Lori M. Lee

The Soulless has woken from his hundred-year slumber, and now lurks in the Deadwood, recovering his power. Which has somehow infected Sirscha. It burns inside her and warps her lightwending. She fears the destructive ability of her Calling. But while Soulless is formidable, he's still a shaman, which means his power must be channeled through a familiar. If Sirscha can...

The Soulless is free from his centuries-long imprisonment. Now, he lurks in the Dead Wood recovering his strength, while Sirscha and her allies journey east to the shaman empire of Nuvalyn. Everyone believes she is a soulguide-a savior-but Sirscha knows the truth. She's a monster, a soulrender like the Soulless, and if anyone discovers the truth, she'll be executed. But...

Sirscha Ashwyn comes from nothing, but she's intent on becoming something. After years of training to become the queen's next royal spy, her plans are derailed when shamans attack and kill her best friend Saengo. And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life. Unveiled as the first lightwender in living memory, Sirscha is summoned to the domain of the Spider...