Heres the official synopsis: For generations, the Seven Prophets guided humanity.
or the cause of its destruction.
A ruthless killer known as the Pale Hand.
Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group
A once-faithful leader torn between his duty and his heart.
A reckless gambler with the power to find anything or anyone.
And a dying girl on the verge of giving up.
Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group
One of them or all of them could break the world.
Will they be savior or destroyer?
The book publishes Sept. 3 and isavailable for pre-order.
like, he said.
I dont deserve to die.
I wont touch them anymore, I swear.
Around him, the lavish private room at the Thalassa Gardens tavern lay in disarray.
A sumptuous feast spilled from overturned platters and filigreed pitchers.
The white marble floor was littered with ripe berries and the smashed remains of a dozen tiny jewel-like bottles.
A pool of blood-dark wine slowly spread toward the kneeling priest.
Ephyra crouched down, placing her palm upon the papery skin of his cheek.
Oh, thank you!
the priest cried, tears springing into his eyes.
Thank you, blessed
I wonder, Ephyra said.
Did your victims ever beg you for mercy?
When you were leaving your bruises on their bodies, did they ever cry out in Behezdas name?
He choked on a breath.
They didnt, did they?
A breeze rustled in from the open balcony doors behind Ephyra as she tilted the priests chin toward her.
Youve been marked for death.
And death has come to collect.
She focused on the rush of blood beneath his flesh, and drew the esha from his body.
The light drained from the priests eyes as his lungs sputtered out their last breath.
He collapsed to the floor.
A handprint, as pale as the moon, glowed against the sallow skin of his throat.
Dead, and only a single mark to show for it.
Drawing the dagger from her belt, Ephyra leaned over the corpse.
The priest had not been alone when shed found him.
She held it under the flow of his blood.
The priests desperate words had been a liehediddeserve death.
But that wasnt why shed taken his life.
She had taken his life because she needed it.
The door burst open, startling Ephyra from her task.
The vial slipped from her hand.
She fumbled with it but caught it.
Three men spilled into the suite, one holding a crossbow, and the other two with sabers.
Thalassa sat at the edge of Elea Square, just within the High City gates.
Shed known from staking it out that the Sentry ran their foot patrols through the square every night.
But theyd gotten here quicker than shed expected.
The first Sentry through the door stopped short, staring at the priests body, stunned.
Ephyra sealed the vial of blood and hid it back within the daggers hilt.
Come quietly, the first Sentry said slowly, and you dont have to get hurt.
Ephyras pulse hammered in her throat, but she made her voice calm.
Take another step and there will be more than one body in this room.
No, she isnt, the one with the crossbow said nervously.
He glanced down at the priests corpse.
Look at the handprint.
Just like the ones they found on the bodies in Tarsepolis.
The Pale Hand, the third Sentry whispered, frozen as he stared at Ephyra.
Thats just street lore, the first Sentry said, but his voice was trembling slightly.
No one is so powerful that they can kill with only the Grace of Blood.
What are you doing in Pallas Athos?
the third Sentry asked her.
He stood with his chest out and his feet apart, as if staring down a beast.
Why have you come here?
You call this place the City of Faith, Ephyra said.
But corruption and evil fester behind these white walls.
This was a lie.
Ephyra had not come to the City of Faith to stain it with blood.
She moved toward the window.
The Sentry tensed, but none tried to go after her.
You wont get away with killing a priest so easily, the first said.
When we tell the Conclave what youve done
Tell them.
She tugged her black hood over her head.
Tell them the Pale Hand came for the priest of Pallas.
And tell them to pray that I dont come for them next.
The world tippedfour stories below, the steps of Thalassas entrance gleamed like ivory teeth in the moonlight.
She gripped the edge of the balustrade and turned.
To her left, the roof of the public baths sloped toward her.
Ephyra leapt, launching herself toward it.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she tucked her knees and braced for impact.
