Alfred has left the monastic sanctuary of St. Ruan's and, with Thea, his friend and nemesis, has turned eastwards to Constantinople, the jewel in Byzantium's crown. There he is rescued from near death by a noble woman and soon both he and Thea are accepted into the lives of the family and their city.

But outside the walls armies are gathering, and within, political turmoil threatens the lives of those whom Alf has come to love. He is forced to use his unearthly powers but soon finds thay they afford scant protection amidst the carnage soon to be unleashed.