Overview

Aven has known he was broken since the terrible night when he came into his magic - with deadly results. He's lived alone in the woods ever since, only coming into contact with other people when absolutely necessary. But even that proves to be too much when the local villagers decide he's the cause of the misfortune stalking them and hire a strange newcomer named Leoric to kill him.

Leo isn't a hardened mercenary; he's just a shattered man who has been wandering alone for far too long. His weak determination to kill the dangerous mage vanishes when he realizes he's his long-lost childhood friend, someone Leo long ago swore to protect. Aven doesn't trust easily, but he still trusts Leo - and he's willing to work with Leo long enough to figure out what's really hunting the village.

Their fragile partnership slowly grows into something stronger, but Leo is still too used to running from a fight, and Aven's been in one his whole life. He and his terrible power have broken everything he's ever touched - it's only a matter of time until he breaks this, too.