Jasper Lilla's mother, Vernalisa, returns from Hendersonville with a nasty bite from a Black Mambasnake. Because Vernalisa is who she is the bite does not kill her, but it does put her in a coma. WithVernalisa out of the way, the balance of power in nature is threatened. The threat comes in the form ofa mysterious red-headed woman who uses the opportunity to expand her dominion. If she wins all of nature will be diseased and decay. In her service is a host of crazed vermin and scavengers. The onlything standing between her and the demise of planet earth is 17-year- old Jasper Lilla, his sister, theirnanny and the wolves of Banner Elk.