The bargain between Laras and Chaos comes to bloody fruition, as their corrupted scions spread across the world, turning the night into a battlefield. Finally, Laras turns his attention to the first step in his revenge against House Tanek: to bring Rian into his dark fold. Rian, however, still has a few cards left to play, forging an uneasy alliance with Narissa, leader of the Magery's secret police.
Mikal has his own problems, mourning the death of his brother, Jasra, cut down in battle against Laras's forces. Whether Jasra stays dead, or rises to join the enemy, Mikal knows that the chance to reconcile with his estranged brother is lost forever. In the meantime, he must make his own foray into enemy territory, accompanying Rian back to the Tanek heir's home in the heart of the Imperium.
The battle lines are drawn, the pieces set upon on the board for the inevitable confrontation between Order and Chaos. But not even the Great Powers can force the game to conform entirely to their design, and free will may turn the conflict on its head, as an unexpected ally takes the field.