Of Sand and Malice Made (The Song of the Shattered Sands)

Ceda is the youngest pit fighter in the history of the great desert city of Sharakhai. In this brilliant new story, a prequel to Twelve Kings, she has already made her name in the arena as the fearsome, undefeated White Wolf. None but her closest friends and allies know her true identity. But this all changes when she crosses the path of Rumayesh, one of the sadistic creatures known as ehrekh which were forged long ago by the god of chaos. They are usually desert dwellers, but this one lurks in the dark corners of Sharakhai, toying with and preying on humans. As Rumayesh works to unmask the White Wolf and claim Ceda for her own, Ceda's struggle becomes a battle for her friends, her life, and her very soul.