Scotland, 1692.  To escape a brutal winter storm, King William's regiments descend on the small village of Glencoe.  Caitriona Cameron, the tacksman's daughter, cannot forget her unpleasant encounter the last time English troops appeared. She senses the army's arrival might not be as innocent as it seems, but her warnings go unheeded.  Not even MacIain, the MacDonald clan chief, listens.  After twelve days of billeting in the villagers' homes, the soldiers attack, committing one of the greatest atrocities in Highland history.

Cait escapes the assault with the help of Sergeant Edward Gage who is accused of being a traitor for not taking up arms against the MacDonalds. Edward is hunted by his debauched half-brother, Alexander, who stands to lose everything if King William attaints their father for his treasonous past deeds. With bad blood between them, Alexander sets out to capture Edward to prove his loyalty and save himself from ruin.

Cait and Edward travel to Edinburgh to confront the men they suspect are behind the attack, unaware that Alexander is headed there as well. Although Cait is convinced the chief of Clan Campbell is responsible, Edward suspects something much more sinister—that the orders came from higher up, possibly even from the king himself.

As accusations of betrayal, deceit, and treason abound, they are all trapped in a web of intrigue and danger, but not everyone will escape.

***Contains some sexual content, assault, and violence