Americans invented adolescence. It is not a natural phenomenon. Adolescence is a social construct, created by an urban-industrial society that keeps its young at home far past puberty. Teenage angst is a luxury if a successful modern human conceit that isn't condoned by our superior species.

— Sarah Beth Durst

Coming home is hard." Even said." It shouldn't be" Dayana said. "They love me. I love them. It should be easy."" Once you leave, it's never easy again. Or at least it's never the same. You're not the same. You can't expect them to be. She nodded. "Sometimes they feel like strangers. And still, I'd die to protect them.

— Sarah Beth Durst

Don't trust the fire, for it will burn you. Don't trust the ice, for it will freeze you. Don't trust the water, for it will drown you. Don't trust the air, for it will choke you. Don't trust the earth, for it will bury you. Don't trust the trees, for they will rip you, rend you, tear you, kill you dead.

— Sarah Beth Durst

Last period of the day was new gym class. It was her only class that didn't include Evan, which was a relief. She should be functioning at a peak concentration, but he and his luminous eyes kept distracting her. First opportunity I have, she thought. I'll bite him.

— Sarah Beth Durst

She'd always been a little excitable, a little more passionate about books than your average person, but she was supposed to be -- she was a librarian, after all.

— Sarah Beth Durst

Tara. I'm a vampire," Pearl said." Yeah, whatever, and I'm queen of the sea."" Your Marine Majesty, I'm a vampire," Pearl said. Concentrating, she slid her fangs out. "Tara. Tara!" She curled back her lips to expose the points. "See"Tara screamed." I won't hurt you," Pearl said. Calm down. Sheesh." Tara continued to scream. Pearl considered biting her merely to shut her up. Regrettably that would be counterproductive. Studying her nails, she waited for Tara to quit screaming. She noticed that Tara didn't try to exit the car, which was an interesting choice." You aren't running away," Pearl said." Duh, it's raining outside," Tara said.

— Sarah Beth Durst

The lamb baa-ed vigorously as Mary dragged it into the manicure room, and Del winced. She really should insist Julie come work, She could use the help, plus it would mean extra mother-daughter time--and, Del thought wryly, I won't have to find a spare tower in the suburbs. Closing the appointment book, Del went to finish trimming Linda's hair. "Did I hear a sheep out there?" Linda asked." Sick dog," Del said. "Now, bend your head down." Linda obeyed and Del ran her fingers through the back of her hair to check for evenness. All she needed to do was think of a way to make Julie come without Julie immediately assuming her mother was trying to ruin her life. Not an easy task.

— Sarah Beth Durst

There's only one way in and one way out of this world.

— Sarah Beth Durst

You do realize that you are addressing the emperor of the Crescent Empire."" And you are addressing a free woman of the desert. You are not my emperor. Therefore, I am your equal.

— Sarah Beth Durst