"If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him." -- Exodus 22:2 1859 Malechai ben Pallache, a Ukranian-Jew and soldier of fortune who has made his way through the world fueled by blood and pain has been enlisted to hunt down Dragan, the bastard priest who kicked off the pogroms before fleeing to California. But the profane holy man has more than blood on his hands, he has also stolen a box that holds terrible evil. Brodie is infested with hungry demons and dangerous men, gold and vice drawing in the worst that humanity or demonkind have to offer, all standing between Malechai and the priest. But, he does not travel alone. Joined by a succubus of terrible power and the silent golem Mishpat, Malechai will stop at nothing to find Dragan and bring his twisted reign to an end. What follows is a blood-drowned, hatred-fueled battle of wills, bullets, and mutilation that will forever stain the ground of Brodie California.