In Eastern City, metropolis of wind and rain, a deadly game is about to begin . . . Beneath the boy's thumb, my blood bubbled in reaction to the implant. Hot stinging moved through my flesh for a helping of seconds before subsiding. The boy felt it too, for when it was done, he removed his thumb and inspected my hand. Beneath my skin was a green glow, roughly the size of a coin. It was done. Their people were born with extreme lust for ours, and just as my grandfather had warned all those years ago, one of them had come for me. I, Zillow Stone, had been marked by an unholy one. While I digested the truth of it, the boy leaned over, placing his lips nearly to my ear, and whispered, "Run." Recommended for ages 16+