High Priest S'Rak has mostly recovered from the wing fungus, but he has to repair the damage done to the temple before he can return to Koilatha. Captain Jisten has very definite ideas about life and death, and S'Rak's plans challenge those beliefs but not in a good way. Will Jisten be able to come to terms with a service that not only permits, but also requires, human sacrifice? Or will this conflict be the one to tear the partners apart?In distant Zoth, S'Tyll is on the run with Siol and Rasten, stolen right out of the palace from under King Narvain's nose. S'Pajel rides with the slave trackers, but he's not sure that he'll be able to delay them enough for S'Tyll to make good his escape. Sun mage Teson still loves Pikara, even as he's collared for it. Will love win out? Will Rak's sons make it to freedom? Or will Narvain's cruel grip claim them all?