The Arcane Society was born in turmoil, when the friendship of its two
founders evolved into a fierce rivalry. Nicholas Winters's efforts led
to the creation of a device of unknown powers called the Burning Lamp.
Each generation, the Winters man who inherits it is destined to develop
multiple talents -- and the curse of madness. Plagued by hallucinations
and nightmares, the notorious crime lord Griffin Winters is convinced he
has been struck with the Winters Curse. But even as he arranges a
meeting with the mysterious Adelaide Pyne, he has no idea how closely
their fates are bound, for she holds the missing lamp in her possession.
Their dangerous psychical experiment makes them the target of forces
both inside and outside the Arcane Society. And though desire
strengthens their power, their different lives will keep them apart --
if death doesn't take them together.