The airship Tristan is hijacked by a member of the Fleurs du Mal who demands the release of his comrades held in Vatican captivity. But one passenger stands in his way - Abel Nightroad.

Abel encounters a girl with abilities both strange and deadly. When she attempts to flee, Abel must turn against his own in order to save her life.

Abel's search for the "star" has tangled him in the web of war. Sister Esther seeks vengeance for the death of her mentor and has gone to great lengths in her quest to eliminate the one ultimately responsible.

After returning to Rome and joining AX, Sister Esther encounters a crying boy on the vast grounds. Following her attempts at comforting him, she learns that he is none other than Pope Alessandro.

The murder of clergy in Amsterdam, their bodies drained of blood, draws Lady Caterina's attention. The local vampires, fearing Vatican retribution, seek out those responsible as Father Hugue investigates.

Abel and Sister Noelle travel to Barcelona to sift through the ruins of the collapsed National Palace. True feelings surface against such a beautiful backdrop - but so does the face of the enemy.

AX scrambles to prevent Rosen Kreuz from destroying Rome with the Silent Noise device, but they may have to act without Abel. Driven by despair, Abel considers turning in his gun.

Under house arrest, Lady Caterina finds herself face to face with a manipulative enemy. Abel's efforts to save her result in an encounter with a dangerous new foe.

To hunt a mass murderer in Venice, Nightroad works with Asta, who holds a great deal of contempt for all things human.

Whispers of an assassination attempt on the Lady Caterina turn agents of the Vatican against each other. Abel seeks a safe path through the hostilities harbored by both sides, and Esther must be the guide.

Abel and Esther must protect the messenger from the Empire, Ion Fortuna. And as Cartago undergoes martial law, hope rests on the small group of refugees, alone and outnumbered, forced underground.

As the Puppet Master, a face from Esther's past, creates chaos, the Rosen Kreuz formulates a murderous plan to inflame the hatred between the two races.

While in Londinium for the Queen of Albion's funeral, Esther and Pope Alessandro are taken hostage by vampires. The AX must rescue them before Cardinal Medici makes a martyr of the Pope.

Cain and Isaak Fernand von Kampfer begin the first phase of their quest to destroy the people of the world, both human and vampire. Meanwhile, a startling revelation awaits Esther, one that will forever reshape her destiny.

Allies and enemies, both human and vampire, work together against the enemy of the world - the Contra Mundi. Resurrected from the grave, not even death can keep Abel Nightroad from his fate.