“Everyone grieves in different ways. For some, it could take longer or shorter. I do know it never disappears. An ember still smolders inside me. Most days, I don’t notice it, but, out of the blue, it’ll flare to life.”

“Another relative?” Valek asked.A broad smile stretched Moon Man’s lips. “Yes. I am her mother’s uncle’s wife’sthird cousin.”–Valek and Moon Man”

“Why did Mother ask you to help me rescue Gelsi?” I asked Leif.”She thought I could assist you in some way. Instead, I had tried to-“”Kill me? You can join the ‘I Want to Kill Yelena Guild.’ I hear they have sixmembers in good standing.Valek is president since he had wanted to kill me twice.”–Yelena to Leif”

“The heart is a strange beast and not ruled by logic.”

“But you’ve slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart.”

“There’s always another storm. It’s the way the world works. Snowstorms, rainstorms, windstorms, sandstorms, and firestorms. Some are fierce and others are small. You have to deal with each one separately, but you need to keep an eye on whats brewing for tomorrow.”

“Yelena, you’ve driven me crazy. You’ve caused me considerable trouble and I’ve contemplated ending your life twice since I’ve known you.” Valek’s warm breath in my ear sent a shiver down my spine.”But you’ve slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart.”“That sounds more like a poison than a person,” was all I could say. His confession had both shocked and thrilled me.“Exactly,” Valek replied. “You have poisoned me.”