In the territory of New France - amid the colonial life of duels, slave rebellions, paramours and war, and the shadowy world of Voodoo - Julien Poydras passes a powerful amulet of protection to his nephew, Emile. The ring promises a charmed, long life, but at a steep price to the wearer.When the powerful young Voodoo queen, Marie Laveau, learns of the ring' s existence, she will use everyone Emile loves against him in her attempt to seize the charm for herself. As Emile fights to maintain control of the ring and protect his family from blackmail and betrayal, he discovers that in the world of Voodoo, there is more to lose than his life.In New Orleans of 1987, Emile' s descendant, Celeste Noyan, unknowingly accepts the ring on her wedding day and becomes bound to either wear it - suffering the madness that will follow - or remove the ring and accept death. Celeste, her new husband Mark, and her grandfather Justin, search the Poydras family history in an urgent quest to save her life and soul.