Content Warning: This section mentions graphic violence, execution, intimate partner violence, and abuse.

Rune Winters lives in a city enforced by the Blood Guard, a regiment of soldiers tasked with hunting down and executing witches. The Blood Guard came into power two years ago when the witch queens and their council were murdered.

Rune stands at the city purging platform as an old woman is brought to the steps with her scars, which are necessary for drawing the blood required to cast their magic, on proud display. The execution is a reminder of why Rune, despite being a witch, will never scar her body to cast magic. The scars will mark her clearly as prey for the witch hunters.

Rune casts a weak mirage spell to create the illusion of her as an elderly peddler with a mule carrying goods. She visits a cottage in the forest she believes is home to Seraphine Oakes—her grandmother’s oldest friend and a powerful witch who has been in exile for nearly two decades.

Two years ago, Rune was forced to turn her grandmother in as a witch to the Republic of the Red Peace to avoid punishment. They had planned to escape together, but after getting a warning from Rune’s best friend, Alex Sharpe, that the Blood Guard was aware of the escape plan, Rune turned her in, and she was executed.