Everything she knew about him rushed through her mind like a tidal wave.

The calmness was fracturing, tendrils of fear seeping through her mind like ivy. Once the fear consumed her, she'd run.

Fuck your manners.""You don't have to settle for just my manners.

In entirety, valentine is a FUCKING DAY, rather than the sanctity of its literal meaning.

Her gaze shifted away. "I don't remember my dreams anymore." It was like she was confessing a dirty secret. And maybe it was, because even though he hated the dreams, each time he had them, he was with his parents again. Hearing their laughter. Watching them live. But when he woke up they were really gone.

Fear blossomed within her - not like a flower, but like blood welling from a gunshot wound, spreading throughout her entire body.

Trees surrounded them from all sides, casting long inky shadows that would, at another time, have been scary. But there was no point in being scared of what might be lurking in the shadows when the biggest bad, of all big bads, was gazing at her intently.

If she was going to die she wanted to go out with chocolate in one hand and a shopping bag in the other.

She tried to think of the right thing to say - something that would make him leave her alone. If she said she could defend herself he'd want her to prove it. But if she said she couldn't defend herself, then he'd take her out there to learn. This is so messed up.

Life is about juggling obligations, Valerie. You need to study smarter, not harder.

Know your value, accept nothing but the best.