Philip has a rare opportunity: to read the century-old chronicle of a vampire. It's hard to resist such a prospect, but will he regret his decision once it's made? The account was written by a vampire named James. Where many vampires tumble into the darkness of insanity and eventually suicide over the prospect of a lonesome eternity, James always had a purpose. His purpose was not to destroy but, instead, to protect.

When James was turned at the age of eighteen, he made a promise to himself. He would spend his immortal life protecting the woman he loved in his youth, and her lineage for as long as fate allowed. For hundreds of years, his path was simple, set, and never shaken. Then, the unthinkable happened: a member of his beloved's family fell ill-a young woman with such a potential for life.

Will James let her die, and perhaps kill the memory of his lost love with her? Or will he consider doing what he promised never to do: become the Sire to a fledgling vampire? James must consider: will immortality be a blessing for the dying girl, or will it end up a curse, as it has always been for him? Philip will read the chronicle to find out, but does the story end with the last page or live on eternally in the blood of an immortal?