When a mysterious figure appears among the chaos of a town gathering, nothing is as it seems. The assassination of Zhang plunges the courtyard into madness as shadowy beings begin their assault on the citizens of the town. While others see only soldiers, Vance and Dolomir glimpse the truth - ethereal shadows with deadly cold hands moving through the crowd, turning each victim into one of their own.

Fleeing to Essel's church provides only temporary sanctuary as our heroes discover the terrifying reality: these beings aren't undead creatures that can be turned away by divine power. They're something else entirely, manipulated by a tall woman with extraordinary illusion abilities. "I can be whoever I want to be," she claims, demonstrating her power by transforming into various people before their eyes.

The woman presents our heroes with a chilling choice - surrender themselves to her or watch as everyone in the town perishes. Despite their mistrust, they reluctantly agree, finding themselves transported through a void where time loses all meaning. What follows is an unsettling interrogation where the woman reveals her fascination with their unique ability to see through her illusions, suggesting they possess rare qualities that make them valuable to her mysterious "people."

As pain and confusion mount, both Vance and Dolomir discover something profound within themselves - the power to reject illusions entirely. Vance's connection to divine forces and Dolomir's fey ancestry become their salvation, allowing them to break free and return to Essel's church. But their ordeal has changed them, marked by glowing red eyes before consciousness slips away.

What connection do our heroes share with this powerful illusionist? Who are her "people" seeking strategic footholds? And what does the transformation signified by those red eyes mean for their future? Subscribe now to follow Vance and Dolomir's journey as they face dangers both seen and unseen.