Academ's Fury (Codex Alera, #2)

by Jim Butcher

Tavi shrugged. “There’s risk in everything.” Gaelle arched an eyebrow, and said, “Yet one so seldom hears of some fool drowning, starving, or falling to his death in a library or at the baker’s.”

“I don’t think the worst of you. I happen to know it.

“Of course, darling. If at first you don’t succeed, pick the next most likely course of action.”

“I am only heartless, Countess, because I have given mine to a beautiful young woman.”

“To save the people of Alera, you must kill them.”