Contents

One

“I only want to go out for a little, little…

Two

Bryony sat back on her haunches, wiping her brow with…

Three

“You’re making that edge too thin,” said Thorn.

Four

Once Bryony had rounded out the grip and bound it…

Five

“This will hurt a little,” warned Valerian, her scissors poised…

Six

Knife lay on her bed, staring at the gnarled ceiling…

Seven

Knife woke in a cold sweat, the torn edge of…

Eight

Knife writhed away from the cat before it could pin…

Nine

“I‘ve found you a better box,” said Paul when he…

Ten

“All right,” said Knife, “I’ve finished breakfast—now will you let…

Eleven

Knife sat down cross-legged on the mattress, waiting for Paul’s…

Twelve

Outside Knife’s window the stars were beginning to fade, the…

Thirteen

Knife stared down at the wriggling, red-faced baby. “What?” she…

Fourteen

“Knife, oh, Knife, wake up, please—”

Fifteen

“For her faithful care of the Oak’s precious books and…

Sixteen

“He’s really going to take you there?” exclaimed Wink. “Knife,…

Seventeen

“And that’s where Heather’s first diary ended,” said Knife to…

Eighteen

Knife’s cheeks flamed, and her hands shook beneath the diary’s…

Nineteen

Swiping the tears from her eyes, Knife forced herself back…

Twenty

“Have you returned already?” asked Queen Amaryllis, turning in her…

Twenty-One

“No!”

Twenty-Two

Paul did not reply, but Knife could feel his pulse…