“Barbara felt lightheaded, almost dizzy with what she was about to say. But she said it anyway. "As you wish, Your Majesty. In that case, I am afraid I must resign my position as Baba Yaga. If I am ...”

“Couldn't I just take up juggling fire over a pit of alligators?" Liam muttered. "I think it might be easier.”

“Liam's lips tightened. "She's only a little girl. She doesn't know anything about swords. What if she cuts herself? It's sharp, right?" "Of course it is sharp, Liam. What would be the point ot havi...”

“Cookies, a dragon dog, and a sword: what every well-equipped little girl takes on a journey.”

“This is the strangest family vacation ever," Liam said.”

“You guys must use some interesting parenting techniques." "You have no idea," Liam said dryly. "You have no idea.”

“And oh, how she pitched herself into things. She would draw pictures all day long for weeks on end, then throw out the pencils and never draw another thing. Then it was embroidery with her, she had...”

“I knew the woodsy fragrance that accompanied Reed was his natural scent. It was one of the many things that made him hard to resist.”

“My whole world started to tilt. I could feel it, sliding ever so slightly off center.”