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Get an exclusive first look at the cover ofTread of Angels and a sneak peek its first chapter.
Rebecca Roanhorse is back.
Tread of Angelsis set in the aftermath of a war that caused angels to fall to the mortal realm.
When Mariel is accused of murder, though, Celeste rushes to clear her name.
It slithered down the mountain past the places where the old gods of the continent had once held sway.
It rolled through the mining town below, called Goetia, snatching hats off heads and shivering shoulders.
When it hit the Eden, Perditions premiere gambling and drinking establishment, it nearly blew the place down.
At first, Celeste Semyaza didnt even feel that old wind licking against her cheek.
She was sitting in the dealers chair at the Faro table, focused on the game before her.
They stumbled to the bar where Zeke, the resident bartender, awaited them.
But Celeste didnt even notice them, already focused back on the card game.
Place your bets, she told the players now that the wind had quieted down.
Celeste eyed him, suspicious.
He wasnt one of her regulars so she figured must be in town for the holiday.
Nothing unusual there, but he was worth keeping an eye on.
The Fallen man took the opportunity to lay down ten chips on the three of spades.
Somewhere nearby, a saloon girl laughed loudly.
The mustachioed man still hadnt laid his bet, and Celeste tapped her fingertips against the felt, loudly.
Wheres that singer I heard about?
he asked with lazy indifference.
Heard shes a beauty with an impressive set of
Thats my sister.
Celeste cut him off.
He glanced at the dealer, whistling low.
Well, Ill be.
Mariel Semyazas your sister?
But you don’t have the…
He touched a finger to his eye.
He wasnt the first to notice she didnt have the Mark and wouldnt be the last.
I favor our daddy.
His face scrunched up, puckered sour as a lemon.
A half-breed, then?
Celeste kept a small dagger up her sleeve in a sheathe attached to her forearm.
He had a dry unpleasant kind of laugh, more wild dog than man.
Now dont get your back up.
Then dont talk about my sister.
Im only being friendly.
I dont need friends.
What I need you to do is place your bet.
He sucked at his teeth, fingers still idling over chips.
Finally, the woman in blue spoke, her voice a soft sibilant hiss.
Place your bet or make room for someone who will.
Youre holding up the game.
Satisfied, Celeste drew the soda card and placed it to the side.
Next, she drew the loser an eight.
Hed lost the round.
Not your night, is it?
the Fallen man next to him observed lightly.
Celeste gave her a congratulatory nod and had begun to reset for the next round when she felt it.
Yet, there wassomethingat the back of her neck.
A breath, a touch.
She couldnt describe it except to say it was a wrongness.
She glanced behind her, but there was only the wall.
the man in question asked, voice turned mean with losing.
Maybe that was the bad feeling that had caught ahold of her neck.
Mariel should have been up there singing, keeping the crowd cooled.
A groan circled the table.
The games not done!
Moustaches outrage turned up a notch.
Its done when I say its done, Celeste said.
Find yourself another if you dont like it.
But Ive got money invested in this one.
His hand strayed down toward his belt and Celeste saw the butt of a revolver there.
Her eyes flickered back to Hypatia.
This time, the woman was watching.
Thats money the house won fair and square, Celeste said carefully.
And I need a chance to win it back.
Not sure thats on the dealer, the Fallen man said, eyes cutting in sympathy towards Celeste.
Youve had poor luck all night, friend.
Calm everybody down, Celeste thought.
Thats what Hypatia would say.
And also, dont kill the customers, especially when theyre lining your coffers.
She lifted her hands.
Alright then, Mister.
Give you a chance to win your money back, and then were even.
Moustache grinned and let his hand drift back up towards his card.
Now thats more civilized.
He motioned for Zeke to send over a fresh drink.
And maybe we can get that sister of yours to come on out and show us her lungs.
I said dont talk about my sister!
He froze, staring at the blade stuck through the back of his hand, and he started screaming.
Hollering like shed stabbed him in the heart instead of just the hand.
The room dissolved into chaos.
Celeste shifted directions, crawling out the other side.
A crowd had gathered to watch the fight, some of the drunker patrons joining in.
she shouted over the din once shed reached the bar.
Have you seen Mariel?
He grinned, eyes bright, his boyishly handsome face flush.
He was clearly enjoying himself.
Said she wasnt feeling well, he yelled back.
Shes lying down in the back for a while.
Want me to rouse her?
She looked across the room to where the back offices were.
If she can sleep through this, then let her.
Ill have a smoke and wait it out.
Want me to send Hypatia out?
She glanced over her shoulder.
Wouldnt want to interrupt.
Zeke grinned and sent her off with a salute.
Celeste slipped out into the back alley, avoiding the mess shed made.
Like she always did.
Rebecca RoanhorsesTread of Angelsis out on Nov. 15 and is now available for pre-order.
This article was originally published onFeb.
