The Cantares are the musical clan of the Faery kingdom. Simon, the leader of Shauna Faun was a Cantare when he was a light faery, so he is shocked to discover that the music he hears from that land is not what it once was. Rhiannon is a young Faery studying to become a musician. She has the voice of an angel. Once Simon hears her, he knows she is the most talented singer he's ever heard. However, the choir master dismisses her as not good enough Rhiannon has had a difficult life. An orphan, she is raised by a woman who treats her like a slave. Her peers tease her constantly for being an outsider, but their real reason is jealousy of her voice. Once Rhiannon discovers what Simon is, she begs him to turn her, but he is reluctant to take one so talented out of the light Faery world. Thinking that even the dark Faeries don't want her, she becomes despondent and considers ending her life.