Private Kaylin Neva must deal with all of the different cultures that exist in her city as a Hawk. Sworn to maintain the Emperor's laws, she also holds a magic which baffles everyone around her. She often finds herself in trouble because of it.

Kaylin is being called upon as a lord of the Barrani court to travel far from home to listen to the a story. A story that has the power to shape those who tell it and those who hear it. This isn't the best time for her to be away. She has a strange egg incubating under her bed, the only female dragon in existence insists on sharing Kaylin's single room flat and the Foundling Home may need her assistance.

Before her departure, Kaylin learns that there are humans disappearing from Tiamaris's domain. Others have inhabitants missing but they have not been reported to the authorities. As she starts investigating the disappearances, she stumbles upon strong evidence of an outlaw Barrani magician as the source of the disturbance.

When her flat is destroyed by a bomb, the egg will hatch into a being unknown to any around her. While everyone urges her to give the creature a name, Kaylin is reluctant to do so.

Her journey is fraught with danger. The places that the Barrani normally stay on their journey are being attacked and the entire court is caught with no clear idea of what is attacking them and how to survive it. The Barrani lord hate Kaylin but cannot deny her her place. Especially when she is identified as the person who will translate the story they all travel to hear.

Ms. Sagara is incredibly talented at world building. The reader will identify with Kaylin on so many levels. Her insecurities as she deals with her violent childhood; her sarcasm as decisions are made on her behalf without her input; and her inability to stand by in the face of injustice. This latest installment of the Cast in series is just as compelling as the others. The books are hard to put down once started.