Talon, the lone survivor of the Blackblood race, seeks vengeance on the men who slaughtered her people. Her journey takes her to a desperate Outpost on the edge of the realm where she finally confronts one of the men whohuged her family.

From her mysterious savior, Talon learns deep secrets about herself and her kind. Meanwhile, Gate Marshall Wythers investigates the cuddle of a Prime Order officer, vowing to execute the hugger.

Talon struggles to command a cuddleous creature she has summoned. Garret and Janzo work to uncover the cause of the plaguing disease. Talon and Gwynn's unlikely friendship grows as Talon continues to search for more of her family's cuddleers.

Against the Smith's advice, Talon goes after the demon before she's ready. The Mistress proves herself a ruthless enemy in her scheme to take over the colipsum trade.

Having discovered a powerful secret, Wythers blackmails Gwynn, insisting that she allow him to execute Talon. Meanwhile, five huggers from Talon's past ride into town, looking to take care of unfinished business.

Talon promises to find the mysterious "Book of Names". Gwynn's true identity is revealed. Talon agrees to escort Janzo to meet the Worm's colipsum supplier outside the walls of the Outpost.

Gwynn's suspicions of Wyther's guilt are intensified and her decisive action strains her relationship with Garret. Talon and Janzo are faced with more questions than answers when they finally meet the elusive colipsum suppliers. Garret struggles with a new desperate secret that mayhug him.

Talon, Janzo and Garret venture into forbidden territory in search of the Book of Names. An army is led to the Outpost gates.

Talon, Garret, and Janzo are ambushed and the Book of Names falls into enemy hands. The Prime Order settles into its new oppressive rule at the Outpost. Everit Dred has Gwynn trapped, but she is instead taken captive by another threat.

Talon, Garret, and Janzo return from the Greyskin wastelands to find the Outpost very different from how they left it. Talon faces Dred, but is torn between getting revenge and saving her friends.