The Memories of Pabi Ae

Book excerpt: My name is Pabi Ae. I forget. That’s what I do. So before I forget again, before these events of my life fade, turning from history in legend, I have committed them here to ink as best as I can. My tale happened not long ago, when the undying Phoenix Emperor still sat upon his throne, ruling his ever diminishing empire as if it would last forever. But the gods look down on all things forever, and they raised a personified storm to change this world. I served her, the Storm, Targa Tik, carried along in her wake as flotsam and jetsam washed up onto the shore. I was her maid, and my duty was to clean up her messes, ones measured in blood and immortal lives, but that’s not what I wanted. What I wanted was a boy of my own, some friendly shadows, and a real family. All I had to do was quit before she killed again.