Five Broken Blades (The Broken Blades, #1)

by Mai Corland

Hope pieces together dreams out of broken glass only for reality to come and smash them all over again. Hope is the cruelest punishment of them all.

I didn’t mean for him to think I’m strange, but I guess when that’s the truth there’s not much you can do about it.

It’s a strange thing—how paper contracts keep our country from complete moral collapse.

But that’s what life is. A little off, a little too slow or fast, a little too early or late, and everything would be different. Life is timing, and timing is luck.

“You’re in love with her,” I say, speaking low. Ty turns to me. He hesitates like he’s about to deny it, but then he exhales. “Yes.” I stare at the other divan. Mikail has checked over here a few times. She hasn’t turned once. “And she hates you,” I say. “That’s correct.” I raise my eyebrows. “Yes, I don’t recommend it,”

“Why aren’t you tense?” I ask. She shrugs, turning a page. “I dunno. I guess it doesn’t seem like worrying will help. Whatever happens tomorrow is what’s meant to be, you know?”

Hubris. My downfall was nothing more than hubris. How unoriginal.

You are made of steel, Ty said. Yet steel becomes stronger in the forge. I’m not a blade. I’m just a pawn.