Exquisite Captive Quotes

“To have a point, to have a purpose, was its own kind of freedom.”
― Heather Demetrios, Exquisite Captive

“She is a slave, with no way home.”
― Heather Demetrios, Exquisite Captive

“She was the roar and the whisper and the stillness. She was nothing. She was everything.”
― Heather Demetrios, Exquisite Captive

“She was a kept thing, shackled to a master who would never let her go, locked in a cage of dreams.”
― Heather Demetrios, Exquisite Captive

“After a lifetime of wanting to be loved, she didn't think she could bear it if it finally happened just before she was about to die.”
― Heather Demetrios, Exquisite Captive

“Your master is weak because he loves. You are strong because you hate. In the end you are winner, jinni-girl.”
― Heather Demetrios, Exquisite Captive

“Anytime someone tries to do the right thing, it's a terrible strategy.”
― Heather Demetrios, Exquisite Captive

“Can’t we just go in a dark corner like normal people who need to hide from highly trained evil killers?” she said.
“What, and let everyone imagine all the delightful things two jinn can do in the dark?”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“Thank you.”
― Heather Demetrios, Exquisite Captive

“How had she gotten so mixed up with the Djan’Urbis? If her mother had been given a proper grave, she wouldn’t just be rolling in it: she’d be doing Pose 378—Dragon’s Claw.”
― Heather Demetrios, Exquisite Captive

“All right. I’ll do it. Tonight while he’s sleeping. If he wakes up, I’ll kill him.” He was so matter-of-fact, as though Malek were simply an obstacle that had to be removed. “Just tell me where his room is and—”

“Malek isn’t like most masters. He’s different.”

“He’s human. How different can he—”

“He doesn’t age,” she said. “He was born over a hundred summers ago, but you saw him at the party—he hardly looks older than you or I.” Nalia shrugged at the question in Raif’s eyes. “I have no idea how this is possible. His whole life is one big secret; I know more about the baristas at the Starbucks on Sunset than I do about Malek.”

Raif furrowed his brow. “I have no idea what you just said.”

I’ve become far too human.

“Starbucks is this place where humans get coffee.” Raif cocked his head to the side. “Which,” she continued, “is this drink that makes you . . . happy? It gives you energy and—oh, never mind.”
― Heather Demetrios, Exquisite Captive

“The sea claimed her, welcoming Nalia as a mother would her daughter. Its cold embrace drove away all thought until there was nothing left in her consciousness but a dim remembrance of death, despair, desire. Fish swam through the bottoms of her feet and the sun shone through her face as its rays pierced the water’s surface. Nalia spread her arms, opened her mouth, and gave herself over to Lathor, goddess of water.

If she weren’t a slave, Nalia could stay here forever—dash herself against the rocks and kiss a surfer’s neck as he rode the waves of her, or bathe in creamy moonlight and dance with jellyfish. Sailors would look on her with longing, and lightning would strike through her heart, causing no pain, when storms raged above the sea. Here there was no Haran or Raif or Malek. No invisible humans or memories of the past. Just the endless rhythm of ancient waters and the low rumble of beasts in its blackened depths.

She was the current that carried boats on its back and the foam that slept on sandcastles. She was the roar and the whisper and the stillness.

She was nothing.

She was everything.”
― Heather Demetrios, Exquisite Captive