Five hundred years into the future, Pevely Keiser is the capo of the criminal organization called Temmen. Temmen runs itself, for the most part, with only a few nudges from Pevely to keep people in line. Lately she has two things on her mind. She wants to do something good and useful with the funds that accrue to the gang. And she has a companion or two to help her...and to share her bed, for she well knows it's lonely at the top.
An alien named Dorcas, who can project illusions designed to create joy or terror, has come to Pevely because a small group of her people have disappeared. Assisting Dorcas, Pevely finds herself up against the major corporate power in human trafficking--a power that dwarfs what her gang, Temmen, can muster. To salvage this one, she has to deal with a possible betrayal by someone she trusted completely, and rescue a family in distress, as well as see to a few strays she tends to accumulate during her activities. Along the way, she has to figure out why someone would abduct aliens who create illusions. As dangers gather like storm clouds, she is forced to rely on the one person she cannot trust: Dorcas the Illusian.