Bone Criers alone can keep the dead from preying on the living, but their power to ferry the spirits of the dead into goddess Elara's Night Heavens or Tyrus's Underworld comes from sacrifice. The gods demand a promise of dedication-- the Bone Criers' one true love. Ailesse has been prepared since birth to become the matriarch of the Bone Criers. But first she must complete her rite of passage and kill the boy she is destined to love. Bastien's father was slain by a Bone Crier and he has sought revenge ever since. When he take Ailesse captive, her friend Sabine will do whatever it takes to save her-- and to break the bond between Ailesse and Bastien.