A rebellion is brewing in the New Mexico territories. An Indian who rides with white men—a Navajo renegade using the name of a legendary fallen warrior—is stirring up fear and rage and bloodlust. Under orders from President Grant, Zak Cody—the enigmatic enforcer they call "Shadow Rider"—heads into the unknown to confront the killer and make things right. But on bloody ground where, without motive or warning, an Indian raiding party has set upon defenseless victims, things are not what they seem. Cody senses that a snare is being set—and many more, guilty and innocent alike, will die if he cannot avert the slaughter. His only hope is to spring the trap himself, and if the Shadow Rider's death is the consequence . . . so be it.