Jessica Walsh is starting her freshman year at Nightshade High and trying to forgetabout the tragic events surrounding her brother's graduation. She wants to have a normalhigh school experience. But that's easier said than done in Nightshade.There's a new guy at school who seems to be turning the girls into lovesick zombies.And Jessica has other worries��ike her crush on a cute but moody lead singer,and the mysterious tattoo that appeared on her arm one day that lets her know wheneverthere is trouble brewing. Jessica learns she's a Virago, a woman warrior chosen tofight evil whenever it threatens her hometown. But does a lowly freshman really havewhat it takes to keep Nightshade safe?