The Traitor Baru Cormorant (The Masquerade, #1)

by Seth Dickinson

“What use is noble blood to them? I only needed one letter to destroy their wealth, and I am—” She touched her own cheekbones, the bridge of her nose. “Vulgar.” The actress raised a hand, gestured with two fingers, a motion of decisive negation. “No. They still have wealth.” “Not in my books.” “Then your books are incomplete.”

“You are my sworn instrument, my best weapon,” she hissed, with all the furious strength she could manage. It was a lie, in that it concealed the truth; but it was also true.