Once upon a time, in a far-off land, I was kidnapped by a gang of fearless yet terrified young men with so much impossible hope beating inside their bodies it burned their very skin and strengthened their will right through their bones. / They held me captive for thirteen days. / They wanted to break me. / It was not personal. / I was not broken. / This is what I tell myself.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)

Importance: In this opening passage from the novel, Mireille sums up her ordeal and her personality. She introduces the motif of fairy tales that winds through her story, indicating that her life was a fairy tale before she was kidnapped.

You have to be patient, Mr. Jameson. I am very good at my job. I will get your wife back.
-- Mr. Evans (Chapter 4)

Importance: Michael is frustrated because he does not believe that Sebastian and Mr. Evans are doing enough to find Mireille. Michael does not understand...