Once in a while, a door opens on the past, revealing a lost world, lost people, and even lost treasure. In 1930 British heiress Christina Freeman is about to embark on a life of wealth and luxury. Through psychic dreams, Christina becomes swept up in the mysterious life of Tlalli Manari, a young girl who lived during the Spanish Conquest of the Inca Empire.

In her lifetime, Tlalli invoked the spirit of the ancient jaguar gods, and began a rebellion against the might of the Spanish conquistadors. Now, these same gods are reaching out from the past. As Christina unravels the mystery, she must discover if the Spirit of the Jaguar is leading her to continue Tlalli's mission. All Christina's values are brought into question as she comes face to face with an old enemy and is forced to fight for her life.

This edition includes the folk tale The Legend of the Jaguar a precursor to this novel.