It's the event of the generation, the century, the millennium: the lowest of low tides laying bare the original streets of Tarry-by-the-Sea for the first time in living memory. Sea creatures splash for cover as the city's human residents descend for an epic, once-in-a-lifetime party-though a dark electricity sizzles beneath the revelry.

A mysterious game has been announced, this night only, and Adria is one of many hopefuls drawn to the promise of fortune. She has her father's ashes in her pack, hard-fought freedom in her future, and the growing suspicion in her mind that something alarmingly alien lurks in the City-beneath-the-City.

She's right. And I'm nearly ready to introduce myself-assuming I can survive the night.