Years ago, Ava left most of her friends and foes behind to learn legendary, dangerous, and sometimes forbidden magic from the dragon. Only Ry went with her, and only because he'd been demon-touched. But when she and Ry fought, she said things she shouldn't have, and he fled the country. Now she's following him home to Crowns Peak.
In a city that's both achingly familiar and yet darkly different from the one she'd left behind, Ava meets all her old friends, now settled in their new lives without her: King Braedon and Queen Pamla, the monarchs desperate to keep their city safe and their daughter out of harm's way; Jon and James, the guardsmen sworn to uphold the law; Headmistress DuCharme, former mentor and confidante now turned bitter and mistrustful; and Dirk, the old friend and, perhaps, if the gods smile upon Ava, something more...
But a new shadow has landed in Crowns Peak along with Ava, and innocents are dying one by one. Is it Ry, grown unhinged with his demon-born power? Is it an old foe, taking cold-burning revenge? Or is it some other force of corruption seeking a way to the surface?
With two young apprentices to protect in addition to all the people she loves, and an ever-suspicious tail just waiting for her to make a mistake, Ava's will and new skills will be tested to their utter limits as she struggles to save her erstwhile home from disaster.