American exchange student Luke Martin is surprised to meet a member of royalty while attending a British university. Though Luke is skeptical of a mystical Gothic castle wedged between Austria and Hungary where gargoyles come to life and the supernatural is the norm, Boris von Schatten and his tales of a tyrannical half-brother ignite Luke's curiosity. Attracted to Boris, Luke jumps at the offer to spend summer break in Schattenberg. But when he arrives at the castle, he is met by Georg, the mysterious and darkly seductive half-brother, and he learns that Boris has disappeared.
Despite two deaths and increasing evidence that Georg may have murdered Boris, Luke is drawn to Georg. Surely he isn't as demonic as everyone believes. Luke continues to trust him until blood-soaked clothing belonging to Boris is found in a nearby ravine.
Georg may be the victim of a curse, but he assures Luke he is no murderer and Boris is truly the cruel one. Though Luke flees the castle, the secrets follow him, and while he ponders Georg's supposed madness, Luke discovers that Boris's disappearance may be even more sinister than it appears.
