Some laws are meant to be bent, some ignored, and some…are meant to be shattered. In mage society, there are laws and those willing to break them. When laws can no longer be enforced, when there’s no hope, there’s only one answer. The Treadwell Supernatural Directive. Unofficially known as The Stray Dogs, Sebastian Treadwell and his group of operatives will step into the dark corners of the magical underworld, dealing with those who believe themselves untouchable. Sebastian, together with the Directive, will step into a world other mages fear to face. They will uncover the darkness that feeds off the corruption of power, exposing it to the light and the jaws of justice. Once the Stray Dogs are on a mission they are relentless—even if the cost is their lives.

Beauty is only skin deep, but evil goes down to the core. In order to fulfill his blood debt to Heka and the Wordweavers, Sebastian needs the Sacred Amethyst—an artifact of immense magical power capable of shifting a mage to Archmage. To get it, he must acquire the gem from Maledicta, a darkmage group of assassins led by Calum Kers, a pyromancer who will destroy anyone who stands in his way. Starting with the Treadwell Supernatural Directive. There’s only one complication. Calum and Maledicta no longer possess the amethyst, the Shadow Queen does. Sebastian believes the Shadow Queen is really Regina Clark. Regina Clark is beautiful, intelligent, ruthless, and deadly. An ex-member of the Treadwell Supernatural Directive, she and Sebastian share decades of history…good and bad. Mostly bad. As a world-class thief and darkmage, she seeks power—the power of the Sacred Amethyst. She will do everything in her power to obtain the Amethyst, even if it means betraying Sebastian and letting him fall to Calum and Maledicta. Now, Sebastian must face Regina, retake the amethyst, and stop Maledicta before the Directive is destroyed, and Regina escapes with millions and a priceless artifact.

When the dance is deadly, it takes two to tango. By absorbing the Sacred Amethyst, Regina has merged with an artifact of great power. When Cinder neutralizes the Amethyst, Regina is no longer in danger from the deadly side effects of the jewel. There’s only one slight complication. In an effort to increase her power, Regina has removed the failsafe Cinder placed on the Sacred Amethyst, neutralizing its power. With the amethyst unbound, Regina experiences a power shift, allowing her to ascend as a mage while taking control of Maledicta—the group of mage assassins. Slowly, the power of the Sacred Amethyst is transforming her, awakening her darker side. With this awakening, she poses a risk to everyone—especially Sebastian and the Stray Dogs. Now, she's convinced there’s only one way for her to have what her heart desires more than anything in the world—Sebastian Treadwell. In order to have him in her life, she must remove all distractions and obstacles. For her, there's only way to free Sebastian, she must completely destroy the Treadwell Supernatural Directive and everyone in it.