Maria

“Hmm. It's a scary shadow, you say?"
"They're all scary. Even if you make a nice one, like a kitten, it'll turn into a man-eating tiger or something. It's like they're trying to be scary."
"That makes sense."
Morrigan was surprised. "Does it?"
"Shadows are shadows, Miss Crow." His eyes reflected the moonlight. "They want to be dark.”
― Jessica Townsend, Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

“He is mine, too.”
― Naomi Novik, Spinning Silver

“He gave me a look that was almost pitying, and when he smiled it was the smile of a vengeful god. "My dear Veronica, I am suprised you have not already learned -- everyone has a capacity for cruelty. Not everyone gets the chance to exercise it.”
― Deanna Raybourn, A Curious Beginning

“You can't give her that!' she screamed. 'It's not safe!'
IT'S A SWORD, said the Hogfather. THEY'RE NOT MEANT TO BE SAFE.
'She's a child!' shouted Crumley.
IT'S EDUCATIONAL.
'What if she cuts herself?'
THAT WILL BE AN IMPORTANT LESSON.”
― Terry Pratchett, Hogfather