Tatau

Previous to his backpacking trip around the world, Kyle had a tattoo inked on his arm - a mark that he had designed himself. Upon his arrival in the beautiful South Pacific island of Manutaki, he finds that the tattoo provokes unexpected reactions from the locals, and he and his friend Budgie decide to determine their significance. Along the way, Kyle believes he has uncovered a terrible crime, but struggles to convince anybody that it has been committed. While he tries to convince his friends, he unwittingly upsets the Manutaki residents, who do not take kindly to foreigners making accusations.

Convinced that a terrible crime is going to be committed, Kyle becomes entangled with a powerful local family. He also delves deeper into the ancient local culture which includes shamans, spirits and hallucinogenic potions. Is Kyle now able to access prophetic visions or is he simply losing his mind? After the previous revelation, Kyle seeks further confirmation of his powers when he insists on speaking to Aumea - the beautiful daughter of a powerful Manutaki Island family - and discovers the meaning of her tattoo. But Kyle's claims continue to stir up trouble and he still cannot convince people of the danger that Aumea might be in. Budgie's debts continue to be a worry, but maybe he has found a solution on the island?

The strange Maori chief shows Kyle how his destiny has led him to the island. But Aumea is torn - she feels a deep connection to Kyle, and can't dismiss his claims, yet her family warn her that Kyle is dangerous. When they discover that she has been seeing him behind their back, the family and local pastor Calcott hatch a desperate plan to cure Kyle of his delusions. Budgie becomes entangled in a criminal enterprise that could ruin everything.

Having taken a flight to the mainland, Kyle and Budgie try to get on with their holiday and party but the trouble they've unleashed is about to come back and bite them. Kyle's tattoo grows ever more significant in meaning and when Budgie goes missing, Kyle becomes convinced he's been taken hostage. Kyle has to rely on Aumea's fiancée, Koringo, for help - a desperate action which only fuels his suspicions and jealousy, leading to a devastating conclusion.

Budgie languishes in hospital at death's door, Kyle tries to prove to Aumea that Koringo can't be trusted, but things culminate in another terrible vision that pushes Kyle to crisis. After a long dark night of the soul, Kyle makes a startling discovery that could change everything. Meanwhile, back on the Island, Lara's undercover operation into the Vaipiti family is coming to a crunch - the smuggling operation has been exposed, but is her lover Maui involved?

Kyle returns to the island of Manutaki with Budgie's spirit, convinced that together, they have the power to save Aumea. It's clear to Kyle that Pastor Calcott's radical beliefs verge on the maniacal. After Kyle's sudden departure from Rotorua, Aumea has become increasingly wary of him. His renewed attempt to warn her meets with a disturbing result. The hunt for the missing Dries continues, and Maui makes a decision that may come back to haunt him.

Following his death-defying victory, Kyle discovers a new power which enables him to uncover Dries's murder. Suspicion falls on Maui and Lara is forced into an agonising decision, sending the Vaipiti family into crisis. But is Koringo also involved and, if so, can anyone prove it? With Budgie back by his side, Kyle thinks he's finally convinced Aumea to believe him and alter future events - they are unaware that the Bikers are loose upon the Island with dark intentions of their own.

Kyle's plans to run away with Aumea are hampered, but he is still determined to change the future. With Calcott prophesising Armageddon, Maui languishing in prison and Koringo preparing for the wedding, Kyle finds unlikely allies in his last-ditch attempt to discover the truth and save Aumea. But as he battles to stop his terrible visions from becoming reality, the old myths vie with new, and the true purpose of Kyle's journey to this island is finally revealed. His tattoo did not lie. Destiny cannot be avoided.