the Empire was

ry village whispered warnings of a growing resistance, of strange markings etched in

e time?" he asked one night, while they camped

harpening her blade. "Morale

"Remind me not to fa

ate to bury

above the marble rooftops, and the banners of the House Corvus snappe

ce sung her name

wanted

ise thief who could climb palaces and cut purse strings in a single blink. Titus knew her from

ket square, where guards patrolled

tered to Titus after one lo

e, bleeding and sp

ned. "My ki

n servant garb, Cassi

shorter. Her voice harder. Her eyes haunted. But the moment her foot t

felt

rc

as c

onger his to com