John's job became much easier when he started telling himself he probably wasn't human anymore.

John used to be Malachy Secundus Valerio de Nyuskom, a prince who only wanted to play piano, travel around, and be home for summer. Everything changed when he woke up cursed-his right arm completely transformed-and his future no longer certain.

Nowadays, he's something not-quite-human doing important work as a handyman of a kind. Magic accompanies John. It loves stories, and it loves watching the way light and dark play.

It's been ten years since the last time John's seen his friend Cyrus Cooper, and magic is finally telling him it's time to stop by for a visit.