Maggie Craven Quotes

“Tianna felt happy. Since she had lost her family, she had wanted to belong somewhere.
"That mysterious voice that seemed like an inner guide," Tianna asked. "Was that Selene?"
Maggie nodded. "Selene was always guiding you. She looked down on you that first night and felt pity for what the Followers had done and for what you were going to endure. And now because you have proved yourself, she is allowing you to become-"
"A goddess," Tianna whispered.
"A Daughter of the Moon." Maggie corrected her with a smile.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Lost One

“During the Peloponnesian War a brave Athenian soldier fell desperately in love with the daughter of his commander. He asked for her hand in marriage but she had to refuse. Having dedicated her life to the goddess Selene, she had vowed not to marry until an evil power called the Atrox was vanquished. The soldier swore to destroy the dark force and free his beloved from her vow.
He traveled day and night until he came to the western side of the river Oceanus. There he passed through groves of barren willows and poplars until he found the cave that led to Tartarus, the land of the dead. He entered it, and when he reached the impenetrable darkness, demons swarmed around him.
A towering black cloud surged toward him. He knew it was the Atrox. But instead of trembling with fear, he became intoxicated with his own bravery; he alone had the courage to face the Atrox. If he destroyed it, he would not only win his bride, but also become as powerful as any of the immortal gods.
Pride overtook him as he shot his arrow. A terrible scream pierced the misty air. Then the unimaginable happened. The Atrox surrendered to him and humbly offered a gift of gold ankle bands in tribute.
The young man, eager to return to his love and flaunt his victory, clasped the heavy metal bands around his legs, but as he did, flames ravaged his body and the evil he had set out to destroy consumed him. The Atrox had tricked him and given him not ornaments but shackles, condemning him to an eternity of servitude. Demons carried him away from the underworld and cast him out from Earth.
Over the centuries many people have seen the young soldier in the night sky and thought of him only a falling star. He wanders the universe alone, unable to return to Earth unless summoned by his master, the Atrox.”
― Lynne Ewing, Moon Demon

“"Penelope." The Atrox called her by her old name, his voice brutal and at the same time alluring. "I've come to take back my gift."
"I surrender it easily," she said. "Your immortality was always a curse."
He touched her and a burst of silver sparks burst into the air. His fingers stole the warmth from her body, draining the power of the elixir.
At once she began to wrinkle, lines crinkling over her hands, veins becoming ropy under paper-thin skin. She could feel death's cold breath on her shoulder, but it didn't frighten her.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Talisman

“She chanted the incantation as purifying white flames consumed her body. Dying, she prayed her invocation would destroy the Atrox.
Her heartbeat slowed and something let go. She rose above her apartment into the night. Death was nothing more than the separation of the body from the mind. Joy transported her and she embraced the white moonlight.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Talisman

“I had failed to ask for perpetual youth, so granting my wish condemned me to age forever. The Atrox has done this to others, but Selene took pity on me and gave me an elixir to counteract the aging.”
Vanessa remembered the first time she had watched Maggie drink a cup of tea. The wrinkles around her eyes had vanished, and she had continued to look younger, her hands becoming those of a girl. She had pulled the pins from her bun, and luxurious curls had fallen to her shoulders, her hair no longer gray, but the silky pale blond of shimmering moonbeams.”
― Lynne Ewing, Moon Demon

“I want to stay,” Jimena said with certainty.
“More than anything, I want to remain on earth.”
“You have made the right choice.” Maggie stood.
“You knew?” Jimena asked.
“Of course I knew, but you had to make the decision on your own.” She held out her hand. “Now, come with me so you can experience the mystery of the moon’s renewal, the rite of death and rebirth.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Choice

“This time an ancient moon goddess had come to earth, but as often happened, she had no awareness of her true identity. The girl was hostile and filled with too much self-confidence. What would she do when she learned the truth? It had been nearly impossible to convince her that she was a Daughter of the Moon, and now Maggie had to tell her that she was an ancient goddess and destined to take Maggie’s place.
At last the moon rose. Its gentle radiance touched the flask, and the potion became a rainbow of lights spiking from the glass. Maggie sipped the sweet elixir. Heat seared through her veins, and a delicate pain prickled through muscle, bone, and skin. Her body tightened, becoming young again.
When she finished drinking, the flask vanished, leaving only a cascade of sparks in her thin, graceful hands. This was the end. She had no potion left to restore life. That was sad but good. After living for more than two thousand years, she was ready.
Her mind turned back to the girl. How would it feel to think you were one person and then learn you were entirely another? Convincing the girl was not going to be an easy task, but it had to be done quickly.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Talisman

“You’re my successor. You’re to become the mentor of the Daughters of the Moon. That’s why the Atrox has been trying to stop you.”
Penelope felt certain she had misunderstood.
Then Pandia handed her a small vial. “This is an elixir from Selene, to counteract your aging. The potion must be taken during the full moon for its strongest effect, but it can be used at other times. The liquid will regenerate,” Pandia explained. “Now I have much to tell you before you leave for Rome.”
“Rome?” Penelope felt suddenly dizzy.
“Yes,” Pandia went on. “The Daughters there need you. You will be their Magna Mater, their guardian mother.”
Suddenly Penelope felt a light from her heart reaching through the ages and connecting with all the Daughters who would come to her, including the one who would one day take her place over two thousand years from now on a continent not yet discovered in a city called Queen of the Angels. The daughters would call her Maggie, for Magna Mater.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Talisman

“Tianna stopped suddenly, remembering the meticulous way her mother had reinterpreted every event in her life to give her confidence and make her feel normal.
“She let you see a good side to everything you did or said,” Jimena continued for her. “Even when you felt—”
“Even when I felt I wasn’t good.” Tianna stared at the clock on top of the television. She had less than an hour left. “But I was never brutal or cruel or evil,” she added, hating the feel of the last word on her tongue. “I learned to love and feel compassion.”
“Your mother fed you moon dew, a magic elixir, to give you heart and soul,” Jimena explained.
Tianna remembered walking barefoot in the wet grass, sipping sweet liquid form honeysuckle blossoms under a full moon. She had thought it was only a game.
“My mother loved the moonlight,” she said sadly. Tears spilled from her eyes again and she felt the warmth of her mother’s devotion, love, and care, and then her head shot up as another idea jumped into her mind. “You’re mistaken. I know you are. You must have me confused with someone else, because Maggie said I was—”
Jimena touched her lips and silenced her. “Maggie knew who you were and gave you the moon amulet, hoping the charm would protect you,” Jimena explained. “Any of her deceptions came from love, and were attempts to safeguard you from your destiny.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Becoming

“He pulled back his cape and his fingers grasped the hilt of a sword. He drew it from the scabbard and pointed it at the sky. Moonlight reflected off the blade in dazzling rainbow lights. The sword seemed to be carved from gray stone.
“Maggie used this centuries back to bind the Atrox to its shadow. Do it again for Serena, Catty, and Vanessa.” He offered it to her.
As Tianna grasped the pommel, energy vibrated up her arm. Maggie’s love enveloped her, as if her spirit still lingered inside the cold stone. “But I thought using weapons only made the Atrox stronger.”
“The sword was forged with love out of rock cut from the moon,” he explained. “It will bind the Atrox to its shadow so it can no longer transform.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Becoming