When Austrian spy, Ignace Karolyi and the Vampire Lord of Ernchester, are seen leaving England together the possible implications are horrifying. Thus one-time spy and Oxford Don, James Asher is determined to follow them. At least until he can notify the proper authorities and prevent what could be a potentially lethal partnership.
But in Paris, Asher is met with disbelief and events become more complicated when a French spy is murdered gruesomely. Apparently, drained of blood... Now, fleeing the possibility of a murder charge, Asher follows Karolyi and Ernchester to Vienna and then across Old Europe. It seems that Ernchester has been summoned to Constantinople - by a vampire.
And back in England Asher's wife, Lydia, realises that to help her husband she will need the aid of one of the undead, Don Simon Ysidro. For there is a power struggle going on amongst the vampires of Constantinople and it could affect not only the secret life of vampires but humankind as well.