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I rushed toward the trail of cries, the clash of blades, the cold that knotted the air until it became a struggle to breathe. In the square ahead, just outside the hall where I held court, my soldiers were battling the Winged Devils. Their faces were pale but they fought bravely—even as their weapons gave way and shattered beneath the claws and blades of these creatures. Bodies lay on the ground, limbs splayed, blood oozing from their wounds.

I couldn’t look at their faces, I would break if I did.

The Wuxin were surrounded by soldiers, but they were no prey. While they bore spears and swords, they didn’t draw their weapons like they disdained our might.

“How dare you trespass here?” Captain Li, the leader of the night patrol, demanded.

One of the Wuxin stepped forward, her skin the shade of magnolias, her white hair brushing her shoulders. “Where are the immortals? Where is the Lady of Tianxia?” The delicate peal of her voice was that of a flute.

Captain Li kept her sword raised, though her hand quivered. “You are mistaken. No immortals are here.”

A tall Wuxin with light-brown eyes and a narrow face drew a curved dagger from his waist, brushing a finger across its tip. “Confess, and we will spare you. Lie, and you will die.”

I was afraid, but now I was furious. Slinging my sword behind me, I stepped out from the trees. Heads turned my way, Captain Li hurrying to my side.

“Your Ladyship, you can’t be here. Let us escort you back to your rooms.”

I looked at the soldiers, their tired faces bright with courage. “My place is with you.”

“Is this the Lady of Tianxia?” A laugh rose from the tall man. “A frail thing. She will be easily subdued.”

“Captain Rao, insults are not necessary,” the woman admonished him.

I seethed, gripping the sword tighter behind my back. There were only a handful of immortal blades among the soldiers here, including mine. Each had to count. Doubt clouded my mind, whispering this was futile, that it was safer to surrender—but I smothered it. Was it the presence of these beings or my own innate cowardice, my desire to survive?

As Captain Rao stalked toward me, a young soldier from my army leapt between us, thrusting his spear forward. Reckless and rash . . . and in my defense. The spear tip drove toward the captain’s shoulder, yet he did not evade it. As it touched his skin, the sharp point broke away, leaving just a jagged stump. Against these creatures, our weapons were as much use as porcelain blades.

The soldier’s eyes widened as Captain Rao cocked his head. “My turn,” he rasped.

“Don’t hurt him!” I cried. The soldier was so young, younger than me.

I lunged forward, but Captain Li blocked my path. “It’s too dangerous,” she said, though her throat convulsed.

Chengyin was hurrying toward me, his robes in disarray like he’d just pulled them on. “Liyen, stay back,” he called out. “We can’t let them take you hostage.”

A piercing cry drowned my protest. I spun to find the Wuxin captain’s hand thrust into the young soldier’s chest. Blood oozed, trickling down his wrist to blot the soil. The soldier’s eyes bulged, strangled sounds slipping from his mouth—as the Wuxin plucked his heart out as effortlessly as a ripe plum from its stem. With a malevolent grin, he dropped the heart, striking the earth with a wet thud.

A scream erupted from me as the soldier’s lifeless body crumpled to the ground. He had died protecting me . . . and I didn’t even know his name.

“You’re despicable,” I spat at the Wuxin captain. “Every vile story I’ve heard about your kind is true.”

The captain’s mouth twisted in anger. He moved toward me, but another of my guards leapt forward, slashing at him. As the Wuxin reached for him with a cruel smile, something snapped inside me.

They would not take another.

I shoved my way to the front, pulling away as Chengyin tried to seize my arm. Rage burned through me—my caution, my fear—like fire devouring paper. As I swung my sword, the silver filigree shone like a piece of the moon. A Winged Devil aimed a spear at me—but I ducked, spinning around to plunge my blade into its chest. The creature grinned, maybe expecting my sword to break as the others before, yet it sank deep. As I yanked it out, the Winged Devil staggered back, its fingers groping the hole in its flesh.

“What weapon is this?” the creature hissed. “I thought the mortals were poorly equipped.”

“More lies?” another Winged Devil accused Captain Rao. “Just as your promised reinforcements that never came when we attacked the immortal queen’s palace? My people are imprisoned—”

“We will rescue them,” the short-haired Wuxin woman replied firmly. “Our leader needs a little time; our plans are underway.”

I was listening intently, trying to learn more. Sensing my distraction, Captain Rao sprang toward me, his daggers drawn. Just in time, Chengyin dragged me back to safety. My soldiers rushed forward, forming a barrier between the Wuxin and me.

“Captain Rao, you were not authorized to attack. Killing the soldier was excessive,” the woman admonished him.

I had believed them all eager to murder without cause. Was this an act, or were there some who didn’t share these bloodthirsty appetites?