When your father is a court shenmi, and you’re the only one who wasn’t burned in the Empire’s purge of mages, life should seem wonderful. Even the Emperor favors your family—pick any path you want, Qin Kan. Just don’t forget that you are the son of a cursed one. No one will shake your hand, no one will offer you a shoulder to lean on, and in the basement of your home—crushed bones and a Shadow that waits to collect the price for stolen powers. And you have no weapon against it.