The last of the world's great mages, the enigmatic Lord Eldrich has dedicated his life to eradicating all remaining vestiges of magic in the world. But the fanatical Tellerites—followers of a long-dead mage-apprentice—oppose Eldrich, desiring the hidden knowledge of the magical arts and with it the coveted key to immortality. Drawn into this conflict against his will is Erasmus Flattery, who as a boy dwelt with Eldrich, and is still haunted by the memories of what transpired during his stay with the mage. Now Erasmus must lead as expedition to search for a secret that has remained hidden since the time of the first Mages!

In his quest to destroy all the magic in the world, Lord Eldrich sends Erasmus Flattery to eliminate Anna, leader of the Tellerites, a group eager to preserve the key to immortality, but as Erasmus becomes resentful of Eldrich and strangely loyal to Anna, he questions all he had believed to be true