Emilico has her first day of class with Rosemary and company until all hell breaks loose. Kate makes a surprising discovery with Emilico's help. The two vow to learn from one another, but little do they know of the plan being hatched behind closed doors.

The debut continues in the garden labyrinth as the dolls set out to find their shadow masters. They end up helping each other, and an unexpected duo forms. Edward tries to get his plan back on track. Kate has an unexpected encounter with an admirer.

The adult shadows continue watching the debut candidates navigate the garden labyrinth, but will Edward's plan work? Shaun and Ricky have another tense encounter, and the dolls try to rescue their masters. Who will survive, and who will be discarded?

Kate searches for Emilico in Lord Grandfather's wing. John springs into action, and Kate gets some help from the other children and a strange new friend. As Edward's plan nears fruition, will the children of Shadows House be able to stop him?

Kate and Emilico have resolved to become Star Bearers in order to close in on the secrets of the house, and begin to make moves in order to gather information. But just as they are about to get started in earnest, the living dolls all gather in the great hall for a rejoicing party where they are attacked by a huge mass of scorches, leading to a second incident of phantom mayhem.

As Kate meets with her peers, Emilico and John reminisce under a starry sky, but the night will not end as quietly as it begins.

Kate and the others have deduced the identity of Master Robe, the culprit behind the phantom mayhem, who then tells them of the cruel secret of Shadows House.