They came upon us like nightfall, like the winds, like the changing seasons. Swift as laughter, bright as steel, pitiless as frost in the dead of winter. More beautiful than sunlight and treacherous as desire. A summer vacation to Ireland should be no cause for concern. Even the Handmaiden of Death deserves a break. Emlynn has faced ghosts, the Ancient Dead and demonic entities as she's grown into her power. But there's no preparation for what awaits her this time - meeting her boyfriend's mother. Emlynn is determined not to show how nervous she is. However her foreboding is proved right when Mrs O'Connor hates her on sight. Ciarán is elated to be taking his girlfriend to meet his family at last, not least after all the dangers they've faced together over that last few years. In fact, he'd be perfectly happy if it wasn't for one last nagging doubt - that maybe he's not good enough. Distracted by family drama, Emlynn doesn't realise that a far greater danger is headed her way. A goddess has set her covetous gaze on Ciarán, and her plans for him will test his and Emlynn's relationship to the limit. Forced to travel where no avatar of Death was ever meant to go, Emlynn must face trials set by a cruel, inhuman mind if she ever hopes to see Ciarán alive again.