Atticus Freeman sa vracia do rodného Chicaga, kde zisťuje, že jeho otec zmizol. Spoločne so strýkom Georgom a dávnou priateľkou Letitiou sa preto vydáva do grófstva Devon, kde však musia čeliť rasistické polícii aj prastarým monštrám.

Atticus, Letitia a George začínajú byť podozrievaví voči svojim ardhamským hostiteľom z klanu Braithwaiteov. Kvôli tomu ich čakajú ďalšie prekážky v ceste do vysnívaného Montrose.

Letitia sa snaží napraviť svoj vzťah so sestrou Ruby, zatiaľ čo Atticus sa snaží Hippolyte vysvetliť udalosti z Ardhamu. Na scéne sa ale objavujú niektoré prízraky minulosti a všetci hrdinovia spoznávajú aj rasistickú tvár Ameriky.

After Christina mysteriously shows up at her doorstep, Leti confronts Atticus about his plan to surreptitiously return to Florida. Later, in search of missing pages to a crucial text, Leti, Tic, and Montrose head to Boston, with Hippolyta and Diana along for the ride. Back in Chicago, a handsome stranger nurses Ruby's disappointment over a squandered job opportunity.

After making a devil’s bargain with William, Ruby steps into the charmed shoes of a white woman, but her transformation only fortifies her resentment of the racial divide. A betrayal by Montrose unleashes Atticus’ pent up rage, leaving Leti deeply disturbed and sending Montrose into the comforting arms of his secret lover.

In the throes of the Korean War, nursing student Ji-Ah crosses paths with a wounded Atticus, who has no recollection of their violent first encounter.

Hippolyta's relentless search for answers takes her on a multidimensional journey of self-discovery and Atticus heads to St. Louis to consult an old family friend.

A distraught Diana finds herself in Captain Lancaster's crosshairs. When a visitor from his past arrives at the boarding house, Atticus and Leti each take steps to protect their future.

After uncovering the origins of the Book of Names, the gang heads back to Ardham to cast the ultimate spell.