On the night when rites are held to avert witchcraft, three bodies are found in bizarre circumstances, and for the rulers of Sparta, the timing is terrible. Hosting a trade delegation that has travelled all the way from the Black Sea, the last thing they want is for their delicate negotiations to be undermined by allegations of black magic. Convinced the deaths are an elaborate plot by their arch-enemy, Athens, to drive a wedge between the blossoming allies, they call in Lysander, head of Sparta's hated Secret Police, to settle the matter quickly and cleanly. Except Lysander does not believe the Athenians are to blame. The whole thing seems too contrived for his liking, and knowing that High Priestess Iliona can read people and interpret their behaviour, he enlists her help - using bribery and blackmail. Iliona soon uncovers conspiracy, murder, kidnap and adultery - but she doesn't realize there is a killer on the loose with a pathological hatred of women in general, and the aristocracy in particular. And, of course, Iliona's blood is spectacularly blue...