World War II is raging across Europe. France has been invaded. But Essilina has more to worry about than a war. There's a dragon on the loose. And it's hunting her. After a dangerous encounter with the beast, Essilina's mother sends her away to an all-girls boarding school outside of France. Everything seems wonderful at the posh finishing school, everything except her snooty roommate. Essilina soon makes new friends. She's safe, happy, and out of danger, or so she thinks.

Unfortunately, the school harbors a dark mystery. A mystery that now threatens Essilina and her friends. A mystery that only Essilina can solve.

Now her life -- and the lives of her friends -- depends on her unraveling the clues to the ancient secret.

Strict rules, harsh punishments, hidden rooms, horrid roommates, and clandestine experiments challenge Essilina's mind, body and determination.