Thomas is a young man with a dark secret. He's lucky enogh to hitch a ride at two in the morning with a nice elderly couple: George and Hazel Moerfield. He climbs the stairs to their eerie house not knowing that his secret is nothing compared to what the bloodthirsty Moerfields are hiding from him...Ten years later: Chris Sunders, adopted son of George and Hazel Moerfield, is a serial killer called the Heartless Beast. He will also be the new High Priest of the Spiral in Sharpurbie, to perform the hideous ceremonies of the cannibalistic Superior Ones. And there's Alma Hath. Alma is determined to make him a member of her Dark Witches Circle. Which path will Chris Sunders choose? Or will his devastated mother, Elaine Johanson, find him first...?