Knight Padric de Clifton thought his recent assignment as lieutenant of quiet Chaddesden, Derbyshire, would be easy enough to manage. That is, until villagers disappear under mysterious circumstances. The task falls to Padric to find them. However, before he can get very far with his investigations, a cryptic prophecy charges him to rescue the missing villagers and find a vital artifact. As though that weren't enough, days later, he discovers the mastermind behind the chaos: a beautiful sorceress. Their encounter leaves Padric cursed, transformed into a creature out of ancient Roman mythology, and he is unable to return home. When the wounded, cursed knight, Padric de Clifton, shows up practically on Brynwen's doorstep, she doesn't know what to think. Is he a demon? The person behind the kidnappings? One thing is certain: Her safe world is spiraling out of control as, one-by-one, her friends and family members vanish. But despite her misgivings, Padric might be the one person-creature?-who can help her rescue those she loves. They must find to the sorceress's lair, but there is more at stake than just the villagers' safety-the world and everything they hold dear may be in grave peril if they don't reach them in time.
