Now in paperback Celaena Sardothien is young, beautiful and condemned to death. But then Chaol Westfall, Captain of the Life Guard, appears and offers her a single chance to survive. Crown Prince Dorian has chosen her to fight a deadly contest: If she manages to defeat 23 battle-hardened men for him, she will regain her freedom. While training together with Captain Westfall, she finds more and more pleasure in the young, mysterious man. And the crown prince does not leave her cold either. But she does not have time to think about her feelings. For something abysmal evil lurks in the darkness of the castle - and it is there to kill.