Death is the ultimate judge. Talib and Hotan face off against Iapetos, the element of Death. When they fail, Talib's life flashes before his eyes. As he experiences thousands of years, memories that were once forgotten bubble to the surface. From the fall of Helike to the plague in London, he discovers his brother has something to do with every horrifying event. Hotan's hands are slick with the blood of thousands-no, millions-of innocent people. Chasing Hotan's shadow, Talib learns that family is flawed, and he may not be able to repair the damage without making sacrifices. Will he find the answers in his past in time to aid Hotan?