Exiled, Thaddeus only wants to return to his beloved Venice. His body rebels against him, food and sleep linger just out of reach. The mountains outside Trieste is no place for a sane man to travel, especially in winter. Strange creatures haunt these lonesome vales and crags, ready to snuff out a man’s flame. What strange powers are being summoned to do evil? Can the inquisitor keep from strangling his traveling companion before they solve this riddle? Read the second book in the series, . It is the only way to learn the truth.