You think this is some sort of comedy going on here?” Collins gave him his tough stare. A little red spark flared in Barabas’s eyes. “Excuse me.” He struck with preternatural quickness and yanked a five-foot snake from the counter, an inch away from Tsoi’s elbow. Tsoi jumped, clearing half the room in a single bound. The snake body flailed in my lawyer’s fist. Barabas jerked the snake to his mouth and bit its neck. “Jesus Christ!” Collins took a step back. Tsoi clamped her hand over her mouth. Barabas spat the head onto the counter. “Pit viper—my favorite. Where were we? Ah, yes. You were trying to intimidate me. I apologize for the interruption. Please, resume your staring.
Ilona Andrews
Related I like to open for a band as it brings on sort of a challenge and it makes things more interesting. ... KELLY JONES He trapped my hand against his chest and yanked my sleeve down past my wrist, covering my hand with ... BECCA FITZPATRICK Barabas placed a stack on the table and held the chair out for me. “For you.” “I’m hun... ILONA ANDREWS I wasn’t aware of just how close he’d moved to me until now. So many details came into focus. Th... RICHELLE MEAD This hand says you spend the rest of your life with me," he said, holding out his left hand, "and th... MELINA MARCHETTA He turned to leave when arms suddenly wrapped around him from behind, stalling him. Sighing, he clos... J.M. DARHOWER You're right. And so was my snake." Snake?" He pulled my arm out to expose my bracelet. "W... MARIA V. SNYDER Lily?” She couldn’t see his face, but she knew his eyes were on her. She could feel them. ... JESSICA LEMMON Pain lanced through his neck. He gasped and his eyes flew open; Simon was sitting up on him, staring... CASSANDRA CLARE The little group before her finally moved on and Sarah took its place, standing before Tom like he w... BONNIE DEE What are you doing?" she asked. Grimacing, he considered returning his mouth to hers and ... LORRAINE HEATH He reached over and took Taylor’s hand. She did not pull her hand away. He moved his hand up ... MICHAEL GRANT He shook his head, staring at her like a condemned man who beheld the face of his executioner. "Alin... LISA KLEYPAS I want you,” she said. “Naked.” His nostrils flared as if he was soaking in the sc... NALINI SINGH You have something on your neck," he observed. Alec's hand flew to his throat. "What?" "Lo... CASSANDRA CLARE Inej turned to go. Kaz seized her hand, keeping it on the railing. He didn't look at her. "Stay", he... LEIGH BARDUGO I have my sources." Somehow, saying I'd heard it from my mom sounded less cool. "You've decided, rig... RICHELLE MEAD ... so I leaned down and put my mouth on him. He jerked at the contact with a barked, “Shit,�... SARAH J. MAAS Ohhhh! What do we have here? That don’t sound like no man cry, ’less the rats gone and brung som... QUOLEENA SBROCCA He swapped the fistful of my shirt for one in my hair, and ground his mouth against mine. I ex... KAREN MARIE MONING Ara?" She jerked her face up. "Huh? Where were we?" But his expression had grown serious, ... KRESLEY COLE He put a hand to my face and guided my eyes to his. "We never lost that. As much as I tried, I could... PENELOPE DOUGLAS I raise my left arm and twist my neck down to rip off the pill on my sleeve. Instead my teeth sink i... SUZANNE COLLINS And then we jerked to a stop. Jared was blocking the exit. "Have you lost your mind, Ian?" he asked,... STEPHENIE MEYER The silky swirl of his tongue in the hollow of her navel sent fire licking through her veins. Hazily... LISA KLEYPAS She gave his hand a small squeeze. "Jason, if we're going to try this then I'd like to take thi... R.L. MATHEWSON There once was a kindly farmer who found a viper freezing on the ground in the snow. Please help me,... RACHEL CAINE I don’t want to relax. I don’t want to … oh, dear Lord.” He had bent his head to her throat,... LISA KLEYPAS Movie. What's my favorite kind of movie?” “Is there a point to this?” “Please, Luc... KAITLIN SCOTT My name...my name is Mary. I'm here with a friend.' Rhage stopped breathing. His heart skipped ... J.R. WARD The Doors The End This is the end, beautiful friend This is the end, my ... JIM MORRISON He lays me on the bed. I say, right before he kisses me again, “If you kiss me again, I’m going ... RICK YANCEY My mouth fell open in incredulity. “Ah, Maria. Are you trying to tell me you’ve taken up th... KELLY BATTEN I want to touch with my mouth. His mouth, with my mouth. Maybe his neck, too. But first things first... LAINI TAYLOR Bitter disappointment pushed tears from her eyes. "Now what's wrong? I said you could wear it."... DEEANNE GIST Ready to put your claws where your mouth is, or are you going to cringe behind the big boys and yip ... ILONA ANDREWS He toyed with her ear, catching the rim delicately between his teeth. “I’ll admit it wouldn’t ... LISA KLEYPAS Frowning, she warmed up the scone she’d saved for Callum. “I could get a pop-up camper to pull b... KATIE RUGGLE Cam reached for her left hand. Taking the signet ring between his fingers, he drew it off easily and... LISA KLEYPAS If I release you, you won't scream? I'd rather not continue the conversation like this." She sh... JAIME RUSH You took advantage of me while I was sleeping," she said breathlessly. "That's not fair." Gent... LISA KLEYPAS All of a sudden, she was there, breaking away from the little group of women and running toward him.... BONNIE DEE I let my head fall forward into his shoulder, breathing in his scent. "Now what do we do?" JESSICA SORENSEN If I had stayed human, how could you have remained with me as a lifemate?” She pushed her rounded ... CHRISTINE FEEHAN Simon,” she whispered, vaguely surprised that she had just used his first name, for she had never ... LISA KLEYPAS How dare you touch my cookies, you bastard!” Jason said in utter disgust before popping the cookie... R.L. MATHEWSON Rohan’s head lifted. His eyes glowed as if brimstone were contained within the dark-rimmed irises.... LISA KLEYPAS She moaned, long and low, wanting to arch, to thrash, to scream. Instead she opened her mouth and bi... ELIZABETH HOYT Oh, please.” Loki stepped back, examining me with a look of disappointment. “It’s only a matte... RICK RIORDAN Her hands brushed Shane's, and he let go of the cards and took hold. And then somehow she... RACHEL CAINE He started to pull away again but she called his name so he stopped. “Yeah?” “Before... KRISTEN ASHLEY I just want to know—are you rooting for me? Are you hoping I pull this off?" Cath's eye... RAINBOW ROWELL When he finally broke off the kiss and moved his lips to her neck, then her breast again, sucking he... BONNIE DEE Dimitri's voice snapped my attention back to him. "That's Adrian Ivashkov." He said the name the sam... RICHELLE MEAD You are real," she said to herself. "Aye." His voice was deep and resonant, a caress in h... J.R. WARD You're full of contradictions, Ms. Wallace." I looked up at him and arched a brow. "I'm a girl... TAMMARA WEBBER I moaned then, tilting my head back to give him better access. His hands clamped on my waist, then m... SARAH J. MAAS Sam," she said. "I'm trying!" "Sam," she repeated. "No," he spat, hearing her tone. "... SARAH J. MAAS The only way he could have her was to shatter this stubborn faith of hers. In doing so, would he sha... FRANCINE RIVERS Peter," she began. He looked up at her, and she could see the pain in his eyes. "I love you," she sa... SARAH BLAKLEY-CARTWRIGHT Daisy stared worriedly into his shadowed face. “What if you change your mind about me? What if you... LISA KLEYPAS Sleep, my love," He whispered, smoothing her long hair, lifting the damp locks away from the back of... LISA KLEYPAS I love you.” I stared stupidly at him. Was he joking again, reciting another line from ... JENNIFER ECHOLS After a minute, I look up and the boy named Leo is staring at me. I stare back, but he doesn´t look... MIA SHERIDAN He begged to know to which of his fair cousins the excellency of its cookery was owing. Briefl... SETH GRAHAME-SMITH Two of us in this room, Ace, two keycards," he said and my eyes went to him. When they did, he jerke... KRISTEN ASHLEY He smirks, shaking his head and letting his eyes wander. I watch him carefully, wondering what I can... ASHLEY EARLEY He stared at me. "She liked you, boy." The intensity of his voice and eyes made me blink. "Yes,... JERRY SPINELLI He poked his finger into my chest again. “Well, I have something to tell you: don’t let the sun ... ILONA ANDREWS Now he felt temper snapping at the nerves. “If you can’t be comfortable in the house while I’m... J.D. ROBB Now would you do me a favor?' From somewhere inside me came this devastating assault to make me cry.... ERICH SEGAL Do you like that?” he whispered. “Yes, I…” She fought to speak between helpless gasps.... LISA KLEYPAS My little man,” she said. “No.” She stretched out her hand to him. “Come.” ... MICHAEL GRANT I know it's late, but could you find a book for me? It's called The Slavs: Study of Pagan Tradition ... ILONA ANDREWS Someone pounded on the office door. Barabas moved to the door, slid aside the metal shutter covering... ILONA ANDREWS Lea stood upon a fallen log ahead of us, staring ahead. Mouse walked up to her. Gggrrrr r... JIM BUTCHER Oh, dear God and baby Jesus in the manger, my eyes!” Dee shrieked. “My eyes!” My own eyes... JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT He laughed and was about to retort when she grabbed his collar and pulled him into her. She clamped ... DEREK LANDY Now now,” he said, setting his hand on her shoulder. He didn’t even see her turn. One moment she... MATT TOMERLIN I read your poem," I croaked. "'Fall.'" Then something I never thought would happen, happened: ... MEGAN MCCAFFERTY The door suddenly opened. A leggy young brunette took two steps into the office and stopped short. H... CLARK ZLOTCHEW STAINS With red clay between my toes, and the sun setting over my head, the ghost of ... BRENDA SUTTON ROSE His face was pale, and he dropped to the floor so that he was half kneeling, half sitting before her... MELISSA MARR Dove held out a hand to Johnson, and he took it—not because they were fleeing a fire and not becau... DEBRA ANASTASIA He fixed his dark eyes on her. 'I am Kekrops, the first and eternal king of Athens. I would welcome ... RICK RIORDAN I think it's obvious if you're wanted here or not." "Daemon," hissed Dee, her cheeks red. She t... JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT The Laborer and the Snake
A snake, having made his hole close to the porch of a cottage, inflicted a... AESOP If I provide for this life and turn away from the Lord, I am wise for a moment, but lost forever. FRANCINE RIVERS The only way he could have her was to shatter this stubborn faith of hers. In doing so, would he sha... FRANCINE RIVERS She sucked in a shuddering breath, and he pulled back far enough for them to share breath. Her finge... SARAH J. MAAS What do you want to show me?" "Nothing, really. I just want to be alone with you for a mi... RAINBOW ROWELL The scientific method gives us
information by testing and repeating observable things so that we
can... LEWIS N. ROE And I put my hand on her arm to stop her rowing. Aaron’s Noise roars up in red and black. PATRICK NESS Cam … would you do something for me?” “Anything.” “Could you find some of that... LISA KLEYPAS No" she jerked back, stared up at him. Her eyes were like thunderclouds. He'd never seen them l... LORA LEIGH Has Orc shown up here?” But neither Caine nor Diana answered. Both were staring at Drake, who saun... MICHAEL GRANT I drew a deep breath, trying to think of something to say, then pulled a handkerchief from my pocket... DIANA GABALDON You forgot my birthday, too." "And mine." The girls looked miserable. The King... HEATHER DIXON Where are you going?” He looked over his shoulder at me. “If I stay, you won’t get any sl... SARAH J. MAAS Ellie, my darling, please explain to me why the office has been flooded with calls about, and I quot... NALINI SINGH
More Ilona Andrews
you might want to decide fast. We live in a dangerous world. If you see a chance to be happy, you ha... ILONA ANDREWS Sh!t. F_ck sh!t.'.... 'Sh!t f_ck would have also been accepted. ILONA ANDREWS He put the book down. “As you wish.” He rose and walked past me. I lowered my sword, expecting h... ILONA ANDREWS George grimaced. “Jack is spoiled. Things are hard for him, but he isn’t the only one who doesn�... ILONA ANDREWS That's all right," she told him. "I can manage. I can sleep outside just fine." Four pairs of e... ILONA ANDREWS And I meant to tell you: that was a one-in-a-thousand shot." She raised her hand. "Don't." ILONA ANDREWS Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. He had the two wards of the fucking Marshal of the fucking Southern Pr... ILONA ANDREWS Did I hurt you in the parking lot?" "No, m'lady. I fell, so I could put a tracker on your car."... ILONA ANDREWS Doode," George said. He'd practiced all morning but still didn't get it quite right. "Nope, mor... ILONA ANDREWS You're right, my problems are the biggest problems ever," George said. "No, honestly, it's horrible ... ILONA ANDREWS Did those nice church ladies come by again?" He nodded. "I asked them if a man died and then t... ILONA ANDREWS The mage pulled my knife out of his side and looked at it. “Nice knife.” The voice was deep but ... ILONA ANDREWS When she looked at him with those dark eyes, Nassar felt the urge to say something intelligent and d... ILONA ANDREWS Her philosophy was, if it had a pulse, it could be killed. I didn’t really have a philosophy, but ... ILONA ANDREWS She crouched with her hand out. What the hell was she doing… "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty." ILONA ANDREWS Unfortunately, the Best Lord had condemned both vehicles as unsafe and instead I now leased a Pack J... ILONA ANDREWS If the sky could dream, it would dream of dragons. ILONA ANDREWS Our relationship had been doomed form the start, because it was based on grief, and unlike love, gri... ILONA ANDREWS Georgie, stop trying to resurrect the shoes. They were never alive in the first place. ILONA ANDREWS Jack didn’t fully get Jesus. Audrey tried to explain it, and he could repeat it back to her, word ... ILONA ANDREWS When in doubt, poke the beehive with a stick to see if anything interesting flies out. I clappe... ILONA ANDREWS Oh no, is it naked time? ILONA ANDREWS This doesn't mean you're getting a discount." Audrey heaved a mock sigh. "Oh well. I guess I'll... ILONA ANDREWS No matter what happens, you will always be Pack. Because you have that loyalty and restraint. Not hu... ILONA ANDREWS Please, Kate. Suspend your dislike of me for a few moments and listen to what I have to say. It make... ILONA ANDREWS He leaned his head to me, his neck so close to my lips, I felt the heat coming off his skin. His bre... ILONA ANDREWS He poked his finger into my chest again. “Well, I have something to tell you: don’t let the sun ... ILONA ANDREWS I can't give you the white picket fence, and if I did, you'd set it on fire. ILONA ANDREWS Just stay close to us. If we get in trouble, we'll kill everything. ILONA ANDREWS He was going to take a dive into this lake. He just didn’t know it. Cerise rose, finding footing i... ILONA ANDREWS I would try being friends with her, but she's too busy being a smartass." "Now you know h... ILONA ANDREWS The good doctor put a spoon of tea into my honey." "You're drinking tea a honey badger made," Jim sa... ILONA ANDREWS My point is, I would never hurt you or your family.” I raised my chin at him. “If you tried... ILONA ANDREWS This is payback, isn't it?" Jim glared at me. "Don't be ridiculous," I told him. "As the Consort of ... ILONA ANDREWS Look, he isn’t even concerned.” I poured the tea. “He’s concerned, Mother. He just does... ILONA ANDREWS Why were you in a vehicle with Kate, alone? What were you wearing? What was she wearing? How long we... ILONA ANDREWS Enough," Curran said. An unmistakable command saturated his voice. Jim clicked his mouth shut. I cro... ILONA ANDREWS Who snitched?" "We have people monitoring police radio frequencies. They gave Jim a heads-up in... ILONA ANDREWS Tall, with skin the color of rich coffee, and dressed all in black, Jim looked like he was carved fr... ILONA ANDREWS I know it's late, but could you find a book for me? It's called The Slavs: Study of Pagan Tradition ... ILONA ANDREWS You know anything about investigative work?" "Sure. Annoy the people involved until the guilt p... ILONA ANDREWS An evil spark flared in his eyes. "Trade: raccoon for some answers. ILONA ANDREWS Because you are the one. You are better than me in some things, and I am better than you in others..... ILONA ANDREWS Kaldar smiled at her. Now there was a work of art. If she were just a girl and he were just a man, a... ILONA ANDREWS She was pretty sure that if you died in the South, you'd have a layover in Atlanta before you reache... ILONA ANDREWS You enjoyed it. It made you feel alive. You were looking kind of green." You bastard.... ILONA ANDREWS When walking into the lair of the dragon after robbing his hoard, the least you could do is hold you... ILONA ANDREWS Breaking into the house in the middle of the night just wasn't his style. He did his best work in pl... ILONA ANDREWS The heavy eyelids snapped open. Jack froze. A huge gold-and-amber eye, as big as a dinner plat... ILONA ANDREWS Audrey turned to him, a sly little spark hiding in her eyes. "THe only man who gets to call me'love'... ILONA ANDREWS Oh, I don't know. I might grow on you." She furrowed her pretty eyebrows. "Like a cancer?" ILONA ANDREWS Did I ever tell you that you are like sunshine in the middle of the night? ILONA ANDREWS I need you to get down there, open the stalls inside, and panic the horses.” “ ‘Panic’?... ILONA ANDREWS Audrey kept moving with practiced quickness, stepping over roots protruding over the trail and pushi... ILONA ANDREWS The way she sat now, leaning forward frowning, biting her pink bottom lip, her shirt dipping to reve... ILONA ANDREWS George turned to her. His blue eyes widened. His lovely face took on a forlorn, deeply troubled expr... ILONA ANDREWS The only way to make sure that the Hand didn't get to you would have been to kill your brother. I co... ILONA ANDREWS He hit her with his best smile. Her eyes widened. She took a deep breath. 'Oh no, not that seductive... ILONA ANDREWS At the door, Audrey called, "Are you coming?" "No, just breathing hard, love." He glanced at he... ILONA ANDREWS I never wanted to marry anyone before,” he said. “When two people marry, they surrender a small ... ILONA ANDREWS Ask a man how much a dollar is worth, and he'll tell you, 'Almost nothing.' Try to take a dollar awa... ILONA ANDREWS Stealers, keepers. ILONA ANDREWS Oh, so it was a lifesaving kiss." "Well, if you want to put it that way..." ILONA ANDREWS I wouldn’t put it past you,” Kaldar said. “Or him. Who knows what the hell he might do?” ILONA ANDREWS Well, shit," Dobe said. "I guess you're familiar with the law. You hit it over the head, set its hou... ILONA ANDREWS Congratulations," he said, his voice dry. "You finally managed to find a woman as tragically noble a... ILONA ANDREWS The judge's massive eyebrows crept up. "Kaldar. Are you the one speaking for the plaintiff today?" <... ILONA ANDREWS Grandpa?" Declan raised his eyebrows. "We keep him in the shed out back," Jack said helpfully. ... ILONA ANDREWS Kaldar picked up a rock and tossed it into the clearing. It landed between two wards. A green stem s... ILONA ANDREWS William's eyes glowed like two amber coals. She met his gaze and flinched. No emotion reflected in t... ILONA ANDREWS Behind him Kaldar nudged Urow's youngest son. "Bet you he lasts at least thirty seconds." "Um..... ILONA ANDREWS She surveyed the carnage behind him. "Did you have fun?" He showed her his teeth. "Yes. ILONA ANDREWS Failure happened. The trick was to accept the risk and try anyway. ILONA ANDREWS You say the sweetest things. And that spaghetti perfume you're wearing is to die for. No hobo could ... ILONA ANDREWS He had the prettiest hair she had ever seen on a man: dark brown, almost black, and soft like sable,... ILONA ANDREWS You said he was a soldier. You don't suppose...?" "Oh, Gods." Ignata blinked. "You think someth... ILONA ANDREWS It depends. If I don't let you in, will you huff and puff and blow my house down?" She had no ... ILONA ANDREWS Oh, Gods." His eyes shone with want and predatory satisfaction. "The name's William. It's a com... ILONA ANDREWS Some women waited for a night in shining armor. She, apparently, had ended up with a knight in black... ILONA ANDREWS It could be worse," he said finally. "Efrenia married an arsonist. Jake's wife is a kleptomaniac. I ... ILONA ANDREWS How is it different?" He rolled his head back, sable hair falling down on his shoulders. "With ... ILONA ANDREWS Shane lowered his glasses on his nose and gave me his version of a severe stare. I leaned a lit... ILONA ANDREWS You'll lose." "What makes you so sure?" "You have no discipline. All you do is tear down s... ILONA ANDREWS I know you'll tell me to fuck off, but I think Curran loves you. Truly loves you. And I think you lo... ILONA ANDREWS Oh my God, she was retarded and I was going to kill Jim. ILONA ANDREWS You sure you don't need your Prince Charming to come and save you?" The knot in my stomach eva... ILONA ANDREWS I also stole a small yellow doughnut from the box of Duncan's doughnuts in the rec room and fed it t... ILONA ANDREWS Rene, you want us to find you-don't-know-who and to retrieve his you-don't-know-what for you-won't-t... ILONA ANDREWS If the lot of you survives, Curran will flay the skin off your backs," Doolittle said. "That's ... ILONA ANDREWS Tiny gold sparks flared in his irises. "You're in my rooms in my bathtub naked and you're still mout... ILONA ANDREWS Hi, Your Majesty, we drugged your love muffin and then let her walk out into the dark, in the sn... ILONA ANDREWS Kate Daniels, deadly swordmaster. Fear my twitching pinkie. ILONA ANDREWS I've never seen such a collection of idiots in my whole life.' Doolittle shook his head. 'If you par... ILONA ANDREWS I'm counting to ten in my head." "Is it helping?" "No." "It doesn't help me with you ... ILONA ANDREWS I glanced at Derek. The boy wonder didn't melt into a pile of goo, although his gaze was glued to Ro... ILONA ANDREWS Secret to what?" "Secret to shutting you up," he said. "I just have to beat you till you're hal... ILONA ANDREWS I've read your summary." "And?" "It's not incompetent." Be still, my heart, so I don'... ILONA ANDREWS I'll call you," he repeated. "If you call me, I won't pick up the phone." "You will wait b... ILONA ANDREWS I flexed my wrist, popped a silver needle into my palm, and offered it to him. 'What's this?' ILONA ANDREWS If I fought for them and was crippled, they would all say nice things,and then they would replace me... ILONA ANDREWS When I'm with him, I can feel myself getting better. It's like he's picking up broken pieces of me a... ILONA ANDREWS You know," she said, stirring her tea, "the fastest way to get him off your back is to sleep with hi... ILONA ANDREWS He lunged for the maps. I grabbed the chair and hit him with it. He went down. I hit him again to ma... ILONA ANDREWS You will not pass!” Roman thundered. Great. Now he had decided he was Gandalf. ILONA ANDREWS I'll be busy for the next eight weeks, so let's set this for November 15th. MENU I wan... ILONA ANDREWS No more tubs for me." I jumped off the bed and pulled on a pair of Pack sweats. "They make me lose a... ILONA ANDREWS This man was a rogue, not because circumstances forced him to be a criminal but because he was born ... ILONA ANDREWS Not only will you sleep with me, but you will say 'please.'" I stared at him, shocked. Th... ILONA ANDREWS Andrea raised her hand. “This is the hand that slapped Aunt B.” “Maybe you should have it... ILONA ANDREWS She handed him a glass of water and two Aleve gelcaps. “They’re anti-inflammatories. They will d... ILONA ANDREWS I know people who will gently persuade you to be forthcoming. ILONA ANDREWS You think he's got 'government badass' tattooed on his chest?" I murmured. A faint grimace skew... ILONA ANDREWS I hit him on the back of the neck. He submerged. Help. I've drowned the Beast Lord. ILONA ANDREWS The vampire leaned forward, tapping a scimitar claw. "Is that a lion with horns and a pitchfork?" ILONA ANDREWS The first rule of etiquette a boy learns when he's about to enter society is that civility is d... ILONA ANDREWS Everybody has something, that one thing they must do to feel happy. I think this is yours, and I wan... ILONA ANDREWS Cats randomly refuse to follow orders to prove they can. ILONA ANDREWS Your sword is made out of your grandmother’s bones?” “Okay, I see how it sounds weird whe... ILONA ANDREWS Have you ever met someone and felt… I don't know how to describe it, felt a chance at having somet... ILONA ANDREWS And then what?" "I'll burn that bridge when I cross it. ILONA ANDREWS If you come back to me, I'll never leave you", I whispered into the furry ear. "I'll make you all th... ILONA ANDREWS Estene aleera hesaad de viren aneda ." And now, you are forever mine. ILONA ANDREWS What’s this ” “A needle.” “What should I do with it ” He’d walked right into... ILONA ANDREWS Cute. I think I would prefer to be stabbed in the eye rather than be called cute. ILONA ANDREWS Ready to put your claws where your mouth is, or are you going to cringe behind the big boys and yip ... ILONA ANDREWS Curran shrugged and pulled me back to him. 'You don't pick the family you're born into. You pick the... ILONA ANDREWS Give me an opportunity to fail," Saiman said. "I promise my corpse won't interrupt your 'I told you ... ILONA ANDREWS Kate's Speciality: Killing things, with much bloodshed. Talking trash, infuriating authority. Drivin... ILONA ANDREWS You snore worse. At least I don't turn into a lion in my sleep." "I only did it once." "On... ILONA ANDREWS You’re taking a nap? Come on, Kate, I need you for this fight. Stop lying around.” “You m... ILONA ANDREWS Aha! So I’m not crazy.” “You are most definitely crazy,” Derek said. “But in a derang... ILONA ANDREWS I think you’re confused as to the nature of our relationship. You and I, we don’t get along. You... ILONA ANDREWS I turned to leave and paused before the gap in the ruined wall. "One last thing, Your Majesty. I'd l... ILONA ANDREWS Did he just rip out the engine?" I asked. "Yes", Saiman said. "And now he is demolishing the Ma... ILONA ANDREWS Saiman reached into the trunk and pulled out a pink tulle tutu. “No.” “Yes.” ILONA ANDREWS I take back what I said about the donkey,’’ Ascanio said. ‘’She’s awesome ILONA ANDREWS You can’t blame me,” Ascanio said. “Anybody in my place would be concerned. You don’t even h... ILONA ANDREWS Ascanio..." "Yes, Consort?" "I think you misunderstand the whole nature of what it means t... ILONA ANDREWS I've been assigned to bodyguard you."You've got to be kidding me. Derek snorted. ILONA ANDREWS swore. “Barabas said you might say that. I’m supposed to tell you this.” Ascanio cleared his t... ILONA ANDREWS Because that's what it would catch in the wild, a boar, right? I can't wait to see a pack of bunnyca... ILONA ANDREWS Sit your ass down, Don Juanabe," Derek said. "Don Juanabe?" Ascanio pulled out his swords. ILONA ANDREWS Okay, pull me up." The rope didn't move. "Ascanio?" What was it now? Did he see a butterfl... ILONA ANDREWS Say 'pop.'" "Pop?" "That was the sound of me pulling your head out of your ass. ILONA ANDREWS And how did your day go?" I asked Ascanio. He turned to me, a dreamy look on his pretty face.... ILONA ANDREWS Quick, Derek, it's your chance to shine," Ascanio said. Derek gave him a withering look. "... ILONA ANDREWS Desandra shrugged her shoulders. "Hey, Kate? Have you thought of walking up to Hugh and telling him ... ILONA ANDREWS Put your badass faces on and follow me. ILONA ANDREWS Her face looked like it would shatter any second. ILONA ANDREWS One day I'll kill him, you know. I glanced at her. She was deadly serious. ILONA ANDREWS Andrea raised her eyebrows. "Look at you, all high-speed." "Yeah, you'd think I was a detective... ILONA ANDREWS She put her hands over her face. Ah crap. What do I do now? Do I say something, do I not say somethi... ILONA ANDREWS Andrea, in less than twelve hours, Atlanta will be full of demons. They will kill, feed, and release... ILONA ANDREWS Are you happy? When I can get out of my own way. And the rest of the time? The rest o... ILONA ANDREWS It's not a loup cage, you know,' I told her. 'It's a holding cell. Or safe room. or secure room. I d... ILONA ANDREWS Who is there with you?" "Raphael" Kate's voice snapped. "I'll be in Atlanta in... ILONA ANDREWS Derek, you just don't say things like that to a woman. Keep going this way and you'll spend your lif... ILONA ANDREWS We can do subtle," I assured her. "It's our middle name," Andrea added. For some odd reaso... ILONA ANDREWS He glued the chair to my ass." Silence. "Is it still...attached?" "I can't get it off... ILONA ANDREWS Who is Hunter Becker?" "Becker the Gory? Lighthouse Keepers? Boston?" "I would've preferre... ILONA ANDREWS We don't need teenage bouda sex fiends as interns. How do you know he is a sex fiend? He i... ILONA ANDREWS Would you like to work here with me? We have no clients and the pay is shit. ILONA ANDREWS Aha," Andrea said. "I'm going to ignore that you just referred to yourself as 'sugar woogums'. ILONA ANDREWS What do you mean fainted? Took a dive, kissed the pavement. Swooned like a southern belle after... ILONA ANDREWS I got a dog-training book. It says Grendel needs mental stimulation, so I tried to train him, but I ... ILONA ANDREWS Are you sure you know where you're going?" Andrea frowned. "Would you like me to pull over and ... ILONA ANDREWS It’s your duty as my best friend to be outraged with me.” “I’m outraged!” I snarled.... ILONA ANDREWS I have a serious question." "I will give a serious answer." "Can a god be kill... ILONA ANDREWS I batted my eyelashes and did my best to appear dumb as a board ILONA ANDREWS The dark scary servant of all evil was on his way to rescue me. Somehow that thought failed to make ... ILONA ANDREWS Your favorite volhv showed up half an hour ago, complaining about his lack of sleep and stupid gods.... ILONA ANDREWS Some people had attack dogs. Ghastek had attack lawyers. ILONA ANDREWS The door swung open and Kate walked in. Her jeans and T-shirt were splattered with blood and she was... ILONA ANDREWS My mind struggled to formulate a coherent though, any thought. I opened my mouth. "Your pajamas have... ILONA ANDREWS Only poor people are weird. Rich people are eccentric. ILONA ANDREWS I was so happy to be out of there. “Barabas, if you weren’t batting for the other team, I�... ILONA ANDREWS I gave him my Order smile: sweet grin, hard eyes, reached over to my passenger seat, and pulled out ... ILONA ANDREWS Bad days, good days, ‘I’ll cut you if you look at me the wrong way’ days. I’ll take them all... ILONA ANDREWS You’re touching me,” I chided him. He caressed my back, sliding his hand down, hitting eve... ILONA ANDREWS Raphael turned me over and looked at me, his face close to mine. "You and I will never be done.You'r... ILONA ANDREWS Are you implying that our relationship is like a Spanish soap opera?” “I’m not imp... ILONA ANDREWS Kate stood by the door with her arms crossed. That was an anti-Curran pose. What the hell was t... ILONA ANDREWS Someone pounded on the office door. Barabas moved to the door, slid aside the metal shutter covering... ILONA ANDREWS My tablecloth was missing in action and long, jagged scratches covered the table's surface.The scrat... ILONA ANDREWS Since we’re playing that game… I tilted my face up to his and gave him a lovesick gaze. “... ILONA ANDREWS The rage of the Beast Lord was a terrible thing to behold. Some people stormed, some punched things,... ILONA ANDREWS At first glance you looked at Kate and thought “fighter,” maybe merc. Five inches taller than me... ILONA ANDREWS Curran and Kate stood by the door. “I can’t believe you decided to come down here and check... ILONA ANDREWS You’re the most experienced investigator I’ve got who’s not tied up in something, and I can’... ILONA ANDREWS Kate smirked. "What?" "Your horse looks pink." "So?" "If you paste some stars on... ILONA ANDREWS It’s never a good thing when the black volhv says “Uh-oh” and then runs for his life. ILONA ANDREWS Our standard rate. A doubloon a day." It was generous. More than generous--some families would ... ILONA ANDREWS So, regarding that tidbit about your having a fertile imagination when it comes to private activitie... ILONA ANDREWS Rumors said that if he got drunk enough, he sometimes got his jollies by stripping naked and scaring... ILONA ANDREWS The decorator of Las Colimas must have been a great admirer of both early Aztec and late Taco Bell a... ILONA ANDREWS Fuck the pack. I gave them fifteen years of my life. I fought for them, bled for them, and the momen... ILONA ANDREWS Because he has the best equipment in the City and he knows how to use it! ILONA ANDREWS I'm welding the bimbo room shut. ILONA ANDREWS Was his body made out of orange rocks and did he at any point yell 'It's clobbering time'?" "I ... ILONA ANDREWS You should name him Fezzik." "Inconceivable. ILONA ANDREWS