Heroes Die: A Fantasy Novel (Acts of Caine Book 1)

by Matthew Woodring Stover

You’ve already beaten the worst enemy you’ll ever have—that voice in your head . . . It tells you the fight’s already over . . . whispers there’s nothing you can do . . . If you beat that voice, it’s a victory that can’t be taken from you. You might die, but you’ll die fighting.”

“Well, it’s crap. You’re pretending to be less than you are. You’re pretending the world is worse than it is. You’re kidding yourself just as much as any Pollyanna optimist does. You know what it is? It’s an excuse to lose. And you can’t afford it. Not this time. The stakes are too high.” “But what am I supposed to do about it? I mean, really do?” Hari said tiredly. “I’m fucked from every direction.” “First, quit whining. Then quit kidding yourself. Let the Chairman, let the Emperor, let everybody think that Caine is who you are—just don’t let yourself think that. That’s your edge. People have been watching you almost twenty years, and nobody knows yet how smart you really are. Take those baby steps, Hari—inch toward daylight. Trust that if you just don’t quit, eventually you’ll find yourself on the pivot, you’ll be in a spot where one bold stroke will lock everything down. You know your enemy, but he doesn’t know you. Kollberg thinks that as long as you can’t get your hands on him, he’s safe.” “Dad . . . you, uh . . .” Hari said, shaking his head. “You make it sound so simple . . .”