Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn''t exactly glamorous, but it was mine. I was doing fine until Chicago''s vampires announced their existence to the world - and then a rogue vampire attacked me. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker ... one who decided the best way to save my life was to take it.

Turns out my saviour was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now I''ve traded sweating over my thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan ''Lord o'' the Manor'' Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four hundred year old vampire, he has centuries'' worth of charm, but unfortunately he also seems to expect my eternal gratitude - and servitude. Right ...

But my burgeoning powers (all of a sudden, I''m surprisingly handy with some serious weaponry), an inconvenient sunlight allergy, and Ethan''s attitude are the least of my concerns. Someone''s out to get me. Is it the rogue vampire who bit me? A vamp from a rival House? An angry mob bearing torches?

My initiation into Chicago''s nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war - and there''s going to be blood ...