Demon in White (The Sun Eater, #3)

by Christopher Ruocchio

Tor Gibson took in a deep breath. “Do I think he thought his machines would enslave mankind and destroy it? No. I’m sure he thought he was a hero. I’m sure all these people thought they were heroes.” He gestured at the line of paintings and photographs depicting the high lords of the Mericanii. “But then, so few of us truly think themselves evil. They simply think good and evil matters of opinion, and seek to impose their opinion—which is evil—on good. Nothing is evil in its beginning, it only grows that way. The Mericanii thought they were bringing peace and freedom to the world, but they couldn’t control their machines.” I had nothing to say, and so let the silence stretch. Gibson broke it a moment later. “Do you know the difference, Hadrian, between magic and prayer?”