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1 " Eros grimaced, as cute as only the God of Love can be, his gloved hand hovering over a glass box full of hissing adders. "
― David G. Hartwell , Year's Best Fantasy 3
2 " We all dream of home,” said Mrs. Szince. “We dream of a place where what we are is right, where what we can do is the right thing. "
3 " Maurice liked this place. Even if there were no jewels, it was nice to dream about being rich. It was nice to dream about being well again. This was a place that invited dreams. "
4 " Like most witches Lady Kore was left-handed, and her white sacrificial gown buttoned tightly from wrist to elbow with carved child-bone studs. Loose sleeves led to horrible mistakes. "
5 " Death in Love R. Garcia y Robertson "
6 " I know what I’m talking about,” she said sharply. “I’m Vice-President and a founding member of the Alliance for Ethical Lechery. Keeping an incubus is nothing less than sexual slavery. "
7 " The Thackery T. Lambshead Pocket Guide To Obscure and Discredited Diseases. "
8 " Humans are always looking for explanations. I’m not interested in them. Is that food over there? Is there water over the hill? Where is there shade from the midday sun and a warm rock to rest on at night? These are the important questions. "
9 " though her gaze kept tracking nervously to the blue sky framed by the dome, expecting any minute steeply banking wings there, fire or smoke. How could people turn on happiness like a tap, and pretend the world was a bright and shiny place when they knew it wasn’t at all? "
10 " Kore’s personal arms were embroidered on the front—on a field gules, a vulture sable vorant a child—a black vulture on a red field devouring a child. Too gaudy for ordinary wear, but perfect for greeting barbarians at the gate. "
11 " Eros might be a demi-god, but he was young, flighty, and male, never pretending to be brave, or strong, or the least trustworthy. "
12 " Moments like this make me glad I am a man.” “Playing with snakes and poisons does not appeal to you?” “Not the least.” “Come, you’ve been in battle. That cannot be much better. What is it like to stand in the front rank, thrusting your boarding pike at some hulking wild-eyed berserk trying to slash you in half?” “That is when I wish I was a woman,” he replied primly. At least Love did not lie. "
13 " Your turn in the chair next time,” said October. “I know,” said November. He was pale, and thin lipped. He helped October out of the wooden chair. “I like your stories. Mine are always too dark.” “I don’t think so,” said October. “It’s just that your nights are longer. And you aren’t as warm.” “Put it like that,” said November, “and I feel better. I suppose we can’t help who we are.” “That’s the spirit,” said his brother. And they touched hands as they walked away from the fire’s orange embers, taking their stories with them back into the dark. "
14 " Michael Swan-wick’s Periodic Table of Science Fiction, short-shorts inspired by the periodic table of the elements. "
