In the centuries after the events of the previous book, Killashandra and Lars have worked the Crystal Ranges together. Killashandra, who is herself several hundred years older than Lars, begins to succumb to the memory loss associated with singing Crystal, leaving her dangerously paranoid and careless. Lars tries to tempt her away from the Ranges in hopes that time away from Ballybran will forestall the inevitable, but Killashandra holds out for one good cutting to pay off their considerable debts, risking their lives in the process.