Bone Criers are the last descendants of an ancient family charged with using the magic they draw from animal bones to shepherd the dead into the afterlife, lest they drain the light from the living. Ailesse has been prepared since birth to become their matriarch, but first she must complete her rite of passage: to kill the boy she's destined to love. Bastien's father was slain by a Bone Crier and he's been seeking revenge ever since, but his vengeance must wait.