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An English earl fights to save his beloved American boyfriend by confronting his powerful, abusive father in the continuation of Faulkner’s paranormal series.

When Quentin d’Arcy left London several years ago, he was certain his duke father murdered his mother. Now he’s living in San Diego with the man he loves, Laurence Riley. All seems to be going well until Quentin’s twin brother, Frederick, somehow tricks Laurence into traveling to London. Freddy holds Laurence hostage via his telepathic abilities. This forces Quentin to return to England, although the real mastermind behind this plan is the twins’ father. Quentin and Laurence both have supernatural powers like Freddy, but the duke has long strived for Quentin to inherit his magic as well. Passing down this ability evidently required the duke to savagely abuse his young son for more than a decade—abuse that 20-something Quentin has effectively repressed. Freddy, however, knows what the duke has done, as does Laurence, who can see into others’ pasts. As Quentin rushes to London to rescue his lover, Laurence searches for a way to protect himself from Freddy’s mental dominance. Though he’s capable of magic, Laurence is still practicing and most assuredly needs help, like from his raven familiar, Windsor. But time is fleeting, as the duke’s goal of “breaking” Quentin to his will includes reintroducing heroin into Laurence’s now-sober life. Facing off against his father, Quentin may decide that killing the duke is the only way to save himself and Laurence.

Throughout the series, Faulkner has successfully fused supernatural events with Quentin and Laurence’s budding romance. This fifth installment adds much more action and suspense to the mix, and there’s a noticeably swifter pace as Quentin scours London in search of Laurence and answers. Bolstering that is a bevy of vibrant characters, like magician Rufus, who’s been mentoring Laurence, and the twins’ grandfather, who may have committed acts as vile as their father. Along with showcasing superpowers, such as Quentin’s ability to generate fire, the series excels at providing psychological insights into its cast. Quentin, for one, is prone to blackouts, which may result from learning about the abuse he endured. But though the series has ably solidified Quentin and Laurence’s endearing relationship, Freddy is perhaps this book’s most indelible character. He has the earmarks of a merciless villain. He’s also smooth and confident; he responds to Laurence’s threat to kill him with, “Possibly. But not yet.” The likelihood that the duke has leverage over Freddy provides the latter with sympathy, as does a flashback to 12 years prior when he was protective of Quentin. While this is not the series’ conclusion, the inevitable clash between Quentin and his father is satisfying, particularly as preceding books have teased it. And sure enough, the ending hints at an entirely new danger for the lovers.

Perpetually engrossing characters populate this invigorating installment.