They call her Traitor Kate. Cast out of the nobility after her father's attempt to assassinate the high king of Rime, Kate now works for the royal courier service. At night the drakes-- flightless dragons-- come out to hunt. But Kate was born with a forbidden magic, one that allows her to influence the minds of animals. Her job brings her to the scene of a drake massacre-- and to Corwin Tormane, the son of the king. With their paths entangled, Kate and Corwin must put the past behind them to face this new threat-- and an even darker menace stirring in the kingdom.