The secret is out: Veronyka is the daughter of Pheronia Ashfire, the last queen of the Golden Empire--and the niece of Avalkyra Ashfire, the resurrected rebel queen who tore the empire apart. With Tristan still a hostage of the scheming Lord Rolan, and Sev with him as a spy, Veronyka feels very much alone. Except for her beloved phoenix, Xephyra, of course, and her new friend, Kade, who has his own reasons for wanting to save Tristan. When she discovers that Avalkyra has bonded with a strix, a legendary creature of darkness that feeds off the life force of others, Veronyka realizes she has more to deal with than an encroaching war with the empire. If Veronyka wants to bring peace to the empire and Pyra alike, she must face down her sister once and for all--Adapted from book jacket.