Witching World

In nineteenth century Norland, magic is forbidden, punishable by death. But it's coming for Clara. Clara was born to the nobility at a time when rank and power are often more valuable than the bonds of family. Her parents have plans for her, none that she wants, all involving her arranged marriage. From her birth, her entire life has been planned out-only what a future wife in society needs to know. Every step of her path is meant to end with her walking down an aisle and then popping out heirs.

A prodigy pygmy owl. A possessive firedrake. A booby-trapped castle. Gargoyles come to life. Who said magic would be ordinary? No one can access magic like Clara, but her powers are unpredictable and dangerous. She has to learn how to control them.

Clara barely survived the dark force that attacked Irele Castle. One of her teachers didn't. But the number of dark magicians hunting her and her friends has only increased. She still doesn't understand the extent of her powers, and her foes are cutting off every opportunity for her to discover it. As if the immortal count weren't terrifying enough, now Clara's former fiance and a magician she believed dead have combined their efforts to kill her. And it gets worse. The Merqueen's already stolen three years of Clara's life. But she wants more, and she's as powerful as the count.

The immortal Count Washur has been waiting for Clara to grow more powerful to collect her soul. Now he's after her. Washur Castle comes alive with dark magic while it carries out the Count's attack. Clara knows it's a trap, but she goes anyway because he has something—someone—she can't bear to lose. Clara and her friends are strong, and their magic is stronger. But with their forces divided, can they overcome monsters and deadly illusions?

When the two most feared magicians of the underworld band to hunt Clara, she needs to be able to count on her friends. But that's difficult to do when she's surrounded by masters of illusion, who can bend reality as easily as they bend truth. The immortal Count and the dark Merqueen don't play by anyone's rules but their own. And when they turn to forbidden magic, Clara must decide what she's willing to sacrifice to survive.

The immortal Count and the dark Merqueen haven't managed to claim Clara or her powers—yet. Even with their personal magic bound, they're hunting Clara with more force than she knows how to handle. They contain the magic of the hundreds of souls they've drained. Clara has her own power, one they haven't been able to touch, a secret binding element that gives life to all magic. She's stronger than ever, with a love great enough to dismantle the Count and Merqueen's devastating illusions. But when you love as fiercely as Clara, you have too much to lose.