As Rome prepares for its Carnival the new leader of the city's vampires - Lady Victoria Gardella Grantworth de Lacy - must prove herself as never before. For, in order to gain access to the secrets of a legendary alchemist, Rome's vampires have allied themselves with creatures as evil and bloodthirsty as they are. Reluctantly, Victoria turns to the enigmatic Sebastian Vioget for help, just as Max Pesaro arrives to help his fellow slayers, no matter what the sacrifice. Desire puts her at the mercy of Sebastian, while loyalty binds her to Max, but can she trust either man?