The castaways - Cy, Romnel, Sam, Perdi, and the Hungarian teens - are back at Gracestone, but not soon enough to prevent Annelisa from disappearing again, this time with Hana. Gracestone's Number One Lady Locator and her Protector are taken against their will, but the experience gives them plenty to write about for their comic book series, The Train of Thought.

Jessie heads to Texas to confront arsonist Antonine, who is been compelled to stop Amandia from unbecoming an Atherling. Breaking into Antonine's house is easy for the experienced Incapacitator, but dealing with what she finds there isn't. Amandia is up in St. Augustine with Anyssa, her on-again personal assistant Nancy, and the ghost of her Aunt Actavia, still trying to unBecome. She's getting closer, although she doesn't realize it in time to save herself, and others, from pain and heartbreak.

Meanwhile, poor Antoine is banished to California for the Grace family's protection, while Seabee Nathan is attacked at sea, although not in any way that he could have predicted. Jean-Fils, not quite sane but getting there, is a pilot, again, and hones in on the real Sulphur Island (Iwo Jima) before he is unexpectedly waylaid. He's gets into a fix, of course, but gains a friend, or two, and some important insight into his what contributed to the demise of his marriage to Eleanor. Carlissa acts older than her years, giving her new stepdad, Romnel, heartburn. She's hot, and ready to burst with energy, not unlike Cinq Terras, which has been showing signs of volcanic activity. Arthur is investigating, but everyone is concerned about the beloved island blowing its top. Henri can't seem to rid Gracestone of the witchly women - Sofia, Sarita, and Saorise - and Cy blames himself for bringing all three into the picture.

Henri also can't keep up with staffing the nursery, in Amandia's absence, as baby after baby arrives. It's mayhem, and poor Humboldt is still stuck out in Los Alamos, working on the U. S. Atomics Weapons Program, and worrying about Annelisa. It's all he can do not to have her locked up in a room, although he knows she would probably still find away to get into trouble. The story ends around Christmas, 1944, with a cliffhanger which leads nicely into Book 5, Blood and Ashes.