The Schism (The Broken Prism Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Whether you deserved it or not, you won it, and there’s no point feeling apologetic over it. Most of us got some kind of recognition from that skirmish in the Forest of Illusions, and some of those people did nothing but lie around moaning in their cages while the rest of us scraped up the Source power to keep fighting.” She spared the unknown mages in her mind a brief look of disdain. “My point is that it doesn’t matter. If they hadn’t rewarded you , it would have gone to someone else who likely deserved it even less.”
    Hayden considered this for a moment and felt oddly reassured.
    There must be something wrong with me if all it takes is someone telling me how useless I am to make me feel better.
    “I know this is going to sound stupid, but in some ways my life was simpler when everyone shunned me for being the Dark Prism’s son,” Hayden continued, not sure why he was confiding these thoughts to his enemies’ mother when he hadn’t even shared them with his closest friends. “At least then I knew who my real friends were. Now I’m suddenly popular, and every time someone new wants to be buddies, I have to try and figure out whether they actually like me or they’re just trying to suck up because they think I’m going to be famous and powerful someday.”
    To his surprise, Magdalene Trout smiled at him and said, “That is a feeling that the famous and powerful know very well.” Her smile took on a biting edge. “After my late husband’s involvement with your father’s schemes was discovered, I found out who my real friends were, as the Trouts rapidly fell out of favor in society. When I resolved the issue with my husband and fought tooth-and-nail to climb back to the top of the food chain, suddenly I became much more popular and all my old friends came hurrying back.”
    Oliver had told Hayden during the last school year that his mother had killed his father after his role as a conspirator with the Dark Prism was discovered. He was a little surprised that Mrs. Trout could talk about such a sensitive issue without flinching.
    “Didn’t that make you furious?”
    She gave that a moment of thought before answering. “Not really. It actually proved quite informative, as it let me know who my true allies were. It’s important to classify the people in your life when you have the kind of wealth and power that we possess, Hayden. Even false friends and—occasionally—enemies can be useful when they serve their purpose.”
    “How so?”
    “Take Oliver, for instance.” Mrs. Trout smirked at the look on his face. “I know you have despised each other since the moment you met, and that will likely never change. Still, you took him with you when you left school last year to come to the Forest of Illusions on a fool’s mission. Why?”
    Hayden frowned. “Well, mostly because he volunteered, and even though I think he’s an arrogant snot, I’ve seen what he can do in a fight and I knew he wouldn’t change his mind and bail on us halfway there.”
    She nodded encouragingly and said, “In essence, because even though you dislike him, there are things about him you admire and can rely on. And even though my son insists that you’re a waste of Source power and have no proper familial pride, he still asked to go with you, because he knew that if anyone could find a way to get it done, it would be you.”
    Beginning to understand, Hayden asked, “So that’s why you guys spend so much time smiling and charming people you don’t even like in public, and then secretly wishing them to an early grave in private?” He had thought it was a ridiculous waste of energy when he first arrived today and was told he had to play nice for the benefit of others.
    “Civilities do matter,” she confirmed with a shrug. “You never know when you’ll find yourself needing a temporary alliance with someone who you previously had no interest in. Besides, we mages are a fairly tight-knit community. If word gets out that