The young adults of the planet Kansas face a crisis that threatens the happiness of many in their peaceful world... "She screamed the air from her lungs, gasped, and screamed again, repeating herself until the pain became so great it took her voice. As her mind began to cloud-over, she heard the Storyteller speak... Juliet held tightly to Maryan's presence inside her mind, as she was led to a quiet place where there was no pain; she took comfort in the belief that because her baby was inside her, he was with her in this peaceful place, and was safe." ... and memories of abuse while in a Zaiuni breeding program threaten the possibility of physical love... "'I've heard things, ' Tairun said, 'Harvesters, when they have been drinking, are prone to speak of experiences they've had.' 'Harvesters, when they've been drinking, are prone to do things to Zaiuni men. Or did, back in those Dark Days, ' Damon spoke, regaining his composure." Fourth in the series that began with "The Storyteller," "The Smile of the Cat" is a story of love, loss, compassion and the power to heal.