" She felt sorry for the female who had been driven to such traits. Who had kept herself apart from all emotions. The female had been born under a curse. The female had done evil and had evil done unto her. The female hardened herself, her mind and her emotions becoming steel. The female had been wrong about that locking down, that self containment. It was not a case of strength, as she always told herself. It was strictly survival... "

― J.R. Ward , Lover Mine (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #8)