Laisen Carros is a covert agent of the Fusion, sent undercover to infiltrate the Perlim Empire. However, the years she's spent as Cheloi Sie fighting Menon rebels on an alien battleground are starting to wear her down. To Lith Yinalña, Cheloi Sie is nothing but a war criminal and she considers it her personal mission to kill her. Unfortunately for Laisen/Cheloi, the Empire and an idealistic assassin aren't the only things she needs to worry about. A treacherous subordinate–the ambitious Koul Grakal-Ski–is looking for any chance to grab control of the territory. When Laisen and Lith start falling in love, it's only a matter of time before he notices. And acts.