It was our curse now.
-- Ethan (Before paragraph 10)

Importance: This is Ethan talking about the curse that afflicts the young casters in Lena's family and expressing how it has now become something they must now share.

That was Macon's funeral.
-- Ethan (Perpetual Peace paragraph 2)

Importance: Macon, Lena's uncle, died in the previous novel. Macon's death has a profound influence on Lena's actions in this novel, making the funeral the important first scene of the novel.

Which was even worse than knowing.
-- Ethan (The Call paragraph 2)

Importance: Ethan thinks that sometimes not knowing something is worse than knowing something, especially when it is related to the curse that controls Lena's future.

I don't want you to leave. I want things to be like they were.
-- Ethan (The Lake paragraph 17)

Importance: Ethan has just learned that Lena is planning to leave town during the summer. Ethan does not think that running away will help Lena recover from her uncle's death.

When the tips of my fingers touched the door, it...
-- Ethan (Exile paragraph 24)