Between

“Nothing good comes from dating a bearded guy. If they’re devious enough to hide their chins, they could be hiding anything ...”

“And there will be no”—Miss Adeline’s small mouth pursed in distaste as if she was sucking on a pickled egg—“gentleman callers hidden in your room under any circumstances.” “Yes, Miss Adeline,” Sasha said obediently. “What if they hide in the bathroom instead?” Lyla asked. Miss Adeline and Sasha turned to Lyla, both wearing identical incredulous expressions.”

“You have a spy network, he consoled himself. Tomorrow, you can ask the Collection department to find out if there is a pig wandering around Otherworld in heeled boots.”

“Ah, optimism.” Maddox shook his head. “The second leading cause of death in Between.”

“As Lorn approached the booth, a man holding a black chicken wrapped in a sumptuous, teal-silk shawl stepped up to the front of the line. “It’s Endora, you see,” the man said to Maddox, gesturing with his chin to the chicken. “She has a sensitive disposition.” Endora clucked pitifully. “And the Lunar Crossing stresses her enormously.” Endora clucked in agreement. “Understandable,” Maddox murmured with a straight face. The man patted Endora. “So … where would be the best place to put her during this time, keeping in mind she doesn’t like drafts, loud noises, other animals—particularly yaks—any rhythmic movement that could be construed as folk dancing, the smell of cooked fat, the color magenta, or any musical or theatrical performance that requires audience participation?” Lorn looked down at Endora. “This is clearly a chicken of exquisite taste and refinement”

“I would like to speak to your accountants,” Dragma said with a grin. “I am sure that could be arranged,” Lorn said. “Are you engaging in tax evasion simply for the sport of it, or is there a specific reason?” Trev asked. “Petty vengeance, mostly,” Lorn said.”

“The only renowned arts were what Betweeners termed the ‘practical arts:’ thievery, assassination, and spying (colloquially referred to as ‘procurement,’ ‘disposals,’ and ‘collection’ by their respective practitioners).”

“Bitch-slapped by a feisty, dessert-loving geriatric. I almost feel sorry for him.”

“It is my task to ensure that she is safe to pursue her choice, not to remove all choice from her entirely.”

“As they continued their conversation, Lorn watched as a kaleidoscope of expressions—rolled eyes and pursed lips, frowns and furrowed brows, startled blinks and flushed cheeks, and at least three different kinds of smile—crossed the Queen’s features. It was dizzying and rather delightful. It was also worrying.”

“Macramé is lamentably common,” he continued unperturbed. “To my knowledge, however, no one has used it for evil purposes ... yet. Given all the string and knots involved in the process, it is probably only a matter of time.”

“Sasha looked up, her face squashed and red. “It’s tempting, but I’d better not. I’m going to adult my way through this.” “Adulting is so overrated. The pillow and I will be here if you need us.”

“If Sasha had looked back, she would have seen gold dust suspended in the air like dust motes, glittering in her wake.”

“According to my last two—three—maybe four boyfriends, I’m too sexually demanding. Which is such a double standard,” she said testily, old grievances making her downright mad. “First, they’re happy about it, and then it’s, ‘I have a headache, Sasha.’ Or: ‘We already did it three times today, Sasha.’ Or: ‘I think you broke me, Sasha.”

“The Shadow snorted. “What does it matter? When a beautiful woman graciously offers you a debaucherous adventure—and seems entirely unconcerned about your status as one of the magic folk—then the proper response is: ‘Thank you, my lady. Allow me a moment to remove my breeches.”

“place I would not recommend even to the lice that inhabit the crotch-hair of my worst enemy.”

“Are you kidding?” Lyla turned toward Sasha, her expression stunned. “Ever since you got here, you’ve been drugged, sleep-deprived, bullied by Hill-Men, attacked by demons, poked by small children, practically kidnapped, and now forced into marriage by a sentient landmass! If it all weren’t so unbelievable, I’d advise you to sue the village for grievous mental and bodily harm.”