Formerly an undercover police lieutenant, Aud Torvingen has the pale eyes of a wolf. Born into diplomatic society, she now makes Atlanta her home, gliding easily between the world of silken elegance and that of sleaze and sudden savagery. Late one night, out walking just to stay sharp, Torvingen has a chance encounter with a running woman; seconds later a house explodes and the woman disappears. But Julia Lyons-Bennet will return, seeking Aud's protection from a deadly international game of forgery, drugs, and murder. Aud knows there is danger here, pulling her back once again to that cool blue place where everything slows down and takes on a crystal clarity: that place where violence is bliss. The danger excites Julia as well -- sexy, refined, frightened Julia -- forging an intense erotic bond between the two women that hangs in the balance -- along with their lives.