Attia is a young woman. She is small in stature. The novel never reveals how old Attia is, but it seems as if she is a teenager. When the novel begins, Attia is looking for her friend, Finn, who has left her, promising to return, but has never come back for her. Attia is making her way toward a stage that is set up in front of the prison, which is Incarceron.
When Attia reaches the front stage, she becomes part of the stage show. It turns out Attia is working with the magician, Rix, to create an illusion for the audience. Attia teams up with Keiro, which is Finn's oathbrother from prison. Attia works with Keior throughout the novel trying to find Finn.
Attia and Claudia in competition with one another for Finn's affection. While Attia is Finn's friend, she is really in love with him. When Claudia and Attia finally meet when Claudia comes to Incarceron, the two women do not get along.