Since Var Royd introduced himself into Keely Fey's life nothing is cut and dried. Salon gossip and satisfied clients are a thing of the past. Secrets, deception and the power hungry are the new normal. While Var attempts to woo her into taking the position of his Shadow, the goddess Hel has other plans. Plans she keeps to herself behind claims of assistance, but trusting a goddess of death doesn't come easy. Especially, with an elusive favor she refuses to name hanging in the balance. When her threats of unleashing Vereinen fail, Stasia Athory offers up a chance at freedom. But when the currency is blood and the probability of Keely, Teiran, or both ending up dead, the trade doesn't seem fair. Become the Lord's Shadow, put her trust in the goddess of death, or be the secret component in an anti-wrinkle cream. Keely wants the collar off, but with alternatives like these is she trading one shackle for another?