Harriet Klausner Hierarchate is a strange world where each social caste lives in its own city.
Men are the rulers of each village, however women are their nightly protectors.
Every evening, a dangerous and mesmerizing scent drifts out of Herwood Forest into each of the Hierarchate villages, luring men into certain death by the Maw if their women fail to keep them home, safe and sound. Cyrus Galingale seeks revenge towards the family that betrayed and destroyed his own family, once part of the highest rung in the hierarchy. Cyrus plans to marry Rose Rubra, an act that should protect Cy from the ravages of the forbidden scent of the Maws, hiding in the nearby Herwood forest. However, Rose fails to protect Cy, who succumbs to the siren's call on their wedding night. She is to be punished for her failure to protect her mate by being turned into a prostitute.