Sometimes your instincts are what keep you alive. With her triumphant return to the Vorpmasian Empire, Arianna finds herself forced to adjust to her new "normal." Though she's won the favor of her peers and has begun growing closer to her would-be partner, Nalithor, her relationship with Darius has deteriorated. Maintaining her role as a good sister grows increasingly difficult as Darius, too, turns his obsessive affection toward Nalithor. Nalithor, having come to accept Arianna's identity and his attraction to her, resolves to claim her for himself. With the celebration of their successful hunt opening new doorways, Nalithor commits himself to the chase. Nothing will stand in Nalithor's way. Especially not those who want Arianna dead.