A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes, #2)

by Sabaa Tahir

The problem with greedy people, Pop once said to me, is that they think everyone else is as greedy as they are.

If it’s going to die anyway, might as well be useful. Laia’s words. The same applies to me, I realize.

“You are my temple,” I murmur as I kneel beside her. “You are my priest. You are my prayer. You are my release.”

Go on, you half-wit. Underestimate me.

“But my honor also demands that I not take a woman’s decision about her own fate away from her. Skies know there’s enough of that in this blasted world.”

Apparently your sister Hannah is . . . upset.” “You mean she wants to drink my blood.”

“I forgive you, Elias. Forgive yourself. You still have time left among the living. Don’t waste it.”

Failure doesn’t define you. It’s what you do after you fail that determines whether you are a leader or a waste of perfectly good air.”

“Rise, Elias Veturius.” Tas smacks my face, and I blink at him in surprise. His eyes are fierce. “You gave me a name,” he says. “I want to live to hear it on the lips of others. Rise.”