Emma Ambrose has lived a life of privilege and safety inside her father's arms ever since her mother mysteriously disappeared when she was a girl, leaving Emma bereft and lonely. The void was only filled by her father. The only one to have ever loved her. That was before, before her father was dragged away on accounts for murder and treason. Out of loyalty, Emma tries to follow her father's final instructions: never leave home and never ask questions. That is until she receives a letter from the powerful, and intimidating - she might add - Clan Leader Summer Eyes who forcibly demands Emma must come at once to pay back the debts of her father. Torn, but left without a choice Emma agrees to the terms even if she must break her father's rules. Frightened but determined she makes her way to the Capital where she is confronted with threats much bigger than she could have imagined from political games to starvation tactics, Emma scrambles to understand the world around her with only help from a stuck-up guard. Even amongst the turmoil, she feels the bliss of freedom for the first time in her life and she begins to question who the real enemy is, the powerful dignitaries playing their dangerous games her or her father.