Night after night, Elva steps forth into the black sea…He is one of the kannagi, white-haired, ageless warrior priests chosen by the divine to protect the island and its people. Although most kannagi live short and lonely lives, Elva has found a devoted friend in Alto, who’s sworn to serve him and free him from his cursed fate. Having finally admitted their deep and tender feelings for one another, Alto and Elva spend their first new moon together as a couple. As Elva finds solace in Alto’s embrace, he finally summons the courage within himself to speak the truth of his painful childhood. But as the Church begins to meddle in the affairs of the kannagi andAlto stumbles across a shocking secret about their island home, can Elva accept the happiness and love he has found at Alto’s side, knowing that he alone among the kannagi has found a reprieve from their tragic fate?