Rose Hathaway from Shadow Kiss is working hard at the academy to become a guardian to her best friend, Lissa, who is a Moroi vampire. She is working hard, but things continue to escalate making it most likely that she will die in the attempt. Against this backdrop is a lost and ghostly boyfriend, who comes to warn her of impending doom, and a new love interest, her instructor at the school. Before they can take things any further he is transformed into a Strigoi. All in all, Rose is a loyal friend who tends to lead with her emotions before she allows reason to sink in.