Half-human Mark Praed inherited a skill from his alien mother that makes him a valued agent at Commonwealth Intelligence Service: he reads minds. Praed uses his abilities to run a covert operation on an alien planet. But when his control turns traitor, Praed is captured, tortured and traded back to CIS. Vowing to track down his betrayer, he transfers to the counterterrorist task force where he is teamed with operative Alexandra Lansing, a beautiful but by the book veteran. On a routine surveillance operation, Praed finds it difficult working with his new partner. Can he learn to trust Alex? Can he share his past with her? Ask for her help? Or will his personal vendetta destroy them both?