Fallen Chapter 15 Quotes
How we cite the quotes:
(Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote 1
She didn't want to glance back when she sensed the shadows spilling out of the door of the bar and brewing in the air. But the, she didn't have to. They flowed in a steady stream over her head, sucking up all the light in their path. It was as if the whole world were being torn to pieces right before her eyes. A rotting sulfur stench stuck in her nose, worse than anything she knew. (15.92)
If anything conjures up images of hell more than shadows and the stench of sulfur spilling out of a bar, please call to let us know, because we don't think anything can top this imagery conveying Cam's own self-damnation.
Quote 2
Through the tinted windows, the trees outside and the gray paved road beneath them all looked brown. At the turning whose westward fork led to Thunderbolt, the black sedan turned east. They were following the river toward the shore. Every now and then, when their path and the river's converged, Luce could see the brackish brown water twisting beside them. (15.26)
The path Luce takes in the car on the way to meet Cam is a winding river road that will take her to a seedy bar called Styx. The very winding nature of the drive itself reflects not only the twisty feelings Luce is experiencing, but it also adds to a sense of unease about what's going to happen at the bar. It's definitely not a comforting feeling.
Quote 3
But Daniel had turned off the road and brought the car to a stop at the end of a sandy path. He switched the headlights off and they stared out at the ocean. The dusky sky was a deep plum shade, and the crests of the waves looked almost silver, sparkling. The beach grass whipped up the wind, making a high, desolate whistling sound. A flock of ragged seagulls sat in a line along the boardwalk railing, grooming their feathers (15.178)
While Cam is outwardly flashy, Daniel is shy and attentive, and the settings in which they choose to share their time with Luce are reflective of these differing qualities. Daniel's sandy beach road is practically a paradise after the bar where Cam met Luce. Clearly, Daniel is much better at planning dates.
Quote 4
She couldn't really make out her features in the mud-flecked windowpane, but the gold pendant gleamed on her warm skin. She pressed her hand to it. It was lovely." (15.41)
The glow from the pendant that Cam gives Luce is meant to allure and entice her—and it does its job. This scene plays into the idea of Cam as a seducing tempter, luring Luce with shiny things and false promises to make her feel wanted. Personally, we think Cam is trying to buy his way into Luce's heart, and he finds out quickly how well that goes over.
Quote 5
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.