Spin of Fate

Prologue
A Flash of White

A sharp twang pulled Aina from troubled dreams. She staggered to her feet, ignoring the pro­test of her muscles as she grabbed her bow and slung a quiver across her back. Razor wire hung across the craggy walls like the web of some monstrous spider. One of the trip wires stretched taut. Aina followed its trembling path out of the cave and into the moonless night.
Her mother whittled a thumb-sized stone by the fire, her back rigid as a blade. What are you doing up so early? she barked without looking up from her task.
Aina watched, transfixed, as her mother ran a finger over the stone, caressing away tiny chunks as if they were carved at knife­point. But her mother had never needed a knife. Not when she could shape the world around her through channeling. The stone figure took on the form of a horned monkey with spines that glinted in the firelight.
Will you give me that once you re done? Aina asked. I want to add it to my collection.
I ll give you a tight slap if you don t go back to sleep. You ll never learn to channel without proper rest.
Something triggered one of my trip wires Aina had barely gotten the words out when her mother sprang to her feet with a curse. I meant a wild animal, Mama. The wire s intact; it would ve snapped under the weight of a human.
Say that part first, idiot girl, her mother scolded before set­tling back by the fire.
Aina ignored the withering glare cast her way. The trip wires hardly mattered, given that her mother had channeled a protec­tive shield around their hideout. Kaldrav s stupid soldiers would bounce right off it if they approached, alerting her of their pres­ence. And providing her mother s inexhaustible wrath with another target, for a change.
And where the blazes do you think you re going? her mother demanded.
To get us some food. I m starving, Mama. That s why I can t channel properly.
Her mother made to stand again, but Aina placed a hand on her arm. Under

Ambika Vora-Nagino (writing as A. A. Vora) was born in Mumbai, India. After receiving her Bachelor’s from Princeton University and her Master’s from the University of Cambridge, Ambika moved to Tokyo, Japan, where she currently lives with her husband, newborn, and spitz dog Fëanor. Outside writing, she works at a multinational pharmaceutical company, where she focuses on digital transformation strategy and change management.

Praise for SPIN OF FATE

"Epic battles, a distinctive magic system, and moral ambiguity will engage fantasy readers seeking a new high-stakes adventure. . . . An exhilarating series opener." Kirkus, starred review

"Vora s trilogy opener is sprawling, energetic, and complex, featuring memorable characters, dynamic magical feats, and bizarre monsters. . . . A wholly original and engaging adventure." Publishers Weekly