Elena and Raphael are back in New York. She is learning more about being and angel and also trying to reclaim her life as a Hunter. Trouble is brewing. It might be that Raphael's mother is waking again after her 1000 year sleep. But will she awaken sane or still as insane as she was when she went to sleep? The possible awakening is causing angels and vampires to behave in uncharacteristic ways and leaving an opening for Lijuan to try to grab more power.