Yua has become one of the Seven, she has reached a truce with her Shadow, and nine Blood Wisps owe her their lives. But now she—and all of Midoka—has a new problem: As Yua explores the Mists with the help of her Shadow, the Dark One learns of their connection... and He sees it as the opportunity He's been waiting for to invade Midoka. Empress Nara is grateful for the coven's help, but she has yet other plans for Yua: the Blood Wisps will need help being accepted into wider society, and a Blood Wisp on the throne, married to her son, would go a long way towards lasting peace. Yua has never wanted to rule or fight in a war, but now it seems she can't escape either... and the price is high as Blood Wisps choose sides, her potential future opens a chasm between her and Aza... and the Dark One stops at nothing to prove His power. Blood will flow before a new era can begin— But whose?