Five Hundred years ago Vlad Dracula ruled the Carpathians. He had a thirst for conquering worlds and fought off the invading Turks with determined ferocity. When his wife died he lost interest in destroying armies and disappeared, half a century after the death of his wife the land surrounding his once home is terrorized by sporadic unexplained murders.

Isabella is born into this uncertain and dangerous land. Her mother dies in childbirth and with her mothers death dies any chance of happiness. She grows up in a household that despises her existence and in this place she is taught to hate by her father, her stepmother and especially her sister Natasha.

There are three good influences on Isabella’s life, the man who is to become her husband, Nicolae, her grandfather Alexei and her good friend and confidant Katya. As the years pass by and Isabella becomes what she is destined to become, a vampire the memories of these three people are responsible for any goodness that still lies buried in her rotting soul.