Small Magics Quotes

“Do you know what separates adults from children? Self-discipline. We don't want to go to work, we don't want to do our chores, and we don't want to make unpleasant decisions, but we do all those things because we're aware of the consequences which will follow if we don't.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“The endars were peaceful creatures. The green fur wasn’t fur at all; it was moss that grew from their skin. They lived underneath old oaks, rooted to the big trees in a state of quiet hibernation, absorbing their nutrients and making rare excursions to the surface to lick the bark and feed on lichens. They stirred from their rest so rarely that pagan Slavs thought they fed on air.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“Kate usually dealt with things by talking, and when that didn't work, chopping obstacles into tiny pieces and frying them with magic so they didn't get back up.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“Those we love know us the best. They know all the right places to strike.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“Unfortunately, stain removal methods was one of those troublesome subjects somewhere between relationship issues and mysterious car noises. Everybody was an expert, everybody had a cure, and they all fell over themselves to offer their advice.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“To Mother "no" was simply a "yes" that hadn't had a chance to hear her out.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“I know you have been through a lot, and I’m sorry about that. What happened to you wasn’t fair, but sometimes the past is best left, well, in the past.” “That’s deep,” Julie said. “You read that in a fortune cookie?”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“The shaggy, giant beast reared up onto his hind legs and roared at me. That’s right, show me that big soft belly. I opened my mouth and roared back, drowning him out. Bring it, fat boy.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“As I reached the top of the stairs, I saw Jim chewing one of his crew a new asshole. What the fuck? Maybe she was here. Kate was trouble and I wondered what she had done to piss Jim off. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be completely boring after all.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“Leadership means doing what you know is the right thing. In my experience, it rarely involves doing what you want or like.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“Kate short-circuits my brain. In my head we always have these clear coherent exchanges, but once we meet, what comes out is “Kate, do what I say or I’ll kill you.” Her default reply is “Fuck you!” and we go downhill from there.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“I almost felt sorry for her. Then I saw the rest of her and couldn’t help smiling. “What’s so funny?” she demanded. “Your panties have a bow.” She looked down. She wore a little tank top and blue panties with a silky bow. Her face went white, then red. I stifled a laugh. “What’s wrong with bows?” “Nothing. I just expected barbed wire or something with chains.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“On the dresser. Shut up and eat your soup.” I pulled up Doolittle’s chair and watched her while she ate. This was nice, we were together, and so far, we hadn’t tried to kill each other. If I could just keep her quiet… Maybe if I kept feeding her? “So that’s the secret.” She looked slightly shocked. No witty comeback. Did I scare her? Nah, not the ass-kicker. “You okay? Gone a bit pale there.” “Secret to what?” “Secret to shutting you up.” I smiled.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“Your guess is as good as mine, pal. Every time I tried to touch her, she made this face, as if she was going to bravely endure. She didn’t have to worry. I would never put my “big rough hands” all over her unless I thought she wanted it. She would consent, but she didn’t want me, and that killed it for me. I realized I didn’t really give a damn that another male was openly staring at my date. What did that say about Myong and me, exactly? That our relationship would never go anywhere.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“I glanced across the table at my own date. Myong looked lovely as always, in her perfect little black dress. She caught me looking, and as usual, she looked down demurely. Yes, yes, I get it, you’re not offering me a challenge. I didn’t need a show of submission every time I looked at her. This Beauty and the Beast routine was getting stale.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“Unicorn Lane was recognized by all as neutral territory, a no-man’s-land you entered at your own risk. The scared hovered at the edge, the stupid died not far from it. I was here to meet someone, and if she made it far enough to find me, I would know she was neither.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“The door opened. Three women stepped out, but he saw only one. Grace halted. Nassar held his breath. She took a small step toward him, and then another, and another, and then she was crossing the street, and coming near. He saw nothing except her face. Her magic brushed him. She dropped her bag. Her hands went up to his shoulders. Her brown eyes smiled at him. She kissed him.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“It slowly dawned on her. “So I’m free?” “Yes.” She stared at him. “You don’t even know me. I could just take off right now and leave you here to deal with the game on your own. Do you have any idea how scared I am? I don’t want to die.” “Neither do I.” He gave her another sad smile.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“He touched the photograph. “Somewhere in the zone the arbitrators hid a small flag. Two teams will enter the game zone to retrieve the flag, while the rest of the clansmen will bet on the outcome and enjoy their popcorn. Whoever touches the flag first will win and be ported out of the zone.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“Unfortunately, this case isn’t something that can be settled through litigation,” Nassar answered. “Think of it in this way: instead of having a large war, we decided to have a very small one. The rules are simple.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“They walked in silence. “That movie sucked,” he said. “Yes.” More silence. This was so not working out. Chad came to a sudden halt. She glanced in the direction of his stare and saw the ice cream stand. A big CLOSED sign hung on it. Chad looked almost pained. For a moment she actually felt sorry for him. Chad realized that verbal seduction was quite beyond him and her family name prevented him from simply grabbing her and giving her breasts a squeeze, as he obviously wanted to do.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“To Mother “no” was simply a “yes” that hadn’t had a chance to hear her out.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“Why did you kill him?” “Linda made a bargain: her body for the life of her husband. The transfer would not be complete until the creature that took her form killed Sobanto. If it took his life, it would no longer be a cloud, Adam. It would be an old god made flesh. It wouldn’t harm me because of what I am. But it would kill you.” She leaned over him and kissed him gently on the forehead. “I couldn’t let it kill you.” After all, you’re all I have.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“I rocked back and forth some more. “Do you think I’m your punishment from God?” “No. I’d like to think that God, if he exists, is kind, not vengeful.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“Contrary to popular opinion, people who have money refuse to part with it, unless they absolutely have to do it.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“It’s like sometimes fucked up shit happens but it makes you who you are. You can’t change it.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“was a granite island of calm. When the turbulent storms rocked her inner world, until she was no longer sure where reality ended and the hungry madness inside her began, she clung to that island”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“when they give you a choice, it’s a selection of handpicked possibilities they have prescreened. No matter what you decide, the core choice has already been made, and you weren’t involved in it.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“Love and hate are both means of emotional control to which we subject ourselves. Once you were done with me, you’d want to be free of the pain of betrayal. Absolutely free.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics

“Some things can come to pass, he reminded himself. Some things are improbable, and some are impossible.”
― Ilona Andrews, Small Magics