Darkness is descending upon the Martial Empire as war looms on the horizon. Helene Aquilla, the Blood Shrike, must protect her sister and the crumbling empire from the shadows within—unstable Emperor Marcus and the ruthless Commandant, Keris Veturia, who will stop at nothing to seize power.

Far away, Laia of Serra races against time to thwart the Nightbringer's devastating plans. But with unexpected enemies lurking and betrayal around every corner, she discovers that the price of stopping him may be more than she can bear.

Elias Veturius, bound as the Soul Catcher, stands at a crossroads between his duty to the living and the dead. His heart pulls him toward a love he cannot forget, even as his new role demands he let go of the life he once knew.

As their fates intertwine, an era teeters on the brink of destruction. Will they sacrifice everything to save their world, or will the darkness consume them all?