The difference between justice and revenge may come down to having a friend. The Tabbaqeran Empire is defended by the Scolate, governed by the Illiumate, guided by the Hakam; its people worship and quarrel with a thousand-thousand gods.

But there are none more revered than the masters of martial arts who serve as living cages to the Archetypes of War, primal spirits created by Chaos before the dawn of time to destroy the mortal world. A complex class system holds Qanath back from her chosen career, sitting on one of the senates.

Her mother, a Senator herself, could change that with ease; it’s a matter of convincing her. Ink drying on her diploma from Magic U, the next step in Qanath’s perfect plan is to get herself apprenticed to Xar anKebbal, the Embodiment of Vengeance.

Everyone thinks they know he stopped taking students several years ago, and she isn’t prepared to run up against the prickly, hostile foreigner who is secret heir to Xar’s Legacy. When calamity strikes, she follows her new enemy out the door without a strategy.

Havec is determined to go home, to find out who had him disappeared six years ago and punish them. Qanath can’t stand in his way; he has become Kebbal’s Embodiment and vengeance is his calling.

The border between Tabbaqera and his homeland is restive, though, tensions swelling between their peoples. They find rampaging giants, tight-lipped spies, an unnatural winter season that doesn’t want to end.

Innocents killed in the name of ambition. The cynical, bitter, frightened, angry person Qanath first met wouldn’t have been willing to involve himself.

That man refused to care about anyone else. Then he got to be friends with a stubborn young woman with a chip on her shoulder and a pocket full of crystals.

Come learn more about the power of an unexpected friendship: pick up this new adult fantasy adventure now. .