Some might say that any forgotten memories of our past should be left safely tucked away and undisturbed... but for Effie Farraday remembering her past just might be her salvation.
Effie was gripped by a strange melancholy on the days leading up to her wedding; it crept over her like a desolate shadow. When a mysterious stranger bursts through the chapel doors Effie's auspicious day turns into a living nightmare. Confused and embarrassed she hides away at Rawlings with her Aunt, hoping to forget what has happened and trying to ignore the shadowy figure that watches her at night.
It is at this point that Noble enters her life; he is someone whose compelling nature will have a profound affect on Effie, and it soon becomes apparent that both their lives are closely linked with Gideon. When Effie has another nightmarish dream of Gilbert she discovers an unexpected clue that leads them to a book, a book that holds the key to finding Noble's home. A sudden surprise announcement sends Isaiah into a terrible rage, and Effie realises that they must act swiftly before anyone is harmed.
After almost being stranded in an interface between worlds, Effie, Noble and Isaiah finally make it to the charming village of Briarwood, which Effie instantly recognises from her previous visit. Much to her delight, she is reunited with Mace, but Gideon is nowhere in sight...The village very soon captivates Effie once more, and with her growing feelings for Noble, she would be quite content to remain there...had it not been for Gideon. During a trial in the church, Effie has a chilling encounter with Verity, and is utterly mortified by what comes to light, and when Isaiah is banished from the village, he offers to escort Effie to his previous home of Hartland, where they believe Gideon to be. Rather reluctantly Effie agrees to his proposition, in the hope that she can find Gideon, and her friend Clarice, and bring them home. After leaving a rather crestfallen Noble back in Briarwood, Effie, Mace and Isaiah begin the journey across the wilderness.
Nothing could have prepared Effie for what she discovers at Hartland. It is a desolate land where they find an austere looking monastery shrouded in mist, Isaiah beckons them in, believing they'll welcome him back with open arms. But on entering the building he is immediately carted off to the underground cells. Gideon and Clarice are soon spotted amongst the unwelcoming faces of the residents, but their minds have been poisoned with a special tonic made from rowanberries, and they no longer recognise Effie. When Mace is also taken away Effie finds herself alone, where there is a ghostly presence lurking in every corner, and in the very foundations of the building. But the most frightening beings are lurking in the grounds, they are ancient unnatural monstrosities, known as The Elder trees, and have grown all out of proportion; their distorted branches surround the borders of the monastery, trapping anyone inside...and they need regular feeding...
The leader of the monastery is Septimus, a rather sickly man who has a steadfast belief about the future of Hartland, and is desperate to find a specific book that will help him achieve his purpose. When the chance arises for Effie to become reacquainted with Gideon she desperately tries to bring him back to his senses, but his mind is too addled with the tonic. It soon becomes clear that she must flee whilst she still can, taking Mace, Gideon and Clarice with her. But escaping Hartland is not that easy, and Effie finds herself thrown into the cells with a dazed Isaiah, to await her fate.
They came from nowhere, racing across the icy fields with such power. Effie was ready for them, and welcomed them with open arms...
