Elena Calabrese managed to open an earth-based store with very few people realizing that her wares come from several different galaxies. The merchant society called the Guild of Families is conducting business as usual, trying to stay as secret as possible while the military launches their own program of ship building, trying to build their own Channel riding ships that do not rely on Guild trained pilots to operate.  The program's, lead man, Will Thompson, managed to get several of his crew onto the planet RJ457.

 While bowing to the inevitability of an alliance with Thompson and his men, Elena and her people try to keep Thompson's men from learning information that will cause some of the more ruthless in the Guild to start arranging accidents.  As rumors of Riko's ill health begin to circulate, new House alliances are formed, old ties severed and more and more people begin to wonder when Elena will step forward and take a seat on the ruling Council.

 Elena tries to conduct business as usual while dodging a military investigation, plots, political maneuvering and a crazed cousin with a lust for power. Not even Thompson is who he seems.  Can Elena keep her balance and keep her family safe?  Will picking up the reins of power and stepping into the dangerous political arena be the only way to protect those who depend on her?