Shadow is a city in which many "godlings"-immortal, demigod children of the gods-live hidden among the mortal citizens, so Oree is not very surprised to find a downtrodden being who is apparently unconscious, yet glowing brightly to her magic-sight, in the trash-strewn alley behind her house.
When one of the local godlings is murdered, Oree finds the body-and falls under suspicion when the Itempan Order seeks a scapegoat rather than the actual culprit.