Chapter Four: An Alliance of Blood Debt

Blood-moon light descended through a well-shaped vault while seven lunar shadows slowly revolved. “Guests of Everday need keep only three laws,” Pei Du said. “Never accept a second glass of blood. Never answer a stranger's call after the bell. Never give your full name to any living mouth.” “A dead mouth is acceptable?” “The dead are usually better at keeping promises.” Su Mi hugged herself. The first glass was wearing off, and red had begun to return to her eyes. Their room had no lock, but a silver bowl rested inside. Pei Du cut his palm and let three drops fall into it. “My blood will sustain her until sunrise.” Zhou Ye had warned Jianyue: to drink blood was to incur debt. “What does it cost?” “She keeps one secret for me.”