Paula O'Keefe

The Assassin's Flute Paula O'Keefe

In an alternate Oriental past, Lord Ming's hatred for all youkai - the mischievous, enigmatic spirits of the forest - has bred a plan for revenge and a secret machine army to enforce it. But first he must convince the people of Nihan that their ancient allies have become deadly enemies. Not so easy: especially when Shao, his half-human assassin and spy, learns that his target is the Fox Queen's enchantingly beautiful grandson, Komori. Finding his first love and first chance for freedom in a new world, Shao longs to remain, but what is his master's real plan? Can he save both his own life and Komori's? Or will Komori regret the day he brought a half-human into his Grandmother's sacred forest? The Assassin's Flute is a steampunk fantasy, a supernatural boys' love romance, and a magical adventure into the mythology of a long-ago future.