As the town of Salem continues to try and cope with the mounting plague, suspicions and fear grip the townspeople, and one of Mary's recent adversaries takes steps to place himself in a position of power among the citizenry, leading Mary to rally her allies and resort to making a risky play in her bid to maintain control of the town. Meanwhile, Anne and Cotton find they share some common ground, an earlier act of mercy may come back to haunt Mary, tensions of a less-than-Puritan nature continue to smolder between Mary and Dr. Wainwright, John arrives back in Salem and makes his first move in the epic task that lies before him, and Mary and Tituba make a troubling discovery.
Set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts, it explores what really fueled the town's infamous witch trials and centers on Mary Sibley, the beautiful, ruthless but vulnerable wife of an ancient, ailing but very wealthy Salem town Selectman.