Irisa is a spy, and a warrior, not an assassin. But when Lord Travan offers to pay her 600 crowns to poison the legendary Helvera general, she finds herself willing to explore other career choices. Her plans seem to flow smoothly, until she and her companion Fang are recognized on her path out of the castle. Irisa is forced to flee her own hanging, dodge an arrogant lord and stay hidden from the Ragatorum, all while attempting not to be caught and killed for murder. *** All Salem has ever wanted is to be acknowledged. He has lived his life in shadows; the shadow of his father, the shadow of an empire, the shadow of the castle-cave he calls home. When Salem is informed of his father's death, he can't bring himself to mourn. Elated by the destruction of the general's dark presence, Salem immediately swears to seek revenge. After all, that is what the lords would expect of him. But when Salem's actions begin to show a darker purpose, will he be revealed? Irisa and Salem's stories soon begin to twist around each other, a story of power, struggle, and secret deals made in the darkest of nights. In a world of magic and mystery, survival for one means the death of another. When one of them steps, the world trembles to its roots.