An eerie clue to the Inca Prophecy lies hidden in a tomb near the ancient city of Machu Picchu. The prophecy itself is concealed deep in the Amazon jungle, amongst the ruins of Paititi, the Lost City of the Inca. Disaffected CIA agent Curtis O'Connor and Guatemalan archaeologist Dr Aleta Weizman are convinced a mysterious crystal skull, discovered near the Inca Trail, will lead them to it. Thousands of kilometres away, the Pope lies gravely ill in the Vatican and Cardinal Felici, a key contender for the Papacy, is anxious to return to Rome. At his luxurious villa on the shores of Lake Como, Felici is concluding a meeting with Professor Macchiarolo, one of the world's foremost experts on crystal skulls. What is hidden in Paititi that would attract the attention of both the CIA and the Vatican's espionage service? Is the prophecy connected to the cataclysm predicted by both the Mayans and the Incas? And is there a link to the Iranian heavy water nuclear reactor and the manufacture of deadly plutonium suitcase bombs? O'Connor is certain there is, and that both he and Weizman are now in mortal danger.