Priya Ardis

“Why did you wear heels? How are you supposed to fight a gargoyle in what you're wearing?”

“If I were to lock you up in a dungeon, I guarantee you would not be bored.”

“but remember, nothing comes without a price. Our paths are not mapped; they’re made.”

“You'll get fired if anyone finds out about us!""So many rules in this century," Vane muttered.”

“Vane grabbed me. “DuLac, let’s ch”

“The last declaration he'd made to me hung between us. The L word. The one that had nothing to do with like.”

“I caught his hand. “What do you want me to do?”Leaning down, he kissed the pulse beating on my neck just above the damaged skin. “Tomorrow, I need you to die.”

“He’d used the amulet to read my thoughts again. I pictured smacking him in the face.”

“Rough palms cradled my face while my fingers gripped the pillow on either side of his. Lips, teeth, tongue, mingled together. I ate him up and didn’t let go until I had to come up for air.”

“The combination of razor-sharp wit (completely real) and his credentials (completely fake) had won them over in the end.”

“Vane’s lips tightened to suppress a smile. “Why so hostile, love?”“You whacked me on the head with a ball!”“You deserved it.”

“The Lady may favoryou, but at least I am in charge of my own destiny.”

“Matt was almost completely naked. A tattered loincloth and an ugly chain with a yellow diamond were his only apparel.”

“Plus, I happened to be a history nerd. Why else would I be interested in a guy born in the year 519?”

“Do you think we can be friends?” I asked.He stared up at the ceiling. “Probably not, but we can pretend.”

“Vane grabbed me. “DuLac, let’s chat.” British-speak for “Stand still while I yell at you.”

“If you keep waiting for the right time, it may never happen. Sometimes you have to make the most of the time you have.”

“I noticed him right away. No, it wasn’t his lean, rugged face. Or the dark waves of shiny hair that hung just a little too long on his forehead. It wasn’t the slim, collarless biker jacket he wore, hugging his lean shoulders. It was the way he stood. The confident way he waited in the cafeteria line to get a slice of pizza. He didn’t saunter. He didn’t amble. He stood at the center, and let the other people buzz around him. His stance was straight and sure.”

“Well, can you tell her that?"He looked down at his feet. "I will. I will."Guy-speak for, "I plan to keep avoiding her until she gives up.”