Mattie, a shy fifth-grader, wants to hide out at her new school by acting as apprentice to her Uncle Potluck, the custodian, but her plan falls apart when she summons the courage to speak about what matters most and finds a true friend.

Persephone Alcmedi's beloved foster daughter, Beverley, has been playing with a magical artifact that's far more dangerous than she realizes. Now Persephone must summon help from a mystical being so potent that even vampires fear him ... and the cost of his aid may be more than she's willing to pay. Seph, Johnny, and Menessos face threats from all side -- and a few from within.