The Death Bringer returns. . . . Forced from hiding, Damion Masumaite once more walks Kylir. It is a return awash in fear and speculation as his siblings and charge are mortally wounded, blackhearts once more roam Kylir, and the Darkness is on the rise. This dreadful set of circumstances is rooted deep within the Wardens' past, but what it means for the future is shrouded in shadow. Should he succeed in saving those dearest to him, he will have invaluable allies against the Darkness' machinations. Should he fail, however, the cost would be unimaginable. On the continent of Solarson, the Wardens of Light are unaware of Damion's return. Faced with the loss of two Wardens, they now seek succor for their wounds and replacements for their fallen. As they attend to this desperate need, two questions overshadow their efforts that they must answer, else the sins of the past may doom Kylir to eternal darkness - how has the Darkness once more birthed its shadow-spawned children? and just who is leading the Wardens of Shadow?