One ship. One survivor. An entire galaxy in pursuit.

Thousands of cycles ago, the Haruspii ascended out of their mortal flesh—or so the legend says. Since then, they have created the Sphere: a political ensemble comprising their vassal factions, whose ruling classes get regular rejuvenations in exchange for keeping the peace. Immortality for harmony. Not a bad deal. 

But war may not be a thing of the past after all, for when mysterious newcomers establish a blockade around Earth, the rejuvenations fade out. Now the Haruspii’s leverage is gone and everyone knows why they declared Earth their exclusive domain: they needed living humans to perform their magic. 

So when humanity, oblivious to the existence of the Sphere, sends a colony ship past the blockade, all hell breaks loose. The ship is destroyed and its sole survivor, 23-year-old Anna, becomes the most sought-after commodity in the Galactic Arm.

Whoever brings her first to the Haruspii might benefit from one last bit of eternity.