As the dust settles over the imperial capital, Allen gains new insight into the life of Rosa Howard, the murdered mother of his first pupil. A hard-won clue sends the young tutor and his allies back to the northlands where their story began, in search of the elusive Shiki archive. The ancient knowledge it contains could finally put them a step ahead of the church. But to claim it, they’ll have to succeed where centuries of searchers have failed, and time is running out. Even the bookish Felicia leaves her desk to join the search party, bearing a message that not even she understands. Her business acumen might not amount to much in the wilderness, but her determination to help her friends—and her crush—is second to none. Yet as a grave threat looms, she finds herself wishing that she too could fight alongside everyone…
