- The eighth book in the sweeping science-fantasy NEXUS series and sequel to Fear of the Light -

The gunslinger and the assassin. Star-crossed. Hopeful.

He's dangerously in love. He's willing to sacrifice everything. And he's dying.

She's unstoppable. She's unbeatable. And she's been taken.

An enemy they never saw coming has accomplished the unthinkable: he has kidnapped the assassin Juni Lien. To keep her alive, Travis Archer must face a series of 'trials', each pushing further away everyone who cares about him and leading to devastating consequences.

To save each other from the one foe neither of them can fight, they must each unravel the mysteries of the past. But as they dig deeper into this deranged kidnapper's motives, they'll uncover shocking secrets lurking in the shadows. As the truth is dragged into the light, an intricate web of deceit, manipulation, and misdirection threatens to destroy everything they've fought for.

If there's one truth the kidnapper has spoken, it's this: Hope is a lie.