Sharakhai, the fantastic city of the desert, center of commerce and tradition, continues to be ruled from time immemorial by 12 kings-cruel, ruthless, powerful, and immortal.

With their army of Silver Spears, their elite company of Blade Maidens, and their holy defenders, the terrifying asirim, the Kings uphold their positions as undisputed, invincible lords from the desert. There is absolutely no hope of independence for any under their guideline.

Or so it appears, until Çeda, a brave young woman in the western end slums, defies the Kings’ laws by going outside over the holy nights Beht Zha’ir. What she learns that night units her on the route that winds through both terrible truths of the Kings’ mysterious history and the concealed riddles of her very own heritage.

Collectively, these secrets could finally break the iron grip of the Kings’ power…if the nigh-omnipotent Kings don’t discover her first.