For a thousand years the Eidolon Empire has commanded all: humans, demi-humans, beastmen, and themselves. In courts of honor and debauchery they hone their manners and their daggers. They rule with a cruelty that is made more cruel by their capriciousness.For a thousand years the demon Malvisage, the Suffering Servant, has lain chained, controlled by the Mindmask of Thrones. For a thousand years, Malvisage has waited. Tonight all that will change. Tonight the godborn will become the prey of mortals. Tonight the exquisite City of Contradance will become the City of Tombs. Malvisage commands the night, and the night is spreading to cover all the lands.Childeric, the Child of Night, Prince of the Starlight Gates, born to be Emperor, will become the ruler of desolation. Wine, blood, and poison are one. Malvisage controls all. Except Childeric. Except the Mindmask. Except the human woman bound to Childeric by ties that he cannot suspect even in nightmare.If the Marquis de Sade had written with Lord Dunsany's pen, he might have scripted the saga of Childeric the Shatterer, last Emperor of the Eidoloni. Even now, in the center of the Spiral Castle, the last deadly dance has begun.