Teresa Balterra, a refugee from Spain, granddaughter of a prominent Jewish scholar and accused of witchcraft, is in need of a champion. There is something intriguing about the herbalist and midwife—at least, Father Michael thinks so. He decides to defend her against the charges invented by Fra. Lorenzo, a religious zealot blinded by hate.

Ignorance, fear, hysteria and murder seize the community and throw it into a tumult as Father Michael seeks the truth about his client. What he finds is a woman of intellect and education—very different from those around her. Her most treasured possession turns out to be her most dangerous: a book, resplendent with Arabic letters, that most villagers think is a secret repository of arcane ungodly, Saracen incantations.

Can Michael uncover the truth about this text and protect himself and Teresa before the Count of Toulouse and the Holy Inquisition seize them? Will others come to their aid?

The two flee across the south of France, through the salt flats of the Camargue and finally to Italy to find safety. Thrown together by circumstance, they find a tragic love born in a quest for freedom that defines them both.