The Missing Heir Of Mandralay — Braden Bell

Thirteen-year-old Tallie has just discovered she's the lost princess of Mandralay, a position that comes with tremendous power. It also comes with an aunt who wants her dead and a ferocious, relentless assassin who holds the key to her survival, just as she holds the key to his soul. Can she trust anyone?

Tallie is on the run.

Thirteen years ago, she was born to the Queen of Mandralay. Then her power-hungry aunt staged a coup and murdered Tallie's mother. Infant Tallie would have been killed too, but for two servants who hid her away in an orphanage. Her identity was kept from everyone, including Tallie herself -- until she began showing signs of the magical abilities that were her birthright.

Now the secret is out, and the hunt is on. Tallie's aunt can't rightfully be queen as long as the true heir is alive. She wants nothing more than to find and kill the princess, clearing her way to ultimate power.

With no memories, no heart, or even a name, X is a Bestial, once human but long ago transformed into a monstrous assassin. Tallie's aunt compels X with powerful spells to carry out her deadly mission, and he easily tracks Tallie to her hiding place.

As X prepares to pounce, Tallie surprises him with a sincere request: she asks for his help. The trust she places in him rekindles a spark of humanity. What if he were to protect this innocent child instead of killing her? The two sides of his primal nature wage a brutal war within him -- a battle for Tallie's life and his own soul.

Meanwhile, Tallie fights her own internal battle. As her magical capabilities grow, so does her rage over losing her mother. She realizes she has the power to destroy her aunt -- but at what point does she risk losing her soul and becoming a worse monster than X?