“A poetic gem of a book that will linger in your soul long after the final page.”
XIRAN JAY ZHAO, bestselling author of Iron Widow

Perfect for fans of Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Six Crimson Cranes, this action-packed and gripping YA fantasy tells the story of a daughter determined to save her father by any means necessary – and the boy she rescues from behind enemy lines in a dangerous deal.

As a priestess paid to guide the deceased home, Kang Siying has never feared death. However, when her father collapses due to his declining health, she realizes that even she is not free from the cruel grasp of mortality. Desperate to save him, Siying accepts a dangerous job and travels through enemy territory to retrieve the corpse of a missing prince.

But the moment Siying places her talisman on the dead prince's head, he comes back to life. Unfortunately, he won't stay alive for long––not unless he absorbs enough qi, or life force, to keep his soul anchored to his body.

In exchange for a reward worth twice her original commission, Siying agrees to help him find and purify evil spirits for their qi. As they journey across the countryside, encountering vengeful ghosts and enemy spies alike, they gradually uncover dark secrets about the prince's death––secrets that could endanger both Siying's father and their entire kingdom.