“
Are you going to tell your professor Jules and Baelin of your concern?” “You bet your ass, I am,” Alex said. “The worst thing they can say if I do tell them is, ‘you’re being crazy, Alex’ and maybe laugh at me a little. But the worst thing that can happen if I don’t tell them—just imagine smashed buildings, and fire, and screams.” “Mmm, true.” The prince patted Alex on the shoulder. “Well, if you are crazy, then this is still likely to end in smashed buildings, and fire, and screams. But I shall be there to put you down!” “Wait what?” Khalik grinned. “Think about it! The young, promising wizard turns to dark arts—” “I don’t like where this is going.” “—while his good friend, the handsome brave prince must—regrettably—slay him—” “I really don’t like where this is going.” “—and as you lay dying—” Alex’s face screwed up in suspicion. “You’ve seriously put a lot of thought into this.” “You lament: ‘Oh, if only the Dark Wizard Alexander Roth had seen the light before! My only regret is that I only see a better way now as I lay dying! If only I had more time!’ And then, of course, you perish while I lament your loss and wish there was more time to—” “There could be, just call a healer! Patch me up if I’ve seen the light, you bastard!” Khalik laughed. “Ah, but that would ruin the moment and the drama!” “The moment and drama are pretty ruined for me, cuz I’m dead!” “But think of all the young wizards that will avoid your dark path whenever they walk by the statue I have built to honour your memory.” Khalik faked a sniffle. “A memory of better times.” Alex glared at him. “You know, I tend to enjoy the stories where the plucky, underestimated hero beats the shit out of the arrogant prince and leaves him unconscious in some botanical garden. Even, you know, has a large, smashy friend do the same.” “That would be cheating.” “I’m supposed to be a dark wizard, right?” Alex lifted his chin as if defending his honour. “I don’t care about cheating!” “I thought you were a plucky, underestimated hero?” “I’m both! Life is full of greys!
”
”
J.M. Clarke (Mark of the Fool 3 (Mark of the Fool, #3))