How the hell does a physicist like Lea Daniels get dragged into a fight to defend a magical kingdom? A lousy prophecy, that's how. Grappling with her new reality, Lea must entrust her safety to Elonian warrior Nieve, whose kick-ass powers blatantly defy the laws of nature. Nieve, for her part, isn't exactly thrilled either about her role as a mentor to a "chosen one" who can't tell a sword from a hairbrush. They've barely had time to cover the rules of Elonian light magic when they're attacked from the shadows-where only the enemy dares walk. Somehow, the mismatched duo must protect Seattle, the world, and the realm beyond against the Shade king and his cut-throat army. The good news is, they're not alone. The bad news is that, as new allies assemble to join their cause, it quickly becomes clear everyone has an agenda.