Beautiful, blonde, and only eight years old, Cynthia Tabu Potter carries within her a dark seed passed down by her elders. Young Molly McAdams, gradually drawn in by her friend's intense and sensual nature, follows her down a path that comes near to destroying herself and both their families. In the best tradition of the dark southern tale, we meet a gaggle of diverse and colorful characters-lovable, alcoholic Benny; the voluptuous and permissive Midge; Ryan the rigid Baptist deacon and Clara his timid, little wife; along with Cyn's sisters, all of whom are named for perfumes. As all of the characters are drawn into the vortex of this charismatic and intense child, we come to realize that Cyn's grandmother, witchy-woman Mumz Potter, is still in the wings, running the show. Will Molly be able to escape in time to save herself and the others, or will Cyn win out?