Walking through a library—any library—as they made their way to the exterior had its usual comforting, balancing effect on Irene. It was a reassuranc… - Genevieve Cogman

My dear Irene, there are two sorts of collectors. One is satisfied by simply owning the treasured item and doesn’t care whether or not the rest of the world knows. But the other sort—they absolutely have to brag about their possessions. For them, half the pleasure comes from the thought of acquaintances gnawing their guts out with envy. Even if it increases the risk of theft, they can’t help themselves.

“May I be frank?” Sherrington asked.
Irene sighed. This was always the sign of a fast-approaching insult.

Catherine looked as if she was about to boil over. “We have been poisoned,” she said again. “We’re about to die! I’ll never get at those books!”
“Now, that’s the right attitude,” Kai agreed, glad to see her demonstrating a proper sense of priorities.