1
2
3
5
8
12
20
33
52
83
133
213
340
543
867
1384
2208
3346
3522
5443
5619
6451
6452
6453
6454
6455
6757
7581
8098
8422
8625
8752
8832
8882
8913
8932
8945
8953
8957
8960
8962
8963
8964
8965
▲
▼
| Link | Quote | Stars | Tags | Author |
| b47c1cb | How did Rafe make it back so fast? Same way we did. He stole a ride. A motorcycle. In his case, though, he skipped all the steps between. No tortuous trek through the woods--he'd landed relatively close to a town. No attempts to get help, because Rafe wasn't like us. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 58fa7cc | Annie used to have a motorcycle, he said, and she'd taught him to ride it. He also knew how to hot-wire one. I wasn't asking how. Like I said, his life experience wasn't ours. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| c04852d | I opened the paper to an inner page where the piece continued. There were photos of two missing kids. Rafe and Nicole. "How the hell did they get Rafe's picture?" Sam muttered. "Those aren't us," I said. "Convenient," the server muttered. It wasn't convenient. It was intentional. Submit photos of the kids they knew weren't wandering around the forest. There was a class picture at the bottom of the article. It was tiny and blurred, although.. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 4a99cd0 | I led Daniel to the master bedroom and closed the door behind us. "What's up?" I whispered. "Hmm?" "You've barely said a word since Rafe showed up. You don't trust him." "What? No. Of course I trust him. The guy fell out of a helicopter so we wouldn't." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 87cfba1 | You've barely said a word since Rafe showed up. You don't trust him." "What? No. Of course I trust him. The guy fell out of a helicopter so we wouldn't." "But something's bugging you. Is it his story?" "No. It's a miracle he survived, but like you said, he's part cat. They always land on their feet." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| b5b77a9 | His mind fell asleep. His wits fell awake. His cock trembled like a harp-string. | Mervyn Peake | ||
| fa0345d | I opened the paper to an inner page where the piece continued. There were photos of two missing kids. Rafe and Nicole. "How the hell did they get Rafe's picture?" Sam muttered. "Those aren't us," I said. "Convenient," the server muttered. It wasn't convenient. It was intentional. Submit photos of the kids they knew weren't wandering around the forest. There was a class picture at the bottom of the article. It was tiny and blurred, although.. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| a996d60 | We're in this one." I pointed to the class shot. "That's me, and that's Sam over there." "I think that's Bryan," Sam said. "Is it?" I squinted. "Maybe..." It was impossible to tell, really." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 4ffc49e | Our pictures might not be recognizable, but come on. Why would we lie about it?" "Same reason my own kids lie," the server said. "To get attention." "Seriously?" Sam said. "We're going to hatch this elaborate scheme, and launch it in your crappy little--?" I stepped on Sam's foot." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 2f679f9 | It's official," Sam said as we walked out. "We're screwed. The universe is conspiring to destroy us." "If it was, I think it could have managed that a few times by now." "Ah, but that's the trick. You cheat death, it keeps trying. Didn't you see that movie?" "All of them, actually. Serena loved--" A brief pause. "She loved horror movies." "Did she? I'd have thought her more the romance type." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 7e99315 | It's official," Sam said as we walked out. "We're screwed. The universe is conspiring to destroy us." "If it was, I think it could have managed that a few times by now." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 8267b62 | It's official," Sam said as we walked out. "We're screwed. The universe is conspiring to destroy us." "If it was, I think it could have managed that a few times by now." "Ah, but that's the trick. You cheat death, it keeps trying. Didn't you see that movie?" "All of them, actually." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 96e712b | And you knew we were alive?" I said as we approached the outskirts of town. "I knew were alive." That made me feel...I don't know. There was a flutter of happiness at the thought, but some guilt, too, because I'd had the same experience. I'd known that he was alive. Yet I hadn't trusted it. "Are you going to even ask who else survived?" Corey said. Did I imagine the touch of sarcasm in his voice? "Well, obviously you guys and Samantha," R.. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| a6b1b56 | Look, Corey, I know you don't like me. Daniel doesn't either, but he's being nice about it for Maya's sake." "I'm not--" Daniel protested. "It's okay. I didn't go out of my way to make friends in Salmon Creek. I know that. I acted like an ass, and as Maya may have told you, I had a reason, one that probably still makes me an ass." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 2d53379 | Look, Corey, I know you don't like me. Daniel doesn't either, but he's being nice about it for Maya's sake." "I'm not--" Daniel protested. "It's okay. I didn't go out of my way to make friends in Salmon Creek. I know that. I acted like an ass, and as Maya may have told you, I had a reason, one that probably still makes me an ass. I'm glad to hear Hayley's okay. Of everyone in Salmon Creek, I treated her the worst, so I'm hoping I get the ch.. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 8a36535 | No one expects you to care about Nic and Hayley as much as we do," Daniel said. "But I am glad to see you're okay." "For Maya's sake. I know." He waved off Daniel's denials. "I don't expect more. And, chances are, I'll turn out to be an ass after all." He said it jokingly, but he broke eye contact, and didn't look my way either, just nudged me toward the house. I wondered if it did kind of hurt him, getting a cool reception from the guys. T.. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| f6618f6 | That reception didn't improve once we got in the house. Rafe was happy to see Sam was okay. Whether you like a person or not, you don't wish them a horrible death. Sam, though...Well, I'd spent long enough with her now to realize she was lacking certain filters most of us have. "So, I guess you'll be moving on, then?" she said. "Got things to do? Places to be?" Daniel winced. Corey lifted his brows. Rafe only sputtered a laugh. "Well, at le.. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 3032d7f | I'm worried, too. I know it doesn't seem like it, because Rafe's back and obviously I'm happy about that, so maybe I'm not as focused as I should be. I'll snap out of it." He gave me a quick hug. "Don't. Something in this whole mess has gone right for you. You're allowed to be happy." He met my gaze. "Okay?" I nodded. "Go have a shower and try to relax," he said. "You're going to need your energy, and I'm going to need my co-captain." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| e25ceed | That reception didn't improve once we got in the house. Rafe was happy to see Sam was okay. Whether you like a person or not, you don't wish them a horrible death. Sam, though...Well, I'd spent long enough with her now to realize she was lacking certain filters most of us have. "So, I guess you'll be moving on, then?" she said. "Got things to do? Places to be?" Daniel winced. Corey lifted his brows. Rafe only sputtered a laugh. "Well, at le.. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 856770a | Now, Maya, if you can stop gaping at Rafe for a few minutes, we really should come up with a plan." I glared at her. "I spent three days thinking I'd watched him fall to his death." "Leave her alone, Sam," Daniel murmured. "This isn't the time." "I'm just saying it's not the time for either. We need to focus and having Maya moon over Rafe is making everyone uncomfortable." Rafe grinned. "Doesn't bother me." "Because your ego really needs .. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 8df1a78 | You think you're better than everyone else. You think the rules don't apply to you. You breeze into town, working your charm on all the girls, then walk away when you realize they aren't the skin-walker you're looking for. You find her"--Sam pointed at me--"and you use her, too, but apparently, she's forgiven you. Maya's smart and she's sensible, so maybe I'm trying to figure out why the hell she's with you when there are great guys like..... | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 62aad92 | You find her"--Sam pointed at me--"and you use her, too, but apparently, she's forgiven you. Maya's smart and she's sensible, so maybe I'm trying to figure out why the hell she's with you when there are great guys like..." She stumbled, as if searching for a name. "Like Brendan. You've got some kind of hold over her, and I don't like it." Rafe leaned over and whispered. "It's a love spell I picked up from a witch over in Nanaimo. But don't .. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 0da2d04 | You've got some kind of hold over her, and I don't like it." Rafe leaned over and whispered. "It's a love spell I picked up from a witch over in Nanaimo. But don't tell Maya." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 4116c77 | You've got some kind of hold over her, and I don't like it." Rafe leaned over and whispered. "It's a love spell I picked up from a witch over in Nanaimo. But don't tell Maya." "You think you're funny." "No, I think you have your own issue with me and I think I know what it is. But it has nothing to do with me personally, so I'm going to try not to take it personally." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 33d4960 | And, while I might be enjoying this--" He lifted his hand, which was still clasping mine. "I know it's as temporary as a love spell. Give it a few hours and she'll hate me again." "Hate's a strong word," I said. "Strong emotion is better than indifference." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| b53f2f3 | You've got some kind of hold over her, and I don't like it." Rafe leaned over and whispered. "It's a love spell I picked up from a witch over in Nanaimo. But don't tell Maya." "You think you're funny." "No, I think you have your own issue with me and I think I know what it is. But it has nothing to do with me personally, so I'm going to try not to take it personally. And, while I might be enjoying this--" He lifted his hand, which was still.. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 06a3256 | Next the guys were heading out to find a house we could hole up in--someplace the Cabals wouldn't expect to find us. Sam's leg wasn't up to scouting, and Rafe thought I should stay with her, take a break, get a hot shower, and put on the fresh clothes I'd brought from home. That may have been his nice way of saying I really needed that shower. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 67c6966 | I led Daniel to the master bedroom and closed the door behind us. "What's up?" I whispered. "Hmm?" "You've barely said a word since Rafe showed up. You don't trust him." "What? No. Of course I trust him. The guy fell out of a helicopter so we wouldn't." "But something's bugging you. Is it his story?" "No. It's a miracle he survived, but like you said, he's part cat. They always land on their feet." He smiled, but it was strained. "Then you .. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 72c698b | I was in the Tillsons' bathroom, still dressed, starting the shower, when I heard a faint click, and I wheeled to see Rafe coming in, holding a card he'd used to pop the lock. His free hand covered his eyes. "Excuse--" I began. "Oh, sorry. Didn't know you were in here," he said, his hand still over his eyes as he frantically motioned, apparently trying to stop me from stating the obvious--that he'd in and knew full well I was here." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| ac00035 | I opened my eyes and when I did, he was right there, and all I could see was his eyes, those amazing amber eyes that I could fall into and-- I stumbled back. "You're not real." "Mmm, actually, I am. Not a ghost." He brushed his hand over the tops of the tall grasses, making them sway. "Not a zombie either, or I'd smell even worse by now. Not a ghost, not a zombie, just a freaking lucky guy." "I saw you fall." "The fall isn't the problem. .. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| fae2cb2 | I opened my eyes and when I did, he was right there, and all I could see was his eyes, those amazing amber eyes that I could fall into and-- I stumbled back. "You're not real." "Mmm, actually, I am. Not a ghost." He brushed his hand over the tops of the tall grasses, making them sway. "Not a zombie either, or I'd smell even worse by now." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| afd9861 | I...I still--" "Can't believe it?" Rafe shrugged. "I'm guessing a regular person wouldn't have survived. But we're part cat so maybe falls aren't so bad. I think I lost one of my nine lives though." He twisted to look at the stab wound. "Maybe two." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 7d180cb | I saw you fall." "The fall isn't the problem. It's the sudden stop at the end. Avoid that and..." He waved his hands down his body. "Apparently, you can survive." "That's not...You can't..." "Did I mention the insanely lucky part? Great thing about this island? Really big trees. Gotta love those redwoods, especially when they break your fall. Still it was a helluva hit and I've got the war wounds to show for it." He held out his bare arms, .. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| e8e078d | I...I still--" "Can't believe it?" Rafe shrugged. "I'm guessing a regular person wouldn't have survived. But we're part cat so maybe falls aren't so bad. I think I lost one of my nine lives though." He twisted to look at the stab wound. "Maybe two." I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him, and when I did, I knew he was real--the heat of him, the smell of him, the feel of him, the taste of him so incredibly real that it surpassed anyt.. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| efdbc20 | I kissed him until I couldn't breathe, and then I kissed him a little more, until I had to pull back, gasping. "I have to die more often," he said. And he grinned, that incredible blaze of a grin that made me kiss him again. When we finally pulled apart, he brushed his palm over my still-damp cheeks. "Your parents are okay, Maya," he murmured. "They've just left. The whole town left." "I know. That's not..." I stepped back, out of his arm.. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| c7e2f8b | The sliding back door to the house squealed. Daniel stepped onto the deck. Rafe and I were still in the woods, but we could see him, through the trees, and he could see us. He stopped dead. Kenjii raced past him. She barreled down the steps toward us, and gave me a passing lick before jumping on Rafe. He pushed her down, laughing. "See, I am real," he said. "Hmm, still not sure," I said. "Dogs are supposed to be able to see ghosts, you know.. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 3bdde58 | She barreled down the steps toward us, and gave me a passing lick before jumping on Rafe. He pushed her down, laughing. "See, I am real," he said. "Hmm, still not sure," I said. "Dogs are supposed to be able to see ghosts, you know." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 67aba19 | On Vancouver Island, hitchhiking is considered a perfectly feasible way to travel, prohibited only on the highway, where you could get hit. In Salmon Creek, though, we got stranger-danger classes from kindergarten. Ours were probably a little different from most--we were taught that anyone in Salmon Creek could be trusted; it was the rest of the world we needed to watch out for. Some kids did start hitching rides into town when they hit tha.. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 31f6cae | It might not be fatal," I said. "Depends on how long it takes you to find your cell phone." I emptied the rifle's magazine. Then I laid down the gun. "I'd suggest you tell the police it was a hunting accident. Otherwise I'll have to tell them the truth." I helped Sam to the truck. As she got in, she winced, then glowered at the man lying on the ground. "If I could kick him without falling on my ass, I would," she said." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 48c43b5 | Wow. I can't believe it, but obviously..." He looked Rafe up and down and shook his head. "Wow." "Holy hell." Now Corey stood on the back deck, staring. He came over and we had to go through the whole thing again. Yes, it was Rafe. Not a ghost. Not a zombie. Not a long-lost twin brother. As ludicrous as all those ideas sounded, though, they seemed more likely than the truth--that a guy fell from a helicopter and survived. "You sure about t.. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| a4aa57b | You sure about the twin thing?" Corey said when Rafe had finished. "Yes, I don't have a long-lost twin brother." "I do," I said. "Or so I've heard." Rafe grinned at me. "Yes, but I'm not him." "Which is good." "Very good." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 233c921 | Our immaturity is scaring her off," I said. "Sorry, Sam. Come back and we'll act our age." "No, I'm just grabbing some food. You two carry on. You've earned a maturity time-out." I let go of Daniel's feet and he pulled them off my lap. "We're home," I said. "Well, not our home but..." I leaned back into the cushions and let out a happy sigh. "Close enough for now." | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| a4488f0 | We're home," I said. "Well, not our home but..." I leaned back into the cushions and let out a happy sigh. "Close enough for now." "Feels good, doesn't it?" "Unbelievably good." I opened my eyes and glanced at him. "Thank you. For keeping me on my feet and getting us back here." "Um, pretty sure you did at least half of the 'getting us back here' part. And I needed some help staying afloat, too." He paused. "Well, not as much as you, but th.. | Kelley Armstrong | ||
| 3780a5a | My laptop should be here." He gestured at the empty desk. "It was when I left." He turned to Daniel. "Okay, obviously between the fire and the crash, Mom hasn't come home. But she didn't take my laptop. She told me to pack it. I didn't." "Why?" Sam said. "Because my homework's on it," he said, in a tone that implied this was a stupid question. "Laptop perishes in the fire? I get a free pass on every assignment." "Which I'm sure she knew you.. | Kelley Armstrong |