Chaos and destruction rule beneath the banner of a twisted star.
Reeve Joss is struggling to defend a country ravaged by twin armies. The attacks are led by warped Guardians and Joss's men now patrol a land of burning villages and homeless refugees. And while he tries to separate traitor from friend, Joss's thoughts still stray to Zubaidit. But this temple-trained assassin is focused only on her target, dark Guardian Lord Radas, Commander of the armed invasion.
Joss is also disturbed by dreams of Marit. His lost love has become a feared Guardian herself, but rejected their corrupt temptations to seek others of her kind. Marit prays some remain uncontaminated by the blight cursing their land - and that it's not too late to fight.