"He wasn't like some of his fellow GhostWalkers, who seemed to walk into a room and have half the female population enthralled--and that had nothing to do with their enhancements and everything to do with their good looks, charisma, or both, none of which he had."

"No matter what, the living came first."

"Malichai knew there wasn't much to see, other than he was combat-hardened. His experience showed in the lines in his face, in the calm he displayed under all conditions and the flat, cold look in his eyes."

"Malichai had grown up fierce, using his fists, learning every form of underhanded street-fighting known to man, and he'd learned it was life or death. He'd chosen life."

"She was beautiful all riled up. His heart was going a little crazy and all at once he felt very much alive. Maybe this vacation thing wasn't going to be so bad."

"He wasn't going to get caught staring at her and reveal that she had the upper hand."

"My name's all about the bible. Malichai was either just a book or a prophet or both, although my mother couldn't even get the spelling right. That was so like her." [...] But he felt more often, he was the prophet, letting his enemy know he was doomed."

"We all call her Nonny and she's the center of the family. A good woman. She's lived her life in the swamps of Louisiana, is as smart as a whip and about the kindest woman I know."

"You continually surprise me, Malichai, in a good way." There was genuine surprise in her voice."

"I don't know why you think you don't look like a nice guy. You look tough, like you can handle yourself, but you don't look mean."