Enter a Venice filled with bright magic, dark secrets, and a romance for the ages. On the streets of Venice, magic burns and wars wage, while powerful illusions and mind-bending magic keep the world of The Skilled hidden from ordinary people--or typics. The powerful Mardova Family rules Venice with an iron fist, keeping their powers secret and their eyes on their enemies. Zan Mardova would rather use his magical Skills to do tricks on his motorcycle or fly over buildings than involve himself in Family politics, but when he discovers a rival Family has brainwashed a beautiful typic girl named Ellie, he begins to unravel a web of dangerous secrets with Ellie at the center. Zan's loyalty has always been to the Mardovas and the fate of Venice, but as Zan's feelings for Ellie grow, he can no longer ignore his suspicions about members of his own Family. Zan fears there's a traitor among the Mardovas--and it might be him.