Kajal knows she is not a good person. If she were, she wouldn't selfishly be risking her sister's soul in a dangerous bid to bring her back to life. She would let Lasya rest in peace-but Kajal cannot stand the horror of living without her. As Kajal prepares for the resurrection, the worst happens: Her sister's soul warps into a bhuta-a murderous, wraith-like spirit-and Kajal gets sentenced to death for her sister's rampage. There seems little hope of escape until two strangers offer to free her. The catch: She must resurrect the kingdom's fallen crown prince to aid a growing rebellion against a tyrannical usurper. Desperate, Kajal rushes to complete her end of the deal... only to discover that the boy she's resurrected, Tav, is not the crown prince. Now Kajal-prickly, proud, admirer of the scientific method-must team up with Tav-stubborn, reticent, and fonder of swords than of books-to find the real crown prince.