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“So,�� Lauren said. “You help ghosts with unfulfilled wishes cross over to the astral plane for judgment.��
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“And you hunt demons.��
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“And you’re married to an angel.��
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She paused. “…so basically, you’re Dean Winchester.��
I made an exasperated sound. “I am NOT.��
She smirked. “Yeah, sure.”
― Kyoko M., The Holy Dark

“Where are we heading?��
“The closest wooded area to here is Kenwood Academy’s estate. Good place to hide, especially at night.��
“If we’re going into the woods, I definitely need to change.��
I glanced back at her as we returned to the curb where the cab had dropped us off. “Or you could just go home.��
She crossed her arms and avoided my gaze, scowling. “You’re sick of me already? That must be a record.��
I lifted my eyes to the heavens. Women. “This creature tore out a woman’s throat and busted her chest cavity open like a piñata. I don’t like the thought of it being anywhere near you.��
“Did it ever occur to you that I feel the same way?��
Surprise flooded over me. “No, it…actually didn’t.��
“I know I’m not as strong or as smart as you are, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help. We’re partners, aren’t we?��
“Yeah,�� I said, and couldn’t stop the smile creeping across my lips. “I guess we are.��
She tossed a quick look at me and frowned. “Quit it.��
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“I hate it when you do that.��
“You hate it when I smile?��
“No, when you make that, ‘aw, she does have a heart�� face. You look like a Disney prince.��
I laughed. “My bad. I’ll work on that.”
― Kyoko M., The Deadly Seven

“The hit-woman opened the door. No dead body on the floor. Thank God.
I heard an unearthly roar and then Jordan charged Liz from where she’d been hiding beside the door. She tackled her to the floor and stabbed her through the wrist with a small switchblade. The hit-woman shrieked and let go of the gun, allowing Jordan precious seconds to bat it across the room. She landed a couple hard punches to the assassin’s nose, bloodying it, before the other woman got the upper hand.
She grabbed a handful of Jordan’s ponytail and slammed her head into the edge of the coffee table. Jordan cried out, but didn’t let go of the knife. She withdrew it and held it against the assassin’s throat, shouting, “Move again and I’ll kill you, puta!��
Liz panted madly, but stayed put. Jordan glanced up at me. “You okay?��
“Alive,�� I said through a grimace. “Not okay.��
“Good enough.�� She returned her gaze to the woman pinned beneath her and glared.
“The police are on their way. And not the nice, human police. Angels. Get any ideas about trying to kill me again and you won’t even get to deal with them.��
“I’ve been in jail before,�� Liz said, attempting to recapture her former arrogance. “I’ll get over it.��
Jordan leaned down a few inches, lowering her voice. “Really? How’d you like to return without your tongue?��
Liz’s eyes went wide, as did mine. “You wouldn’t dare.��
“You shot my best friend. Multiple times. Lex talionis.��
“You can’t kill me. You’re not a policewoman. You’re just a girl.��
“No. I’m a Seer. You and the rest of your friends had better learn the difference between a sheep and a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Until then…��
She lifted her fist and punched Liz hard in the temple. The assassin went out like a light.
“Vaya con dios, bitch.”
― Kyoko M., The Deadly Seven

“so much the fear,
Of Thunder and the Sword of Michael,
Wrought still within them:”
― John Milton, Paradise Lost

“The years move forward and everyone is attending to their life’s priorities, focusing on how to be happy, make a living, raise a family. The years turn into decades and sooner or later, (hopefully later) sickness or accidents happen and all are again confronted with the big questions: Why? What’s next? What has this life that I’ve lived been about? As one begins to consider their own eventual departure: What have I been able to do to make things a little better? What have I passed along to make others�� lives more beautiful?”
― Gene O'Neil, An Upraised Chalice: Adventures and Near-Death Encounters in my Search for the Brotherhood of Light

“The end. Whatever form it takes. We are approaching it now. And one way or another, we must face it... each of us alone.”
― Christopher Stanfield, The Song of Shattered Grace: A Season of Angels Novella

“so much the fear,
Of Thunder and the Sword of Michael,
Wrought still within them:”
― John Milton, Paradise Lost