"Some dark god wakes..." The last words of a madman. Tensions grow more each day in The Burgue between its citizens since the assassination of chancellor Absalom. A secret cult threatens the well-being of the denizens of Carnival Row as unease spreads through its streets. Meanwhile the new chancellor Jonah, with the aid of the opposition leader Sophie, seek to pass laws to tighten even more its authority on fae folk within The Republic of The Burgue. An Agent of The Burgue Irghon Verghson and his mischievous beloved Eibhlin investigate a mysterious phantom said to be causing the unsteadiness gripping the entire city causing even more problems that are bound to light the fuse. With the help of Philo and Vignette the agent hopes to catch and unmask the phantom leading Irghon to suspect a sinister plot behind it all. Or it will lead to an uprising that may destroy the lives the faes in Carnival Row, along with the rest within The Republic of The Burgue.