あらすじ
Aven survives by lies and thieving. Her home is the sprawling southern divide, ruled by gangs and vicious fighting. Her gang, Shaded Jackal, is the only family she's known. One fateful decision throws her into the path of another daring, enigmatic thief who is hiding many secrets. Only Mannen is no ordinary thief. His heritage is a mystery, and his secrets are dark and deadly. And it seems Aven has caught his eye. With the selection festivities approaching, foreign princes and dignitaries flood into Fairfell, each hoping to win the princess's hand. And Mannen is determined to out-compete them all. Aven should not risk her life facing the gang lord, Arledge, during the culling trials. Nor should she become a pawn to the powerful priestess cast, the Jusunity, all for a man hoping to marry the princess. But as a street girl, she has little power over her life. And even less power over Mannen, who appears as equally determine to make her his.Then Aven makes a terrible mistake, one that links her to Mannen in a way she cannot escape, and throws her deep into the hidden lies and deceit of many powerful people who wish to manipulate her for their own gain. Not least of them, Mannen. All because she tried to protect her family. Though Aven is skilled at surviving all her terrible mistakes, this time she may lose the two things she protects the most: her freedom and her heart?
