Chapter Two: Thirteen at Midnight

Gu seized her shoulder as Wen Qi overturned the table. Silver plates, glasses, and dark broth flew. All twelve guests lunged for the thirteenth setting, moving so quickly they became afterimages. In the chaos, the jelly marked Elder Sister struck Zhiwei's lips. She gasped on instinct. Sweetness exploded across her tongue. Then she heard Zhixia speak clearly inside her skull: “Don't trust the version of you in the mirror.”