In her quest to find the orb of Spirit, Wynn Hygeorht is torn between two men who hate each other--her vampire protector, Chane Andraso, and the elf Osha, who has feelings for her.

Now a strange series of clues leads them to a remote keep built on the dark cliffs of the coast of Witeny--where an old enemy lurks, ready to destroy her. At the same time, dhampir Magiere, Leesil, and Chap continue their desperate search for the orb of Air. Still hunted by a team of assassins, they escape on the first available ship, only to find themselves under the power of a sadistic captain.

Yet even if they manage to survive this voyage, what waits for them at the journey's end is beyond anything they can imagine....