When a rich and powerful elven wizard request a mercenary killer from the local thieves' guild he's sent Esar-Haden, a dark elf rogue. The two men form a stark contrast, and it's not just the colors of their skins. But a job is a job and Esar-Haden, perpetually down on his luck, needs the gold.

The job is explained. Esar-Haden feels up to it. Of course, complications pop up immediately. One is the wizard's naive and innocent sister, Esmé. As soon as Esar-Haden lays eyes on her he's smitten. She's curious about him, too, but afraid.

The next complication is the wizard Esar-Haden is supposed to kill. She's even more gorgeous than Esmé but in an entirely different way. Yet again, a contrast. But a job is a job and Esar-Haden needs the gold.

Yet this time he's not the thief-he's the mark. This time he's not the assassin-he's the sacrifice. Esar-Haden knows the danger he's in. He's met demons before. What he doesn't know is how in the hell he's going to get out of it-and rescue Esmé, too.