The Lake Macquarie coven has dark times ahead, but its origins go way back to a dark witch. Thirty years ago, Earl Pressonville made a mistake. He fell victim to the dark witch and it cost him his life. Well, most of his life. Some part of him survived, existing as a shadow in a purgatory he cannot escape. One day, a young witch, Nea Royston, touches him with her reader sense and her lightness draws him from the darkness. Conjuring a semblance of himself, Earl woos the young witch, but Nea is looking for life, for love, for a future, and all Earl can ever offer is a fantasy. But blood magic leaves a taint and draws those with evil intent to Lake Macquarie. The coven is not ready and the evil one has Nea in his sights. Earl must do all he can to protect the one he loves, the one who has brought light and love into his existence. Yet, how can he save her when he has no life to give?