Helene Aquilla, the Blood Shrike, will do whatever it takes to protect her sister and everyone in the Empire. But danger is everywhere. Emperor Marcus is losing control, haunted by his past and turning more violent by the day. At the same time, the ruthless Commandant, Keris Veturia, is using his weakness to gain more power—no matter who gets hurt.

Meanwhile, far away in the East, Laia of Serra knows the real threat isn’t in the Empire’s court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. On her journey to find and defeat him, she runs into enemies in places she didn’t expect—and finds herself in a fight she never planned for.

In the realm between life and death, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as the Soul Catcher. But the ancient power he serves wants all of him—his time, his soul, even if it means walking away from the woman he still loves.