Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce owns all of these characters; I do not.
"I'm sorry, she has no trace of magic," the tall, brown-haired man told Tris's parents regretfully. Tris stared at the man in disbelief.
"Trisana," her mother said in a voice that made it clear she was disappointed, "We should go back to our house."
Tris nodded, not sure what she was doing. She was listening to her father argue at the tall, brown-haired man.
"Everyone in our family has magic. This must be a mistake," Tris's father said, fighting to keep his voice from rising. The brown-haired man stepped back.
"I know it's hard on you. But you should know." He hesitated, then added, "You should know the truth."
Tris's father was struggling to keep his temper under control. He took several deep breaths.
Tris's mother took her hand. "Trisana, let's go."
Tris stole a glance back at her father. "What about father?"
Her mother gave her a small, sad smile. "You know what he's like when he's angry. He'll come eventually."
"Is he mad at me, mother?" the girl asked.
Her mother shook her head, puzzled. "Why would he be angry at you, Trisana?"
"Disappointed, then?"
Tris's mother sighed, and stared her daughter in the eye. "Honestly…I think he is, Trisana."
The girl nodded, fighting back the tears that no one noticed.