Prologue

Karina is a slave on Dard, a planet that specializes in grueling physical labor.

Though she was originally born into a wealthy business family on Shinar, the capital planet of the Seratona Galaxy, she was captured while vacationing with her family on a tropical planet when she was five years old and was sold into the slave trade. Since then, she has been the slave of brutal Dardean slum lord, Sargon.

Niko is the only other person on Dard, and in Karina's current life, who she can trust. He loves her, but sometimes his love for her is too much. She has trouble trusting his affection for her.

That is, until Recruitment Day, when something unexpected happens and where she catches her first glimpse of Zayn.