The Metropolis still guards its secrets, but the shadows of the past are closing in on Ardan Egobar. Behind the bloody events that shook the capital of the Empire of the New Monarchy stand forces whose true faces remain hidden — and now the last of the Matabar must look into the very heart of the conspiracy. Will he have the strength, the cunning, and the loyalty of his friends to unravel someone else’s game before it is too late? In a city where every step may be your last and an ally may prove to be an enemy, Ardan will have to make a choice that means more than he can possibly imagine. The story of a young man whose fate has become entwined with the fate of an entire Empire continues. From Kirill Klevanski, the bestselling author of Dragon Heart, comes book 3 of this epic new Progression Fantasy adventure about a young wizard’s rise to power, featuring a detailed magic system, expansive world-building, slow-build power progression, epic action, and unforgettable characters.