'She could hear that laughter again, and for a moment Velody was confused, not sure which dead man was mocking her.
'Velody now holds the leadership of the Creature Court. The unsteady alliances within the Court are beginning to fracture, as a series of murders and disappearances throw suspicion on one of their own. Ashiol finds Aufleur′s many festivals frivolous, until a major one is cancelled. Unease grows. It seems nothing can save the city from a massacre ... nothing but the ultimate sacrifice from one of the Creature Kings.' (From the publisher's website.)