you risk them breaking it. I know there are some wounds that never truly heal, and sometimes all that’s left of people are their scars. I know time eats us all alive.’

I’d wept oceans already. And tears were no more use here than prayers.