Successes in the Craft brought Reginald into the circle of the chosen ones, on whom the power of the empire rests. Only the Confessors have the power to make inanimate things alive by transferring souls into them. Inspector Drake again asks for help in the investigation, and Reg will not refuse his friend. The Emperor is waiting for the completion of a grandiose military project, and Reginald hopes for the promised freedom. But there is a war going on, and the more perfect his deadly skill is, the more elusive the chances are that the empire will release such a valuable personnel. The walls of the golden cage are narrowing, but the young Confessor is ready to destroy them in order to save the girl dear to him...