Tammy has managed to survive Dame Arlington-Aird's Academy so far by pretending to be mad. It's made a refreshing change and has certainly helped keep the school bullies at a distance. Tammy has learned that if there's one thing school bullies don't like, it's unpredictable behaviour in their victims. When Cole joins the school, however, things change. Tammy finds in the new girl a person who is as much an outsider as she is, and who is prepared to make an effort to befriend the school lunatic. School has become a more bearable place until Tammy discovers in Cole a madness that goes much deeper than mere disguise. And suddenly it's not just school that makes Tammy feel alone and hunted. Cole is working up a desire for blood as well as friendship, and if Tammy can't give her one, then she'll have to give her the other.