"I am Ilanna, Journeyman of House Hawk. I do the impossible." A cunning thief of unrivaled ingenuity, Ilanna is determined to secure her freedom. Nothing will prevent her escape from the Night Guild's callous cruelty, not even the most powerful man in Praamis, Duke Phonnis. Commanding a crew of pickpockets, bounty hunters, poisoners, and assassins, Ilanna schemes to disgrace the Duke. She must survive blackmail, a bloodthirsty rival syndicate, and enemies within her own House to claim her vengeance for the deaths of her friends and gold to buy independence. But all Ilanna's skill may not suffice to protect the one person who matters her son.