Hard Bitten

You can run. You can keep running to the ends of the earth. But I won’t be far behind you.” “Ethan—” “No. I will never be far behind you.” He tipped up my chin so that I could do nothing else but look back into his eyes. “Do the things you need to do. Learn to be a vampire, to be a warrior, to be the soldier you are capable of being. But consider the possibility that I made a mistake I regret—and that I’ll continue to regret that mistake and try to convince you to give me another chance until the earth stops turning.

Be stubborn if you wish to, if you need to, but we know how this will end.

Sometimes hanging out in pajamas with a good book sounded like a phenomenal idea.

I'm afraid,' I finally confessed. 'I know.' His voice was quiet. 'I know, and it kills me that I put that fear into your eyes.

I mean, who does that? Who touches someone’s hair and pronounces they have magic?” “Darth Sullivan.” “Darth goddamned Sullivan.

Are we ready?” “You have your dagger?” “I rarely leave home without it.” “Then to the Batcave, Sentinel.

You are a Cadogan vampire, by blood and bone. You have fought for this House, and you are mine to protect. My Sentinel, my Novitiate. As long as I am here to do it, I will protect you. As long as this House exists, you will have a home here. -Ethan

No one said love was easy, Sentinel. -Ethan

I'll have you in my bed again, Sentinel. And at my side. That is a promise.

Give me something to go on, here. What kind of black magic are we talking? Elphaba,Wicked Witch of the West-type stuff or Slytherin-type stuff?

You can run. You can keep running to the ends of the earth. But I won’t be far behind you.

If ‘just’ is all you can give me now, then ‘just’ is what we’ll do.

Do you like being teased?" I whispered. "I enjoy previews," he said, the words confident, but his voice rough with arousal. -Merit and Ethan

You give me thirty-two inches of folded steel and I'll take on anyone you want." -- Merit

Ethan sighed, then put a hand on my cheek. “I don’t tell you this enough, but I am incredibly proud of the vampire you’ve become. I want you to know that.

I wouldn’t let you leave the House if I didn’t—there’s too much at stake.” “At stake. Ha-ha.” At his frown, I winced. “Sorry. I kid when I’m nervous.

Ethan extended his hand. "Mr. Merit. Thank you for your help." My grandfather shook his hand, but he also shook his head. "Thank your Sentinel. She's a fine representative of your House." Ethan looked at me, pride-and love?-in his eyes. "We're in agreement there.

From a House of vampires to a house of politicians,” he muttered as we walked to the front door. “Said the most political of vampires,” I reminded him, and got a growl in response.

Learn to be a vampire, to be a warrior, to be the soldier you are capable of being. But consider the possibility that I made a mistake I regret—and that I’ll continue to regret that mistake and try to convince you to give me another chance until the earth stops turning.

Vamps are really only like ten percent fun at any given time. The other ninety percent is largely fretting. And bloodletting.

My job is to ensure the sanctity of this House. Ensuring the sanity of its Master seemed like a good start.

Friends in high places definitely helped- especially if you had enemies in even higher spots.

It was my TBR-my TO Be Read stack. The usual subjects were there. Chick lit. Action. A Pulitzer Prize winner. A romance novel about a pirate and a damsel in a low-cut blouse (What? Even vampire enjoys a little bodice ripping now and again.)

Do you need to reschedule? There are some other things I could take care of while I’m in town.” Mallory waved him off. “No, today’s fine. It’s going to be on the exam, so I might as well do it.” “Oh, my God, you are Harry Potter,” I said, pointing a finger at her. “I knew it!” She rolled her eyes, then looked at Catcher.

If only we could have picked our family...

He clearly wasn’t dissuaded, and stroked my jawline with his thumb. “You can run. You can keep running to the ends of the earth. But I won’t be far behind you.

Aw, sad face. I came up with that totally off the cuff. No props for off the cuff?

Only a four-hundred-year-old vampire would wonder if a grad student could understand procrastination.