Alia has come home in search of answers. What she gets in place of information is new obligations. Allies who complicate her difficult situation. Shisum finds himself in a leadership position, raised on high by the society he's trying to rebel against. The Complex disintegrates while Dyafer and Mairid circle each other watchfully.

Boden has reached a point where he ought to be able to stop and catch his breath, but life isn't willing to oblige him. Mages still loyal to the Code will hand him a chance to finally take a stand on the only subject that matters to him, but doing so means taking a huge risk. He'll have to place his life in another's hands by asking him: do you love me enough to admit it?

Plots that have been three books in the making are taking shape. Lines drawn in the sand, ultimatums handed. On every side, bridges burn as mages take a stand and choose their side, even if the only person on that side is them.

The concept of a scapegoat is meaningless without a sacrifice, so the question is how many are coming out of this alive?