[ Jace grimaced. That was certainly an understatement. ]

He's two steps ahead of us, every time. He can play me like a fiddle, which since he raised me, shouldn't be a surprise, right? I keep trying to prove I'm better than him, that I'm not what he thinks I'm fated to be, and I keep falling for every damn trap he lays, and dragging the people I love into it.

[ He rubs at his eyes for a second. ]

Is it bad I'm almost glad for a break from it? From worrying about his next move, where he's got the Cup and the Sword, how he's going to destroy everything? All it cost me is every secret shame I've kept hidden since I was old enough to get excited about cute boys and girls.

[ He tilts his head and looks wry. ]

Is this where you tell me spoilers would probably be a bad idea?