War with their archrival, the evil Ansara clan, is unavoidable. For Mercy Raintree, a war means she must assume her position as guardian of the Sanctuary-the sacred Raintree home place deep in the Smoky Mountains. But doing so threatens to disclose her most prized secret-one Mercy has kept to herself for six years. As the solstice looms and the battle heats up, Dranir Judah Ansara gathers his forces, intending to wipe every Raintree from the face of the land. Including Mercy, whom he's claimed as his to kill. Then he comes face-to-face with her-and with her daughter, Eve. Will Mercy's closely guarded secret change not only the outcome of the battle-but also Judah 's own bitter heart?