The spirits of the dead do not sleep. Artemisia learns to be a Gray Sister, a nun who cleanses the bodies of the dead so that their souls can retire and will not rise as predatory, hungry spirits. She would rather deal with the dead than the living, who whisper about her scarred hands and troubled past. When the monastery is attacked, Artemisia tries to protect it by awakening a powerful spirit. But everything spirals out of control, and now he is the only one who can help her save thousands of lives. Unraveling the sinister mystery of dark magic, Artemisia realizes that she will have to betray everything she believes in... Unless the spirit betrays her first.