Hunted as a human for his vibrant aura, Daniel held all the lethal promise Narivous looks for in a Velore. His color was both bold and bright, his potential limitless. He had the makings of one of the strongest undead Narivous has ever seen.

Until he's turned in a forbidden way.

Resurrected from a poison death, he now has a toxic touch and a wail violent enough to eradicate all creatures within screaming distance. He is as his aura promised-dangerously powerful.

Almost too much so.

Thorn, Narivous' tyrannical queen, has outlawed the making of his clan for good reason-their powers are beyond her control. The toxin roiling beneath his flesh makes him a threat but, worse yet, Thorn sees Daniel as a symbol of rebellion. He represents more than disobedience, he represents a rift in her realm.

And that places Daniel in a precarious position. Thorn will stop at nothing to restore her omnipresent image, and there are only two ways to do that: break Daniel, or destroy him. Daniel will soon be tested-become Thorn's monster, or suffer death for a second, and final, time.