It was like a mask had been pulled away from his face, uncovering a monster hidden beneath his friendly façade.

This was like watching murder. Defilement. And it was something worse than either of those things. Even among his family, black trade as they were, books were holy things.

Mark nodded even though she couldn't see. He'd suddenly lost any desire to talk, and his plans for a perfect day washed away with the stream. The memories. They never let him go, not even for a half hour. They always had to rush back in, bringing all the horror.

As Jess watched in numb horror, the man tore a page from the book and stuffed it into his mouth.

Every danger loses some of its terror once its causes are understood.

When the devil wants to punish his worshippers, he uses the trick of karma.