After visiting Greenleaf, the dying forest close to their grandfather's house, the siblings Alec, Maya and Benjamin make their way into a completely new world by chasing the tail of a thieving fox. They stumble into Eloria, an ancient forest where they meet the most wonderful creatures imaginable, the Elorians. During a banquet that is held to welcome the teenagers, the children learn about the growing shadow that broods inside Eloria and the danger the forest and their inhabitants are in. Is the illness of Eloria connected to the dying of Leafgreen forest? Can Alec, Maya and Benjamin help the Elorians figure out what's wrong? Can they defeat the shadows of darkness, that with each passing day grow stronger and stronger in the corners of Eloria? Can they find and save the dying forest spirit of Eloria?
The Green Witches were once admired and respected members of the community. They were a bridge between the human world and the world of nature until King Roderick tried to enlist them in his war with the neighbouring kingdom of Berkanol. When they refused, the King, fearing they would use their powers against him, declared them to be enemies of the Kingdom and ordered them arrested and killed. Today, the few that remain survive by hiding, forever fearing discovery.
Sixteen year old Tala Viddyr is one of those survivors. She lives alone in a cottage in the forest after her father walked out and her mother died of the fever. A young woman living alone will be sure to attract the attention of the witchhunters, though. To hide she has to appear normal, which means she has to marry someone and play the role of wife and mother. She chooses Seventeen year old Dougal Tanner, a boy she likes and who has tried to court her a number of times but for whom she has no real feelings. She hopes that love will come later, but beginning a relationship with him means she has to make a difficult choice. Should she try to hide the truth from him her entire life, or tell him what she is and take the risk that he will betray her to the witchhunters?