I cannot escape it, what I’ve done, no matter how far I
follow the tunnel. I am alone with my sin. This is why they rule. The Peerless Scarred
know that dark deeds are carried through life. They cannot be outrun. They must be
worn if one is to rule. This is their �rst lesson.

We live in a dark time. Books are as dark as what is available to teenagers through the media every day.

Nothing ever guarantees you anything-that's my rule. My other rule is never believe anything that anyone tells you, and then you'll never be fooled. It's not as cynical as it sounds; it's just that people always say something for a reason-maybe a nice reason, maybe a devious reason-so on that level, you can't take things at face value.

A good deed is a good deed.

There are so many ideas that you just come up with on a day-to-day basis when you're a writer that it's very difficult to want to go back to an old fling, so to speak.

The Gray soldiers prowl the cities ensuring order, ensuring obedience to the hierarchy. The Whites arbitrate their justice and push their philosophy. Pinks pleasure and serve in highColor homes. Silvers count and manipulate currency and logistics. Yellows study the medicines and sciences. Greens develop technology. Blues navigate the stars. Coppers run the beauracracy. Every Color has a purpose. Every Color props up the Golds.