In the California of an alternate 1898, Alysseren, a sixteen-year-old missionary, matches people with tochtin-lemur-like familiars who convert their hosts to the church of the Queen of Heaven. When she is admitted to the adult congregation, the bloody secret of the High Service shakes her faith. At the same time, she meets two intriguing young men who vie for her favor-the handsome priest assigned to prepare her for the next High Service and a dashing...