"I understand, Venzel. I will be your servant forever. I will never leave your house. I will keep your secrets. Now, if it pleases you, tell me the words that are worth a man's tongue."

Ezri sat in stunned silence as Venzel told him about his life with a subterranean brotherhood bound together by a commitment to survive at any cost. Although resembling other ranches dotting the desert landscape, it is not long before Ezri realizes that Venzel's home is not what it seems. The house is lavish, but empty, the horses in the immaculate stables are rarely ridden, and any woman who enters their gate never leaves.

Everything changes when Venzel brings home a bride. Passionately in love, the empty house is suddenly filled with life and laughter, but it does not last. A tragic mistake robs their son of his human identity and whisks her away too soon. Inheriting the most dangerous traits of both species, Timaeus's struggle between the love for his human parents and the responsibilities to his alien brotherhood transforms the Fire Slayer, he was created to be, into an assassin, dreaded and despised by the brotherhood who fears him almost as much as it needs him.