I like to put my characters through a lot, so, in 'Talon,' my fans will find familiar themes of bravery and sacrifice, and what it means to be human... even if you're not human.

Touch her, and I'll freeze your testicles off and put them in a jar. Understand?

So that left me. To save my hatchlings and my underground, even if I couldn't be there anymore.

Oh, goodie, Puck said as I stepped forward. I'm going to have a rash in the most uncomfortable places.

Ladies and Felines, he stated grandly, grasping the doorknob, Welcome to Tir Na Nog. Land of endless winter and shitloads of snow.

Once upon a time, I had two close friends. Shocking, I know, given my natural charm, but there are those who just don't appreciate my brilliance.

Robin Goodfellow, for all his pranks and mischief, was the sweetest, most noble person I'd ever known, and I'd missed him terribly.

No one touches her, Ash said, his voice coated with frost. Touch her, and I'll freeze your testicles and put them in a jar. Understand?

Rnesh karr slithis, I hissed back, which was Draconic for eat your own tail, the dragon version of go screw yourself. No extra translation needed.

I ached for him, my stomach twisting painfully. He looked so desolate standing there alone facing a mad queen and several thousand angry fey. His voice was flat and resigned, as if he'd been pushed into a corner and had given up, not caring what happened next.

I guess the sacrifice of my dignity is the only thing that will save us now. The things I endure for love. The Fates laugh at my torment.

I wished I had told her what I was doing. I wished I had said more, argued more. Maybe then I wouldn't have this hollow ache in my chest whenever I thought of our parting words. Had she already moved on, forgotten me? In her position, what she said made sense, but the thought of her with someone else made me wish I had something to fight, to kill, just so I could forget.

I won't tell yo anything, I choked out. So you might as well kill me now.
Everyone has a limit, little bird. He placed the flat of a blade against my cheek, the edges biting into my skin, I wanted to close my eyes, but I kept them open, glaring at Sarren defiantly, though my jaw hurt from clenching it so hard. Let's if we can find yours.

I usually start with an ending, then outline high points of things that happen, and kind of make up the rest as I go along. Occasionally, the characters surprise me, and I wonder how we got here. Other times, the characters are stubborn and won't do something I want them to in the story.

Better to feel nothing, to be numb, than to lose control. It's the only way I know to deal with it.

Hi, Princess. Sorry I'm late. Traffic was a bitch. He winked at me, then shot a glance at the winter sidhe, standing in the doorway. Hey, Shard. He waved. Nice place you've got here. I'll have to remember it, so I can give it the special 'Puck touch'.

My emotions still held a stubborn hope that humans could be loyal, that they could hold out against the promise of an easy life. But I knew better.

You don't need a plan. You have the Puck with you, remember? I'm an expert at this. And I've never needed an elaborate plan to pull anything off.
...
Worry not, human, the cat sighed, giving himself a thorough shake. I am going with you as well. With Goodfellow's exemplary planning, someone has to make sure you go through the right door.

Mercy is for the weak… let me show you how much of an Unseelie I still am.

Is this an 'I'm sorry I tried to assassinate you' tea ceremony?