Although Bolthar is the strongest of the griffin warriors, with his huge lion body, fierce eagle head, and magnificent wings, the king of the griffin realm crushes Bolthar's dream of holding top rank among the royal bodyguards. Bolthar's parents were both strong-bloods, a forbidden union. Blood too strong brings consequences-like the extraordinary powers which he develops in secret. Now a poisoner lurks in the land of griffins, stirring up clan rivalries and confounding the king's regulators. When the king picks Bolthar and his one trusty friend Calia to uncover the poisoner, Bolthar smells a set up. It's a mission guaranteed to end in humiliating failure, and Bolthar focuses on preventing Calia from sharing in the disgrace the king intends for him. But the challenge of identifying the criminal and calming the simmering war between griffin clans involves dimensions Bolthar never imagined. Can even the most scorned griffin get a whiff of love?