"You're a beautiful young woman, which is rather unfortunate, although not your fault. Sometimes genetics are cruel," Griselda said, patting my hand in sympathy. "You look nothing like a witch, Child, and these people, while kind and friendly, will expect their witch to look the part."

I sighed with a sinking feeling. She was going to try and talk me into crooked teeth again.

Julia sets about aging herself, choosing an appropriate name for a witch and serving the village, but a certain warlock has other ideas and is determined to get what she feels is rightfully hers – Julia's position, her magic and the man she loves. The warlock will stop at nothing, including murder.

With the help of Griselda, her mentor, and Khanya, an eccentric sang'anga medicine woman, Julia or Agatha as she is now know, track down the warlocks. But, betrayal by a close friend is brutal and unexpected.