Unable to light even a simple candle, Brenda's lack of magic threatens the magic shop her Granny Pollsocks left her. The power is off, the heat is out, and the shop's magical spirits turn their back. Enter a dark haired, blue-eyed stranger who claims to be her Familiar. His purpose? To show Brenda that hope is the key to magic.

In order to remove a 100 yr old werewolf curse from her cousin's family, the Warwicks, Brenda has to know what the original curse said, word for word. But no one remembers it, nor do they know who placed it on the family or why. Brenda learns a bit more about her family when Edward takes her through the Back Door in order to learn the curse. Will Brenda know the curse when she hears it, and if she does, will she be able to cure it before the Pack comes for Edward?

An old lover from Edward's past returns just as he assures Brenda there are no more surprises. Cecelia asks for Edward's help in saving her new ghoul lover. But the only way to save him is for Edward to drive a stake into Cecelia's heart. Waiting just outside is Cecelia's sire. He wants her to come home and threatens to kill the ghoul unless they turn Cecelia over to them.