Safiya's quest to find Fiona leads her right into the heart of the next battle, this time in New Orleans. She and Randall intend to get in and out. Instead, they wind up hostages of a local man who has a different idea for her broken magic. As Safiya and Randall make their way through the monster-plagued city, they are forced to team up with another witch. Sasmita is strong, smart—and hiding something that puts her right in the path of the freed dark mage. Everything changes when Joseph Stone rolls into town and Safiya must make a choice that will alter the course of her life. And then there's Winston.