About this book:

In the perpetually shadowed city of Lumevault, orphan Lucia Mohr discovers a startling truth about herself: she wields shadow magic, a mysterious power linked to a locket—her only relic from a forgotten past. When an incident at the orphanage reveals her abilities, Lucia is thrust into a hidden world of ancient mages and clandestine brotherhoods by the enigmatic Marcus. She soon learns she is no ordinary orphan, but the inheritor of a powerful bloodline tied to the legendary Shadow Core, an artifact of immense power her parents died protecting from the ruthless Valerius Thorne and his Umbra Collective. As Lucia grapples with her newfound heritage, she must quickly master her gifts to confront the forces that threaten to plunge Lumevault into eternal darkness.

Lucia's journey accelerates from an apprentice's struggle to a high-stakes race against Thorne for the scattered shards of the Shadow Core. Aided by Marcus and a collective of wary, pragmatic mages, she infiltrates ancient libraries and hidden catacombs, unlocking powerful artifacts and deepening her connection to her unique magic. Yet, with each victory, she uncovers deeper betrayals and unearths a far more insidious enemy: Elias Thorne, the true architect of Lumevault's centuries-old magical schism. Forced to confront this ancient puppet master in a mind-bending realm of pure shadow, Lucia must fully embrace her destiny as the Shadow Core's master to heal the city's deepest wounds, confront the ultimate betrayer, and usher in a new era of balance and hope for Lumevault and beyond.