Sakina is the Djeli of the Niani Empire, a songstress who receives advice from the ancestors. Asif the alim, or scholar, is visiting the Niani Empire as a guest. Though Sakina is married to a trader who is currently away on his travels, Asif makes extensive romantic advances at Sakina. During their first introduction, the ancestors tell Sakina he is a demon.

The next day, Sakina comes across a Norseman who is stretched out on the shore, looking dehydrated. The ancestors once again whisper to Sakina that he is a demon, so she convinces her Uncle to allow her to interrogate the strange man. Upon interrogation, the man, reveals that his name is Leif. He is a Christian mercenary who has been sent from a bloodline that has attacked the Niani Empire in the past to spread their religion. His original mission was to continue his family tradition and further attack the empire. His ship was wrecked in a storm and his crew died, but there's still some possibility that survivors may be attempting to attack the village. Though this was his original mission, Leif claims he wants to help the Niani people instead. He says that his mother was also a djeli, and his uncle is being rewarded by a king to rid the Carib of Moors. This said, he had threatened to throw Leif's mother out of the house and sell her as a slave. Leif's ability to "change" was the only thing stopping her from being sold into slavery. He says that he wants to save his mother by helping the Niani Empire.

Proving that he is not lying, Leif changes into a blood-eyed wolf, showing what the rest of the attackers are capable of. Seeing this, Asif reveals himself as a traitor. He has committed to the side of the mercenaries because he was sure that they would win. He also "changes" into a howling monster with wide eyes and an elongated jaw. He fights Leif until the death, and Leif ends up cutting off Asif's head. Having stopped the impending attack, Sakina's uncle decides to keep Leif safe in the empire. Sakina suggests that his mother also be sent for, if she can escape his uncle's wrath safely. They will both live in the Niani Empire safely and help protect the people from further attacks.