Zelie remembers the magic, and she remembers the horrific night when magic was taken away.  The night her mother and other maji were executed on the orders of the hardened and ruthless King Saran. The night that left her people distraught and hopeless. Since that terrible incident, Zelie and her brother, Tzain, work hard to take care of their father.  Then one day while Zelie is selling fish at the market a young girl, Amari, runs into Zelie. Amari is being chased by the king’s guard.  Amari begs for Zelie’s help, and Zelie gives in against her better judgment.  Zelie, Amari, and Tzain find themselves on a dangerous journey to bring magic back with Amari’s brother, Inan, in pursuit hoping to carry out the king’s orders to terminate their mission.