Following the stunning revelation that the evil mage Manfred Tarr is seeking a magical key to free the Widow—the dreadful despot he both loves and fears—Benjamiah has been filled with worry about his friends and the world he has grown to love. Despite his parents’ objections, he makes his way back to that enchanting land of unmappable streets, only to find his worst fears have come Blight has come to Wreathenwold. Worse still, it is crossing into Benjamiah’s world too.