THE SCIENCE OF MAGIC —- is what lures people from all over the galaxy to the world of Ivory. Ivory, exotic and dangerous, where everything is for sale, and law exists only to protect the most powerful families. And to anthropology student Theodora of Pyrene, Ivory —- the one place in the known universe where magic works and where those who command it can control society —- is an irresistible world to explore on her all-too-brief vacation. But cut off from her companions and her ship, attacked and robbed, Theodora's short pleasure trip soon becomes a terrifying odyssey. For on Ivory all her studies and training are useless, and Theodora is forced to turn to fortune telling to survive. To her amazement, she discovers that she actually is gifted with magical skill, a skill that will plunge her into deadly peril, when she becomes involved with Ran Cormallon, one of the most powerful sorcerers on Ivory —- and a man whose unknown enemies will stop at nothing, including spell-murdering Theodora, in their campaign to destroy Ran and seize his power!

A thrilling new adventure of Theodora and Ran from the author of The Gate of Ivory. Drawn back to Ivory both by her love for Ran and her fascination with magic, Theodora leaves with Ran on an investigation for a noble family, and their mission gets them trapped between the Emperor's troops and a dangerous band of outlaws. Original.

Quiet, scholarly Theodora of Pyrene is lured to the exotic and treacherous Ivory where she and Ran, the leader of a powerful family of sorcerers, must prove they are innocent of killing a member of an aristocratic family.