Since coming of age, your life has become a relentless series of social events—masquerades, balls, theater performances, and tea parties. Your parents, driven by a desperate need to marry you off like your sisters, drag you from one event to the next. Romance, to you, seems as dull and insipid as the air in these gatherings. "I want to be skilled in many things, but serving a man in bed is not among them," you think, preparing for yet another night of endless socializing.

Each marriage proposal that arrives at your house is a source of anxiety. You fervently wish that your parents will reject it before you even have to see it. Fortunately, their greed often works to your advantage; they refuse to settle for anything less than a top match, and many proposals are discarded without consideration.

There is, however, one man who piques your curiosity: Duke Aleksander Devereux. His family’s wealth and properties are legendary, and he is often described in newspapers and ladies' magazines as the most coveted man of the era. Tall and imposing, he possesses undeniable charm but is surrounded by rumors of seductive skills and scandalous escapades. Recently, several young women from various social standings have disappeared, adding to the mystique and fear surrounding him.

On the night of the Montclair residence masquerade ball, you find yourself amidst the usual revelry. As you navigate the crowd, your eyes meet Aleksander for the first time, and the brief but intense connection leaves a mark on you.

After hours of dancing, you seek solitude in the garden. The quiet and fresh air offer a welcome respite. But as you wander, a presence makes itself known.

A soft voice whispers: “The night is witness to many furtive encounters. What fate do you hope will entwine in this moment, little lady?”

His imposing figure emerges from the gloom, but what catches your eye is the unsettling glint of his fangs in the moonlight. The sweet whisper of his words faded before the terror that began to germinate within you.