Mal has an idylic childhood on Prince Island with Essie, the next witch of Salt and Storm.

But all that changes when Essie, in a fit of anger, tells everyone what he really is. With no choice but to leave his home, Mal becomes the magic thief, stealing magical items for the higest bidder. And when he steals the shar, a knife with the ability to cut the magic out of those it touches, he finally finds a way to get his revenge on the girl he once loved...