“Ashes, how did you do it?” “I’d like to say it was all my own talent, but cats are naturally modest.” — Django Wexler

‘‘This isn’t some stupid storybook where the underdog wins in the end. This is the real world. The strongest do what they want, and everyone else has to live with it. Or”—she glanced significantly at Isaac—“not.”

“The strongest don’t always get what they want,” she said to Ending. “Not when the weak can work together.”

“I wouldn’t try it,” Alice said. “They’re bigger than you are.”

“They’re all wing,” he said dismissively. “Believe me. Large birds are the natural prey of the cat.”

“Maybe once they’ve been roasted and carved,” Alice said. Ashes snorted.