A Viking vampire must face his tortuous past to save the woman who holds the key to his future.Eric Wulfgar escaped from twisted dreams, only to find insanity following him into reality. Feeling like a shell of the man he once was, his King's orders to help a New Orleans vampire clan might require more than he can give. Duty offers him no choice but to leave the shadows, and return to the living.Cat Bienville is frantic. Someone, or something, is stalking the vampires of New Orleans. When the missing turn up dead, with no explanation why, and her Sire disappears, she runs out of options. Left in charge of her vampire coven, Cat knows her duty is to keep her people safe. Only, she's not prepared for help to come in the form of a chauvinistic male, with such a tattered soul.When friends may be foes, Cat and Eric must find balance with one another, in order to unveil the evil in their midst, even as a bigger threat darkens the horizon. Yet, Cat's past may fracture their growing bonds. How can she give Eric her heart, when her deepest secret may be more than he can ever accept?