The book follows Raign, the son of a mob boss, who uses the substance Thaum to manipulate potential energy. One night, when Raign is raiding a rival gang's caravan, he finds a woman named Kyona who can use magick without Thaum. Kyona escapes, and the story unfolds as Raign and every major political player in Auretheos, from the Queen, to rival gangs, and even Raign’s father, all scramble to acquire Kyona’s power for themselves.