While Anita Blake is under contract with St. Louis' head vampire, Nikolaos, she has to cross paths with Valentine, a vampire she believed to be killed by another slayer named Zachary. Anita is trying to figure out who is killing all the "innocent" vampires but is torn between her role as Executioner and now protector of vamps. With Zachary back in the scene, her ethics are surely going to be tested.