Sold into slavery at the age of sixteen, Sora serves an abusive master for ten years. Then, to deal with his debts, she finds herself at auction again. Without her youth or any sought-after skills to increase her value, her future looks bleak. Slaves like her rarely survive long, and she expects to suffer and die soon after she’s bought, either as a mine slave or in a meat bordello. Searin, Prime Son of Talin and one of two potential next monarchs, is suffering the early effects of the Fading—losing his appetite. The next step will be to lose interest in working before lying down and waiting to die. Those afflicted with the Fading are treated as if suffering from a shameful, self-inflicted disease. They’re considered weak among the Talin, where love and bonding are strictly prohibited for “the good of the species.” Searin is desperate enough to borrow his good friend’s pet human for quick cuddles to stave off the Fading. Humans are popular pets among the Talin. Perceived as weak, needy, and fragile, they’re rarely sold, even when they become old and infirm. They’re prized possessions among his species.