Hiding behind the safe mask of Obsidian, his online persona, Kain Mitchell woos Nick Anders, an untouched artist. Nick tells himself that Obsidian is merely his erotic muse, but when Kain drags him down into his dark world, echoing the myth of Hades and Persephone, Nick discovers he wants to see him, touch him, and move beyond the limitations of masks. Because as seductive as Obsidian is, Nick senses Kain's real isolation. Implicated for the murders of young men matching Nick's description, Kain lives under a shadow, and troubled by the mystery, Nick pushes to get closer. Driven to prove Kain's innocence, Nick pursues the killer with Kain's reluctant help—and strives to become the human submissive and tender lover needed by the lonely and otherworldly warrior.