With the Cardinal's men on seek and capture missions along both the high ways and the canals of Merovingen, all of Mondragon's and Jones' friends and allies find themselves in sudden peril. Mondragon himself is a helpless prisoner of Chance Magruder, and Jones is determined to set him free, even if it takes a boatload of explosives to do the job.

But others, too, have plans to transform and seize control of the patterns of power in what is rapidly becoming a city torn by civil war. And even as Mondragon escapes from Magruder's clutches, Merovingen's ruler is assassinated, and fires begin to rage uncontrollably throughout the city. With enemies on every side, can Mondragon, Jones, and their comrades long survive as Merovingen is wracked by what may well prove the city's death throes?