On the outskirts of the city of Valgaast, Malveil froze in silence. This is the house of darkness. Its halls are full of ancient history and pain. He knows all the secrets, and no weakness can be hidden from him. Now he is impatient because his victim is approaching. Colonel Mason Strock returns to the estate of his ancestors. He is just a shell of a man, broken by the horrors of war and personal losses. Colonel Strock returned home to assume the title of planetary governor. He hopes that he can cleanse his home world of political corruption and restore relationships with his estranged children. He hopes that he can rebuild his life. Strock is confident that he has seen the worst horrors in the galaxy. But Malveil will show him how wrong he is.