Teo had once claimed that human history began with a storm: the interval between lightning and thunder, between flash and rumble felt in the body's core, was primitive man's first experiences of time -- the awakening of consciousness, the birth of the gods.

You live in a grim universe.”“That’s risk management for you.

Gods, like men, can die. They just die harder, and smite the earth with their passing.

Faith is a state of constant examination and openness. In faith we must be vulnerable. Only in this seeming weakness do we live with God.

They found the Infirmary of Justice much as they had left it: white institutional walls, too-bright floors, and a reassuring smell of antiseptic. Reassuring at least to Tara, because the smell signalled that the people running this infirmary knew about antiseptic.

Gods, I love sports. All the excitement of real news, only it doesn't matter so you don't have to worry about it.

Be careful. As if something’s going to jump us in a library.”“You might be surprised.”“What do you mean?”“You know how people say a book is really gripping?”“Don’t tell me…” Cat trailed off.“Libraries can be dangerous.