Betrayed by beautiful Ansea Latal, the Scorpion has been captured by the Turks. But he cannot tarry: Rochnan and his monks are close on his tail, Ansea is on her way to Cappadocia to find the cross of Saint Peter, and, back in Rome, Trebaldi is preparing his reign of terror. The Scorpion will have to reach Karabas before the agents of the Nine Families and discover the truth hidden deep in the Holy Valley.