As war rages on, a runaway mercenary engages in a kill-or-be-killed mission, in the second book of this riveting dark-fantasy adventure.

Mikolai Stepanovich's days as a modest army-mechanic-turned-steam-knight are long gone. Plunged into the horrors of war after he's abandoned by his commander, Mikolai is forced to take on the new role of mercenary. And with that comes his new identity: Col. Marcus Corvus. Once, he promised to kill or die in service to the Golden Empire; now, he promises to kill or die for a fistful of coin.

Mikolai's latest assignment is to protect a Silesian noble's industrial compound, where a cannon manufacturing operation is underway. Among his troops, there's no more fearless a sniper than Katya, Mikolai's devoted bodyguard and lover, whose solo scouting mission literally cost her an arm and a leg. Now, fitted with two mechanical limbs crafted from metal, Katya appears more formidable than ever.

Mikolai, however, is burdened by secrets. He didn't just move on from the last battlefield . . . he deserted it. With the pressure of enemies closing in and the possibility of execution looming, he's already faced with incredible danger.

But there may be no greater threat to Mikolai than Katya herself. She can't abide disloyalty, and she thrills at the spilling of blood. Should Mikolai's secrets be revealed, the love of his life could very well be the death of him.

The second volume of the hit progression fantasy series―with more than a million views on Royal Road―now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!