Ari lost everything she once loved when the Five Guilds' resistance fell to the Dragon King. Now, she uses her gift for clockwork machinery to earn a living on the black market. Cvareh would do anything to see his sister usurp the Dragon King's place on the throne, and the Alchemist Guild on Loom might hold the key. When Ari stumbles across a wounded Cvareh, she sees an opportunity to slaughter an enemy and make a profit. He sees an opportunity to navigate Loom with the best person to get him where he wants to go. He offers Ari the one thing she can't refuse: a wish of her greatest desire, if she brings him to the Alchemists of Loom. -- adapted from book jacket.