Tatiana Valentine's twin sister, Katarina proves just how different twins can be. A dour, intense teenager, she seems to find some genuine happiness in her almost theatrical misery. Once—growing up in the opulence and privilege of the Oridian royal court—she may not have had a good reason to be so glum, but now that is definitely not the case.

Chased out of her home by the Oridian revolution, she now faces a hard, dangerous life as a refugee in the war-torn Pagentorn Fiefs. Unlike her sister, she lacks the tools to deal with this new existence, and it is only a matter of time until she finds a crutch: magic. The black, acrid kind of magic that can destroy you... and your family.