Weeding out your enemies from your friends can be dangerous.

After Samara makes a shocking discovery, something must be done. She can't leave the coterie, or her family will again face poverty. If she stays, she must discover who is committing these horrendous acts.

Two senior commanders who patrol the borders of the human and elven kingdoms visit. The young apprentices soon discover that these two aren't as friendly as their instructors. They employ all kinds of sadistic mind games and revel in inflicting pain. In the trials the apprentices face, lives are lost, and many more are on the line.

Friendship is found in the most unexpected places, and secrets of the coven are uncovered, creating danger for those involved—especially Samara, as she works to save Ulrieg's cousin, a special elf, and the dragons.