Aboard the Galactic Free Trader Solar Queen, apprentice Dane Thorson endures a humiliating ritual, coating himself in exotic spices for the sake of trade with the aloof, feline Salariki of Sargol. But the scent is the least of his worries. The promise of valuable Koros stones has drawn them to this planet, but they aren’t the only ones seeking fortune here.
A ruthless Company man arrives, challenging their claim and threatening to unravel everything Traxt Cam fought for. As tensions rise under the fragile peace of a blood-oath shield, Dane and Van Rycke must navigate treacherous negotiations, hidden agendas, and a growing sense of dread.
They soon discover that the true cost of trade on Sargol may be far higher than they ever imagined—and that a deadly secret lurks beneath the planet’s fragrant surface.