Mara has no memory of life before her assassin training behind the fortress-like walls of Tchu-Morrokhai, which has been her world since she was five. Practicing discipline and strategy, sacrifice and solitude, she has dedicated herself to resisting the Divine Empress's plans of eradicating the all-but-forgotten magic. She longs for a world once again filled with magic - and freedom and love. In Velingard, Livya is the privileged daughter of the scientist whose invention of an indestructible new metal was the catalyst for a great revolution. But when an invite to a secret salon leads to a kidnapping attempt, Livya is suddenly on the run - with the aid of charming con man Kaian. Captain Fonde has served Velingard faithfully in the 20 years since the revolution, and all has been peaceful ... until now, when he's informed that their 'indestructible' metal is inexplicably starting to crumble. Ships, bridges, buildings, - their entire post-revolution world is literally about to come apart. Is there something darker - evil, ancient, inhuman - at play?
