The port city of Suq, on the island of Socotra, is a bustling centre of sea-going trade in the days of the Byzantine Empire – a crossroads where races and cultures meet. It is also the home of Katin Alexis, from a family of Greek fisherfolk, and her best friend Asha Patel, the daughter of a struggling Indian trader. The girls are best friends, so why has Asha disappeared without a word to her? And why is Katin’s father whispering in the night about Asha and her brother being sent to Alexandria to work as slaves? It seems that Katin cannot get the truth from anyone. And time may be running out for Asha…