Kevlin just wants a quiet place to start a new life and leave his mercenary past behind. He’s not going to find it. In a remote wilderness, Kevlin stumbles into a deadly magical duel that seals his fate to a dying sentinel. That man is the guardian of a mighty talisman that secures the empire's magical defenses. Kevlin knows enough to fear magic, but who wants to be known as the guy who gave the enemy their big chance? So he takes the talisman before the enemy can steal it. Yeah, it’s even worse than he feared. That act plunges him into a world of devious gods, mighty heroes, and political intrigue. And lots of magic. He wasn’t nearly frightened enough. Discarding the talisman will only get him killed but keeping it might be worse. With the fate of the empire hanging in the balance, Kevlin is hunted by soul-stealing sorcerers, deadly monsters, and a near-invincible disciple of the god of War, whose master intends to enslave Kevlin's soul and unleash never-ending warfare upon the world. Over his dead body. Well, dying might not be enough to stop a god. Even when powerful allies flock to his aid, their murky agendas and conflicting priorities might kill him before any of his enemies can. That artifact that terrifies him to the core does have enormous power.  Maybe enough to give him an edge. Except Kevlin has no gift for magic. Without it, he cannot hope to survive. Trying to unlock it anyway might cost him his soul and transform him into the worst monster of all.