"You can never know for sure. The heart has a hundred ways of telling you all is well. Power used in anger is already corrupt. Guard against that, and you may be safe."
Tris looked toward the fireplace, staring into the embers. "To know what Jared has done, and the evil Arontala has caused, and not feel angry…"
"There is a difference between anger and justice," Royster said. "It appears the Lady's hand is on your quest, and if you reach your goal, it may be that She is using you as the instrument of Her judgment. But if you go to Arontala with hatred in your heart, no matter how justly deserved, he will own your soul."
"I'd rather be destroyed."
"Pray the Lady it does not come to that. Bava K'aa couldn't bring herself to destroy the Obsidian King, and so she was nearly destroyed by him." Royster met Tris's eyes. "How far are you willing to go to destroy the Obsidian King?"
Tired as he was, Tris felt his anger rise. "I'm willing to sacrifice myself, and I've proven that," he snapped. "But if the Sisterhood is looking for me to offer up Kiara and the others as some kind of loyalty test, then no, I won't do it. There has to be another way."
"And if there is no other way?" Royster asked, watching him carefully. "Then I'll do what I must, even if I go to the Crone."
TRIS WAS PLEASED to find Kiara waiting for him in the hallway when he concluded his lessons with Royster for the evening.
"Royster promised he'd let you off by the tenth bell," she said conspiratorially. "I didn't even have to bribe him."
Tris smiled tiredly. "I'm glad to see you-but I'm hardly up to sparkling conversation."
Kiara took his hand. "That's all right."
He took her in his arms and kissed her. She reached up and touched the pendant on the chain around his throat, her gift for his birthday. "I didn't get the chance to thank you," he said, letting his fingers toy with her dark hair.
"I thought it might be a bright spot in your training." She tilted her head so that her cheek brushed his fingers.
"The only one," Tris sighed.
"Since neither you nor Carina is talking about it, it must be grim."
Tris fought down the memories of the dark send-ings, and the horror they foretold. "The Sisterhood isn't much for half measures."
They walked out onto a loggia overlooking the courtyard. Servants and merchants bustled across the dark cobblestones, their way lit by the small fires and torches that gave the guards a measure of light and heat in the cold evening. Kiara shivered. Tris wrapped his arms around her, letting her lean back against him and enjoying the moment.
