"Shadow upon shadow . . ."On the eve of her father's death anniversary, Jamie Diez is reluctant to welcome an estranged uncle into town. During her brief visit to the town cathedral, she is shown colossal gargoyles left abandoned atop its bell towers. Later, while employing the statues for a school project and moments after being saved from a tragedy, she learns the gargoyles come to life. Forewarning Jamie of a Battle, they prevaricate her endless questions and enchant her with a foreign style of magic. It is upon discovering a shocking truth that Jamie vows never to seek them again. With that pledge brings nightmares, demanding she returns, haunting her through night and taunting her through day. It is by influence of classmates, companionship with a reclusive neighbor, and the reemerging devotion to her family that Jamie comes to realize the gargoyles' true purpose.