Chiara Thompson

“It's not just a miracle; it's a miracle with chocolate. Best kind.”
― Rachel Caine, Kiss of Death

“It's not the hair. You just--you're something else, Claire. It's like when all the rest of us don't know where to go, you ... just go. You're not afraid.”
― Rachel Caine

“Yeah? How's this?" Claire, in one smooth, fast motion, pulled an arrow from the bag on her shoulder, slotted it home on the string, and pulled the compound bow back to full extension. She was aiming the arrow straight at Morley's crossed hands, over his heart. He laughed. "You aren't serious--" She fired. The arrow went through both of Morley's hands, pinning them to his chest with the fletching at the end. He stared down in shock at the wood piercing his chest, stumbled, and went down to his knees. Then just down, face forward. The arrow stuck up out of his back, like an exclamation point. "I will," Claire said softly, and let the bow rock forward as she reached one-handed for another arrow and notched it home. "I'm not a really good shot, but this is a really small room, so let me make this very clear: the first vampire who tries to lay a hand on either of my friends gets a new piercing, just like Morley. Now, if you need food, I will figure it out. But you don't get to use my friends like vending machines. Are we clear?" Around the room, vampires nodded, casting disbelieving looks at Morley. Even Oliver was staring at her as if he'd never really seen her before. She didn't know why; he'd known she could do it--hadn't he? Or was she different, somehow?”
― Rachel Caine, Kiss of Death

“Tempting. But you see, I can simply insist on a lifetime contract with none of your silly restrictions, or kill you right now.”

“You won’t,” Shane said. That made Morley’s eyes open wide.

“Why not? Jacob and Patience were quite specific—they’re concerned for Claire. Not for you, boy.”

“Because if you kill me and Eve, you’ll make her your enemy. This girl won’t stop until she sees you all pay.”

Claire had no idea whom he was talking about—she didn’t feel like that Claire at all, until she imagined Shane and Eve lying dead on the ground.

Then she understood. “I’d hunt you down,” she said quietly. “I’d use every resource I have to do it.

And you know I’d win.”

Morley seemed impressed. “She is small, but I see your point, boy. Besides, she has the ear of Amelie, Oliver, and Myrnin; not a combination I would care to test.”
― Rachel Caine, Fade Out