Dark Rise

“You remember,’ said Will. James looked back at him with the past in his eyes. ‘Sarcean. I remember everything.” — Book II, LI

“Just rest,’ said Will. ‘We’ll talk tomorrow.” — Book II, XII

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.

“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

“I—’ James didn’t answer, just said, ‘I want to be yours, not his.’ They were moving towards one another again, that cliff edge drawing closer. ‘I want that too.’ ‘Kiss me,’ said James.” — Book II, XLIV

“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

“Oh, has that got your interest?’ said il Diavolo. ‘Where is he? Tell me,’ said Cyprian. And then, more forcefully, ‘Tell me where to find Ettore.’ ‘Rethinking that kiss?” — Book II, XXII

“You were supposed to die there. Instead you survived and escaped Simon’s ship. How exactly did you do that?’ ‘With pleasure,’ said Will. James said, ‘Pretty necklace.’ Will’s breath shallowed.” — 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.” — Book I, XXIII

“James is not a possession, Will wanted to say. He had to force himself to sit still, to allow the idea that someone was going to put hands on James. His head was pounding.” — Book II, XIV

“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

“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

“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

“Just rest,’ said Will. ‘We’ll talk tomorrow.” — Book II, XII

“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

“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

“In front of the men, Tom dropped to one knee, so that James was looking down at him. James’s eyes passed over him, a long, unhurried look. “Bad kitty,' said James. His voice was not quite pleasant.” — Book I, VIII

“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

“To think he kissed these very lips …” — Book II, XIV