In 1753, Philippe Gerrard, a Montreal fur trader, risked his life and fortune to travel back to Rouen, France, a place where he was declared a traitor and a criminal, to rescue Henri, his 12 year old son, who has been confined by Holy Sanctuary within the walls of Saint Ouen's Church. Escaping back across the Atlantic Ocean and venturing deep into the wilderness of New France, he believes they are safe from a vengeful Marquis. The aristocrat however, sends a notorious assassin in pursuit, a man now possessed and intent on murdering the fur trader, his son and everyone else he loves. But Philippe's actions have disturbed something else. A dark, evil thing from a seven hundred year old legend follows him across the ocean. Amid the historical events on the eve of the French and Indian War, the skeptical descendants of four great houses are inevitably drawn to one another as they are forced to confront deadly tragedy. This tale of history and ancient evil unfolds against the epic struggle between England, France, and the Iroquoian tribes for control of the natural wealth and lush lands of North America.