Ariane has finally adjusted to her new life as a vampire, hidden away from her kin in the Georgian countryside. She can now set her eyes on her next pursuit: her return to society as a rightful, free entity. Regaining her freedom will not be easy, however. Beyond the issues of cutthroat vampire politics, the protection of her territory will also bring surprising challenges. She will have to face them with the help of the friends she gathered around her: Loth the burly smith and scholar, her sassy human vassal Dalton and the Choctaw seer Nashoba. It will take that much, for the world is old and there are many ancient threats waiting to be unearthed.