Home > Work > Shadow Study (Soulfinders #1; Study, #4)
1 " Valek had learned the best way to distribute information was to classify it as secret. "
― Maria V. Snyder , Shadow Study (Soulfinders #1; Study, #4)
2 " I always remember the faces and names of my enemies. I don’t want to forget to kill anyone. "
3 " He grows on you. Sort of like a barnacle. "
4 " Dead air surrounded me. My magic was gone. "
5 " I learned the smugglers are producing Curare.” Guilt creased his face. “Yelena’s father developed the drug to help people in pain, and the Daviian Warpers stole it and misused it. And now... Hell, I was a Warper. I was a part of all that. And just thinking about some street thug using Curare on my children...” He twisted the cloth into a tight rope.“It can’t be undone,” Valek said. “It can’t be contained. But we can fight it. There is an antidote, and Leif and Esau have been working on finding a way to mass-produce it. And more healers are using Curare to manage pain. A good thing. Besides, from what I hear about Reema and Teegan, the street thug will be the one in danger.”That surprised a laugh from Devlen. “Especially if they’re together.”“That poor street thug won’t know what hit him. "
6 " Little Miss Assassin is as slow as molassin,” Janco sang.“Molassin? That’s not even a word,” Ari called.“Everyone’s a critic. I’d like to see you find a word that rhymes with assassin. "
7 " We should make a list of who doesn’t want to kill you, love. It’d be shorter.”I’d be offended, but it was actually a good idea. "
8 " I think you’re being melodramatic.”“Aren’t you like the pot calling the kettle black or something?” I asked.“Pardon me, oh great one. I forgot my place as a mere footnote in the history of Sitia.”Talk about being melodramatic.“Is he—”I cut Devlen off. “Annoying? Yes, all the time.”He studied Leif. “You are more...subdued at our house.”“That’s ’cause I’m too busy keeping your daughter out of trouble.”“I take it Reema has Leif wrapped around her little finger?” I asked Devlen.“Hey,” Leif said.“Yes. He needs a child of his own to learn how to not give in to her every demand.”I agreed. “That would certainly mature him. Unless it backfires and Leif regresses. Then poor Mara would have two children to deal with.”“I’m standing right here, ya know. "
9 " Will you stop doing that?” she asked. Annoyance colored her tone.Janco perked up. “Doing what?”“That huffing thing. Like you’re leaking air.”“It’s called sighing. "
10 " And just to let you know, I see what you’re doing.”“Me?” He attempted to look innocent—a hard expression for him to pull off. Janco hadn’t been guiltless since he’d been a baby. Then again...his mother had claimed he’d come into the world feet first just to be difficult.“Save it for someone who has poor vision.”“Ouch. "
11 " Did you send a message?”“No time.”“Couldn’t you at least lie to me?”“Oh. Uh...I did send a message, and now the entire Ixian army is camped outside this compound.”“You’re a lousy liar.”“My one flaw,” she joked.“One?” Janco choked. “I know at least a dozen. You’re terrible at avoiding capture, following orders—”“I can say the same for you. What part of ‘wait for me before you go inside’ didn’t you understand? "
12 " Yelena?”“Hmm?”“I’d like you to stay with me while we figure out how to unblock your magic. We’re stronger together.”“All right.”He laughed. “I thought I’d have more of a fight.”“I’m too tired to argue.”“Then I should take advantage of the situation.”I cracked one eye open. “And?”“I’d like you to stay with me forever. "
13 " Emotion gives us strength.”“At the right time and place. "