The Holdfasts of Lostwell are scattered. Sable, injured by Belinda, hides among the wild dragons of the Catacombs, while they plot to drive her and Maddie out. Taken by the former God-Queen of Tara, Kelsey faces a life in captivity, alongside Aila; while Corthie lies sick and broken-his dreams of destiny in tatters, his hopes in ruins. All that stands between the Ascendants and victory is Belinda, who faces her own struggles as she attempts to keep her resistance a secret. Battling her fears, only she has the power to free the land where once she was queen.