House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas ~ reading thread

These incredible fanarts from bxromance and myhopeart

"I have a bone to pick with you."

"I told you I was sorry I ate your leftover noodles. I'll buy you more tonight."

"It's not that dumbass, though again: fuck you. That was my lunch for today."

"He's not a pet. He's an expensive rare creature bought for the sole purpose of assisting Lehabah in guarding these books. Do not interfere with his duties."

Bryce had failed to inform Jesiba that Syrinx was more interested in eating, sleeping, and getting belly rubs.

"What's got your panties in a twist Lehabah?"

The fire sprite grumbled, "I don't wear panties. Or clothes. They don't pair well when you're made of flame, Danika."

Bryce often marveled at this, that Danika could clear away her fears, or at least bury them, enough to move forward.

They even planned to make the Drop together - to freeze into immortality at the same breath, with members of the Pack of Devils Anchoring them.

Bryce's hand hovered over the golden disk. Danika's gaze was a cool weight on her.

"I wish Danika would get a manicure. Her nails look like shit."

Danika was laughing, shoving her. "You fucking dick."

"Be careful."

"I know how to look out for myself, B," Danika said, but love shone in her eyes - gratitude that crushed Bryce's chest - merely for the fact that someone cared whether she lived or died.

Even being told, over and over, that she had the wrong body type hadn't stopped her from loving to dance. Nothing could ever stop her from craving that soaring sensation she found when she was dancing, whether in class or at a club or even on the gods-damned street.

"I'm sorry if I make you feel self-conscious about your bony ass, Danika."

"At least Danika makes up for it with her winning personality."

"That must explain why I have a date and she hasn't been on one in ... what's it now? Three years?

"It's only been two years assholes."

"Light it up, bitch."

"Light it up, asshole."

But it was Danika's added "Love you" as Bryce slipped out to the grimy hallway that made her hesitate with her hand on the knob.

Pizza. Saturday night at six. If you're late it's over.

I'll never keep you waiting.

She knew that as much as it killed Danika to stay in,she wouldn't leave the pack.Not on the one night they all had together,the night they used to keep the bonds between them strong.And especially not when Briggs was on the lose w/ a reason to get back at the whole Pack of Devils

You won't regret this. I've had a long while to figure out all the ways I'm going to spoil you. All the fun we're going to have.

Stalker.

Go enjoy yourself. I'll see you in a few days. Message me when you're home safe.

D----- lay there. In pieces. And at the food of the bed, littering the torn carpet in even smaller pieces, as if he's gone down defending D----- ... she knew that was C-----. Knew the heap just to the right of the bed, closest to D----- ... That was T-----.

"I've got no one to tell."

Indeed, Hunt and the concept of friends didn't mesh well. Even among the triarii, even after being here for two years, Hunt still kept to himself. Still worked relentlessly toward one thing: freedom. Or rather, the slim chance of it.

He shrank from the look in his dark eyes. Glazed. Empty. Like staring into Hel. Orion, his mother had named him. Hunter. He doubted she would have done so, would have so lovingly called him Hunt instead, if she'd known what he'd become.

He waited for it:the realization of who he was.Waited for her to shrink back,to fumble for the panic button or gun or whatever the fuck she thought might save her from the likes of him.But maybe she was stupid, after all, because her answering smile was saccharine in the extreme.

"Then keep Athalar close."
As if she were some little female in need of a big, strong warrior to guard her. Totally and definitely true, if that demon was being summoned again. She might accept Athalar's protection, but she didn't need to make it easy for the swaggering asshole.

"You have my number now. Call it if something goes wrong, or feels wrong, or if you need anything."

"Like a pizza?"

She clearly saw the middle finger Hunt lifted above his head. Shadow of Death, indeed.

"I will do whatever the Hel it takes to solve this case. Even if it means tying you to to a fucking chair until you write those lists."

"Bondage. Nice."

"Do. Not. Fuck. With. Me."

"Yeah, yeah, you're the Umbra Mortis."

Through love, all is possible.

"There's nothing wrong with being a party girl. I don't get why the world thinks there is. It's easier for me - when people assume the worst about what I am. It lets me see who they really are."

"So you're saying you think I'm really an asshole?"

"I've met and dealt with a lot assholes, Hunt. You're not one of them."

"Why'd you fight?"

"Because he's an arrogant asshole."

"Likewise."

"Boys and their pissing contests."

"Not nearly as advanced as us ladies."

"Your cousin is dreamy."

"I thought Athalar was your one true love."

"Can't they both be?"

"Considering how terrible they are at sharing, I don't think it will end well for any of you."

"There are 36 photos on your 4 year old phone and all of them are dismembered bodies."

"Say it a little louder, Quinlan."

*Bryce takes a selfie on Hunt's phone

"There. One non-corpse photo."

"There are three thousand of us in the 33rd alone. Maybe some guy that checks out your ass before he says hello isn't someone worth knowing."

"This sunball watching person doesn't fit my mental image of the Shadow of Death."
"Sorry to disappoint. What do you think I do in my spare time?
"I don't know. I assumed you cursed at the stars and brooded and plotted revenge on all your enemies."
"Again, sorry to disappoint."

"Allow me to demonstrate why you can all kiss my fucking ass."

Three shots cracked over the music, one after another, her body absorbing the kickback of the gun like a champ. Three shots, so precise that they'd passed through the same small space.

He hadn't balked from seeing her shoot the target, and instead answering it with a shot of his own. Like they were two of a kind, like she could throw anything at him and he'd catch it. Would meet every challenge with that wicked, feral grin.

"I have fun with you, Quinlan. Despite how terrible this case is, despite all of it. I haven't had fun like this in a while." In ever.

"Hang with me, Athalar and you might get rid of that stick up your ass after all."

"Is Bryce being nice to you, Athie?"

"What would you do if I said she wasn't, Lehabah?"

"I'd burn all her lunches for a month."

"I know. The being good at something you don't want to be good at. The talent you'd let go of in a heartbeat. I mean look at me: I'm amazing at attracting assholes."

She wouldn't lose another friend. Especially not Hunt. Never Hunt. No matter what he had done, what and who'd he'd chosen, even if this was the last she would ever see of him... she wouldn't let this happen. He could go to Hel afterward, but she would do this. For him.

"You're free Lehabah. I traded with Jesiba for your freedom last week. I have the papers in my desk. I wanted to throw a party for it - to surprise you. I bought you, and now I set you free. Lehabah."

"I know. I peeked in your drawer."

"You are a free person - you do not have to do this. You are free, Lehabah."

"Then let the world know that my first act of freedom was to help my friends."

Bryce glanced back - just once. To the friend who had stayed by her when no one else had. Who had refused to be anything but cheerful, even in the face of darkness that had swallowed Bryce whole.

"My friends are with me and I am not afraid."

The wolves could be at the Meadows.The jackals joined them.The coyotes.The wild dogs and common dogs.The hyenas and dingoes.The foxes. It was who they were.Who they had always been. Defenders of those who couldn't protect themselves. Defenders of the small, the young.

"Help is coming, Hunt. We're going to be all right. We're going home where Syrinx is waiting for us. We're going to go home. You and me. Together. We'll have that afterward, like you promised. But only if you hold on, Hunt."

Bryce was laughing and sobbing as she screamed, "LIGHT IT UP, DANIKA! LIGHT IT UP! LIGHT IT UP! LIGHT IT UP!" And soul to soul with the friend whom she had not forgotten, the friend who had not forgotten her, even in death, Bryce made the drop.

"That's the point of it, Bryce. Of life. To live, to love, knowing that it might all vanish tomorrow. It makes everything that much more precious."

With the strength of the most powerful force in the world. The most powerful source in any realm. What brings loyalty beyond death, undimming despite the years. What remains unwavering in the face of hopelessness.

Through love, all is possible.

"I heard what you said. What you waited to admit until I was almot dead, you fucking coward. Now come say it to my face."

"Come on, I'm waiting for you."

"Did you just call me a fucking coward?"

"So what if I did?"

"Too bad all that healing firstlight didn't turn you into a decent person."

"Where would be the fun in that, Quinlan?"

"I don't give a shit. I don't care if I'm called Prince or Starborn or the Chosen One or any of that. The only thing I want to be called right now is your brother. If you'll have me."

Message me when you're home safe.

Bryce began typing. The answer it had taken her two years, nearly to the day, to write.

I'm home.

A gift from the Under-King for saving the city.

Tears began rolling down her face as she beheld the near-invisible figures. All six of them - the seventh gone forever, having yielded her eternity. The tallest of them, standing in the middle with his hand lifted in greeting.