The Wren in the Holly Library

“You’d be better off spreading your legs for money like a good girl. All this fighting makes you look like you strolled out of the dumpster. Doesn’t befit my house or hospitality.”

“What I do best. Swindle information and money out of unsuspecting assholes.”

“There are no good guys or bad guys. This isn’t a fairy tale.”

“There are several words for what I am. The others who are like me choose which word they prefer to be called. It usually depends on when they were born or how they were raised. Though most of us choose one word over others—a warlock.”

“He’s a monster, but he’s my monster.”

“All those stories you’ve heard. All the tales and legends come from a kernel of truth.”

“Don’t tell me what I want. I’ll tell you what I want. I want you. Let the monster off its leash.”

“At first the job was just a job. But you went from being a monster to a stranger to a friend and then…more. Someone I could almost…trust. I’m not just doing this job for the money or to help my friends. I’m doing this to help Torra get out of that place. I’m doing it to keep the spear out of King Louis’s hands. I’m doing it for you.”

“He has my weakness. That is how he can do it. I am sorry that you have no weakness.”

“Giving birth to a warlock kills the mother. They can’t survive the magic or the loss of it.”

“It’s amazing how many people will give up and not look at the truth when they see a pretty smile.”

“There are legends in our world. Tales of beasts and beauties. Creatures and stories that would keep you up at night. Of monsters born.”

“We were an unlikely pair, but for a time, he was the other half of my coin, my brother in all but name. When tragedy struck, it fractured what was between us. He blamed me.”