Asher's life in the heart of Victorian London is uneventful, especially for a boy with a fascination for all things magical and paranormal, and the call of Heart Wood, the fortified neighboring estate, and the mysterious Count who resides within it is too strong. He makes the acquaintance of the Count who takes an interest in him and teaches Asher the craft which he is so drawn to. However, the more Asher learns, the more he realizes than not everything in magic is as black and white as it seems.