While traveling in Venice in 1837, Lucy Klaereon, in order to save her family’s honor and her immortal soul, decides to commit suicide by drowning herself in the Grand Canal. Unfortunately for Lucy, she is rescued. Her rescuers believe they can separate her from the demon Ra, whom she is destined to fight because of an ancient family pact. What Lucy does not know is that her rescuers have their own agenda. Paolo Borgia, head of a deposed magical family, wants to use Ra for his own purposes. Lucy is given an alternative, to separate herself from her demon and family, which she gladly welcomes. When she finds out the truth about Ra, Lucy's purpose changes from not only freedom, but to righting an ancient wrong. Octavia, Lucy’s older sister, is in pursuit. She has been trained since birth to kill Lucy when Lucy loses her battle with Ra.. At the ritual to free Ra, the two sisters clash with surprising results. Octavia is possessed by Ra and Lucy is determined to free her sister and keep Ra from reshaping the world in his image. There is one small problem. Lucy has been murdered. However, she’s not about to let a small detail like that keep her from correcting her mistakes. Lucy will save Octavia, even if it kills her again.

In 1842, Carlo Borgia has moved on with his life, studying as a student of medical magic in Berlin, leaving behind his relationship with Lucy Klaereon, a woman literally without feeling. A visit from Drusus Claudian, Octavia Klaereon's resurrected husband, pulls Carlo back into the Klaereon web of shadows. Lucy has exiled Drusus from the family home, and Drusus begs Carlo to help him. Carlo returns to Mistraldol and discovers his romantic feelings for Lucy remain. Carlo worries that Ra, imprisoned inside of Lucy, is driving Lucy mad and enabling her to control Drusus. He enlists the aid of the reformed and respected Octavia, now head of the Klaereon family, responsible for policing her unstable sister and resurrected husband. Rival magician Atreus Galt accuses Octavia of killing her own father, and she is imprisoned, awaiting examination by the council of magical families. Lucy will protect Octavia, at any cost. Carlo scrambles to prove Octavia’s innocence, save Drusus from Lucy’s control, and bring Lucy back to the woman he loves. His worst enemies in this struggle, Drusus and Lucy, are also his best allies.