Summary

Chapter 1 opens at the de Clermont estate in Sept-Tours. The ghosts of Philippe de Clermont (a vampire who died after Nazis tortured him) and Emily Mather (a witch who died recently as part of an ongoing battle) are watching as a powerful witch named Diana Bishop arrives at the estate with her vampire husband, Matthew Clairmont. Philippe realizes Diana is pregnant with twins and Matthew is the father. They briefly discuss that changes are coming. Meanwhile, Marcus de Clermont dreads telling Diana that Emily is dead. Emily and Sarah, both witches, raised Diana after her parents were murdered. In another room, Marcus joins his mate, a human woman named Phoebe Taylor, who insists on meeting Matthew and Diana though Marcus wants her to wait. Marcus, who is Matthew's vampire son, issues rules, including keeping her distance from Matthew. The scene shifts to the...