After fourteen long years, Meri's family is whole again, but her life has become stranger than ever. For starters, Meri's mother took her and her brother, Kevin, down to Kilstiffen, the sunken city of which her grandfather is the king. Not only is Meri the heiress of Kilstiffen, her grandfather expects her to act the part. Worse, those who live below don't trust surface dwellers, including Meri's father. As if all of that wasn't stressful enough, school is starting up again with a new headmaster, there's a new boy in town who won't leave Meri alone, and Sister Mary Katherine isn't allowed to teach her literature classes any longer. Despite all of that, Meri also has Aodhan, her dear friend who's now become something more. As they navigate their new, closer relationship, Meri learns of more threats cropping up. Another sea kingdom has developed an interest in Kilstiffen, and Meri and her brother unwittingly get wrapped up in their schemes. Add to that the appearance of a collector of souls and a fairy that can seduce females with a touch, and Meri's quiet fishing village starts resembling a fairy tale gone wrong. To top it off, the Master of the Dead is in town, and he wants to reclaim his home: Tech Duinn, the legendary house of the dead. The last time he had access to Tech Duinn, the streets ran red with the blood of his victims. Meri's always believed that with Aodhan at her side, they could do anything-but how can they withstand a host of threats that bring them right to Death's Door?