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A lot can change in a week.

Seven days ago, I was just Talia — an art school drop-out with an affinity for tattoos, a hopeless crush on my boss, and a knack for finding trouble.

Now, I'm a gold-blooded, magic-harnessing, Runemaster-in-training.

The good news is, all of that has resulted in one hell of a promotion. Instead of sweeping floors, I'm sweeping swarms of venomous squatters out of castles. I've been enrolled in accelerated, hands-on rune lessons — super handy for those, like me, who are death-adverse. Oh, and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my incu-boss's upgraded benefits "package," which has been particularly generous.

Sadly, promotions aren't just about the perks. There are increased responsibilities as well: amassing a magical army alongside the newfound fae king, repairing centuries-old divisions among the Seelies and Unseelies, and vanquishing a completely unhinged demon lord whose ego may have gotten the teensiest bit damaged when I became the first woman with a pulse to ever spurn his advances (oh, and nearly kill him too).

But hey, when you're the most coveted tattoo artist in two realms, it's all in a day's work.