The story begins in Florence in 1348, where Alessandro Gerfalco, aged 11 and his sister Felicia, 8, have just survived the plague. Tragedy hits them, however, when they discover that their parents have been murdered. Alessandro pledges revenge. Jump eight years later: Alessandro is now a gifted painter, living away from Florence, and his sister is growing up to be a beautiful young woman. He comes across a clue to his parents’ murderers. Following this, and with the assistance of their father’s right-hand man, Niccolo di Barolo, they embark upon an adventure that will draw them into the company of some of the most sinister characters in Italy. They will stir up dark secrets in the Catholic Church and face death by torture and burning. To complicate matters further, Alessandro falls in love with Sofia, the daughter of Antonio Gamaldi, the corrupt head of the powerful Gamaldi Bank, while Antonio’s deadly political rival Lorenzo, occasional gonfaloniere of Florence and a potent prince, courts Felicia. The two protagonists will race against time and struggle for their life, while trying to unveil the mystery covering their parents death.