Set against a backdrop of a Utopian community resistant to outsiders, the story follows an ex-soothsayer and a stranded scholar of curses. Together, they challenge the established norms and confront the community's disdain for refugees. Their journey intertwines themes of acceptance, identity, and the power of knowledge, as they navigate a world that is both enchanting and hostile.
Kalyna’s family possesses the Gift, enabling them to see and predict the future, a legacy they’ve upheld while traveling the four kingdoms of Tetrarchia as soothsayers. However, Kalyna was born without this Gift. For years, she has supported her delusional father and cruel grandmother by using her wits to fabricate prophecies, but survival is becoming increasingly difficult. Her situation worsens when Lenz, the spymaster for the prince of Rotfelsen, kidnaps her to exploit her reputation. He demands she use her skills to uncover threats against the king, holding her family hostage to ensure her compliance. As she navigates the treacherous politics of Rotfelsen, Kalyna's investigative abilities are put to the test. The conspiracy she uncovers poses a danger not only to the king but to all four monarchs of Tetrarchia, coinciding with her father's ominous prophecy of their downfall during the upcoming Council of Barbarians. Determined to protect her family and newfound allies, Kalyna must confront the palace intrigue while questioning whether her manipulations will avert disaster or contribute to it.