Nineteen-year-old Nessa Thorne expects death when she volunteers for the Empire's selection. Instead, she's thrust into Confluence Academy, where students harness elemental magic and bond powerful beasts-from wolves to ancient dragons-forging themselves into the Empire's most lethal weapons.
Students are branded by water, air, earth, or fire. But Nessa's mark is different.
A silver spiral-the mark of an unbound. It's a power so dangerous that her kind were hunted to extinction centuries ago-or so the Empire claims. Nessa's greatest threat may be the only other volunteer-Raith Hollow, a powerful fire affinity whose scorching gaze follows her every move and whose secrets could topple kingdoms.
Alliances are forged in blood, enemies circle like vultures, and forbidden desires close in.
Death once seemed like release from her tragic past. Now it's not an option. Nessa will embrace her terrible potential or watch everything she's fought for burn.
At Confluence Academy, students leave as weapons ...
or they don't leave at all.
Biographical Note:
Penelope Bloom is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. After years of contemporary romance, they're temporarily trading meet-cutes for magical academies and coffee shops for castles that reek of blood. They promise the banter is just as sharp, but now it comes with deadly consequences.
When not crafting happily-ever-afters or dodging deadline dragons, you'll find them hiking mountain trails, conquering walls at the local climbing gym, or hunting down the perfect pizza slice. They live in Colorado with their two daughters and three furry co-authors (who offer questionable writing advice but excellent moral support).
