The present day: Beth Leighton arrives in the ancient Roman town of Arles with her brother, Joe, to investigate the story of a Christian child martyr, St Theodore.
Legend tells that a young boy was killed by a Roman officer on a moonlit night at the pagan temple of Mithras, a victim of sacrifice.
Arles, AD 175: Walking the same streets is Sergius Cornelius Aurelius, an ex-legionary and the officer accused.
Haunted by his past and by a perilous enemy which skulks in the shadows and will not show its face, he has his own story to tell.
At first Beth dismisses the tale and is irritated by Joe who consistently reminds her that she is only there to help him with his notes.
So why, then, does she feel a tangible, mysterious presence wherever she goes?
Joe doesn’t think she should get too involved and firmly believes that women are nothing more than cooks and secretaries.
Beth, determined to prove him wrong and full of confidence from a recent promotion back home, becomes increasingly involved.
Then she meets Adam, a film researcher, who is driven, inexplicably, to find the truth behind the legend.
As they explore the beautiful Provence countryside together, they are both moved and disturbed by the story of St Theodore.
A mystifying tale of love, honour and religion begins to unravel…
Soon their interest intensifies into obsession and dangerous emotions are unleashed as the ancient world, both magnificent and barbaric, becomes terrifyingly real …
A miscarriage of justice has become legend and a force from the past is desperately trying to communicate the truth.