The Midnight King walks Eltriar again, and the Nine Thanes must unite to defeat him.Or so Valentin Gardyner claims.Realta Haar knows better than to fall for Val's lies. She, Serena, and Chinasa have fled south, avoiding the war, but trouble follows them around every corner. And a strange young woman begins making similar claims.Meanwhile in Teyrnas, Queen Isla and the Scholar Council struggle to maintain order, turning the Academy into a new capital, while five armies surround them, closing in for the kill.And Lok and Charity uncover secrets that threaten to destroy Teyrnas from within.