An unexpected move could place Sera in check… or will it be checkmate?

A strange beast stalks unfashionable Southwark, taking victims in a horrific fashion. Naturally, the Mage Council sends Sera to track the supernatural killer, while pressuring her to marry one of their hand-picked suitors.

With few clues as to whether the latest victim was targeted or if it was a random crime of opportunity, Sera casts a remembrance spell that brings to the surface a similar crime. Set on the trail of a decades-old curse that may have resulted in fatal consequences, Sera stumbles upon a tingle of familiar magic. Finally, she unravels long-buried secrets about her history.

Then, from the shadows, her opponent steps forward and makes a move. But with Sera distracted by revelations from her past, she could be in a deadly checkmate…