Sent to Altarcza, sentenced to life without parole for the murders of her husband and child, all Ivana Trenchuet wishes for is death. She tries to make it happen by instigating fights with the other inmates.

Zavion Tendussa does not really want to become the new warden of Altarcza, but the perks are tempting. At least the position has one bonus—he and his baby girl get to live in a beautiful mansion outside the prison's walls.

When Ivana is ordered to appear before the new warden, she expects the worst punishment—the cooler. Which suits her fine because the cooler will accomplish her wish to die.