Sylas and Signa go to Grey’s to investigate. They overhear Byron and Marjorie talking. They learn that Marjorie and Elijah used to be in some sort of relationship. Byron suggests Marjorie seduces Elijah again to get him to pass the business onto Percy. Marjorie argues and it sounds as though Byron and Lillian were together.

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Everyone thinks Percy ran off. The Hawthornes let a lot of their staff go in the hope that whoever was poisoning the children leaves too. Death tells Signa that by killing Aunt Magda, Signa saved another life instead. Blythe was the life she saved. Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer, though, is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful – and more irresistible – than she ever dared imagine. Marjorie the governess starts giving Signa lessons such as how to walk like a lady and how to play the piano. Signa is able to give Percy the last of the antidote to save him. Elijah realises his family is being targeted.

Signa and her cousin Blythe are certain that Fate can save Elijah Hawthorne from wrongful imprisonment ifthe girls will entertain Fate’s presence. But the more time they spend with him, the more frightening their reality becomes as Signa exhibits dramatic new powers that link her to Fate’s past. With mysteries and danger around every corner, the cousins must decide whomthey can trust as they navigate their futures in high society, unravel the murders that haunt their family, and play Fate’s unexpected games—all with their destinies hanging in the balance. Signa speaks to Elaine, Blythe’s maid. Signa tells her of her family home, Foxglove, and Elaine chats a bit about her responsibilities for looking after both Signa and Blythe.

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Signa and Sylas head to the library to research antidotes. Signa comes across the spirit of the ex-librarian, Thaddeus, who is lovely. He died while reading, and is tethered to this realm because he wants to read every book in the library, except they keep bringing more so his mission is never complete. Mood. Signa argues with Sylas at the stables and heads into the woods alone. She comes across CHarlotte, who gives her some bark to chew on to help her feel better. Charlotte says she has seen Percy visiting his mother’s garden occasionally. Percy tries to kill Signa but he stabs her in the shoulder instead when Sylas shoves her out of the way. Signa runs to Blythe’s room. She tells everyone Marjorie is behind the poisoning. Signa tells Death not to take Blythe yet. She sends him to take the life of someone else.Signa makes a poison tea, and Aunt Magda gets mad. Death does show up and talks to Signa a little. Signa pushes Aunt Magda away and she dies. This is the first person Signa has actually murdered. Signa finds Percy, who is setting Lillian’s grave alight. Percy reveals he is upset about being found to be a bastard. It turns out he poisoned himself, knowing that Signa had some antidote left. He also set fire to the library to try to pretend to be the hero, but Signa saved the library instead. Death has always followed Signa. When Signa was a baby, her mother took her to a party, and everyone at the party died apart from the baby. This was Signa’s first encounter with Death. When he turned to her, the moonlight shone upon him in a way that reminded Signa of a painting, wisps of shadows like brushstrokes upon a canvas. “Because I have waited an eternity to meet you, Signa Farrow.” The words were a balm she clung to, relished. “To me, you are a song to a soul that has never known music. Light to someone who has only seen the darkness. You bring out the absolute worst in me, and I become vindictive toward those who treat you in ways I don’t care for. Yet you also bring out the best in me—I want to be better because of you. Better for you.

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Signa is greeted again by the spirit of Lillian. Signa takes the opportunity to ask Lillian some questions. Lillian answers a few before she becomes very distressed. Signa learns that Lillian was murdered, although neither Lillian nor Death seem to know who was behind it. Signa vows to find the murderer before they can kill again, as she thinks they’ll be targeting Blythe next. Death tells Signa about the afterlife. He says some spirits wait in the afterlife for their loved ones, whereas others choose to be reborn as someone else. Death speaks of Rima, Signa’s mother, who constantly pesters Death with questions about her daughter. It’s quite sweet. Aunt Magda is now a very angry spirit. Thankfully for Signa, she’s about to get out of the house and go and live with another relative.Death explains himself a bit. Sylas was invisible to everyone but Signa. He wants to be with her forever and Signa promises neither of them will be alone again. Christmas arrives and Blythe, Percy, and Signa go out in the snow. Signa and Blythe return to Blythe’s room and Blythe gives Signa a gift for the upcoming Christmas ball. The healer at the apothecary thinks Percy is up to something dodgy and doesn’t like him. She gives Signa the berries that she needs, and says they should induce vomiting.