By 4042 CE, the Hierophant has risen to global dominance on the backs of his cannibalistic army of genetically modified humans: martyrs. In an era when humanity's permanently cold, inter-generational wars against their long-lived predators seem close to running hot, the Holy Family stands poised on the verge of complete planetary control. It will take a miracle to save mankind from extinction, and to keep the plague of martyrdom from spreading to Mars. It will also take a miracle to resurrect the wife of three-hundred-thirty-one-year-old General Dominia di Mephitoli, who defects during martyr year 1997 AL in search of the one man rumored to bring life to the dead. With the Hierophant's Project Black Sun looming over her head, she has little choice but believe this Lazarus is really all her new friends say he is-assuming he exists at all, and these companions of hers are really able to help her. After all, Dominia is no ordinary martyr. She is THE HIEROPHANT'S DAUGHTER, and he won't let her switch sides without a fight. Not when she still has so much to learn.