Racked with grief over Ellie's death, Rowan is out of control and unfit to perform surgeries, but her paranoia that someone is following her is true. In New Orleans, Deirdre and her mysterious companion Lasher work together to draw Rowan home.

In the aftermath of Deirdre's grisly death, Rowan searches for safety in a strange city. Sip provides Rowan with a safe house while he investigates Deirdre's murder. Lasher makes contact with Rowan in an unexpected way.

At Deirdre's funeral, Rowan is plunged into the world of the infamous Mayfair family; Uncle Cortland and Aunt Carlotta present diverging views on Lasher; Rowan must choose who to trust and face the dire consequences; Sip identifies Deirdre's killer.

Trapped in the First Street House, Rowan and Sip must confront its mysteries in order to escape; Rowan grapples with an inconceivable offer; Sip's sister, Odette, makes a horrifying discovery.

Desperate to relinquish Lasher, Rowan reaches out to her extended Mayfair family for help, but she must trust their unique process: a sacred ritual; Sip's search for answers takes him back to the Talamasca.