Devlin Redwood, an insecure biochemistry researcher, needs to ace a presentation for an important client, but she keeps having dreams about a shadowy creature in the woods. Two days before the presentation, she finally has enough and confronts the creature in her dreams. Apparently it’s Death and he is in need of a side-kick. He would like her specifically. 

After he proves himself in a rather deathly way, her curiosity grows and she finally accepts the job. 

Devlin sets about on a journey where she learns that love and sorrow are tightly intertwined for every soul she helps. She grows extremely fond of the job as Death’s side-kick, including Death himself. However when the job suddenly hits close to home, nothing is what it seems, and everything is at stake.

(*Spoilers!) Devlin has two weeks to proof she belongs in the Institute, else the Institute will strip her of her powers, a process that will for sure kill her. Learning to control her powers is one thing, but proving she is deserving of those powers is another. When she learns her father is responsible for killing Itzal’s father, she has to decide if she is going to fight for her spot in the Institute.

(*Spoilers!) When Devlin learns that she is able to help souls that everyone thought were lost, she thinks that she finally belongs in the Institute. But is the Institute as honorable as they put themselves up to be?