A short novel telling how the charioteer Tishtry became the slave of the vampire Saint Germain. Set some years prior to the events of Blood Games, in the early years of Nero's reign, a young Armenian slave girl develops her stunt riding skills as an arena performer while being passed between owners. Her desire is to buy the freedom of her family - which she eventually does. If you have read Blood Games, then the ending of this book is bitter-sweet, if not then it comes across as an up-beat ending.

Light, but as with all Yarbro's books, well-researched and well-written. Probably one for completists; although set in the Saint Germain series, it's not part of the main sequence.