Viscount Nickodemus Bedlam is a dragon, who happens to also be a vampire. He has power and money. A nice, controlled life, with few surprises. All of that changes in three days. First he's descended upon by Scythe Arkenlight, who is looking for her sister and to gain access to some of the Viscount's books. Then, in a distant place, a young apprentice inadvertently summons the soul of evil.