Yma Zetsyvis Quotes

I was almost afraid to break the silence that surrounded me. But then I pounded, hard, with the handle of the knife, until Yma Zetsyvis answered.
"Miss Noavek," Yma said. She wasn't smiling, for once. She was staring at the weapon in my right hand.
"Hello," I said. "Mind if I come in? ~ Veronica Roth

Why do you have this expectation that life will make concessions for you?' She scowled. 'We are not promised ease, comfort, or fairness. Only pain and death. ~ Veronica Roth

Come here, little Cyra, and let me have a look at you," Yma Zetsyvis said. "Not so little anymore, I suppose. How old are you?"
"I've sojourned ten times," I said, using the traditional time reference--marking what I had survived rather than how long I had existed. Then I clarified, "I began early, though--I'll be sixteen seasons in a few days."
"Oh, to be young and think in days!" Yma laughed. "So, still a child, then, tall as you are."
Yma had a gift for elegant insults. Calling me a child was one of her mildest ones, I was sure. ~ Veronica Roth

He was taking his time on his way to the arena, which meant there was likely something he was waiting for. He didn't intend to actually fight me, obviously, just as I didn't intend to fight him.
If all was going according to plan, and Yma had slipped the contents of the vial into the calming tonic he drank with his breakfast, the iceflowers were already swimming through his body. The timing would not be exact; that depended on the person. I would have to be ready for the potion to surprise me, or fail entirely.
"You're dawdling," I said, hoping that calling him out would speed him up. "What is it you're waiting for?"
"I am waiting for the right blade," Ryzek said, and he dropped down to the arena floor. Dust rose up in a cloud against his feet. He rolled up his left sleeve, baring his kill marks. He had run out of space on his arm, and started a second row next to the first, near his elbow. He claimed every kill that he ordered as his own, even if he himself had not brought about the death.
Ryzek drew his currentblade slowly, and as he raised his arm, the crowd around us exploded into cheers. Their roar clouded my thoughts. I couldn't breathe.
He didn't look pale and unfocused, like he had actually consumed the poison. He looked, if anything, more focused than ever.
I wanted to run at him with blade extended, like an arrow released from a bow, a transport vessel breaking through the atmosphere. But I didn't. And neither did he. We both stood in t ~ Veronica Roth

I just came to talk to you," I said. "The knife is for my protection."
"I didn't think you needed knives," Yma said.
"Sometimes they're more efficient," I said. "Subtle intimidation, and all that. ~ Veronica Roth

I trust you'll be careful. I can't afford for you to get caught."
"I have been careful with every word and glance since you were a mere child," Yma said. "I sincerely hope, Miss Noavek, that you are not doing this for atonement, because you will not get it. Not from me. Not after all that you have done."
"Oh, I'm not nearly noble enough for that," I said. "For me it's all about petty revenge, I promise you. ~ Veronica Roth