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PROLOGUE

FIVE MINUTES AGO

BRENNA IS DANCING UP THE MARBLE steps to the front door, and I’ainst wet pavement—and I turn Finn’s on his hands and knees; he’s tripped over the curb He picks hilasses into place, and walks back toward his carriage, but his gait lacks its usual gangly grace He pauses, exah he’s puzzled by it

“Are you all right?” I call down

He looks up at me, then ducks his head His ears are red with ee?”

His voice is aard, forer

His words echo in my head: I’m sorry, miss

I thought I was nulance around the empty street It’s only Brenna and me and Maura here—

Maura

My sister stands on the sidewalk, eyes narrowed at Finn My Finn

She wouldn’t do this

Not my own sister

Chapter 1

I LEAVE MAURA IN THE SWIRLING SNOW and ice I cannot look at her scheer, or I will not be responsible for my actions

Inside the convent, I lean against the heavy wooden door My black cloak is dripping, but my eyes are dry It all feels—impossible Harwood is empty and Zara is dead and Finn won’t re about us Our future has been the touchstone guiding h this war; the proether has driven ainst us felt insurmountable

How can I go on without that? Without him?

Tess runs down the hall, flinging herself atfor the door “You’re back! How did things go at Harwood? I’ve been so worried, I—” But I’m stiff in her arms, and she draws back, eyes fastened on my face “What is it?”

“Maura knows you’re the oracle” I wrapinto a thousand pieces I can’t help noticing the streak of scarlet on ht palm

Zara’s blood

Tess bites her lip “How could Maura know that?”

My shoulders hunch “I told her”

“But—” My sister looks stunned “You promised”

It’s not like me to break a proive htly

That’s Maura’s fault, too She’s made a liar of me

Tess’s blond brows draw together over eyes that have gone as storreed to wait?”