Grace is blaming herself for the death of two good men on Kwaide – even Six’s teasing can’t raise a smile at first. A strange first contact on a distant planet might provide a vital clue to Arcan’s past, but it can’t quite cure Grace of her feelings of guilt. When they arrive on Xiantha, they find a stunning planet; hot, sunny and full of colour. For the first time they can start to relax and enjoy a holiday – at least, until the independent Diva is forced to swallow her pride and beg Six to help her out on a very personal matter. His decision will change her future. Meanwhile, back on Valhai, Atheron is grimly determined that nothing is going to stop him this time. He has been laying his plans for revenge, and they include using Grace to bait a trap which will cause the total destruction of the orthogel entity ... —Not all of them can come out of this unscathed ... and what happens on Xiantha will impact their lives forever.