Mara is the city's strongest Tamer, breaking the fiercest shifters. Cassius delivers Sylas—the “unbreakable” Serpent King. She tames him, but the silver mark he leaves on her neck deepens—a mate bond. When enforcers come to expose her as human, Sylas kisses the mark and whispers: “I've known you're human since you saved me.” He orchestrated everything just to reach her. But Kit the fox betrays her. Hunters attack. Sylas goes feral, then imprisons her on an island tower. She says: “Open the door. Then beg me to stay. It's the only thing you can do.”