"That might mean you've learned the lesson," Marron said gently. "That the knife has taught you everything it can in its current partnership. That doesn't diminish what you've learned or make the time you spent together less valuable. It just means... maybe it's ready to teach someone else."
"And you think that someone is you."
"I think I'm trying to learn what these tools teach," Marron said. "I think I'm trying to understand what the seven lessons mean together. What they build toward. But Petra—" She leaned forward, meeting the older woman's eyes directly. "I also think that if the knife wants to stay with you, if you're not ready to let it go, then that's the right answer. I'm not going to pressure you. I'm not going to try to convince you that I deserve it more. This has to be your choice and the knife's choice. Both."
Petra set the knife down on the table, pushed it slightly toward Marron.
"Pick it up," she said. "Hold it properly. Let's see what happens."
