An unexpected challenge was beaten, but not without death and destruction to Erik's and Jia's team. Will the knowledge they gained be enough to pull more secrets into the light? Assigned their first mission outside the Solar System, Erik and Jia head to Alpha Centauri on the trail of smuggled alien artifacts. Those who guard it are some of the conspiracy's most elite and ruthless agents. This time, Erik is forewarned, and forewarned is forearmed. Will the cabal of lies start unraveling, or will the powerful seek the darkness as far away from Erik and Jia as they can get? Erik and Jia said the words, and now they can't go back. How will it change their relationship? He will have vengeance, no matter the cost. She will dig for the truth, no matter how risky it is to reveal.