Book I of VII in the Elvenstone Series The Underworld is not a place Shadow wishes to dwell. Banished there by his brother – the god Lux – and corrupted over the years by the Demon Spore, he has long been planning his escape. Now, after a thousand years, the curse Shadow placed on the Land of the Living, is finally coming to …when Elf and Human wed, the world will be destroyed, For one born of that blood shall rise and then betray … And nothing can stop true love. Except perhaps, a demon. Some years later, in order to protect the land from the prophecy of destruction, the Elven King tests his three grandchildren – born of the union between Elf and Human – in front of the Elvenstone. He fashions each a staff containing gemstones of great power. Since the youths have only just come of age, the King sends them to Castle Eldahir to study the art of Arcane Lore. However, the journey is perilous and fraught with difficulties. Along the way, Shadow’s many minions and agents are sent to disrupt their travels, and it is not clear whether the three young siblings will arrive at the castle or be taken to the Underworld to await their fate there.