“You’re a man after my own heart,” Hillary says with a smile. “That’s actually a pet peeve of mine, and I think you verbalized it perfectly. The entire human race has this tendency—the inclination to cling to their own group. This obsession with sub-dividing ourselves is responsible for practically every evil in the world. Everyone fails to see that the hatred between our people is just another example in a series of these meaningless feuds. They all start with people who are extremely alike, and then a tiny difference creeps in, and people separate along that difference, after which insanity ensues. Sooner or later, you get that ‘we hate you because you hate us’ deadlock, or worse.”
―
Dima Zales,
The Thought Pushers
“No matter what it took, he would get to the bottom of this matter—and when he did, the man who betrayed him would pay.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“How many books did you get through?” he asked. She sat up in bed, brushing a few strands of long blond hair off her face. “Three hundred and forty nine.” Blaise blinked. “That’s very precise. Are you sure it wasn’t three hundred and forty eight?” “Yes, I’m sure,” she said seriously, then smiled. “In fact, it was 138,902 pages and 32,453,383 words.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“Jealous?” She looked livid now. “Why would I be jealous of this, this . . . thing? It’s nothing more than a few strings of code and life experiences of some dirty peasants. I have a man now—a real man, not some hermit hiding among his books and theories!” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“The gargantuan syringe approaches Mom’s neck. Grandpa squeezes her hand and tries not to look at the rapier-sized needle as it breaks his daughter’s skin.” ― Dima Zales, Mind Machines
“Fuck. Vagina. Shit. I pointedly think these forbidden words, but my neural scan shows nothing out of the ordinary compared to when I think phonetically similar words, such as shuck, angina, or fit. I don’t see any evidence of my brain being corrupted, though maybe it’s already so damaged that things can’t get any worse.” ― Dima Zales, Oasis
“The silence was deafening. All around Gala, the fairgoers stood as though frozen in place, staring at the near-accident in morbid fascination. The ale merchant recovered first, jumping toward the shocked child to pull her away from under the barrel. As soon as the girl was not in danger, Gala felt her focus slipping, and the barrel fell, breaking into little bits of wood and splashing ale all over the place.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“The old man looked at her. “In that case, why don’t we just let it be? We have never seen anything like it before—an intelligence that was created, not born, a being from the Spell Realm—” “No.” Augusta shook her head, everything inside her rejecting that idea. “We can’t take that kind of risk. The thing needs to be destroyed now, before it has a chance to destroy us.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“His control lasted long enough for Larn to exit the room. As soon as the door closed behind him, Barson headed to the corner where a sand-filled potato sack was hanging from the ceiling. His hands clenched into massive fists, red-hot jealousy filling every inch of his body. Unable to contain himself any longer, he lashed out, punching the bag over and over again, until his knuckles were sore and sweat ran down his back. Pausing, he ripped off his tunic, and then continued, venting his rage with furious blows.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“Reaching up, he took her hand and carefully guided her down. Her hand was small and warm within his grasp, and Blaise again marveled at the striking beauty of his creation . . . and at the strength of his own reaction to her. He hadn’t been this attracted to a woman in a long time, not since Augusta—” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“Esther, do not be alarmed. This is Blaise and I am using the Contact spell I told you about once. To prove my identity, as we agreed on that occasion, I am mentioning the time you caught me spying on my father. Now listen to me carefully. I have reason to fear for Gala’s safety. She is in danger from the Council, and I need your help. Please take her to Kelvin’s territory. I know about his reputation, but that’s precisely why Neumanngrad might be the last place they would expect her to be. Please use whatever money you need—I will pay for everything. Stay at the inn on the southwest side of Neumanngrad when you get there, and try to be as inconspicuous as possible. I will hopefully join you soon.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“The Council Leader nodded, but there was a thoughtful expression on his face. “Have you noticed that she saved a child?” he said slowly, cocking his head to the side. “This creation of Blaise’s might not be as monstrous as you imagine.” “What?” Augusta stared at him in disbelief. “No. That doesn’t mean anything. One act of compassion—if that’s what it was—does not eliminate the threat that this thing poses. You know that as well as I do.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“When she was done, Blaise stared at her in astonishment. “Did you just read and understand that whole book?” “Yes.” Unable” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“was usually a she—though on occasion, it experienced being a he, too. It knew who it was, even though every time it was someone different. Inside these visions, the world was easy. Understandable. But it was just an illusion. Outside these visions was the being’s reality. The reality” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“Home of the Staten Island Yankees,” ― Dima Zales, Sleight of Fantasy
“As I suspected, I’m as naked as a stripper at a nudist colony.” ― Dima Zales, Sleight of Fantasy
“The mathematics involved were staggering, and Augusta marveled at the ability of the human mind to do something so complicated without any conscious calculations.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“All this time, I’ve wondered what Nero’s nature is, and he turns out to be a freaking dragon?” ― Dima Zales, Paranormal Misdirection
“my mouth is currently stuffed with bacon, egg, and English muffin,” ― Dima Zales, Sleight of Fantasy
“No matter what it took, he would get to the bottom of this matter—and when he did, the man who betrayed him would pay.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“How many books did you get through?” he asked. She sat up in bed, brushing a few strands of long blond hair off her face. “Three hundred and forty nine.” Blaise blinked. “That’s very precise. Are you sure it wasn’t three hundred and forty eight?” “Yes, I’m sure,” she said seriously, then smiled. “In fact, it was 138,902 pages and 32,453,383 words.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“Jealous?” She looked livid now. “Why would I be jealous of this, this . . . thing? It’s nothing more than a few strings of code and life experiences of some dirty peasants. I have a man now—a real man, not some hermit hiding among his books and theories!” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“The gargantuan syringe approaches Mom’s neck. Grandpa squeezes her hand and tries not to look at the rapier-sized needle as it breaks his daughter’s skin.” ― Dima Zales, Mind Machines
“Fuck. Vagina. Shit. I pointedly think these forbidden words, but my neural scan shows nothing out of the ordinary compared to when I think phonetically similar words, such as shuck, angina, or fit. I don’t see any evidence of my brain being corrupted, though maybe it’s already so damaged that things can’t get any worse.” ― Dima Zales, Oasis
“The silence was deafening. All around Gala, the fairgoers stood as though frozen in place, staring at the near-accident in morbid fascination. The ale merchant recovered first, jumping toward the shocked child to pull her away from under the barrel. As soon as the girl was not in danger, Gala felt her focus slipping, and the barrel fell, breaking into little bits of wood and splashing ale all over the place.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“The old man looked at her. “In that case, why don’t we just let it be? We have never seen anything like it before—an intelligence that was created, not born, a being from the Spell Realm—” “No.” Augusta shook her head, everything inside her rejecting that idea. “We can’t take that kind of risk. The thing needs to be destroyed now, before it has a chance to destroy us.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“His control lasted long enough for Larn to exit the room. As soon as the door closed behind him, Barson headed to the corner where a sand-filled potato sack was hanging from the ceiling. His hands clenched into massive fists, red-hot jealousy filling every inch of his body. Unable to contain himself any longer, he lashed out, punching the bag over and over again, until his knuckles were sore and sweat ran down his back. Pausing, he ripped off his tunic, and then continued, venting his rage with furious blows.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“Reaching up, he took her hand and carefully guided her down. Her hand was small and warm within his grasp, and Blaise again marveled at the striking beauty of his creation . . . and at the strength of his own reaction to her. He hadn’t been this attracted to a woman in a long time, not since Augusta—” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“Esther, do not be alarmed. This is Blaise and I am using the Contact spell I told you about once. To prove my identity, as we agreed on that occasion, I am mentioning the time you caught me spying on my father. Now listen to me carefully. I have reason to fear for Gala’s safety. She is in danger from the Council, and I need your help. Please take her to Kelvin’s territory. I know about his reputation, but that’s precisely why Neumanngrad might be the last place they would expect her to be. Please use whatever money you need—I will pay for everything. Stay at the inn on the southwest side of Neumanngrad when you get there, and try to be as inconspicuous as possible. I will hopefully join you soon.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“The Council Leader nodded, but there was a thoughtful expression on his face. “Have you noticed that she saved a child?” he said slowly, cocking his head to the side. “This creation of Blaise’s might not be as monstrous as you imagine.” “What?” Augusta stared at him in disbelief. “No. That doesn’t mean anything. One act of compassion—if that’s what it was—does not eliminate the threat that this thing poses. You know that as well as I do.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“When she was done, Blaise stared at her in astonishment. “Did you just read and understand that whole book?” “Yes.” Unable” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“was usually a she—though on occasion, it experienced being a he, too. It knew who it was, even though every time it was someone different. Inside these visions, the world was easy. Understandable. But it was just an illusion. Outside these visions was the being’s reality. The reality” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“Home of the Staten Island Yankees,” ― Dima Zales, Sleight of Fantasy
“As I suspected, I’m as naked as a stripper at a nudist colony.” ― Dima Zales, Sleight of Fantasy
“The mathematics involved were staggering, and Augusta marveled at the ability of the human mind to do something so complicated without any conscious calculations.” ― Dima Zales, The Sorcery Code
“All this time, I’ve wondered what Nero’s nature is, and he turns out to be a freaking dragon?” ― Dima Zales, Paranormal Misdirection
“my mouth is currently stuffed with bacon, egg, and English muffin,” ― Dima Zales, Sleight of Fantasy
