Kenzie, Dren, and the rest of Fifth are returning to Cholyra’s Capital for another set of Trials. This time, they carry the burden of selecting their new Champion rather than leaving it all to chance. The stakes have been raised across the board and Morrow has made it very clear he intends to win–one way or another. Kenzie quickly realizes she is tackling more than she can handle as she attempts to balance her difficult Champion, her extensive spy network, and Morrow’s not-so-subtle threats. To top it all off, she also finds herself doing what no human has done before: controlling an energy she shouldn’t even be able to feel. Dren continues to struggle with his love for Kenzie and his urge to protect her at any cost, even as she battles to do the same for him. The political landscape of Cholyra is quickly changing and Dren is forced to adapt, or he risks losing Kenzie in the fray. Cayla is fighting to find her place in this new, strange world while also redefining her relationship with a newer, more violent version of her sister. She can’t seem to stop herself from falling for the one person she should consider off-limits, even though it means she risks everyone and everything she’s gained so far. Rheya has volunteered as the Tashyan Champion. Though she is confident she will win, she hasn’t come for glory. She’s stepped into the world of Cholyra for one reason only: to kill the person who caused her sister’s death two years prior. Once more, the court of Fifth is swept up into something bigger than themselves. War is brewing and they face the very real threat that they might not all make it out alive.