The airship Tristan is hijacked by a member of the Fleurs du Mal who demands the release of his comrades held in Vatican captivity. But one passenger stands in his way - Abel Nightroad.

To hunt a mass murderer in Venice, Nightroad works with Asta, who holds a great deal of contempt for all things human.

Abel and Asta plan to plead Ion's case to the Imperial Council, and Ion and Esther search the city for answers. But when their trail leads to further intrigue, betrayal comes from beyond the grave.

While in Londinium for the Queen of Albion's funeral, Esther and Pope Alessandro are taken hostage by vampires. The AX must rescue them before Cardinal Medici makes a martyr of the Pope.