The Importance of Family

The importance of family among the vampires leads to overcoming complexities, such as legalities and hierarchy, in the relationships. Many are willing to overlook those factors and only consider the heart's feelings.

Matthew Clairmont is a vampire and part of the de Clermont clan, headed up by his brother Baldwin. Matthew is the vampire son of Ysabeau de Clermont. Ysabeau's husband was vampire Philippe de Clermont and Philippe looked at Matthew as a son. However, because it was Ysabeau's blood that changed Matthew, there is technically no relationship between Matthew and Philippe. Similarly, Baldwin de Clermont is Philippe's son and took over as head of the clan when Philippe died. Though they have lived for centuries as brothers, the technicality of that blood line remains an important part of their culture.

Matthew is married to a witch named Diana, and she becomes certain...