When Hugh Lamont investigates a fatal house fire, he finds an ancient symbol scrawled on a window. He suspects the fire was a deliberate act and that leads him to Tamlyn, a member of the mysterious Order.

Tamlyn denies responsibility, but he provides the cryptic prediction that while trying to solve the crime Hugh will face a series of trials. These trials will be of earth, water, air, and fire, and the only way Hugh can succeed in his mission is to fail any of them.

Hugh ignores the prediction, but when elements of Tamlyn's prophecy come true, Hugh comes to understand the Order's shocking purpose. As more fires are lit and more people die, Hugh faces a race against time to unmask the guilty before it's too late for everyone.