In late nineteenth century Vienna, renowned Matt is reunited with the Erika von Testieri when she is volunteered from the audience to participate in an illusion during one of his performances. Despite having not seen each other in fifteen years when they were teenagers, they almost immediately recognize each other as Matthew Abramowitz and Erika von Testieri, they who had a doomed romance at that time due to their class differences. The Testieri is soon to be wed to the Crown Prince Salamander in what would be for him a marriage solely in pursuit of power: overthrowing his father, the Emperor Salamander, as well as overtaking the Hungarian side of the empire. The Crown Prince is known to use violence against women if it suits his needs or purposes. As such, the Testieri, who realizes that she still loves Matt and he her, can never leave the Crown Prince without it jeopardizing her life. After Matt humiliates the Crown Prince at a private show which results in an incident between the Crown Prince and the Testieri, the battle between Matt and the Crown Prince moves into the public performance realm, which many believe demonstrates Matt's supernatural powers. Much of the work for the Crown Prince in the battle with matt is conducted by Chief Inspector Uhl, who would become the Chief of Police under the Crown Prince's reign. As such, Uhl may have ulterior motives in turning a blind eye to any unlawful act of the Crown Prince against Matt or the Erika
Matt is a magician in early 1900's Vienna, who falls in love with a woman well above his social standing. When she becomes engaged to a Crown Prince, Matt uses his powers to free her and undermine the stability of the royal house of Erika.
