After leaving the Dark Isle, Auren returns to Appolia, hoping to be reunited with her friends, Deakan and Jade, only to learn Jade had been taken by the Galvadi when Appolia was invaded. Things go from bad to worse when Auren is captured in her attempt to save her friend.The Galvadi take Auren to Nadiria, believing her to be someone else, but when she attempts to locate her father, Zain, she is detained by Makari, Drevin’s son, and her intended mate.
Makari recognizes their connection and keeps her secret, but he is determined to prove she is not the delohi-saqu through the cleansing so that he can be free to love her. When the cleansing doesn’t work, Makari decides his father was right about her being the delohi-saqu, and he becomes intent on torturing the location of the Coalition out of Auren using whatever methods necessary. Makari gets what he wants, but in the process, Auren’s spirit and will are broken, and her one request is to die to protect those she cares about.Auren’s willingness to sacrifice herself finally convinces Makari that she is not the delohi-saqu, but now it might be too late. If he can’t heal her spirit, she’ll be lost to him forever. His only chance is to go to Zain for help. If Makari can heal her, and they can all escape, the shadow stalkers will finally have their Foramar back, and Auren and Makari will be free to love each other without Drevin’s influence tainting their love.