Kallista, now Reinine of all Adara, still has demons to seek out. She andher family journey south to her mate Obed's homeland in pursuit of the demon whoabsconded six years previously with Kallista's temple-bound ilian, Merinda, andher child. But when one of the godmarked dies, Kallista is devastated and hermates must cope without her. A trial by combat is needed to regain custody of achild and a new ninth godmarked must be located in order to make the magic wholeagain and powerful enough to defeat a truly formidable demon. But Kallista needsmore than magic to heal her.