Jewel Markess and her den of street children have been given shelter in House Terafin. The price for them to remain there is that Jewel must prove her value to the House.
Jewel has been assigned the task of finding entryways to the ancient undercity that lies beneath the streest of the empire''s capital. But even with the aid of the most powerful First Circle Mage of the Order of Knowledge, Jewel''s search seems hopeless.
All of the ways into the undercity seem to be magically disappearing before Jewel can lead the mage to them. And if they can''t find a means to reach the undercity, they will not be able to prevent the demon kin from achieving whatever they are planning.
Then the unthinkable happens -- a direct attack on House Terafin -- and suddenly the stakes are raised to a whole new level....
From the Paperback edition.