One-tenth of the population is born with special Powers.  Some call themselves Heroes, striving to uphold justice and order. Others are branded as Villains, those who wish to twist reality according to their own nefarious needs. Paragon, queen of an empire spanning most of the known world, sits wounded upon her throne. She holds a tenuous grip on the peace she once created. Ender, the Dark Lord of Villains, is thought dead, slain by the queen upon the eve of his greatest conquest. Kiren and Lace know differently. They both know he will make another attempt to throw the empire of Aribel into chaos.  Young and untrained, their souls are entwined with one another. They have both vowed to stop Ender and his commanders. Will they be strong enough to survive? Will they be prepared for the horrors the Lord of Villains has in store for them?