Naproides has finally managed to share what he knows, but hearing his warning doesn't lead automatically to acting on it. Before the Dhashereen can face an external threat, they have a score to settle with themselves. The question then becomes, does a plant have a place in human politicking? The heroes take on new commitments that come between them and their plan to face the villain. Maru is increasingly locked into fighting for the throne he doesn't want. Jaalen's on the far side of the country, and now he has an apprentice who eats of most of his attention. They're stronger as a team, but they need to find one another before they can hope to save the day.

M.C. Burnell had the good fortune to be born to a couple of bon vivants with a Renaissance approach to intellectual curiosity, who taught her how to taste wine, build a campfire, and think in terms of geologic time before she flew the nest. Since then, she's acquired a degree in English literature and a J.D. She makes her home in the city of Chicago with her husband.