When Kit Montgomery happens upon the bodies of six Owatawna Indians, he knows that there will be war--and that he will be in the middle. As an Army negotiator, he has had three years of peaceful dealings with the Owatawna chief, Iron Claw, and the two have come to respect each other. But with the cruel massacre of Owatawna elderly, women, and children, no peaceful resolution will be possible. Thanks to the senseless brutality of Al Squash and his men, the entire county will have to pay. Retribution begins at once, with Kit able to do little more than help bury the bodies. But then he discovers that one victim, an innocent young woman named Deana, is still alive--and being held captive at Iron Claw's camp. Kit uses his last trump card to obtain her freedom. But this is just the beginning of the battle. For now Kit has invoked the wrath of Puma, Iron Claw's savage brother, who wants Deana for himself. In this war, there will be no room for negotiation. Only the best warrior will survive....