In a city with a colour-based magic system, a young woman is under threat from two organisations. One would kill her for not having any magic; the other would kill her for not having enough. With her mother’s health failing, she has little choice but to accept a dangerous job offer that could solve all their problems. If she succeeds, her troubles will be over. But if she fails, she could start a fire that could destroy the city – and everyone inside . . .