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FIFTY-FOUR

T he lantern light gleamed on the blue tiles set in the floor but it did little to alleviate the shadows that filled the chamber.

Slater stood at the entrance of the labyrinth.

It always came down to asking the right question.

The problem was that he was not accustomed to asking questions about his own emotions.

It was so much simpler to bury such powerful sensations as he had been taught at the monastery.

Once unleashed, there was no predicting where they might lead.

Anger could metamorphose into rage. Desire could compel a man to ignore logic in hopes of grasping the fleeting promise of passion.

Fear could so easily ignite a destructive panic.

Despair could induce a man to abandon his responsibilities.

Love was the most dangerous emotion of all. But it was also the most powerful.

He knew then that there was no need to walk the labyrinth. The question was crystal clear. And so was the answer.