Storm Front

The illegal drug and magical poison known as ThreeEye functions on multiple levels in the novel. Its most pragmatic purpose is to serve as a McGuffin to galvanize the characters into action, but it also acts as a clue to the solution of the case and more broadly becomes a symbol of The Addictive Nature of Power. ThreeEye first appears as a minor detail in a conversation between Harry and Mac, and this throw-away reference belies its later importance to the plot. Its significance becomes clearer when Harry confronts a person addicted to ThreeEye and realizes that the rumors of the substance’s magical effects might be true. ThreeEye is also the motivating factor in a turf war between Marcone and the unknown “shadow man,” who is eventually revealed to be Victor Sells. 

More importantly, however, ThreeEye symbolizes the seductive nature of black magic. Specifically, the rampant presence of ThreeEye in Chicago represents Victor’s obsession and greed as he became more power hungry and looked for increasingly dark and violent means of obtaining greater power. He created ThreeEye by using the same formula for magic potions that Harry uses, thus creating a magical poison that briefly grants magical sight and strength while also threatening to topple the user’s mental stability.