Christine Feehan Quote

I think Mikhail is very lucky to have found you. You’re strong yourself, just as he is.I’m putting up a great front, then--Raven wiped at her eyes with her knuckles--because I feel like I’m breaking apart inside. And I’m not very happy with Mikhail.Nor do I think you should be, yet your first instinct is to protect him. You were horrified by the idea that he might be suffering as you are.I don’t like to see anyone in pain. There’s something sad about Mikhail, as if he’s borne the weight of the world on his shoulders for far too long. Sometimes I look at his face and there’s such sorrow there--not in his eyes exactly, but etched into his face. Raven sighed. I guess I’m not making any sense, but he needs someone to take the shadows away.That’s an interesting assessment, child, and I must say, I know what you mean. I’ve seen the very same thing in him. Taking his shadows away. He repeated the words, aloud, musing over them. That’s it exactly.Raven nodded. Like he’s seen too much violence, too many terrible things, and it’s pulled him deeper and deeper into darkness. When I’m close to him I can feel that. He stands like a guardian in front of some evil, malevolent gate and holds monsters at bay so the rest of us can go about our lives and never know we were even threatened.Father Hummer’s breath caught in his throat. Is that how you see him? A guardian of the gate?Raven nodded. It’s an image very vivid in my mind. I know it probably sounds melodramatic to you.I wish I could have said those very words to him myself, the priest said softly. Many times he has come here seeking comfort, yet I never knew exactly what to say. I prayed God would send help to him to find his answer, Raven, and perhaps he sent you.She was trembling, constantly fighting the torment in her head, the need to touch Mikhail, the idea that he might be gone from Earth. Raven took a deep, calming breath, grateful for the priest. I don’t think I’m God’s answer to anything, Father. Right now I want to curl up into a little ball and cry.You can be strong, Raven. You know he lives.