After Isabella is kidnapped, Aaron enlists the aid of a rough and tumble group of Gatherligns for assistance. Although they shun the use of majiks, Gatherlings have an uncanny ability to trace people through their pulse. "Majik can be as individual as a fingerprint" Jaezl explains to Aaron, who is more than a little distressed that he can no longer "feel" Isabella or their unborn child. "They are safe" the femme gatherling assures him, "If something had happened to her, her majikal trace would no longer be accessible to us..." Aaron hears her, but is still not completely comforted. Exhausted, he soon retires to the gatherling tents to lie down and contemplate his next move. Jaezl watches him retreat with mixed emotions. The gatherling society frowned on mingling with yahawei (outsiders) although it was not unheard of. And the more she stayed around him, well, she just couldn't help but find the enigmatic and silent Aaron somewhat attractive--even for a Yahawei... Perhaps she could figure out a way to make him forget about his troubles--if only for a little while...