073 — Book Two: The Face They Would Regret

Ruthless political fixer Clay Harker used a magical mask to become Claire Chen, an improvised identity, to slip back into politics. After both helping and hurting the campaign that elected Elaine Porter governor of Iowa, Claire Chen has been cast out and into the life waiting after it.

Now she is on her own, trying to survive the life she previously spent every relationship she had avoiding.

She has no real identification, no work history, no address that can withstand scrutiny. Luke Sullivan might still be able to offer love, shelter, and a belief in Claire that the state does not share… if he can forgive her. But after turning dependence into leverage before, Claire cannot tell whether accepting his help would be trust or simply a kinder cage.

Vivian Shaw offers another way: legitimate papers, paid work, and a place inside the brutal transition war already forming around Porter’s victory. 

The price is Claire’s talent.