The Demon You Know Quotes

“But I was born here.” The tattooist laughed. “No, you weren’t.” Ezra’s tiny world began to twist and tumble. “I grew up down here.” “You came very young, it’s true—the youngest I’ve known. The only demon I’ve ever watched grow and age, but no child is born here. There are no children. No one under sixteen. You haven’t noticed?” “I thought I was different.” “You are. You look more…normal than the rest of us.”
― Barbara Elsborg, The Demon You Know

“Ezra had been born in hell and lived there all of his life, though he’d never had anyone he remembered calling mother or father.”
― Barbara Elsborg, The Demon You Know

“Ask to be whipped, not fucked, and maybe you’d avoid a whipping. But Ezra no longer tried to manipulate the situation. He let Marax and any other demon more powerful than Marax do what they wanted. Acquiescence was less painful. Sucking Marax off and sucking up to him had kept Ezra relatively safe.”
― Barbara Elsborg, The Demon You Know

“You know I don’t approve of you going to the surface,” Vine said. Ezra gave a small nod. He still didn’t understand why he’d been included in this group. “But it’s been decided you’re to have this chance.” Who decided? Why? He’d asked when he’d heard the news but had been told if he asked again, he was out of the Corriendo. He wasn’t going to risk pressing now.”
― Barbara Elsborg, The Demon You Know

“He couldn’t help it. Level eight was bad enough from what he’d been told, though he knew better than to believe anyone. Air too hot to breathe, water too hot to drink, every surface sharp and jagged, but the pit was what they all feared—a place where they’d be torn apart over and over.”
― Barbara Elsborg, The Demon You Know

“Make sure you maintain a disguise, or you’ll freak everyone out.” He glanced at Ezra. “Some of you have more work to do than others on that. Your tattoos will help you blend in.” “How?” Ezra asked. And why do I have more work to do than the others? As usual, Vine ignored him. Ezra hoped someone else would ask questions, but no one spoke.”
― Barbara Elsborg, The Demon You Know

“Also in the wallet will be the details of one item you’re required to bring back,” Vine said, “apart from the energy of ten people. Remember, failure means this is the last trip you’ll ever make.”
― Barbara Elsborg, The Demon You Know

“All heads swiveled to face Ezra, including those of the spiders. “He’s entitled to this opportunity,” Vine said. But Ezra knew he wasn’t being treated fairly. The others knew far more about this than him. He suspected there had been meetings he’d never been invited to.”
― Barbara Elsborg, The Demon You Know

“You—are the lucky ones. The vast majority of demons never have a chance to return to the mortal plane. You are our future vanatori—our hunters. Providing you meet the grade.” “Except for Worm,” someone whispered.”
― Barbara Elsborg, The Demon You Know

“You use the hosts to find the right targets. Thieves, thugs, murderers, bankers, lawyers. The obvious fuck-ups. The ones like you.” A ripple of chuckles circled the room.”
― Barbara Elsborg, The Demon You Know

“A reminder about hosts,” Vine said. “It’s wise not to stay inside one for too long, or you’ll leave them a gibbering wreck.”
― Barbara Elsborg, The Demon You Know

“You’re not going to make it to the surface. Why don’t you fuck off and let someone else have your place in the Corriendo?”
― Barbara Elsborg, The Demon You Know