Dark Rise

“Why does he want it?’ ‘It will make him powerful – make him the most powerful man alive – the moment he has it he – he’ll—’ He was evading still, trying to talk around the truth. Will ground down with the horn and focused in on the only question that meant anything.” — I, XXII

“Stay alive,’ said James.” — Book II, I

“We put the Collar around James’s neck,’ said Cyprian, ‘and send him in to attack Simon.’ ‘We can’t just make James into our lackey,’ said Violet. ‘Can we?’ The question hung in the air. ‘It’s not forever,’ said Cyprian.” — Book I, XXXVIII

“You were supposed to die there. Instead you survived and escaped Simon’s ship.” — Book I, XX

“Just rest,’ said Will. ‘We’ll talk tomorrow.’ (…) ‘Shy?’ said James. Will put a hand on the back of the long seat. ‘I’ll sleep here.’ ‘He won’t kill you just for lying down next to me,’ said James.” — Book II, XII

“Still, James didn’t take the Collar. He just looked at Will with that strange, searching look. ‘I don’t understand you.’ ‘I know that too.” — Book I, XXVIII

“Turning James away had torn him asunder. He could still feel their almost-kiss, the teetering possibility of it, his own desire to close his eyes and fall. He wanted selfishly to have him, to know what it was like to have James to himself.” — Book II, XLIV

James’s cool blue eyes surveyed the damaged chaos of the bank. His elegant silhouette embodied the fashion of the times: his golden hair brushed in a fashionable part, his jacket with its taut waist, the fine fabric of his trousers with their glove-like fit, his long shiny boots.

“You can’t use your power, can you?’ James said. All those lessons, hours with the Elder Steward, trying to concentrate. He was supposed to be the one with the same powers as James. He was supposed to be the one who could stop him. ‘You’re weak,’ said James.” — Book I, XX

“Even here in the garden, he made everything fade around him, a dim nighttime haze and the dark, far-off impression of trees. They were going to kiss.” — XXIII

“Hello, Father.’ Before Will could react to the words, James continued, in a conversational voice, ‘I met the boy you brought in to kill me.” — Book I, XXI

“James gave an intentionally cold smile.” — Book II, III

“Why does he want it?’ ‘It will make him powerful – make him the most powerful man alive – the moment he has it he – he’ll—’ He was evading still, trying to talk around the truth. Will ground down with the horn and focused in on the only question that meant anything.” — I, XXII

“Even here in the garden, he made everything fade around him, a dim nighttime haze and the dark, far-off impression of trees. They were going to kiss.” — XXIII

“Will kissed him. It was good, it was so good, to feel James give himself, as eager as Will. James felt like he would give him everything, gasping, ‘I’m yours,’ as Will kissed him and kissed him.” — Book II, LI

“Just rest,’ said Will. ‘We’ll talk tomorrow.’ (…) ‘Shy?’ said James. Will put a hand on the back of the long seat. ‘I’ll sleep here.’ ‘He won’t kill you just for lying down next to me,’ said James.” — Book II, XII

“We put the Collar around James’s neck,’ said Cyprian, ‘and send him in to attack Simon.’ ‘We can’t just make James into our lackey,’ said Violet. ‘Can we?’ The question hung in the air. ‘It’s not forever,’ said Cyprian.” — Book I, XXXVIII

“Will finally loosed his hold of James, and turned to see that Violet was still holding Cyprian against the stone wall by the base of the steps. ‘Stay alive,’ said James.” — Book II, I

“I haven’t set you free, Will didn’t say, because the other words were unspeakable. You won’t ever be free of him. (…) The fingerprints of it were all over James, who had run from the High Janissary to Simon, seeking out men with power.” — Book I, XXXIV

“Hello, Father.’ Before Will could react to the words, James continued, in a conversational voice, ‘I met the boy you brought in to kill me.” — Book I, XXI