Rehz Akran has had enough of the Tribute program and its sadistic overseer, Palk. When Palk captures Rehz's mate, Anna Lee, and offers her and Aled Price to the Ungrich for further research, Rehz is ready for rebellion. But first, with the help of Kai Mexr — who wants Aled back just as much as Rehz wants Anna — he must break into the Ungrich world, rescue Anna, and discover why they want her so badly.

The chilling answer to that question lies in Anna's forgotten origins — origins that Aled shares. To save their lovers, Rehz and Kai must take on Palk and a government that is more than willing to sacrifice Anna and Aled to keep the peace.

The two couples join forces — in more ways than one — and together they discover that they may be capable of defeating two civilizations and changing the course of Mitan history forever.