The Guardians have returned. As Moriel's reincarnation nears, Lyr is determined to fulfil her oath: harness the power of the red shard and defeat him. But Lyr has uncovered the Empire's darkest secret - her cousin Jules still lives and the Emperor is enslaving vorakh for their forbidden magic. Now, she's vowed to bring the Empire to its knees. But freeing the realm will require more power than even Lyr and Rhyan combined possess. Their only opportunity is to make a far more sinister deal with the person who has the most to gain - and the person Rhyan trusts the least. To protect her loved ones, Lyr must master her magic or risk unleashing destruction across the Empire. It could cost her everything - her heart. And soul.