Marleigh's death isn't going very well... After being pitched from her beloved horse, she is forced to adjust to life as a ghost after respawning in the realm of Sheattidin. Marleigh becomes a loner (well, moreso than she already was) and finds herself spending most of her time floating through her condo and lamenting her death to her emotional support angel, Dardariel. That is...until she receives a mysterious letter in the mail. The letter invites her to attend a university called Shifter Syndicate on a full-ride scholarship. Why? "Because of your talents." But Dardariel warns her that this is neither a Wonka's Golden Ticket nor a gift from Hagrid. Shifter Syndicate is located in the realm of Ytherynia, and nothing good happens in Ytherynia. Still, Marleigh feels a strange urge to attend the university. She pulls herself out of her four-year funk and packs her bags, ready for a new adventure. But the truth about Shifter Syndicate wasn't in the fine print. Students are going missing, and the administration is sweeping the abductions under the rug. Even worse, a horrific apparition stalks Marleigh after each abduction, trapping her in an endless game of cat-and-mouse. Dardariel begs Marleigh to return to Sheattidin, but she can't. And she doesn't know why. All she knows is that it's up to her, the investigative PJ Stanley, the illusive Shell Spears, and the irresistible Ebony Way to uncover the horrors of Shifter Syndicate if they ever want to return home.