"I am becoming a tyrant, threatening in place of convincing. Unstable instead of steadying.
I am suited to the shadows, to the art of knives and bloodshed and coups, to poisoned words and poisoned cups. I never expected to rise so high as the throne. And I fear that I am utterly unsuited to the task." —Holly Black, The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air, #3)
"Some soldiers wear silk robes, have pearly white teeth, and engage in handshakes instead of bloodshed." —Nick Oliveri, The Conjurer (Stories of Shadow and Flame Book 2)
"There's no progress without bloodshed..." —Tamuna Tsertsvadze, Gift of the Fox
***
Panic ruled over the remaining Balmackians who were now afraid for their lives as the earthquake and the heavy storm simultaneously struck the island.
"Are we all gonna die?!"
"Nooo! I don't wanna die! Mom! Save m-me!"
