The Young Elites

Be true to yourself. But that's something everyone says and no one means. No one wants you to be yourself. They want you to be the version of yourself that they like.

It is pointless to believe what you see, if you only see what you believe.

To love is to be afraid. You are frightened, deathly terrified, that something will happen to those you love. Think of the possibilities. Does your heart clench with each thought? That, my friend, is love. And love enslaves us all, for you cannot have love without fear.

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside. It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

Embellish your flaws. They will turn into your assets.

Sorry, always sorry. What in the world can you buy with an apology?

I pledge myself to the Rose Society until the end of my days, to use my eyes to see all that happens, my tongue to woo others to our side, my ears to hear every secret, my hands to crush my enemies. I will do everything in my power to destroy all who stand in my way.

No. I'm not broken easily. I will never break.

Don't cry. You are stronger than that.

The only way to clamp down on my energy is to erase my emotions, and so I fold them each away, one by one. My sorrow turns to anger, then to ice-cold fury. My soul curls in one itself in defense. I am gone. I am truly gone. I am not sorry.

Tomorrow, I will take on all of these things. I will be unstoppable.

No one wants you to be yourself. They want you to be the version of yourself that they like.

Some hate us, think us outlaws to hang at the gallows. Some fear us, think demons to burn at the stake, Some worship us, think us children of the gods. But all know us.

No one ever gives me their kindness without hoping for something in exchange. Are they any different? Are they all the same? They all want to use you, use you, use you until they get what they want, and then they will toss you aside.

I hereby pledge to serve the Dagger Society, to strike fear into the hearts of those who rule Kenettra, to take by death what belong to us, and to make the power of our Elites known to every man, woman, and child. Should I break my vow, let the dagger take from me what I took from the dagger.

So. Tell me, little wolf. Do you want to punish those who have wronged you?

Once upon a time, a prince fell madly in love with a demon from the Underworld. When she disappeared back into the sea, he ached so much for her that he walked into the ocean and never returned. —Kenettran Folk Tales, various authors

I am Adelina Amouteru, the phantoms whispered to my father, speaking my most frightening thoughts in a chorus of voices, dripping with hatred. My hatred. I belong to no one. On this night, I swear to you that I will rise above everything you’ve ever taught me. I will become a force that this world has never known. I will come into such power that none will dare hurt me again.

Passion is bright and warm... But passion has a dark side too. It links with fear. Our hearts fill with terror at the thought of harm coming to our loved ones, don't they?

They think they can keep me out, but it does not matter how many locks they hang at the entrance. There is always another door. —The Thief Who Stole the Stars, by Tristan Chirsley

Don't forget one weapon just because of another," he says. A flicker of approval flashes in his eyes. "Or you'll find yourself skewered in no time." "Then maybe you should know which weapons are real.

But the surest way to slow your own progress is to rush yourself into situation you're not ready for.

They were the best of friends as long as they did not know they were supposed to be enemies. The truth would do its damage soon enough. - Brothers in Fire, by Jedtare

Trust is when we plummet into the depths of an abyss and reach out for each other's hands. -Amaderan Poetry, various authors

If you cast me out of the Dagger Society, then I will form my own. I am tired of losing. I am tired of being used, hurt and tossed aside. It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt. My turn.

The king is dead. Long live the queen.

Sometimes, the only way to set things right is to do what is difficult.