Pursuit of Shadows (The Keeper Chronicles, #2)

by J.A. Andrews

“I’m not going to actually use it.” Killien’s face was so intense Will pulled back. “You don’t have to use such force against people, Will. What’s important”—his voice dropped to a whisper—“is the threat of power.”

“The threat of power doesn’t work,” Will said, “unless you’re willing—and able—to use it.

“We tell stories about everything. We can’t escape them. It’s how we interact with each other, it’s how we keep the things we value close. It’s the fearful stories, the ones that strip the humanity from everyone but ourselves that cost us nothing to spread. It takes a lot of searching to find the true stories, the ones that reveal people’s humanity instead of crushing them beneath the weight of hatred.”