After a spell that went awry and the unexpected rescue of the notorious A'ron De'contes, Jathen finally has the answer to the question that has plagued him since his friends' deaths: he is a Negater, one of the rarest, most precious of nontraditional Talents. But each new revelation regarding his new powers that breaks upon the shore only leaves him with more questions and newer frustrations. For whoever gets the Negater, gets the prize.
Thrust into the limelight of Tar'citadel politics and Way Walker ambitions, for the first time, Jathen has a choice over his own destiny. Then, a new vision of doom warns that his choice has more dire consequences than he could have ever imagined.
Will Jathen turn to the Ways to discover how to use his newfound Ability, or will he throw off their yoke? Can he discover the why and who behind the attempt on De'contes life? Every choice he makes could lead to success... or death.