by David Niblack, Imagebase.net and “Girl silhouette in fog” by alegri, alegriphotos.com. • For Brandi and Brian John M. Ford and Emma Bull contributed enormously in suggesting characters and plot elements for this novel, but neither of them should be blamed for any shortcomings in the final work. I'm also very grateful for advice from my editor, Beth Meacham, and (in alphabetical order, because all their suggestions were wise, even if my execution was not) Michael Engelberg, Alex Epstein, Randy and Jean-Marc Lofficier, Erin Mahr, Ricardo Mestres, Kay Reindl, Terry Rossio, and Marv Wolfman. And everything I write owes something to my fellow members, past and present, of the Scribblies: Steven Brust, Nathan C. Bucklin, Raphael Carter, Kara Dalkey, Pamela Dean, Patrcia C. Wrede, and the already mentioned (but never mentioned too often) Emma Bull. • Chapter One Zoe Domingo walked into my life in the back room of a casino on the edge of Crittertown. If I hadn't had my mind on more important things, I would've turned and looked when a woman asked in a voice like a husky purr, "Chase Maxwell?
