“I think it’s the people who pretend they’re not as ugly as the rest of us that are worse.” “Humans are terrible creatures held together by the illusion of civility,” Gretchen agreed. “People like to hurt each other,” Viola said. “They just don’t like to think they like it. But you and I, we know different.” “Give them justification,” Gretchen murmured. “And they’ll rip each other to shreds every time.” There was darkness at the edges of even the brightest soul, and empaths just didn’t like to think themselves capable of it. The monsters knew different.