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Maria V. Snyder

Maria V. Snyder Books

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Poison Study

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Magic Study

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Storm Glass

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Touch of Power

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Sea Glass

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Outside In

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Dawn Study

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Spy Glass

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Night Study

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Scent of Magic

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Fire Study

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Shadow Study

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Inside Out

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Ice Study

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Power Study

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Related Quotes

“So who gave him his name?" I asked. "Kerrick," Belen answered. Not who I'd expect. "Why 'Flea'?" A full-out grin spread across Flea's face. "Cause I'm fast and hard to catch." "Because he's a pest and hard to squash," Belen said. "Because he jumps about three feet in the air when you scare him," Loren added. "Because he's annoying and makes us itch with impatience," Quain said. "Thanks, guys. I love you too." Flea made exaggerated kissing noises and patted his ass.”

“Well…I only made a lumpy paperweight so far.” “I still have my very first paperweight.” “You do?” “I had to stand on a box to reach in with the punty rod. But I did everything myself. It resembled a squashed apple, but my parents were so proud of my creation I thought it was the best paperweight in the world.” “I guess I’ll keep mine.” “It’ll be a good gauge of how much you improve. When you become frustrated when a piece cracks or turns out wrong, you can look back at that paperweight and see just how far you’ve come.”

“Riley - “Don’t worry, there are many safeguards in place. Unless you want me to have Logan explain—” Trella - “No! I trust you.” He clutched his hands to his chest. “She… Gasp… Trusts me! Call for medical aid stat!” I swung at him, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to my feet. Snaking his arms around my waist, he said, “We need to celebrate this momentous occasion.” "What are we celebrating?" Jacob Ashon, Riley's father, asked from the doorway.”

“A little present from my run-in with a sword. Or should I say from when the sword had a run-in with me?” His eyes lit up. “Want to see the scar? It’s cool.” He started pulling his shirt out of his pants. “Janco,” Ari warned. “We’re not supposed to be fraternizing with the Sitians.” “But she’s not Sitian. Right, Yelena? You haven’t gone south on us, have you?” Janco’s voice held mock horror. “Because if you have I can’t give you your present.” I took my switchblade out, showing the inscription to Janco. “What about ‘Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever’? Does that change if I become an official southerner?” Janco rubbed the hair on his chin, considering. “No,” Ari said. “You could change into a goat and it would still apply.”

“Janco leaned on the threshold of my door with his face creased in annoyance. “Did she just—” “Yes.” “But I don’t—” “Yes. You do. We both stink.” “Well, I’m not—” “Yes. You are.” He huffed. “You won’t let—” “No. No complaining. Let’s go.” I grabbed a clean shirt and pants from my saddlebags. “Well, she could have handled it better,” he grumped. “No. She couldn’t.” He settled into a sulky silence as we visited the bathhouse.”

“I shook my head at Janco. “I’ve got the situation under control. Go back to the Keep, I’ll meet you there.” Janco stared at me in astonished silence. Ari, though, trusted me. “Come on, she doesn’t need our help.” Ari sheathed his sword. Janco recovered. He flashed me one of his mischievous grins. “I’ll bet you a copper that she’ll be free in five minutes,” he said to Ari. Ari grunted in amusement. “A silver on ten minutes,” he countered. “I’ll bet you both a gold coin that she kills him,” Valek said from behind them. They moved aside and he entered, still dressed in his Adviser Ilom disguise. “The only way to take care of your problem. Right, love?”

“I said to Zitora. “With the proper training, you could escape from him. You wouldn’t last in a sparring match, but that’s not what self-defense is all about. Remember what I told you? Hit and—” “Git!” Janco added. “Run like a bunny with a wolf on its tail. I see you’re passing our wisdom on, Yelena.” Janco turned to Zitora, and said in a conspiratorial whisper, “She was trained by the very best instructors in all of Ixia.” “Another rule of self-defense is never believe everything you hear,” Ari said when Zitora appeared to be impressed by Janco’s words.”

“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?”

“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. “Yup.”

“The Commander’s lying is a more...recent event.” “But he didn’t tell you about Owen.” “Oh, he’s kept things from me before, but he’s never looked me in the eye and lied.” “What changed?” she asked. What indeed? “I suspect a few things.” “Such as?” “Not here, love. Janco’s far more interested in our conversation than his dreams.” “Am not,” Janco said, not in the least embarrassed he’d been caught eavesdropping. “Besides, I don’t have dreams, I have nightmares.” Before Janco could launch into a detailed description, Valek said, “Then we’ll let you get back to them.”

“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.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t go after him.” And glad. “I wanted to, but Ari stopped me.” “Did he sit on you?” I teased. That earned me a smile. “No. He used logic.” “Yay for logic.” “I better go and tell them you’re safe. They’re waiting with the guards.” “The guards?” “Yes, I insisted they remain there. It was difficult since Ari and Janco won’t let me go anywhere on my own.” “That’s good. Stronger together, remember?” He hesitated for a second, then said, “I need to tell Ari he was right.” “It could be worse.” Valek waited. “It could be Janco who was right.” “Ah, yes. That would be worse.”

“Ah, just like old times,” Janco said. “Oh, wait. What am I saying? It’s just like almost every time I’m with you, Yelena. Don’t you get tired of being arrested all the time?” “You’re exaggerating,” I said. “Oh, that’s right. I forgot about our last mission. We weren’t locked up, just tied down. My mistake.” “Give it a rest, Janco,” Ari said. “Yeah, well, it seems every time I’m in Sitia, I’m thrown into jail. Do you think they’ll stamp my frequent-visitor card? I think I get a prize if I’ve been in them all.”

“No problem. I know you’ll want to take a closer look. It’s irresistible, like candy and babies.” “I know I’m going to regret asking this, but you find candy and babies irresistible?” Ari asked. “Hell no. They’re both sticky.” His partner waited. “Some people find them irresistible. And, you know...” Janco waved his hand. “They’re easy to steal...or something like that.” “I was right.” “About what?” “I regret asking that question.”

“Be careful,” Zitora said. “He’s armed.” “I’m a Stormdancer! Mere metal is nothing compared with the power of a storm.” Kade made his voice boom and spread his arms wide. His eyes sparked with humor. “I. Am. Invincible.” “Until a happy wind blows,” I said. “Curse those sunny days.” “The bane of your existence.” “The scourge of society.” “The downfall of decency.” “And boring, too. Nothing like a good gale to put a spring in your step.”

“It was my turn to groan. Dress shopping with Kade’s mother. Kill me now. The alternative—arriving home without a gown—was equally unappealing. “Okay, but I’m taking my switchblade along.” “To defend yourself against my mother?” he asked with an incredulous tone. “No. To slit my throat if the day goes badly.” He laughed. “Make sure you don’t bleed in front of her. She faints at the sight of blood.” “I’m so glad you have your priorities straight,” I said. My voice dripped with sarcasm.”

“I explained about Helen’s comments. “It could be sour grapes because she wasn’t picked to make the orbs, but then again she might have a genuine concern. In my hometown of Booruby, I either know of or have heard of all the glassmakers.” “We should keep an open mind and see how they do,” Kade said. He pulled me close. “Think the best until proven otherwise?” “Exactly. You should adopt it as your motto.” I liked my way better. Assume danger and be pleasantly surprised when proven wrong.”

“As much as I enjoyed thinking all kinds of horrible possibilities about your whereabouts, do you think the next time you disappear, you could leave me a note?” Kade asked. “We can even make up a form. I’m gone because of A, Tricky, or B, Devlen, or C, fill in the blank. You can just circle a reason and leave it for me.” “Wow. That’s some impressive sarcasm,” Heli said. “I’m glad I’m not on the receiving end this time.” Considering all that had happened to me since I’d known Kade, I couldn’t blame him for being upset. “I’m sorry. I’ll try not to do it again.” An eyebrow spiked. “Try?” “Since your suggestion of making up a form actually is a good idea, I’d say try is the best I can do. I have no control over a whole list of things, but what I can control, I’ll make sure to let you know.” His anger dissipated as he conceded the point. “You liked my form idea?” A hint of a smile played at the corners of his mouth. “It could use a little work. I think we should put check boxes next to the list—circling the reason might take too long. With a box, I can just check and go.” “I’ll get right on it.”

“You look much better,” she said. “You should be out of here and causing trouble in no time.” A tired amusement lit her eyes. “Not anymore. No magic left, so no more trouble.” She sobered. “True. You can’t access the power source. Your glass magic is gone.” She covered my hand with hers. “Does that upset you?” “No. I’m relieved. Now I’m just a regular nobody. No longer a problem. No longer a danger. No longer useful to Sitia.” Zitora squeezed. “I won’t agree to any of those statements. You will never be a ‘regular nobody.’ Your deeds for Sitia have extended beyond the regular and into the extraordinary.”

“Listen. Even before I found out about you and Devlen, I realized we couldn’t be together. Now brace yourself, I’m going to use a weather analogy.” I groaned. He quirked a smile. “You’re all energy and excitement and then you blow away. Being with you is like being on the coast, dancing in the storms. Breathless activity, followed by calm. I have that with my job.” He brushed my hair from my eyes. “After you sacrificed your magic I thought you would be content to stay uninvolved in Sitian affairs and be with me. But you rushed off, jumping right back into the maelstrom. I don’t have the energy to deal with storms on both fronts—pun intended. I need someone steadier.” Tears ran down my face. He hugged me. “And I’ll offer to render aid whenever needed because I know you wouldn’t ask. After all, I don’t want to miss out on all the fun.”

“That went well,” he said. “I’ll suffer for it later. Her interrogation techniques would crack a hardened criminal in seconds.” “I think you’re exaggerating. She’s very sweet.” “Uh-huh. Then why didn’t you tell her you’re my husband?” He had the decency to look chagrined. “I didn’t want to overwhelm her. She just met me and the children. It’s a lot to absorb. We’ll explain it to her later.” “Uh-huh.” “Besides, I’m going to ask her to plan and organize a big beautiful wedding for you.” “Interesting strategy. Bribe her first, then blindside her. Good luck with that.” He laughed. “I’m sure she will be thrilled since she missed our tiny ceremony. And I want your family and friends to be able to share in our joy.”