Ixachipan is in flames. Rebellion rages in every land and across every hill as the Empire of Songs battles to maintain control, but nowhere more fiercely than in the Singing City itself. In the great pyramid at its heart, Shadow Tayan faces the awful consequences of his actions, and their seductive possibilities. In the city streets, Xessa and Lilla lead their warriors in increasingly desperate battles, their unity riven by betrayal and deception, while far to the north, Whisper Ilandeh discovers the freedom and obligation in making her own choices. But war is fickle, and so are people. Sometimes, the only peace possible is that bought with blood and lies. And when vengeance sings, the choices made will determine whether the flames of war are fanned or drowned.