Mark Ramsay's troubles increase as he tries unsuccessfully to come to terms with the fact that he has been gone from his beloved Scotland for 21 years during which time Meredith has married his best Brother and constant nemesis, Lucio Dambretti. On top of his woes, he must use his alchemical mysteries to help place the fabled Philosopher's Stone in the Golden Key that unlocks the Ark of the Covenant. While he's busy trying to reclaim his life and his home, an ancient enemy resurfaces and begins to wreak havoc on the Order of the Red Cross of Gold.