Abandoned as a small child, Raven struggles with the mystery of her identity.

She buys an old book. Inside, she finds a letter dated 1840, which starts her on a quest to find elusive Beau Chenevert Plantation.

Upon finding the ruins of Beau Chenevert, a story of long ago unfolds before her--a story of love and hate, life and death, beauty and horror.

Annette LeCompte is made to kiss the Voodoo Serpent, Le Grand Zombie, and is promised to him. The promise follows her, torturing and terrifying even as she marries and has a baby. At a Voodoo ceremony she dances the Calinda and is claimed by the Serpent.

Her husband, Pierre, unwittingly agrees to pay the ultimate price to release his wife from the power of the Serpent by giving the Voodoos the Goat Without Horns.

Annette takes part in a ceremony so horrifying that her mind is shattered.

Will Raven find her identify through this reality of long ago, or will she Dance the Calinda?