After thwarting the devious Lord Suma and becoming the emperor of Magadha, Ashoka now faces a new threat—a lethal foe whose only aim is to topple his empire. The nemesis weaves a mesh of hatred, intrigue, and menace by slaughtering imperial officials, kidnapping royal prisoners and infiltrating the palace. His identity is unknown, yet he breathes such terror that even dying men fear to utter his name. He calls himself the Khandapati. He provokes prison riots. He leads the Resistance. A poisoned witch and a murderous giant terrorise the people. What is the role of the Vish Kanya Darya and the Pregnant? Who is the mysterious prisoner named Nirmukh?

Caught in a vortex of death and deceit, there is only one man Ashoka can turn to. The Brahmin. Years of friendship and loyalty lead the spymaster back to Magadha, only to be caught in a violent conspiracy beyond the empire’s boundaries. Will he be able to live up to his role as Magadha’s protector, or will the Khandapati prove to be more than a match for the Brahmin?