Rafe abandoned the streets years ago, but when greed, treachery, and stolen rift powers drag him back, he will do anything to survive. Anything except pacify the local lord by surrendering a child Rafe swore to protect.
Success is the sweetest revenge—if you survive long enough to enjoy it.
Rafe spent years clawing his way from the gutters to become a celebrated story-actor of the king’s court. Now he’s finally returning home—not just to bask in his triumph, but to shove it in the faces of those who once scorned him.
But, from the moment he steps off the carriage into the dust-choked streets of Cainth, nothing goes as planned.
A chance encounter pulls him into a tangled web of greed, treachery, and stolen rift powers. No problem—he’s survived worse. Surviving is what he does best.
At least, that was the plan before he saved a child and accidentally absorbed the abilities of a flamespinner.
Now, armed with powers he was never meant to have, Rafe is caught in a battle that could cost him everything.
Because in a world where survival is the only rule, caring for someone is the surest way to lose.
