An old enemy is on the hunt… Almost two years have passed since Alyx Egalion was first sent to DarkSkull Hall to become a mage. Now a half-trained mage apprentice, Alyx wields a depth of magic that scares even the corrupt Mage Council. Summoned abruptly home, Alyx and her friends find themselves unprepared for the changes that have occurred in Rionn during their absence. Her father has lost influence at court. Lord-Mage Casovar claims to be protecting Rionn, but his new Mage Guard is harassing citizens on the street. Worse, the Shiven threat is growing, their armies building up along the Rionnan border. Invasion seems inevitable. When a Taliath is revealed, Alyx and Finn find themselves on opposing sides of a larger battle. Neither of them is willing to yield. Alyx’s special abilities make her a powerful weapon, but they also make her a threat. As darkness sinks its tendrils even deeper into Alistriem, a horrifying discovery drives Alyx and her friends even further apart. And when Alyx is offered the one thing she’s always wanted, it may require to her sacrifice everything she holds dear...