Influence

"It's not a coup. I'm the only person here who knows anything about plagues."

Life is not going well for translator Nimorodel Aklan. For starters, the King and Queen of her country are sick with the plague. The tyrant Argenta Cain - the only one who knows she's dealing with more than bad horoscopes - has stepped in. She's far too comfortable in her job as Emergency Council Leader, and Nimorodel seems to be the only person trying to do anything about it. Her only helper is a teenage boy who's mind really isn't on the job, and Argenta's right hand woman Analise, who is keeping something from Nimorodel.

Worst of all, her crush went on an expedition a year ago. She hasn't seen him since.