“Girl,” the voice said, “this old man only wishes to teach you, to make you strong. That would benefit us as well. You’re special. You’re worthy of my instruction. Once you understand us, you might even serve as our hand in the world beyond.”0

“Are you hiding in one of the coffins, talking to me from there?” Sheng'er asked.0

At her word, crows came flurrying down and settled across the coffin lids.0

There were only a little over 8,000 coffins here; soon the birds had every single one under watch, eyes fixed on the sleeping gods within.0

Even a god would struggle to speak here without a ripple. Under so many stares, the slightest stir would give the talker away.0

Whether it was truly a god, Sheng'er couldn’t be sure. She was testing a hunch.0

“Say one more thing,” she coaxed....0