It was the sort of overly complex plan dreamed up by armchair manipulators who thought they could play chess… — Genevieve Cogman

“I honestly thought you’d be happier if you knew nothing about it for the rest of your life. Was I wrong?”

Irene slumped in her chair. “No, you weren’t. Everyone’s going to say that, aren’t they? ’It was for your own good.’”

“Something you’ll learn as you get older is that truth and reconciliation may be necessary for nations, but it isn’t necessarily best for individuals.”

Irene realized she was on the point of shouting. Worse, of being ungrammatical. She took a deep breath.

If my friends—my brothers and sisters—have sacrificed themselves, then it was their choice. You, on the other hand, have lied to us and kept us in the dark and used us. You’re probably going to tell me that you did it for a higher cause, that you were just protecting us. But true higher causes don’t have everyone deserting them when they find out the truth, grandmother. Genuine ethical purposes don’t have everyone walking out once they know what’s really going on. And causes that people care enough to die for…”