Rafe Savaryn is happy. He's in Venice writing a novel on the Renaissance, enjoying being alone after a devastating divorce. He's trying to answer the question, what makes societies fail? Then a stunningly beautiful woman walks into his life and leads him on a horrifying journey back to the Dark Ages where the answer to his question is revealed. He is shocked as he must make a choice no one should have to make. I won't give away any more of the plot but I will say, "Fasten your seat belt! It's a roller coaster ride of history, suspense, and thrills!" The answer to the question is right in front of you.