The definition of a sanctuary is 'a place of refuge'. Why would Melissa Jones ever need such a thing? She's led an ordinary life and, as far as she can recall, has never angered anyone. But an invitation to attend the funeral of an old school friend, of whom she has no recollection, and a meeting there with a woman called Danika, who is convinced Melissa's life is in danger, persuade her that she may, after all, need that sanctuary if she wants to stay alive. Overseeing the work of the sanctuary is Verity Trask. Her duty is to ensure the safety of all the women who find themselves in her care, including Melissa. It's a duty she takes very seriously as Verity understands the true nature of the threat they all face, a threat that exists because of a single, horrific event centuries ago, an event known simply as the incident at Brathy Beck.