In pursuit of a serial killer, Confederation Ranger Lana Eloy is forced to land on the barbaric, male dominated world, of Ata Prime. Dismissed by Rex Pimetrius, the ruler, as a mere 'female', captain of the royal guard, Corin Thantos, is sent to track the down the killer and apprehend him. Lana has no intention of twiddling her thumbs while someone else makes her collar, however. Setting off alone to track Sadin Quyz, she meets up with Corin Thantos and discovers he has some redeeming merits, after all.

Lana tries hard to ignore the fact that what started out as a casual sexual encounter around the campfire had turned into something far more powerful. But with the killer still on the loose, would Corin prove to be a distraction that cost her her life?