The Kingdom of Luka is controlled by the decrees of God-King Eliezer. Break one and become a twisted monster or serve forever, loyal to the crown. From the author of Frith Chronicles and Star Marque Rising, comes a new fantasy epic. When God-King Eliezer utters a decree, it's the law of the land, no matter how subtle or outrageous. Those who break the decrees suffer the god-king's curse-their bodies twist into nightmarish monsters of devastation and hunger, forever a blight upon humanity. The magic knows when a decree is violated, the moment it happens. There are no exceptions. No loopholes. No escape. Artemisia, a mysterious girl on the run from God-King Eliezer's Holy Guard, is cursed and doesn't know why. Fortunately, she has yet to change into a fell beast, but that isn't a comfort. She could transform at any moment, and the resulting monster would destroy everything she cares for. Desperate and fearful, Artemisia finds herself captured by a group of monster hunters led by Rylion Nasos, a man of superhuman strength and skill. When Artemisia displays magic of her own-magic that threatens God-King Eliezer's rule-an agreement is made to confront the crown, despite the horrors it could unleash. Cursed be the man who disobeys the god-king's direct command.