The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well whatlurks in the shadows—her best friend is half-vampire CatCrawfield—and she has already lost more than the average human couldbear. But her family's past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded indarkness—and a demon shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now hersurvival depends on an immortal who lusts for a taste of her. He is Spade,a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries andis now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human—even ifit means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers,but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face thenightmare together . . . Because once the first crimson drop falls, theywill both be lost.