Wren Valere used to have a simple life. Her partner Sergei would negotiate the terms of the Retrieval-all right, the theft-and she would use her magic to carry it out. Pay cheque deposited, on to the next job.

But her relationship with Sergei is complicated. Her fellow lonejacks are trying to organise against the Mage's Council. The non-human population of Manhattan is getting fed up with being ignored and abused. And the Council? Well, they have an agenda of their own, and it's not one the lonejacks are going to like.