Brama was once a thief who dreamed of riches. Now he’s the Torn Man, a broken soul who could have all the riches he wants, except he no longer yearns for it. He’s chosen instead to live his life in the poorest quarter of Sharakhai with the very creature who tortured him mercilessly, a powerful ehrekh known as Rümayesh.

Brama’s life changes forever when he meets Jax, a foreign noble hoping to escape the assassins sent to kill her and her brother. Brama has feared to use Rümayesh’s power, but asks her now to help save Jax from her fate. Rümayesh, who seems curiously fascinated by Jax, agrees.

Brama has little time to wonder over Rümayesh’s sudden and unexpected interest, for his fate soon becomes entangled with Jax’s. As the assassins close in, Brama fights to save both Jax and her errant brother, preventing him from focusing on what may be the biggest threat of all: Rümayesh herself.