Serena And Stanton Quotes

“Serena walked off campus and when she was sure no one was watching, she headed down a side street, then ran over to La Brea.
Stanton's car was parked in from of Pink's hot dog stand. Its sleek black metal reflected the late afternoon sun. He glanced up and smiled in recognition. He walked up to her and wrapped his arms tenderly around her. She pressed against him, enjoying his gentle touch. Then he kissed the top of her head and she looked up at him, her eyes now unguarded.
"Ready?”
― Lynne Ewing, Into the Cold Fire

“The air inside her room was thick with the scent of eucalyptus and lemon. He materialized near her dresser. His hand automatically turned her alarm clock to face the wall, then brushed across a tray filled with Vicks, cough syrup, aspirin, and a thermometer. He tenderly touched the lemon slices near an empty teacup. Could a simple illness have filled him with so much fear that he had risked coming to see her?
A dim light from a purple Lava lamp cast an amber glow across the bed where Serena lay, the leopard-print sheets twisted in a knot beside her leg. Her long curly hair was half caught in a scrunchy that matched her flannel pajamas. The words Diamonds are a girl's best friend- they're sharper than knives curled around a dozen marching Marilyns in army fatigues on the blue fabric. Stanton had been with her when she bought the Sergeant Marilyn pajamas three months back.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Sacrifice

“They stood in the courtyard at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church and stared at each other in silence, then Stanton pulled her into the shadows near a window and kissed her forehead.
He cupped his hands around her face. When she didn't resist his touch, he let his hands smooth gently down her neck over her shoulders to her back.
"I had to come see you," he whispered against her ear, breathing in her fragrance. His fingers stroked her back, and savored the silky feel of her blouse. He nestled his lips on her temple, her satiny hair tickling his cheek.
He drew back, wanting to kiss her, but hesitated, waiting for permission. She closed her eyes and let her arms slowly slip to his back, pulling him to her. He bent forward and when his lips touched hers, the sensation was electric. As they kissed, he weaved in and out of her mind, enjoying the luxury of sorting through her memories again and seeing what she had been doing. He lingered over her thoughts of him.
Finally, he pulled back and looked at her. She smiled, letting him see the truth; she still cared for him.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Sacrifice

“Too many dangerous emotions swirled around her. She felt disgust with herself for wanting him so desperately. She tried to stop the aching need that spread through her body. It was her mission to protect people from Followers. From Stanton. She couldn't allow herself to like him.
She stopped abruptly and looked up at him.
"You can't fight it," Stanton said.
Did he too think she would betray her destiny? How could she trust him? In the past he had deceived and betrayed Vanessa.
Stanton looked at her and she knew he was reading her distrust.
"I appreciated the kindness Vanessa showed me, but I never felt the connection with her that I feel with you. I've liked you since the first time our minds met in combat. I've more than liked you, Serena." His hand touched her cheek.
She remembered that battle. How strange it had been. She had suspected even then that he had been teasing and playful, not really trying to destroy her.
She shook her head.
"I'm telling you the truth," he insisted.
She felt hot tears gather in her eyes. He was telling the truth. But their kind of relationship would always be forbidden.
"That night when we walked on the beach you told me you were willing to risk it. You promised to defy everyone to be with me.”
― Lynne Ewing, Into the Cold Fire

“Why aren't you afraid of the curse?"
He smiled bitterly. "Because I am already cursed."
The words chilled her. She almost felt sorry for him.
"My offer stands," he whispered and then he dissolved into shadow.
She stood in the darkness and wondered why he so desperately wanted the manuscript if not to give it to the Atrox. Still he didn't seem as bad as she had once thought. She could almost understand why Serena liked him so much.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Secret Scroll

“I'm here to talk to Serena only," he said firmly.
Then the air filled with a sweet, musky fragrance and a delicate hand covered the face of Jimena's watch. He looked up into Serena's eyes. She leaned against Jimena, her arm around her friend, and smiled at Stanton. She was wearing tight jeans and a sheer long-sleeved pink shirt over a thin T. Her hair was curled and glistened in the sun. She looked more beautiful than ever.
He smiled, wondering why he hadn't sensed her approach. Maybe she had learned some new skill to hide her presence.
She gently probed his mind without trying to hide her happiness at seeing him.
"I need to talk to you," he said, interrupting her before she could probe too deep. He didn't want her to see how much he had missed her.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Sacrifice

“You're the key. The goddess who can change the balance between good and evil. I don't know the plan, but I know they will be coming for you."
As Serena considered what he was saying, he twisted inside her mind to read her thoughts. She had struggled between good and evil before, and knew the seductiveness of the Atrox. It had promised her the world, but once she had become pure evil she had only wanted to destroy with a hunger that even surpassed the one Stanton felt growing inside him now.
His hand rose to her chin and lifted her face to his. It would be so easy to take her now. She was too trusting. His evil side paced at the edge of his control. Then with a shock he realized that if he did something to Serena, he could destroy the balance. With rising dread, he wondered if it was possible that the Atrox had kidnapped him not to stop his father's crusade, but because it knew his love for Serena could one day be a catalyst for the transition.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Sacrifice

“He scanned the crowd for Serena. She stood next to Jimena in silver hip huggers and a frosty top. Rhinestones and crystals sparkled in her hair like stars. Jimena wore a sequin-covered purple velvet dress. Their bodies glowed. He wanted to see a sadness on Serena's face that matched his own. Some sign that she missed him the way he ached for her.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Sacrifice

“He felt her mind reaching into shadows, scanning the nightfall for danger.
He leaned back in the air and released his body, then blended into the darkness beneath the low-hanging branches of a tree. "I'm your only danger now," he whispered.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Sacrifice

“Stanton skimmed over the jagged path of black shadows beneath the palm trees until he was over her head. Abruptly he slid back into himself and landed on his feet in front of her.
She gasped.
He let an indolent smile creep over his face and breathed in the sweet smell of her fear as his hand shot out and grabbed her before she could turn and run.
Soon you'll have nothing to fear. He pushed the words into her mind and added a pledge of love to make her his for eternity.
Her eyes flashed back with a promise of her own. The warrior-goddess emerged. At first he thought she was going to battle him. He opened his mind with eager anticipation. He wanted her to fight.
Instead, she surprised him. She dropped her cello case. It thudded on the concrete and glass. Then she flung her books at him. He batted the books aside as she darted across the street. Her skirt flapped wildly about her legs and her shoes smacked hard on the pavement.
He ran after her, his heart excited by the chase. You can't escape me, he whispered into her mind.
That's what you think.
He loved her foolish bravery.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Sacrifice

“Her jagged breathing gave her away. She stood, a dark silhouette pressed against the trunk of a cottonwood tree. She was cornered in the yard. No place to go.
Sweet goddess, he traced across her mind. I've only come to seal our destiny. You shouldn't feel so afraid of me. And yet her fear was what he enjoyed. He savored it.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Sacrifice

“He felt numb with defeat before the battle even begun. Then he remembered his father. He had told Stanton that a good knight never refused a fight simply because the odds were against him. In such times he was more likely to engage in combat. As a boy he had watched his father face four armed men at the same time. Stanton wondered where his father had found the strength.
"First you, then Serena," Lambert promised and looked up at the bedroom window. "She won't expect my attack tonight."
Stanton pulled himself up with new strength. He understood now the source of his father's bravery. It had come from his need to protect Stanton, the same way Stanton wanted to save Serena.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Sacrifice

“Stanton touched her lightly. He was no longer an invitus. He had gone freely to the Atrox, but he had never lost his love for Serena. He had kept that feeling safe inside him.
He spoke into her dreams. I will have you.
She murmured against her pillow and her amulet shot a barrage of rainbows across the room.
"So you can sense that I am a threat now." He smiled wickedly. "I'm not, sweet one." She would be so easy to take. The real danger had always been from him. And now he had marked her. No one else could harm her.
"Tu es dea, filia lunae," he whispered.
He could wait. Her gift only lasted until she was seventeen. Then she would be his.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Sacrifice

“Minutes later the waitress brought back a cup the size of a soup bowl filled with steaming chocolate-flavored coffee and topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Tianna realized she hadn't eaten anything since the bite of muffin early in the morning.
She sipped the brew, enjoying the rich, sweet taste, and listened to Serena recite a poem about her demon lover. It made Tianna think more than ever that Serena was some kind of witch or worse. How could she know so much about temptation and choosing between good and evil? The words sent chills through Tianna.”
― Lynne Ewing, The Lost One