A frightened child approaches Roman informer Marcus Didius Falco pleading for help. Nobody believes Gaias story that a relation wants to kill her
- & neither does he. Beset by his own family troubles by his new responsibilities as Procurator of the Sacred Poultry & by the continuing search for a new partner he turns her away. Immediately he regrets it. Gaia has been selected as the new Vestal Virgin & when she disappears Falco is officially asked to investigate. Finding Gaia is then a race against time ending in Falcos most terrifying exploit yet...