{"product_id":"beasts-of-prey-isbn-9780593405703","title":"Beasts of Prey","description":"\u003cb\u003eIn this blockbuster fantasy series, perfect for fans of \u003ci\u003eFirekeeper’s Daughter\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eIron Widow\u003c\/i\u003e, fate binds two Black teenagers together as they journey into a magical jungle to hunt down a vicious monster.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Rich in magic and mythos, \u003ci\u003eBeasts of Prey\u003c\/i\u003e is a feast for all the senses.” —Renée Ahdieh, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Beautiful\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn Instant \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003eand Indie Bestseller\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere’s no such thing as magic in the broken city of Lkossa, especially for sixteen-year-old Koffi, who indentured to the notorious Night Zoo, knows the fearsome creatures in her care and paying off her family's debts to secure their eventual freedom can be her only focus. But the night those she loves are gravely threatened by the Zoo’s cruel master, Koffi unleashes a power she doesn’t fully understand, upending her life completely.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs the second son of a decorated hero, Ekon is all but destined to become a Son of the Six—an elite warrior—and uphold a family legacy. But on the night of his final rite of passage, Ekon encounters not only the Shetani—a vicious monster that has plagued the city for nearly a century and stalks his nightmares—but Koffi who seems to have the power to ward off the beast. Koffi’s power ultimately saves Ekon, but his choice to let her flee dooms his hopes of becoming a warrior.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDesperate to redeem himself, Ekon vows to hunt the Shetani and end its reign of terror, but he can’t do it alone. Koffi and Ekon form a tentative alliance and together enter the Greater Jungle, a world steeped in wild, frightening magic and untold dangers. The hunt begins. But it quickly becomes unclear whether they are the hunters or the hunted.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The hunt for your next YA fantasy book trilogy obsession has ended.” —\u003ci\u003eEntertainment Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eBeasts of Prey\u003c\/i\u003e:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn Instant \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e Bestseller\u003cbr\u003e An Indie Bestseller\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003eA 2023-2024 South Carolina Book Award Nominee\u003cbr\u003eA 2022-2023 Arkansas Teen Book Award Nominee\u003cbr\u003eA 2022 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA 2022 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Pick\u003cbr\u003eA 2022 Books All Young Georgians Should Read List Pick (GA)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA 2021 \u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e Best Book\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003eA 2021 New York Public Library Best Book Pick\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA 2021 Chicago Public Library Best Book Pick\u003cbr\u003eA 2021 \u003ci\u003eTor.com\u003c\/i\u003e Young Adult Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Best Book Pick\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA 2021 \u003ci\u003eParade \u003c\/i\u003eBest YA Book Pick\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA 2021 Black Caucus American Library Association Best of the Best Booklist Pick\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn Apple Best Book of the Month Pick – October 2021\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn Amazon Best Book of the Month – October 2021\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn Indie Next Pick\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003cb\u003eRich and powerful\u003c\/b\u003e.” —\u003ci\u003eO, The Oprah Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The hunt for \u003cb\u003eyour next YA fantasy book trilogy obsession\u003c\/b\u003e has ended.\" —\u003ci\u003eEntertainment Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A \u003cb\u003epropulsive mystery\u003c\/b\u003e mixed with a \u003cb\u003emoving coming-of-age tale\u003c\/b\u003e and a touch of \u003cb\u003eromance\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eBeasts of Prey\u003c\/i\u003e asks: When we go into the jungle, who will we be when we come out?” —\u003ci\u003eThe New York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A \u003cb\u003enew epic fantasy\u003c\/b\u003e series.” —\u003ci\u003ePOPSUGAR\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Step into the \u003cb\u003elush, magical\u003c\/b\u003e jungles of \u003cb\u003eyour new young-adult fantasy obsession\u003c\/b\u003e. . . Much more than just your standard hero’s journey, \u003ci\u003eBeasts of Prey\u003c\/i\u003e is a story of courage, friendship, and community that’s \u003cb\u003eas inspiring as it is exciting\u003c\/b\u003e.” —\u003ci\u003eApple Books Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e★ “This pan-African story, rife with betrayal and narrated through \u003cb\u003epoetic language\u003c\/b\u003e that evokes vivid imagery, \u003cb\u003ewill ensnare readers\u003c\/b\u003e, keeping them engaged with its energetic pace. The \u003cb\u003ebeautiful blend of mythology, romance, and action\u003c\/b\u003e ends with a hint at more to come… \u003cb\u003eA dazzling debut\u003c\/b\u003e.” —\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003cb\u003estarred review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e★ “Gray's debut is \u003cb\u003ea thrilling series opener \u003c\/b\u003ewith \u003cb\u003etwists and turns that will delight. \u003c\/b\u003eHints about more \u003cb\u003eexpansive worldbuilding\u003c\/b\u003e to come will entice readers to pick up future volumes in this \u003cb\u003emust-buy\u003c\/b\u003e for fantasy enthusiasts.” —\u003ci\u003eBooklist,\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cb\u003estarred review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e★ “With its \u003cb\u003ememorable characters\u003c\/b\u003e, and a \u003cb\u003elush, expansive world\u003c\/b\u003e, Gray’s debut is an \u003cb\u003eaction-packed adventure\u003c\/b\u003e that will tug at hearts and keep teens glued to the page, yearning for more. \u003cb\u003eEssential \u003c\/b\u003efor all collections.” —\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003cb\u003estarred review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003cb\u003eRich in magic and mythos\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eBeasts of Prey\u003c\/i\u003e is \u003cb\u003ea feast for all the senses\u003c\/b\u003e. Prepare to be transported to Koffi’s world from the first page and find yourself lost not only in the \u003cb\u003edark thrill \u003c\/b\u003eof the hunt but the \u003cb\u003epoignant beats of emotion\u003c\/b\u003e at the heart of this story. Gray’s \u003cb\u003ewriting is lyrical\u003c\/b\u003e,\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eher \u003cb\u003eimagery vivid\u003c\/b\u003e. I eagerly await whatever she pens next.” —\u003cb\u003eRenée Ahdieh\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Beautiful\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003cb\u003eA fast-paced, rip-roaring ride\u003c\/b\u003e that grabs you by the throat and never lets you go. \u003cb\u003eA masterpiece of magic\u003c\/b\u003e.” —\u003cb\u003eNamina Forna\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Gilded Ones\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eEpic\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e doesn’t begin to encompass the \u003cb\u003ejolting twists\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003esparkling mythos\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003emagical quests\u003c\/b\u003e that fill the pages of \u003ci\u003eBeasts of Prey\u003c\/i\u003e. This is the sort of read that’s \u003cb\u003ebeyond transportive\u003c\/b\u003e; it’s downright transcending—a tale \u003cb\u003efull of heart and magic\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003esure to ensorcell readers' body, bone, and soul\u003c\/b\u003e.” —\u003cb\u003eRoshani Chokshi\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Gilded Wolves\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“In this \u003cb\u003ewildly original \u003c\/b\u003edebut, Gray marries the \u003cb\u003elush imaginative\u003c\/b\u003e wonder of African mythology with an action-packed tale of two teens on the opposite ends of fate, figuring out what’s truly worth fighting for. \u003cb\u003eSwoony, twisty, action-packed\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eBeasts of Prey\u003c\/i\u003e is \u003cb\u003eas epic as it is unforgettable\u003c\/b\u003e.” —\u003cb\u003eJ. Elle\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eWings of Ebony\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"\u003cb\u003eA delight\u003c\/b\u003e. I rarely fall in love with characters as quickly as I did with Koffi and Ekon. Gray \u003cb\u003emasterfully balances\u003c\/b\u003e the wonder and uncertainty of youth with \u003cb\u003ea deftly, fully imagined world \u003c\/b\u003ethat I was dying to learn more about.\" —\u003cb\u003eS. A. Chakraborty\u003c\/b\u003e, author of the critically acclaimed and internationally bestselling The Daevabad Trilogy\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e \"Ayana Gray’s \u003cb\u003ewonder-filled world\u003c\/b\u003e of mythos and monsters and magic comes to life in the \u003cb\u003eensnaring, enchanting\u003c\/b\u003e Greater Jungle. An \u003cb\u003eunputdownable \u003c\/b\u003etale that unfolds in a maze of twists and turns, driven by the \u003cb\u003ecrackling wit \u003c\/b\u003eof two protagonists on a quest to vanquish the beasts of their present and past.” —\u003cb\u003eAmélie Wen Zhao\u003c\/b\u003e, author of the Blood Heir trilogy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003cb\u003eA magical, bingeable debut\u003c\/b\u003e by \u003cb\u003ea phenomenal new voice\u003c\/b\u003e in YA. \u003ci\u003eBeasts of Prey\u003c\/i\u003e is an\u003cb\u003e immersive\u003c\/b\u003e and\u003cb\u003e heartfelt\u003c\/b\u003e book with characters whose personalities seep from the pages. From its\u003cb\u003e beautiful prose\u003c\/b\u003e to its \u003cb\u003erich and vibrant world\u003c\/b\u003e, this book\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003eis your next favorite read.” —\u003cb\u003eAdalyn Grace\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eAll the Stars and Teeth\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"\u003cb\u003eSteeped in rich worldbuilding\u003c\/b\u003e and resonating with keenly drawn emotional depth, \u003ci\u003eBeasts of Prey\u003c\/i\u003e features \u003cb\u003emasterful twists\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eheart-pounding action\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003eunforgettable characters\u003c\/b\u003e you will want to follow to the end of the world and back. I grew lost in this book from the very first page.\" —\u003cb\u003eMargaret Rogerson\u003c\/b\u003e, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eSorcery of Thorns\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Gray’s pan-African fantasy is \u003cb\u003efilled with monsters, mythos, and Black girl magic\u003c\/b\u003e. Her characters are \u003cb\u003ewell developed\u003c\/b\u003e, and the plot is filled with African lore, expanded upon in an extensive author’s note. Fans of Forna’s \u003ci\u003eThe Gilded Ones\u003c\/i\u003e and Ifueko’s \u003ci\u003eRaybearer \u003c\/i\u003ewill enjoy this \u003cb\u003eengrossing debut novel\u003c\/b\u003e.” —\u003ci\u003eThe Horn Book\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The protagonists achieve a \u003cb\u003erich emotional depth\u003c\/b\u003e complemented by the \u003cb\u003efast-paced action\u003c\/b\u003e, and a light \u003cb\u003eromantic element\u003c\/b\u003e lends the plot additional support. . . \u003cb\u003eimaginative \u003c\/b\u003edebut.” —\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e“\u003cb\u003eOne of the hottest young-adult books\u003c\/b\u003e . . . It’s a \u003cb\u003ethrill-packed \u003c\/b\u003epremise that Gray elevates with \u003cb\u003ecrisp prose, surefooted pacing, and detail-rich worldbuilding\u003c\/b\u003e. She weaves the markers of daily life, history, and culture into scenes that crackle, painting her characters’ existence for her readers as clearly as she depicts physical action and emotional depth. It’s undeniably \u003cb\u003epowerful storytelling\u003c\/b\u003e.” —\u003ci\u003eBook \u0026amp; Film Globe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003cb\u003eA great quest \u003c\/b\u003efull of blood and betrayal.” —\u003ci\u003eTor.com\u003c\/i\u003eAyana Gray is the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Beasts of Prey trilogy. Her works have been translated into ten languages across five continents and are being adapted for feature film. Originally from Atlanta, she now lives among the rolling hills and rivers of Arkansas.\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eForbidden Fruit\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdiah\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBaba says only wicked things happen after midnight, but I know better.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI hold my breath, relieved the front door doesn’t creak as I nudge it open and relish the evening breeze on my skin. This late, its scent is distinct, a sharp blend of ozone and pine. I glance over my shoulder. In the next room, my parents are fast asleep; Mama’s snores are gentle, my father’s thunderous. It’s easy to envision them, two brown bodies curled against each other under a threadbare blanket, both worn out from a hard day’s work in the harvesting fields. I don’t want to wake them. Perhaps in the repose of their dreams, their daughter is different, a responsible girl instead of one who sneaks out. Sometimes I wish I \u003ci\u003ewas\u003c\/i\u003e that responsible girl. I hesitate a second longer before slipping into the embrace of night.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOutside, the air is temperate, the rolling gray clouds overhead thick with the promise of monsoon season, but Lkossa remains a city bathed in silver moonlight, more than enough for me. I weave through its empty roads, darting between the flickers of sconce-­lit streets, and pray I don’t run into one of the patrolling Sons of the Six. It isn’t likely I’d get in trouble if the city’s anointed warriors caught me, but they’d almost certainly make me turn back, and I don’t want to. It’s a rare pleasure to walk here without whispers following in my wake, and there’s another reason not to be sent home yet: Dakari is waiting for me.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI note the new cloth banners decorating most of the city as I trek north, braided together in ropes of green, blue, and gold—­green for the earth, blue for the sea, gold for the gods. Some hang limp from laundry lines as thin and worn as thread; others are nailed clumsily to the doors of modest mud-­brick homes not so unlike my own. It’s an endearing effort. In a few hours, once the dawn breaks anew, citizens will gather to begin their observance of the Bonding, a holy day in which we celebrate our connection to the gods of this land. Vendors will peddle amulets for the reverent and give away pouches of throwing rice for the children. The recently appointed Kuhani will offer blessings from the temple, and musicians will fill the streets with their discordant symphony. Knowing Mama, she’ll make roasted sweet potatoes drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon, like she always does on special occasions. Baba will probably surprise her with a small gift he saved up for—­and she’ll probably tell him he shouldn’t have. I ignore a small pang in my chest as I think about Tao, wondering if he’ll stop by our house like he normally does for holidays. I’m not actually sure he will this time; Tao and I haven’t been speaking lately.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe city darkens as I reach its border, a wide dirt clearing a few yards wide that separates Lkossa from the first of the Greater Jungle’s towering black pines. They seem to watch my approach with an immemorial regard, as stoic as the goddess said to dwell among them. Not everyone would dare to venture here—­some believe the jungle isn’t safe—­but I don’t mind it. My eyes search the expanse in anticipation, but when I realize I’m alone, I have to quell a fleeting disappointment. Dakari had said to meet him at this exact spot just after midnight, but he’s not here. Perhaps he’s running late, maybe he’s decided not to—­\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Songbird.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMy heart stutters in my chest at the familiar nickname, and a dull flush heats my skin despite the evening chill as a figure peels away from one of the nearby pines to step into better light.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDakari.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt’s hard to make out all his details in the night, but my imagination can fill in the gaps just fine. Half his face is dipped in moonlight, tracing along the sharp cut of his jaw, the easy bend in his broad shoulders. He’s taller than me, with the lean build of a runner. His golden-­brown skin is several shades lighter than mine, and his hair, raven-­black, is freshly cut in a top fade. He looks like a god, and—­judging by the cocky grin he gives me—­he knows it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn a few confident strides, he closes the gap between us, and the air around me immediately fills with the smell of him: steel and dirt and leather from his apprenticeship in the forges of the Kughushi District. He gives me a once-­over, visibly impressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“You came.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Of course.” I make myself sound at ease. “We said just after midnight, didn’t we?”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“We did.” His chuckle is low, almost musical. “So, are you ready to see the surprise?”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Are you kidding?” My laugh echoes his own. “I’ve been waiting for this all day. It had better be worth it.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Oh, it \u003ci\u003eis\u003c\/i\u003e.” Abruptly, his expression turns more serious. “Now, you have to \u003ci\u003epromise\u003c\/i\u003e to keep this secret. I’ve never shown anyone else.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis surprises me. Dakari is, after all, attractive and popular; he has lots of friends. Lots of \u003ci\u003egirl\u003c\/i\u003e friends, specifically. “You mean, you haven’t shown anyone at all?”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“No,” he says quietly. “This is really special to me, and I . . . I guess I’ve just never really trusted someone else enough to share it.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt once, I straighten, hoping I look mature, like the kind of girl who \u003ci\u003ecan\u003c\/i\u003e be trusted. “I won’t tell anyone,” I whisper. “I promise.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Good.” Dakari winks, gesturing all around us. “Then, without further ado, here it is!”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI wait a beat before frowning, confused. Dakari’s arms are extended like he’s about to take flight, his expression absolutely jubilant. Clearly, he likes whatever he’s seeing, but \u003ci\u003eI\u003c\/i\u003e can’t see anything at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Um . . .” After a few more uncomfortable seconds, I break the silence. “Sorry, am I missing something?”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDakari glances my way, eyes dancing with amusement. “You mean you can’t feel it around us, the splendor?”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe moment the words leave his lips, there’s a thrum deep in my core. It’s like the first pluck of a kora string, and it reverberates through my entire body. And then I understand, of course. Foreigners call it \u003ci\u003emagic\u003c\/i\u003e; my people call it \u003ci\u003ethe splendor\u003c\/i\u003e. I can’t see it, but I sense it—­a great deal of it—­moving just beneath the dirt like ripples in a pond. There’s far more here than I’ve ever felt practicing with the other darajas on the temple’s lawns.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“How . . . ?” I’m afraid to even move, to disturb whatever this strange wonder is. “How is there so much of it here?”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“It’s a rare, natural occurrence, only happens once a century.” Dakari’s eyes are closed like he’s savoring a forbidden fruit. “This is why the day of the Bonding is so special, Songbird.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI look around us, astonished. “I thought the Bonding was symbolic, a day of reverence for—­”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDakari shakes his head. “It’s far more than a day for symbolism. In a few hours, an immeasurable amount of splendor will rise to the earth’s surface. The power will be glorious to behold, though I doubt most people will be able to feel it the way \u003ci\u003eyou\u003c\/i\u003e can.” He throws me a sly, knowing look. “After all, few darajas are as gifted as you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSomething pleasant squirms inside me at the compliment. Dakari isn’t like most people in Lkossa. He isn’t scared of me, or of what I can do. He isn’t intimidated by my abilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Close your eyes.” The words are less a command and more an invitation when Dakari says them. “Go on, try it.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI follow his lead and close my eyes. My bare toes wriggle, and the splendor responds as though it was only waiting for me to make the first move. It tingles as it flows through me, filling me like steeped honeybush tea poured into black porcelain. It’s \u003ci\u003edivine\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Songbird.” In my new darkness, Dakari’s voice is barely audible, but I hear the emotion in it, the \u003ci\u003ewant\u003c\/i\u003e. “Open your eyes.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI do, and the breath leaves my body.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eConcentrated particles of the splendor are floating around us, sparkling like diamonds turned to dust. I feel a million of their tiny pulses in the air, and in the moment their collective heartbeat finds my own, I also feel a distinct sense of connection to them. The red dirt at my feet shifts as more of it rises from the ground, dancing up my limbs and seeping into my very bones. A current of its energy runs the length of me, intoxicating. I instantly crave more of it. Beside me, something tickles my ear. Dakari. I hadn’t noticed him moving closer to me. When he leans in and one hand finds the small of my back, I barely resist a shiver.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Imagine what you could do with this.” His fingers interlaced with mine are warm, his lips soft against my cheek. I think of them, so close to my own, and forget how to breathe. “Imagine what you could make people \u003ci\u003esee\u003c\/i\u003e with this kind of power. You could show everyone that the splendor isn’t dangerous, just misunderstood. You could prove they were wrong about everything, about \u003ci\u003eyou\u003c\/i\u003e.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eYou could prove they were wrong.\u003c\/i\u003e I swallow, remembering. The memories come in an onslaught—­the brothers of the temple and their scoldings, the children who run when they see me, the gossiping elders. I think of Mama and Baba back home in their bed, fast asleep. My parents love me, I know, but even they whisper to each other when they think I’m not listening. Everyone is afraid of me and of what I can do, but Dakari . . . He isn’t afraid. He’s believed in me all along. He was the first person to really see all of me. In his eyes, I’m not a girl to be chastised but a woman to be respected. He understands me, he \u003ci\u003egets\u003c\/i\u003e me, he loves me.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI love \u003ci\u003ehim\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe splendor before us has taken clearer shape now, forming a towering column of white-­gold light that seems to stretch into a realm beyond the sky. It emits a low hum. I could touch it if I reached out. I start to, when—­\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Adiah!”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA different voice fractures the peace—­one full of fear—­and I tear my gaze away from the splendor. Dakari’s hand tightens around mine, but I pull away and search the clearing around us until I find a skinny boy in a dirt-­smudged tunic. His short dreadlocks are bed-­tousled, and he’s standing yards away with the city at his back, holding his knees like he’s been running. I didn’t see him arrive, and I don’t know how long he’s been here. His eyes are wide with horror. He knows me, and I know him.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTao.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Adiah.” My best friend doesn’t call me Songbird—­he uses my real name. His voice is hoarse, desperate. “Please don’t touch it. It’s . . . it’s dangerous.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTao loves me too, and in a way I love him back. He is smart and funny and kind. He’s been like a brother to me all my life. I hate hurting him. I hate that we haven’t been speaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“I—­” Something catches in my throat, and Tao’s words echo in the space between us. \u003ci\u003eDangerous.\u003c\/i\u003e He doesn’t want me to touch the splendor because he thinks it’s dangerous. He thinks \u003ci\u003eI’m\u003c\/i\u003e dangerous, just like everyone else does. But he doesn’t understand, he doesn’t get it. Dakari hasn’t said anything, but now \u003ci\u003ehis\u003c\/i\u003e voice fills my head.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eYou could prove they were wrong.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI realize I can, and I \u003ci\u003ewill\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“I’m sorry.” The words leave me, but they’re swallowed by the sudden roar of the splendor. The column has grown bigger and louder; it drowns out Tao’s reply. I watch the light of it illuminate his face, the tears on his cheeks, and try to ease that same pang in my chest. My friend knows I’ve made my choice. Perhaps it doesn’t matter now, but I hope one day he’ll forgive me.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI close my eyes again as my fingers reach to brush the closest fragments of the splendor. This time, at my touch, they course through my veins in an eager, heady rush. My eyes open wide as they consume me, the wonder of it so enthralling that I barely register the pain until it’s too late.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nancy Paulsen Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46301294067941,"sku":"NP9780593405703","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780593405703.jpg?v=1767722305","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/beasts-of-prey-isbn-9780593405703","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}