It's a full house at the prison and every guest is just as dangerous as the last.
Daniel's team arrives for a scheduled drop off, but instead of a bounty they are escorting the lovely and lively Annette, an earth witch who has come to gather dragon's blood from their resident cave dweller. The Council of the Moon also pays a visit to put the werewolf, Callin, on trial for kidnapping. As if one femwolf wasn't bad enough. There is mention of a third group of visitors, but Danato is tight lipped about their identity.
Coming back to the prison further reminds Daniel of his singular encounter with Nevia and he is determined to pressure her for more than she is offering. Which so far has only been a platonic and tenacious interest in his potential power growth. Heaton on the other hand wants nothing to do with Nevia. Even she can't figure out why, since he has veiled himself in cigarette smoke.
In gratitude for Cori's lucrative gardening project, Danato gives her an excuse to dress up. His surprise guests bring a festive occasion that has long since been missed from her prison life. Unfortunately, her recent conversations with Efrat has her doubting her boss's motives. And a discovery in his locked desk drawer leaves her with questions about the legality of the elementals incarceration.
A brief run in with one of the party guests gives Cori a glimpse of a past that doesn't belong to her. One where the elementals aren't prisoners, but merely test subjects in a government sponsored agenda. More important than the past she sees, is the future she predicts.
Without a second to spare, Cori rushes into a restricted area to stop a murder. In her effort to save a life, she puts her own at risk. General Clark, the man charged with containing and monitoring the elementals is also the one responsible for their unusual powers. When Cori's goal of freeing them comes in direct opposition to Clark's orders to contain them, she must choose between keeling to Clark's homicidal blackmail or breaking every rule in the book.
THE WARDEN SERIES
Successors
Rivals
Lovers and Liars
Bad Blood
Tenants and Tyrants
The Ring Bearer
Gods and Monsters
Beasts and Burdens
Magic and Mayhem
