Title Page

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Table of Contents

About the Author

Copyright Page

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Dedication

For my mother, Angela

THE MENAGERIE

The Hawk: Sword master. Wears a mask of black metal.

The Goat: Navigator, Maxia. Wears a mask of blue stone.

The Ox: Muscle, second in command. Wears a mask of wood.

The Lynx: Scout, sharpshooter. Wears a mask of jade.

The Bear: Leader. Wears a mask of white ceramic.

THE MENAGERIE TENETS

Let no charge learn your face.

Let no charge learn your name.

Let no crime be announced before trial.

Let no lie befoul your lips.

Let no other take your charge.

Map

Epigraph

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.

—CONFUCIUS

Prologue

PROLOGUE

Hot noble blood pumped over Anji’s hand. She clapped the other to his mouth and held it tight as he convulsed like a fish pulled from the sea, his bare feet squeaking against the marble floor. A fresh surge of crimson caked her fingers as she dug the knife deeper into the hot ruin of his neck and forced him to lie flat. He gurgled and groaned, his thrashing tongue soaking her palm with spit.

His gray eyes met hers, wide and confused.

“Shut up, please, shut up,” she hissed, stepping aside at an awkward angle to avoid the still-gushing blood. There was so much of it.

His chest finally stilled. His eyes grew distant. Fingers trembling, Anji wrenched the blade free and stuffed it under the mattress. She snatched a silken sheet from the ocean of bedding and bundled it around her blood-smeared arm. Then she took a final look at his lifeless form under the open window and allowed herself a silent, satisfied breath. Up so high, the air was clear, free from the reek of the city streets below.