She is what he has been hunting for all his life. He is what she has been pretending to be all her life. Only the extraordinary has a place in the kingdom of Ilya - exceptional, empowered, Elite.

The abilities that the Elites have had for several decades were graciously bestowed upon them by the Plague, but not everyone was lucky enough to survive the disease and receive the reward. Those who were born Ordinary are exactly that - ordinary. And when the king decreed that all Commons be banished in order to preserve his Elite society, lack of ability suddenly became a crime, making Paidin Gray a criminal by fate and a thief by necessity.

Surviving in the slums as a Common is no easy task, and Paidin knows this better than most. Trained since childhood by her father to be hyper-observant, she poses as a Psychic in a crowded city, doing her best to mingle with the Elites in order to stay alive and out of trouble. Easier said than done.

When Paideen unsuspectingly rescues one of Illya's princes, she finds herself drawn into the Trials of the Purge. The brutal competition is held to demonstrate the strength of the Elites - exactly what the Paedeen lacks. If the Trials themselves and the opponents within them do not kill her, then the prince with whom she struggles with feelings will certainly do it if he finds out who she is - completely Ordinary.