Four months have passed since the shadow stone fell into
Kell's possession. Four months since his path crossed with
Delilah Bard. Four months since Rhy was wounded and the
Dane twins fell, and the stone was cast with Holland's
dying body through the rift, and into Black London.
In many ways, things have almost returned to normal,
though Rhy is more sober, and Kell is now plagued by his
guilt. Restless, and having given up smuggling, Kell is
visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to
think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks like she
always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for
the Element Games-an extravagent international competition
of magic, meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties
between neighboring countries-a certain pirate ship draws
closer, carrying old friends back into port.
But
while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills
of the Games, another London is coming back to life, and
those who were thought to be forever gone have returned.
After all, a shadow that was gone in the night reappears in
the morning, and so it seems Black London has risen
again-and so to keep magic's balance, another London must fall.