THE TRUE LUNA The balcony felt like the edge of the world. Below her, the people were still cheering, but the sound was starting to blur together like the rushing of a river. Esmeralda looked down at the heavy gold ring on her thumb. It felt hot. Not just warm from the sun, but burning, as if it were a piece of coal pulled straight from a fire.

"You look like you're about to faint," a voice said behind her.

Esmeralda turned. It was Kael. He was covered in soot, his face streaked with sweat, but ...