Summary

In Chapter 1, “Mama’s Bladed Hands,” Annis’s mother Sasha took her into the woods and led her to a clearing one night. It was far from the house and their enslaver, whom they call the sire. Here, Sasha taught Annis how to fight. They fashioned spears from branches. Then Sasha told Annis about her mother, Mama Aza, “a woman warrior” (2).

Time has passed since this night, but Annis remembers it well. She remembers Sasha showing her Mama Aza’s weapons: a black whip and an ivory needle. She remembers Sasha’s stories about Mama Aza. She remembers learning to fight and returning to the cabin they share with Nan’s family. Sasha continued the lessons throughout the following months, too.

Annis and Sasha work in the manor. They tend to the sire, who Annis knows is her father. His daughters are her...