Viktor Brandewyne's search for the second Sister of Power leads him to the bayou country near colonial New Orleans. Along the way, he has his first encounter with vampires not made by him, as well as runs afoul of smugglers. The black waters of the bayous hold their own danger, as well. An ancient demon guards the way to the Sister. Worse, the siren, Belladonna, begins to die in the swamps. Should Viktor return the siren to the sea or continue on to the Sister? Without magic from all the Sisters, he won't be able to break the curse that has made him vampire before it destroys him. Without Belladonna, he cannot find the Sisters.