With their most treacherous mission yet behind them heroes Seregil and Alec resume their
double life as dissolute nobles and master spies. But in a world of rivals and charmers fate
has a different plan.... After their victory in Aurënen Alec and Seregil have returned home to
Rhíminee. But with most of their allies dead or exiled it is difficult for them to settle in.
Hoping for diversion they accept an assignment that will take them back to Seregil's homeland.
En route however they are ambushed and separated and both are sold into slavery. Clinging to
life Seregil is sustained only by the hope that Alec is alive. But it is not Alec's life his
strange master wants—it is his blood. For his unique lineage is capable of producing a rare
treasure but only through a harrowing process that will test him body and soul and unwittingly
entangle him and Seregil in the realm of alchemists and madmen—and an enigmatic creature that
may hold their very destiny in its inhuman hands.... But will it prove to be savior or monster?
