Jade City

He’d cost her not just a friend, but the once matchless admiration she’d had for her grandfather.

marked the page,

resentful suspicion that he loved his family more than they loved him back, and with no one was this feeling more pronounced than with his sister.

This had Gont Asch’s fingerprints on it.

Lott smirked. “Don’t take it personal, keke. I don’t care what my da thinks.” He tossed another branch into the trash bin, then leaned against it, his dark eyes climbing over Anden with interest. Anden’s pulse gave a skip.

His lifelong habit of being unassuming, and his feelings for Lott Jin, had stuck his tongue and now the moment had passed.

“Must hurt like a bitch,” he said quietly. “Lie down, Lan. No one here to see but us.”

He felt as if he had little control over its direction and was battling merely to ride near the surface of it.

The Spear and the Torch.

Hilo noticed, and teased, “What, are you worried about them getting the wrong idea? ’Cause they know you like boys?” When Anden stared at him, stunned, Hilo laughed. “I’m not stupid, cousin. Some of the most powerful Green Bones in history were queers. You think it matters to me? Just don’t forget: Soon you’ll have to be careful about who you’re with, who might be eying you for your green.”