Cat Calhoun, broken and unsure, struggles with heartbreaking losses that leave him bitter and at odds with everyone--including himself. Torn between a painful past and a strange and uncertain future, he must find his way or risk everything. For Bear Ra'Khan, surprisingly favored by Fortune, dreams of power and revenge edge closer to reality. With new allies and a cold and beautiful woman at his side, all of his bloodiest ambitions suddenly seem possible. The Scarlet Weaver, sightless and imprisoned, watches as time and hope slip away. For her lover, D'Arc and the rest of the fugitive Pirate Lords, the gallows call even as the mystery of their betrayal deepens. With their Queen murdered, the Order of the White Rose race to find her killer and keep old rivals at bay. Now, with the threat of war looming, their desperate measures can only buy time, not peace. And casting a shadow over all their fates--one powerful woman's unimaginably dark desires.