The Citadel of Orphans

Something ancient and deadly lives in the mines. After weeks in isolation, Trish is transferred from the dungeon into the mines. Her entire purpose there is to work all day long, until she either dies or earns her freedom. Accidents happen daily: prisoners get crushed under rocks, disappear in pitfalls, or get killed by guards. The unluckiest get dragged into ‘the depths’, from which no one ever returns.

Some prisoners have been there for years, and have forgotten their past lives already, but Trish still daydreams about Elias, and about getting out of the city of orphans. With the help of a new friend, she plots to escape. She must survive the dangers of the mine while also searching for a way out. This becomes increasingly difficult, because one of the guards is keeping a close eye on her, and so are some of the prisoners—and they will not hesitate to rat her out.

To make matters worse, something lurks inside the mines. Something old, which terrifies all the veteran prisoners. And it’s waiting for the guards to send the next batch so it can feed.