Lucille Ardan died a century ago, poisoned by her Councilor, and has been bound to her deserted castle ever since. Kairen Dorn is a necromancer running from the Inquisition who needs a fortress and refuses to leave. His bargain is simple: while he stays, paladins cannot consecrate the ground, letting Lucille remain.
Beneath the cellar lies a sealed chamber of the vanished Silent, an empty pedestal, and a missing artifact. The only person who might know where it is is Kairen's supposed-dead teacher, Tevis.
As they are joined by a household of spirits, refugees, and outcasts, Lucille must decide if she stays by choice or by chain. Meanwhile, Inquisition commander Brother Adrian Solt marches on the castle, armed with absolute certainty and an army ready to cleanse every soul.
If you love: gothic ghost romance, brooding necromancer heroes, love across the boundary of life and death, and found-family fantasy with real stakes-this is your next read.