Kitala was supposed to be M'cal's victim, her soul stolen by his song to give power to the witch who held his reins. However, the gifted, troubled psychic who is able to see death turns out to be the merman's salvation, loving him enough to set him free from the compulsion to obey the evil one. There is more going on than a woman's quest for power and youth. The witch is the most minor thing Kitala and M'cal will face as they fight the darkness and make sacrifices neither ever expected to be called upon to make.

The ending of this book is one of the more powerful ones I have ever seen, and is quite unusual. I'd love to see the full back story that goes with this book, going back to the days of Kitala's grandmother.