Four months have passed since the shadow stone fell into Kell's possession. Four months since his pathcrossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Rhy was wounded and the Dane twins fell, and the stone wascast with Holland's dying body through the rift, and into Black London.

In many ways, things have almost returned to normal, though Rhy is more sober, and Kell is now plagued byhis guilt. Restless, and having given up smuggling, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events,waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks like she always meant to do. As Red Londonfinalises preparations for the Element Games a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back intoport.

But while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming backto life, and those who were thought to be forever gone have returned. After all, a shadow that was gone in thenight reappears in the morning, and so it seems Black London has risen again -- meaning that another Londonmust fall.