Wars ravage Europe in the mid-1700s--alliances shift, lands are occupied. One family becomes powerfully wealthy from their lucrative trade in bottled blood to a thriving population of upper-class vampires.

A princess, unaware, sheltered by her mother until events surrounding a human baby leads to her death, thrusting the princess into the world from which she was sheltered. An army soon fears her, kidnappers seek her, and gamblers laud her.

The vampire ball draws vampires from everywhere, and it's rumored that her estranged father will be there. He is a legend, and she is his daughter--incredibly capable, envied, and sought. Count DeBienne reminds his peers in the deadliest of terms why tampering with his business and family ties are not tolerated.