Dain is determined to break the curse trapping Ax in servitude to the residents of Ivy House. Unfortunately, he is still a novice mage and information about this type of magic is hard to find. Add to that, his attention is pulled away from the problem when his brother Borin shows up to warn him that their eldest brother has become obsessed with recapturing Dain.

And Jeremy had called in a mage to beat Dain. One who had both power and experience and wants the Ivy House- and Ax's power- for himself.