While sick in bed with cancer, Lucien begins making journeys to a place in a parallel world that resembles Venice, Italy, and he becomes caught up in the political intrigues surrounding the Duchessa who rules the city.

Seventeen-year-old Sky joins Georgia and the other Stravagante, "who travel between worlds and do what is required," when he leaves London for Giglia, a city similar to renaissance Florence, and becomes involved in ancient feuds and palace intrigue.

Feeling inferior to her talented twin brother, teenaged Isabel is transported to a parallel world that resembles the Italian Renaissance city-state of Ravenna, where she tries to save the city from attack by the fierce Gate people.