Gregory Nye

Suffering under a great plague, Salem's leading witch, Mary Sibley, faces both foreign and domestic challenges to her authority.

Following the first death of the Grand Rite, Mary intends to sacrifice another innocent. Meanwhile, John works with Cotton Mather and Isaac Walton to try to locate and stop the witches.

When Magistrate Hale discovers that it was Isaac who broke the witches circle, it's up to John to save him. A power struggle arises within the hive, forcing Mary to assert her authority with potentially deadly consequences.

Mary begins the second act of the great ritual, at the same time as Alden returns to Salem. Meanwhile, Dr. Wainwright searches for clues to cure the plague, using worrying methods.

A face from John's past comes to Salem, and Mary's plans nearly come apart when she loses control of Mercy Lewis. Elsewhere, Mary's most trusted ally, Tituba, is forced to deceive John to eliminate a threat that endangers her mistress.

Mary receives much needed assistance from a former foe to keep Salem under the management of the witches.