In Hillcrest, power is currency—and Fulminancy is its ruthless king. Underground fighting rings offer a brutal path to the top, where strength is crowned and the weak are shattered. For Kess, a cursed yet supremely talented fighter, Fulminancy isn’t a gift—it’s a gamble. Its volatile surge, tinged with whispers of madness, already cost her everything once. Born with power most would kill for, Kess should be one of Hillcrest’s rising stars. Instead, she’s branded its biggest fraud. Every battle is a perilous dance with destiny—and every misstep, a step toward oblivion. Desperate to escape a past that haunts her and a future dictated by dangerous magic, Kess stakes everything on a deadly bout against a Fulminancer, seeking the coveted escape promised by a single sash. But when her brother vanishes on that fateful night, she’s forced to unleash her hidden powers to survive—and in doing so, becomes the city’s most wanted. Her only hope lies with Rowan of Northmont, a disgraced noble inventor whose obsession with Fulminancy is as intoxicating as it is deadly. As Fulminancy unravels into chaos and the city trembles on the brink of destruction, Kess and Rowan must uncover the ancient mysteries of their capricious power before the Ashfall consumes them all. In a city where every storm might herald the end, can Kess master the magic that both damns and defines her—or will it ultimately be her undoing? A/N: While ongoing, this book and its 300k word sequel are complete, and I'll be posting chapters at a rapid rate before I move to a 5 day a week publishing schedule. I hope you enjoy!