While a demon terrorizes Karen Jones' hospital ward by making the patients' nightmares come to life, Karen makes a sudden and remarkable recovery from psychosis. But Gwen's delight at regaining her mother is dashed when Karen refuses to leave the hospital - for reasons Karen will only confess when she learns to her dismay that Gwen has met Merlin, and has started on the path to discovering her magical powers. Magic is just one of things Gwen's mother has hidden from her: Gwen learns too late that Karen has enlisted Tasha to help her reclaim the demon of the psych ward, and return her to madness.

Gwen learns more about the nature of evil when she thinks her temper is responsible for unleashing black magic that has caused Katie's caseworker to remove her from Harve and Louise's care. While Harve and Louise go through channels to get Katie back, Gwen and Tasha try to "undo" the spell, only making things worse for Katie - and putting Gwen at risk for being removed, too.