A worldwide catastrophe looms… … and the fate of humanity hinges on a vampire’s vow. For millennia, vampires have lived and warred in the belly of the earth, surfacing in secret to feed on humans. Rune’s family has ruled the vampires for thousands of years, and one day, Rune will ascend to the throne. But now that he is eighteen, he must take a vow of obedience to his father, the king, at a ritual ceremony. It’s a vow that plagues him with doubt, because once it’s made, he’ll be forever bound to his father’s bloodthirsty destiny. As the ceremony—and an unthinkable upheaval—draws near, Rune struggles with his decision. He wants to do what’s best for his people, but some instinct is holding him back, a voice in his head and heart calling him to the surface…