It was true. Gansey had leaned back in his chair by now, and tapped his fingers against the arm. In his notebook-journal, he copied a few of the 'letters' down, doing his best to recreate their shape in his hand. It wasn't easy.

"I doubt it will stay that way for long," he said, tone thoughtful. He wasn't sure how 'kindly' Hope and Delight really were, either. "I know there are others that they want to resurrect. They asked us to vote, last time. But I don't think they're truly kind or cruel."

He looked up, faintly smiling, and he lifted his shoulders.

"They just want different things from us, that's all. I don't think they care about hurting or helping us. Both sides are using us, it's just that we like feeling hopeful or happy more than we like feeling angry or afraid. They're no more on our side, either way."