Megan's dreams of a fun and relaxing Christmas holiday turn into a nightmare when the headmistress of her school strong-arms her father into hosting a huge New Year's ball for the Chinese ambassador. She's been unlucky with houseguests in the past-like the one who died. Then Megan receives a gift, one that shows someone knows not only about the Library of Athena but of her connection to it. Who made the mysterious phone call in the study? Who stabbed Xu Ping? Megan thinks she knows, but before she can confirm her suspicions the Library is invaded, and only the Librarian stop the invader from threatening the world.