As the once-human beasts advance, I try draining magic from the air but there's virtually nothing to tap into. In my own time, these creatures would have been simple to deal with. Here, it's going to be difficult. The lead werewolf snaps at the female. With a howl, she leaps. I unleash the spell as she jumps. It's a choking spell. If it doesn't work, I won't know much about it - she'll be on me in a second, and I'm defenseless.

With Beranabus, Grubbs, and Kernel off exploring the universe of the Demonata for clues about the Shadow behind the demon invasion, Bec is left behind in Carcery Vale for safekeeping. But with Dervish's health on the decline, Lord Loss knows she's the most vulnerable piece of the Kah-Gash.

As hoards of demons, werewolves, and zombies advance, Bec needs to figure how to reach Beranabus with crucial information about the Shadow-fast.