When deadly miscreations kill dozens in a mountain village, the Stalkers are sent exterminate them. But when Abyowith discovers someone released the magical beasts intentionally, the mission becomes a hunt for a murderer. From a farm torn apart by anger to a valley shattered by mining, Abyowith’s search reveals a decades-long conflict between two once-prosperous families. Now, as old hatreds flare into new anger and miscreations stalk the village, Abyowith must untangle the past to find the truth—and the murderer—before more the miscreations kill again.