She has lived in the shadows her entire life. She has traveled the Shadow Realm, can command its energy, and she now lives in the shadows of her power, in the shadows of her past. She was content to stay there, content to stay out of the world of the Naga, beings who once possessed the ability to transform into giant cobras. Their animal spirits, their home, were cursed long ago. When she is chosen to perform the Ascension, a ceremony that will allow the Royal Heir to come into his full power and restore their life force, she is forced out of the shadows. But something went wrong, and the Naga's chance for survival is stolen away. And now lies with a certain thief. This is the story of a girl who's lived her entire life in darkness, and this is the story of how she finally stepped into the light.