It has been sixteen years since the death of Raelunn Summers, better known to the world as Alizibeth, the woman who used her extraordinary powers as a veela to charm the world into submission. Large parts of the world--most of Europe, Africa, and Asia--are still part of her Empire, headed now by Alizibeth's cousin and former lieutenant, Aliel.
The British Isles have become a refuge for those in Europe who managed to escape lands controlled by the Empire during the few days after Alizibeth's fall and before Aliel's ascent. Britain has quickly become overpopulated and has been struggling even to feed itself, thanks to the magical and physical blockade imposed by Aliel seven years ago.
Yet despite this, Aliel and the Empire's armies have been unable to invade Britain or even penetrate its borders. Perhaps this is why Aliel locked herself in her French fortress several months ago, only coming out briefly ever so often to keep up appearances. Very recently, Aliel has emerged from her self-imposed exile, seemingly smug and victorious.
As the free people of Britain wait in gear and apprehension of Aliel's new weapon that will her to finally destroy Britain's mysteriously impenetrable borders, no one realizes that the enemy is silent and inside the walls...