Nefri is a princess of Khemtesh, the prosperous empire of dark, fertile land that follows the great River. Despite the apparent perfection of palace life, Nefri's family is not at peace. One of her brothers is a reclusive sorcerer who has cut himself off from most human contact. Nefri is one of the few people who can speak to him, and she's afraid to do so. Nefri's other older brother is charming, well-liked, and in line for the throne-but his uncle the Emperor has the final say on inheritance, and he hasn't yet spoken. Tensions are on the rise. A catastrophe, a death, and Nefri's world is changed. Somewhere, there is something evil stalking Nefri's family. She will have to work out who and what it is if she wants to save herself, her family, and her Empire. But first she has to figure out who she can really trust. This story will update on Tuesday and Friday until finished. Warnings for animal abuse (although not animal death) and an abusive situation involving human characters.