Being marked is a curse. Being a Riorson? A death sentence. Verena Riorson-sister to Xaden Riorson, daughter of Fen Riorson, the kingdom's most hated traitor-wasn't raised, she was reforged. Life didn't just shove her down-it beat her bloody and taught her to crawl in silence. Mercy? That word died the day her father did. After the execution, she wasn't fostered with a kind family like the others. No, the kingdom handed her over to the Velmires-a family that worshipped loyalty and burned hatred into the bones of every Marked child they touched. They didn't just punish her for her bloodline. They broke her for it. Rebuilt her into a weapon so sharp, even the gods would flinch. She begged once. Covered in blood, trembling on her knees, she whispered for mercy. The Velmires taught her what a mistake that was. She never asked again. Now she wears her scars like armor. Each mark carved into her back is proof that she survived the kind of hell no one walked out of whole. And Xaden? Her beloved older brother? He never came. Never searched. Never cared. Not until it was too late. The little sister he remembered-the kind-hearted, bright-eyed girl who clung to his hand-is long dead. In her place stands something else. Something colder. Stronger. Unforgiving. She's done hiding the monster they created. Done pretending the fire inside her wasn't born to burn kingdoms down. Verena Riorson has come to remind them all why they should've killed her when they had the chance. And gods help the ones who ever thought they broke her-because now? She's the storm they'll never survive.