The adventures of four Crown officers fighting to bring down a deadly foe continue in this third installment of the Black Cobra Quartet.

Lewis Monteith's mission has gotten off to a shaky start. Wounded in battle, he jumped from his ship rather than risk losing the evidence that would bring down a traitor. As he recuperates in a tiny village, he finds his respect for the villagers grows, as does his fascination with his rescuer, Linnet Trevission. Unwilling to put the village in greater danger by remaining but unable to travel on his own, Lewis reluctantly accepts Linnet's offer of help. Linnet's strength and wisdom have made her a respected leader at home. Her battle now is convincing him that the connection they feel is real and everlasting—before it's too late. Read by Simon Prebble