For eight hundred years, the sun has been gone, and so has mercy.

When Aelira Vane's name is called at the Blood Tithe, she knows it isn't fate. Someone wanted her inside the Crimson Sanctum, where the vampire court's trials are designed to break the chosen before they die.

Aelira was never meant to survive. But she has always been good at surviving.

Prince Velryn should be her executioner, ancient, cold, and sworn to the court. Instead, he watches her too closely. Warns her too often. Breaks rules he helped create.

As the trials turn deadlier and the court's interest sharpens, Aelira realizes the truth is being buried for a reason.

Because some blood is worth more than a crown.

And some secrets can bring an empire to its knees.