The vampire Mircea had become discarnate through the treachery of his brother Gaspar. He retakes a mortal form in the dark woods of Rumania, his ancient homeland, and is taken in by two other vampires, Mihail and Ruxandra, who dwell in a remote ruined fortress. All three have sworn never to drink blood again, their need for sustenance being replenished by a magical relic known as the Bloodstone. But when the Bloodstone is stolen and Mihail and Ruxandra are taken prisoner by the Witch of the Iron Woods and her son, the monstrous Radu, Mircea must strike out to save them–with the aid of a mortal girl, Karina, to whom he is inexplicably attracted, and not just for her life-giving blood…
NOVELETTE approximately 15,000 words
