In Leopard's Bane #1, The Poisoned Garden, rich boy Peglar and poor girl Yalka form an unlikely relationship. They both value this but it collapses when Peglar's half-brother and step sister combine to discredit him.

Peglar is outlawed at the end of Book 1 and now has a price on his head. As Book 2 begins, his half-brother's men are looking for him. If they find him death awaits, and he must learn new skills and make alliances with unlikely partners if he is to survive.

Yalka is now homeless and blames Peglar for the fire which killed her brother. She too must try to find a new life but with no connections and no skills her options are limited.

Fate deals the two of them blows which, though different, force them in the same direction. However, before they can reunite Yalka and Peglar must face separate challenges which could destroy them both.