Harry Alexander is a failing art student at a prestigious college who grew up walking past the portraits of his ancestors, the Great Alexanders, whose artistic, musical and literary achievements are celebrated around the world. Unfortunately, Harry''s uncle and sole guardian has always been determined to keep Harry away from the limelight. When his uncle suddenly dies, Harry learns he''s been cut from the family inheritance. His dream of joining his forebears on the portrait wall appears to be lost for ever.

But then Harry receives the key to a mysterious storage unit containing the secret to his family''s fortune and success, wrapped in a beautiful smile: a muse.

The muse, a supernatural being trapped in oil and canvas, steps into Harry''s life in the form of a handsome young man. For decades, his tutelage has caused the Great Alexanders'' success. Now, he longs for freedom. Harry quickly discovers the muse is as dangerous as he is beautiful, as capricious as he is inspiring. But the closer the pair grow, the more Harry learns that muses are made, not born, and his has a dark and bloody origin.

What''s more, he isn''t the only one who knows of the muse''s existence. Enemies lengthen the shadows as Harry''s light grows brighter, hungry for greatness of their own...