The book is set in San Francisco and is narrated from multiple perspectives, largely that of Bryan Clauser, a homicide detective known for his calm, cold demeanor.

The two come across a series of ritualistic murders that appear to be initially unconnected but eventually prove to be related to a teenager by the name of Rex Deprovdechuk.

Rex is extremely unpopular at his school and was frequently the subject of physical abuse by his mother and by a gang of bullies called "BoyCo".

Rex is eventually approached by Sly and a few members of Marie's Children, who tell him that he is their king and is destined to lead them to a glorious new future.

They ultimately succeed in killing Marie and most of the Children, but the attempt comes at the price of multiple lives, including Erickson's.

He decides that he will take on Erickson's role as a Savior (as there are still Children in San Francisco) and assumes his identity, as he feels that he has nothing tying him to his old life.