Yana Pauvel

Vlada has always believed she was just an ordinary human. Since childhood, she has been frail and distant, living on the margins of society. But what if her sickness hides a darker truth — and her blood itself holds the key to it? As she unravels the mystery of her origin and faces the trials that await, Vlada will discover where she truly belongs. Yet every truth has its price.

Forty years before the founding of Vilkhferm, the Holy Kingdom of Lyra was conquered, and its population began to be mercilessly exterminated. The only state that agreed to accept non-humans on its territory was Okta. In return, the High Priest of Lyra shared with the king the secret of soul relocation. This is how the Department of Restless Souls was established. And of course, Andrei had to go and get a job there. Everything might have been fine, if she hadn’t accidentally overheard a secret conversation. And as we know, witnesses don’t live long. But our heroine is clever and resourceful, and she managed to avoid an early reunion with her ancestors. And the fact that she now has to live in a new body, under a different name — well, that’s just a detail.

The adventures of the young leira are far from over. The mysterious killer is still at large. But now she will have to fight not only him. The secret she had so carefully hidden has been revealed. There is nowhere to escape prying eyes. And the emperor’s attention is not just bewildering — it is frightening. How far will young Mell go to defend her independence, and what else will she have to endure on her path to the truth?

It’s hard not to be tempted when, instead of a well-deserved punishment, you’re offered nothing more than to take part in an innocent adventure. Yet, deals with dark forces — especially with demons — have never brought anyone any good.