Priya Ardis

"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."

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

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

"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."

"Vane grabbed me. Du Lac, let’s chat. Chat. British-speak for Stand still while I yell at you."

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

"Marilynn...passed out black cases to everyone. I opened mine to find an i Pad inside. Several candidates whistled. Despite my agitated state, it impressed me too. Maybe wizard school wasn’t going to be as lame as I had thought.“All of your schedules and assignments will be done on these,” Marilynn explained. “The whole school is on these. We’ve had them for awhile now."

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

"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."