In gold-towered Chrasten, darkness hides manifold terrors. From Nordheim, Kitt arrives in the city of scholarship and alchemy, craftsmanship and magic. So it appears by day, but at night, bloodsuckers and poisoners wreak havoc.

The young blacksmith only wants to read books in the magnificent Guild Library, unravel the secrets of mechanics in Helfstein's renowned workshop and build intricate devices. While doing this, he receives an immoral proposal to steal rare books, becomes entangled in the schemes of a vampiric lord of the night and clashes with the poisoners of the sinister Black Circle.

Moreover, a beautiful, ambitious court lady uses illicit magic to open a gate to another world and tap forbidden sources of power. When a monstrous otherworldly beast seizes control of the city and innocents suffer, Kitt must fight as never before. The blood toll is high and rising. But where, with all that happening, are the king and queen who ought to protect their city?