"The difference," Aria said, feeling anger rise in her chest, "is that I use my power to help people. You use yours to manipulate and harm them."
"Do I?" Mira's expression was amused. "I've never harmed anyone who didn't deserve it. Every person I've studied gave their consent."
"Did they really? Or did you manipulate them into it the same way you tried to manipulate me?"
Mira's smile faltered slightly. "You're smarter than I gave you credit for. I should have approached this differently. Been more patient."
"You should have left me alone," Aria said.
"Perhaps." Mira took another step closer. "But then I would have missed the opportunity to see this, thirteen-year-old girl facing down someone she knows is dangerous, standing her ground despite her fear. That takes real courage, Little Luna. The kind of courage that could be shaped into something extraordinary."
"I don't want to be shaped," Aria said. "I want to choose my own path."
