In violation of Triumvirate orders, the matriarch of the infamous Byrne family has closed the passages around the elusive island of Culinnon, the most direct routes to the Lost Islands. Rumor has it she is pressing her northern allies to do the same. Does this mean Ambrosine Byrne has found Braxos herself? Are the bodies washing up on the shores of Brilsin and Adereen the result of failed attempts to find this mysterious island—or is there a more sinister reason behind these deaths? Could Ambrosine be protecting her newest treasure? This reporter thinks it’s high time the Byrnes were reminded that they do not control the northern islands—that all of Pelago is under the rule of the Triumvirate. Just how the Aerin, the Lekke, and the Renalt decide to deal with this affront to their power remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: The island of Braxos is stretching this country to a breaking point. And the Kaolins flooding our ports are only making matters worse. President Vance of Kaolin has sent a furious letter to the Triumvirate demanding release of all Kaolin prisoners being held in Pelagan jails. It would be impossible to imagine the Triumvirate giving in to these demands, so the question then is—what will Kaolin’s response be? Could this mean war?

Sera read the last word with a lump in her throat. War.

“This is bad,” Leo said.

“It is worse than I was thinking,” Vada agreed.

“What’s Culinnon?” Agnes asked.

“Yeah, I’ve heard the name before,” Leo said. “I mean, I get that it’s an island, but what’s so special about it?”

“When did you hear about it?” Agnes demanded.

“Back in Old Port, after that dinner with Elizabeth Conway and her friend,” Leo said, rubbing his temple like the memory was fuzzy. “And the woman who changed our money said something about it in the market.”

Phebe looked from Agnes to Leo as if trying to decide whether the twins were pulling her leg.

“You . . . neither of you know about Culinnon?” she asked. “He never told you?”

“Who? Told us what?” Agnes said.