Alastair Stone, overworked occult professor and full-time mage, is barely managing his complex double life. Then an old friend begs him to mentor a new apprentice, and Alastair’s life goes from “it’s complicated” to “completely unhinged”. His troubles double down when a university colleague wants him to investigate a massive old house where things are going bump in the night. Easy job, right? Just turn up, put on a little show, and pronounce the house clean. Problem: The house isn't clean. And this job will take more than a simple paranormal hoovering. If Stone can't deal with the malevolent spirit reawakening in the basement, he'll have a major disaster on his hands. And if that's not bad enough, a trio of dark mages want to break it free. They'll do whatever it takes—including seducing Stone's young apprentice and using him against his master. With time running out, Stone has to stay alive long enough to uncover the spirit's secrets. But even if he does, he might not have enough power to send it back and save his apprentice.