Seventy years have passed since Julia took Samuel's deal and agreed to help the Resistance overthrow the Vampire King. She and the rest of her ka-tet have lived in relative peace as her strength and abilities develop. Her tranquil life is shattered with the arrival of Valentino, who seeks to destroy the rising threat to his power. Samuel knows his fledgling is still too young to defeat the King and intends to flee before the enemy gets too close. When the plan fails, Julia has no choice but to fight. However, the danger is unlike any she has faced before, and the perils to her ka-tet's safety are everywhere, including her own mind. Can she find a way to stop Valentino, or will he destroy everything she holds dear?