Plot Outline:
The final, never-before-published volume in the noirish, gritty urban fantasy for adults from the bestselling Children's author. 'The Cardinal is dead -- long live The Cardinal'. For ten years Capac Raimi has ruled the City as The Cardinal. Created by the first Cardinal to rule after him and continue his legacy, Capac cannot be killed. But that doesn't stop his enemies trying. And he has a lot of enemies. In the past Capac's always been content to wait his adversaries out, safe in the knowledge that he can't lose playing a long game. But things are changing. Rival gangs are gaining power in the City. And figures from Capac's past are reappearing -- people only he remembers, the first Cardinal's other creations, who disappeared with him ten years ago. It can only mean one thing -- the mysterious Incan priests, the ancient powers behind the City, have never been happy about ceding control to Capac. Now they have a plan to take the City back.
Meanwhile, Al Jeery has spent the last decade meting out violence and death on the streets under the guise of Paucar Wami. His is a world of desperation and bloodshed. When he receives a call from Party Central, he is drawn back into the riddles and mysteries which destroyed his life first time round -- the Incan priests plan to manipulate Al the same way they are manipulating Capac. But Al is older and wiser now, and he finds unlikely allies as he progresses. Raising the dead is a dangerous game, and this time the priests' meddlings might just work in Al's favour. Retribution, power and love are all Al's for the taking. But he wants even more