"Wilhelmina Heidle, the fourth child and only daughter of the king of the worlds wealthiest nation, has grown up in the shadows. Kept hidden from the world in order to serve as a spy for her fatherwhose obsession with building his empire is causing a warWil wants nothing more than to explore the world beyond her kingdom, if only her father would give her the chance. Until one night Wil is attacked, and she discovers a dangerous secret. Her touch turns people into gemstone. At first Wil is horrifiedbut as she tests its limits, shes drawn more and more to the strange and volatile ability. When it leads to tragedy, though, Wil is forced to face the destructive power within her and finally leave her home to seek the truth and a cure. But finding the key to her redemption puts her in the path of a cursed prince who has his own ideas for what to do with Wils power. With a world on the brink of war and a power of ultimate destruction, can Wil find a way to help the kingdom thats turned its back on her, or will she betray her past and her family forever?"--Dust jacket.