T.L. Shreffler > Quotes

“Only the future matters, Sora. Guilt is an illusion, a way of lingering on the past. You can't change what happened." He held her eyes , carving himself into her mind. "You are alive. That is what you should worry about. Your thoughts can torture you— but not the dead. They've moved on.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“I'm not fooled, assassin. You may think you are removed from us—that you have come to terms with your own mortality—but I still had to drag Sora out of your arms.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“Yes, she was still breathing—and by the gods, he would keep her that way!”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“We all have demons, Crash," she said quietly. "But you don't have to let them define you.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Ferran's Map

“Why are you so infuriatingly blind? Everything I do-every damn word I say-is with you in mind." -Crash”
― T.L. Shreffler, Ferran's Map

“Crash smiled slowly. He didn't waste words while fighting. It was useless to taunt the dead.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“So you think it's funny to leave me in the house all day with Crash? That man is horribly unsociable, you know." This time Sora and Burn both laughed. Burn's ears twitched.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“I don't..." Crash swallowed, "I don't want this to happen again." "What to happen again?" "This, Sora!" he said harshly. She sat back, stunned by the show of emotion.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“Some days we make mistakes,” she said gently. “We feel like we take a
step backward, or even worse, like we aren’t true to ourselves. Sometimes, our lives change dramatically
and yet we still feel stuck in the same place. But every day, we have the chance to start anew. ” She
reached out and touched his jaw. “We're all headed somewhere, and with each new day, we get a little
better and a little wiser. You showed me that. You're not going to lose yourself, Crash...and you're not
going to lose me, either.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Ferran's Map

“I should have acted sooner. Saved him. It was in my power.” Her throat closed painfully. Then Crash did something unexpected. He sat down on the bed, his hand landing close to her face, gazing down at her intently. For reasons unknown, Sora felt her breath catch, her chest constrict peculiarly.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“The assassin nodded. His eyes glinted in amusement, holding her gaze for a moment too long. And perhaps she saw his expression soften...but she didn't want to read too much into it. She gave him a little wave and turned to leave, her heart pounding strangely in her chest. She remembered the brush of his strong calloused hands, his long nimble fingers, and his arms trapping her against the railing, She thought of his full attention upon her, observing each small movement, every flaw and breath.

Tomorrow they would train again. Her stomach tightened at the thought. She hoped he didn't notice her response to his touch-but deep down inside, she knew he saw everything.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Ferran's Map

“Your thoughts can torture you-but not the dead. They've moved on.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“Crash studied her. Sometimes he seemed to understand her silence better than her words.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Ferran's Map

“You almost died!” he said sharply. “Dorian is gone, and I don't want any more innocents killed—not at my expense, not at anyone's expense!" She looked at him seriously. This, from an assassin?”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“I am the fire,” Crash whispered. “I am the darkness.” It was a mantra, a prayer, the beginnings of a ritual, a ceremonial killing. He could see recognition on the bandit's face, the spasm of fear.
Crash never broke eye contact. “I am not Death,” he finished the verse. “I am its vessel.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Viper's Creed

“He cared about the girl—maybe, partially, why not—but it was only because she was still alive. If she had been killed in the fight, would he have fussed over her empty body?”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“Aye, get to cover! 'Tis a Kraken!” Sora”
― T.L. Shreffler, Viper's Creed

“Burn stepped up to the side of the horse and pulled Sora from Crash's arms. Crash was reluctant to let go.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“Burn turned to the doorway, his expression not exactly welcoming. "Finished sulking, have you? Pay your respects to our little heroine. She saved our lives." "I know," was the sour response.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“Swaying from side to side, bent almost double, Sora still thought he was the most beautiful sight in the world. Crash”
― T.L. Shreffler, Viper's Creed

“Stupid girl, you should have let me die, he thought. Specks of light could be seen against the night sky, distant windows and flickering streetlamps. How many times had he wished for death, for a killing blow? But it seemed the gods weren't done with him yet.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“So you don't like fish?”
“Not especially,” he replied in an equally soft voice. Then a wicked glint lit his eyes. “Unless it has long, slimy tentacles and suckers, with tiny black eyes that have been boiled in soup...”
“Oh, hush!” Sora laughed. “Are you describing yourself? I think I've seen a few tentacles under that cloak...”
The assassin grimaced. “You're very clever.”
“I learned it from you,” she grinned.
“We'll have to put a stop to that.”
Sora's grin widened. “You could always throw me to the sea.”
Crash laughed. “That wouldn't work. As I recall, you're a very good swimmer.” The compliment was unexpected. He had adopted a deep tone that Sora had never heard before. It sent shivers across her skin and she shifted in her seat, strangely excited.
“I could teach you,” she said.
“Why don't we have our first lesson in the bath?”
― T.L. Shreffler, Viper's Creed

“I'm being sentimental, she thought, and turned to her room. He's an assassin. He doesn't care.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“He knew Viper well. True to his name, the assassin was as slippery as a snake in the grass.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“It was too soon, too quick, too painful. She couldn't believe this was finally the end.   Appropriately, it was still raining the next morning.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Sora's Quest

“We have seasonal festivals where men and women can join,” he explained.
Sora felt the conversation take a different turn. She hesitated, wondering if this was truly worth knowing about -but curiosity got the best of her.
“Join...? You mean... make love?”
An odd expression passed over Crash's face. “You could call it that.”
(…) She fidgeted with her staff. “And have you participated in these... festivals...?”
He cast a glance at her. A wry grin curved along the corners of his mouth. He looked at her a little too long, and it made her stomach squirm, her cheeks flush self-consciously. “Several times,” he said. “Would you like more details?”
“Uh, no, I'm fine,” she said briefly. Yes! Her mind admonished. Yes, ask him! No, it would be far too awkward, she could already feel the blush spreading from her cheeks up to her forehead.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Volcrian's Hunt

“Abruptly the wind shifted, and his head snapped up. A scream pierced the air. It skittered across his skin and reverberated through his bones. He shivered. Suddenly, he felt as though a large hand was squeezing his stomach, tighter and tighter, making it impossible to breathe. Danger. Uncertainty. Fear...?
Sora!
That scream, that pitch, the direction it came from.... Crash found himself running across the ship, bounding toward the docks.
Sweet Goddess—no!”
― T.L. Shreffler

“I can't,” he repeated hoarsely, his throat full of rocks. Then he turned and walked away. She”
― T.L. Shreffler, Volcrian's Hunt

“Is that what you’re angry about?” he asked. “I’m not angry!” “You’re very angry, Sora.” “I am not!” she seethed.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Cerastes' Curse

“A second later, Jacques was at Burn's side, shaking the mercenary's hand as if he were the King himself. “Nice, Wolfy, well met!” he gushed. “Why, if I had known I'd be meeting your kind today, I'd have done something with my hair! Jacques is the name, jesting's the game!”
Burn stared at the Dracian with a bemused expression. “Burn is the name,” he replied. “Leaving with my hand intact is also very important to me.”
― T.L. Shreffler, Viper's Creed