Ray Takeshi doesn't remember his parents--they died in sorcerous battle, when he was just a baby. He's been raised in Missouri by a mage named Ned. Ned says his Destiny approaches: a final test, to determine whether Ray will achieve manhood, or be destroyed.Just because Ray is a fledgling mage doesn't mean he buys such mumbo-jumbo. But then the delectable succubus Melania von Fleiden shows up in town, alongside her hideous Thrall. Ray has to stop her evil plan--or die trying, at least. Could this be that test Destiny was sending? And if so, does he have the slightest chance of surviving it?