Nightingale has made it through training in the Shattered Hollows. Her relief is quickly transmuted to incredible stress when a strange man appears with an offer that might kill her to refuse. Nightingale finds herself directly implicated into the highest ranks of SAB with a powerful mentor that is as mysterious in his motives as she. Her goals to gain trust are now precariously balanced on a razor's edge: one mistake and the Seers will be further enslaved by Lorren, her people will be thrown into civil war, and her life will certainly be forfeit.
Auric immediately knows that his new mentee is far more than she lets on. His paranoia and planning now hinge on a mysterious woman with far more power than should be possible. Nightingale has proven more than capable - so much so that he can't help but wonder if she isn't a ploy sent by Magnus. As he struggles to trust the person he knows his life now depends on, Auric has to face his own vulnerabilities.
Mani is on her own, having been picked up by SunString, the very outfit Nightingale had hoped to infiltrate. Her bid for freedom has now taken on the mantle of a responsibility she never prepared for, as she finds and grasps autonomy for the first time in her life.
As truths are revealed and information slowly comes to light, the powerful forces of Magnus and Lorren begin to take effect in both SAB and the Tribes. Can humanity be united in time to save itself?
