Ancient Egypt. Thirteen-year-old Shahira lives with her adoptive mother, Halima and Meret, Halima's jealous daughter. Shahira is wrongly accused of stealing and suspects that Meret has set her up. Shahira is sent to work in Commander Nebamon's house. One day in the herb garden a cobra is about to strike, but Shahira sings to the snake and sends it away. She remembers a similar occurrence when she was a child and is mystified by the power she seems to have over snakes. There is also the strange serpentine birthmark on the sole of her foot. What does it all mean? Who are her real parents? Halima's death-bed revelations shock and confuse her and she is given a quest to fulfil. When Ahmose, the handsome apprentice boy she has befriended, asks her to help him she is further caught up in world of danger and intrigue.