ŷ������

“Are you the assassin who wants Uncle Valek’s job?��

“Eventually, yes.�� Onora considered the young girl. “Are you thinking of challenging me for it?��

“Oh, no. I’m not skilled enough,�� Reema demurred.

But Onora was too smart to fall for it. “Uh-huh. From what I’ve been hearing, you could put the sass into assassin.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Dawn Study

“Will you stop doing that?�� she asked. Annoyance colored her tone.
Janco perked up. “Doing what?��
“That huffing thing. Like you’re leaking air.��
“It’s called sighing.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Shadow Study

“Can you be an assassin without killing anyone?"
Onora shot her an odd look. "I ... don't know. I don't think so."
"Is there a name for people who have those skills?" Mara asked.
"Yes. Dangerous," I said.
Mara rubbed her hands together as a gleam lit her eyes.
"Oh, I like that. I want to be dangerous.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Dawn Study

“Did you send a message?��
“No time.��
“Couldn’t you at least lie to me?��
“Oh. Uh...I did send a message, and now the entire Ixian army is camped outside this compound.��
“You’re a lousy liar.��
“My one flaw,�� she joked.
“One?�� Janco choked. “I know at least a dozen. You’re terrible at avoiding capture, following orders—��
“I can say the same for you. What part of ‘wait for me before you go inside�� didn’t you understand?”
― Maria V. Snyder, Shadow Study

“He wanted to name the horse we’re taking with us ‘Beach Bunny,�� after some stuffed rabbit he had growing up, and I said it was a stupid name for a horse. Then he claimed, if it was his horse, he could name it anything he wanted, and I said he should ride The Madam because she’s the easiest to handle, and—��

“You offended his pride and he stalked away in a huff,�� Yelena finished.

�Ԩ�ܱ�.&�����ܴ�;
― Maria V. Snyder, Night Study

“She’s a tough clam to pry open. I’ve a feeling, though, once we do, we’ll find a pearl.��
“Pearls form in oysters.��
“Oysters, clams...�� He waved dismissively. “It’s all seafood. You know what I meant.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Night Study

“I stood in time to get knocked back into my seat by her flying hug. “I’ve missed you, too.�� She clutched me tight. “Can’t...breathe.��

Releasing me, she laughed. “That’s my necklace-snake move. I clamp on and squeeze until the person passes out. Do you like it?��

“It’s very effective.��

She beamed.

“Did you invent it or—��

“Lacole taught me. She said since I’m small, my best defense in hand to hand is to clamp on and not let go.��

“Death by hug. I love it,�� Janco said.

“Which explains why no one wants to date you,�� Onora muttered.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Night Study

“And just to let you know, I see what you’re doing.��

“Me?�� He attempted to look innocent—a hard expression for him to pull off. Janco hadn’t been guiltless since he’d been a baby. Then again...his mother had claimed he’d come into the world feet first just to be difficult.

“Save it for someone who has poor vision.��
“O�ܳ���.&�����ܴ�;
― Maria V. Snyder, Shadow Study