How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Don't eat those." Gabbe had swooped in, lifting the figs out of Luce's fingers and tossing them in the trash. She'd interrupted yet another private conversation and replaced the empty space in Luce's palm with a handful of peanut M&Ms from a vending machine sack…
"She's right, Luce," Arriane had appeared, glowering at Cam. "Who knows what he drugged these with?" (9.15-16)
It might seem to Luce like Gabbe's just butting in here, but Gabbe's really just looking out for her. And sure, accusing your classmate of drugging food is a bit harsh, but Cam and Arriane's relationship relies on mutual animosity. This is also a moment of foreshadowing, though, and it proves that the fruit metaphor is just as suspicious as we thought it might be. After Luce finds out that Cam's a fallen angel working against Daniel, Arriane, and Gabbe, their warnings about his charm and his temptations make the situation seem all the more dangerous.
Quote #8
Sheepishly, her father held up a colorful patchwork quilt and a large briefcase-style contraption made of wicker that Luce had never seen before. Usually, when they picnicked, it was a much more casual affair, with paper grocery bags and an old ripped sheet thrown down on the grass by the canoe trail outside their house.
"Pickled okra?" Luce asked in a voice that sounded very much like little-kid Luce. No one could say her parents weren't trying.
Her dad nodded. "And sweet tea, and biscuits with white gravy. Cheddar grits with extra jalapenos, just the way you like 'em." (13.18-20)
Quote #9
Cam turned to her and smiled. "What's your poison?"
"I don't care," Luce said. "I don't really have a poison."
"You were drinking champagne at my party," Cam said. "See who's paying attention?" He nudged her with his shoulder. "Your finest champagne over here," he told the bartender, who through back his head and let out a snide hacking laugh. (15.52-54)
To bring the Cam + food = danger equation full circle, here we have him bringing Luce to a legitimately dangerous place to talk to her, a seedy bar called "Styx"…like that's not ominous. In this chapter, a few important details become clear: Cam can get in and out of Sword & Cross at will, he has disposable income to get himself and Luce to these places (hello, hired limo), and he thinks he can browbeat Luce into liking him with fancy things. On top of this, he does steamroll Luce with flirting and promises of delectable food and riches, things she chooses to accept because she likes his attention. But here Luce decides that it's all too much, and that Cam's promises can only go so far. He can't make her happy.