In the Wild West town of Tanreach, Tadeus Ketter has one of the most respected jobs around. Hunting escaped wraiths for the governor doesn't pay a lot, but the perks are great-free meals at local restaurants, his own horse, cool weapons, the admiration of the locals, and the chance to visit the prestigious Governor's Mansion. What more could a poor kid living on the wrong side of the river want?

But when his parents give him the unexpected present of Oren, a wise-cracking cowboy who is different from any wraith Tad has known, that all changes. Tad captures a mythical Onyx wraith, loses his job, meets a girl, and discovers that everything he knew about wraiths-and the town where he grew up-is a lie.

Naomi Pomroy was raised by a historian and archeologist after Governor Silas killed her parents when she was a baby. Since then, she and Elderidge have been trying to learn the governors' secrets, unravel the truth about Onyx wraiths, and track down the mysterious cult called The Church of the Broken Rock-who might have the answers to everything.

Working together, Tad and Naomi discover shocking truths about themselves, the people they care about, and the true relationship between humans and wraiths. But with those truths comes a decision that will force them to leave behind what they love or fight for something that will probably destroy them both.