When Edward Cullen enters the bloodstained halls of Volterra prepared to die, his sister Nora ends up making the ultimate sacrifice. Before any threats can be made, Aro is searching her mind and discovering her power. It's more rare than mind reading and far too dangerous to set free. But of the three kings, it is Marcus who takes the greatest interest in her. A king who has mourned for centuries. A king who had forgotten what it meant to want. Until her. Nora came to Volterra to save a life. She never expected to become the fixation of an immortal king.

Vanessa Cullen grew up as the only human in a family of vampires. Adopted by Carlisle when she was five, she's always known she was different, but she was never treated that way. The Cullens are her family in every sense that matters. Still, being surrounded by perfection has never been easy. While they move through the world like something out of a dream, Vanessa has always felt just slightly out of place. But she's held onto one thing her entire life - a promise. When she turns eighteen, she'll be given a choice. To stay human or to become like them. For as long as she can remember, she thought the answer was obvious. Until she meets Sam Uley. And suddenly, everything she thought she wanted begins to shift. Because now, it's not just about becoming a vampire or staying human. It's about choosing between the family who raised her and the wolves who make her feel like she truly belongs.