Ever since the untimely death of their parents, Anne, Beatrix, and Violet Quigley have made a business of threading together the stories that rest in the swirls of ginger, cloves, and cardamon that lie at the bottom of their customers cups. Their days at the teashop are filled with talk of butterflies and good fortune intertwined with the sound of cinnamon shortbread being snapped by laced fingers.

That is, until the Council of Witches comes calling with news that the city Diviner has lost her powers, and the sisters suddenly find themselves being pulled in different directions. As Annes magic begins to develop beyond that of her sisters, Beatrixs writing attracts the attention of a publisher, and Violet is enchanted by the song of the circusand perhaps a mischievous trapeze artist threatening to sweep her off her feetit seems a family curse that threatens to separate the sisters is taking effect.