Ciress is a world where magic reigns supreme, a way of life for all. One of the few exceptions is Giselle Villard a socialite more interested in the latest party than the latest incantation. Giselle's older sister Genevive couldn't be more different. As different as Giselle is irresponsible, Genevive has dedicated herself to the study of magic and stands at the brink of her life's goal - becoming master of the Noveau Guild, on of seven magical guilds that safeguard and rule Ciress.

For decades now, the five human wolds of the Planetary Union have been at war with the Saurians of Tcharun. Samandahl Rey and Royla Sintor were soldiers in the human army. Budget Cuts have left veterans like Sam and Roiya out of work. Sam is also a political liability, since the Saurian prince Tchlusarud holds a personal grudge against him.

During a surprise attack, Roiya is mortally injured and a mysterious Saurian places a strange symbol on Sam's chest. Sam's grief over Roiya's injury causes the symbol on his chest to explode with power and as they escape something strange happens to Roiya.

Ethan is the youngest prince of the Heron Dynasty, traditional rulers of the Western Kingdom of the world of Avalon. On his twenty-first birthday, the day a boy moves from adolescence to manhood, Ethan takes part in the annual Tournament of Ritual Combat.

Prior to the combat and unknown to Ethan a cloaked stranger had imprinted Ethan with a sigil, a mysterious mark of power. Though valiant in his combat Ethan was overmatched by the brutal Bron but on the brink of defeat, the sigil grants him the might to defeat Bron but in doing so he cuts Bron's face leaving an unhealable scar, violating tournament etiquette and earning the wrath of Bron.

Meridian is the home of 16-year-old daughterSephie the and her father Minister Turos. All her life has been spent being groomed to take over as ruler of Meridian.

During a meeting between Turos and his ruthless brother Ilahn, ruler of neighboring Cadador, the two are engulfed by a light and leaving them each marked with mysterios sigils. The shock is too much for Turos who suffers a fatal heart atack. As Sephie grieves over her father's body she finds his sigil has passed to her.

Now Ilahn has control of Meridian and Sephie may not survive long enough too learn what the sigil means.