Leila, chosen of the Shadow God Betsalel, is no longer an orphan, thief, assassin. She has a happy marriage, the respect of society, and two beautiful children. But her quiet life is rent asunder when an eastern witch, devotee of the black goddess Danava, abducts her son and the Gaspari emperor's daughter in a plot to allow the bloodthirsty hordes east of the Killtops access to the rich pickings of an undefended Dominion. With her husband Tevo by her side, she'll do whatever it takes to bring the children back.