In the kingdom of Santhara ruled by cruel vampires, life is difficult for Arvelle Dacien and her brothers who live in the dangerous Thorn district. One day, a vampire turns up on their doorstep and blackmails her into agreeing to a deal in exchange for medicine that will save her brother, who is suffering from a life threatening condition - in return, she has to enter the Sundering, an even deadlier contest, win, be selected for the emperor's elite guard...and kill the emperor himself. She quickly catches the eye of two powerful vampires, the emperor's sadistic son Rorrik, and the Primus, head of the imperius who is none other than the man she once loved, and neither of their motives are clear. Arvelle must figure out a way to survive the Sundering and complete her mission, all while hiding the strange powers she is developing that would certainly get her killed if anyone finds out.