The thrilling prequel to the New York Times bestselling Cassie Palmer series, featuring seductive and dangerous Master Vampire Mircea Basarab.Fifteenth century Venice is a safe haven for the masterless dregs of the vampire world, a city where they can live without the fear of retribution for violating another’s territory.Still, there are plenty of ways for a young vampire to die in the glittering city, a lesson that prince turned pauper Mircea Basarab must learn quickly. But there are opportunities, too—in the service of a secretive courtesan, in the bed of a beautiful senator, and in the hunt for an ancient assassin.As a vendetta older than Venice itself comes to a climax, Mircea struggles to evade the dangers of his current life, to come to terms with his past, and to uncover the truth hidden behind a city of masks…Includes a bonus excerpt of the first Cassie Palmer novel, Touch the Dark.Praise for the Cassie Palmer Novels:“A series well worth getting hooked on.”—Fresh Fiction“Karen Chance will enthrall you.”—USA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca York“The urban fantasy equivalent of a summer blockbuster.”—SF Site“Chance takes her place along[side]…Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, MaryJanice Davidson, and J. D. Robb.”—SFRevuKaren Chance has lived in France, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong, but always comes back to America. She currently lives in central Florida, the home of make-believe, which may explain a lot. She’s the author of the New York Times bestselling Cassie Palmer series, including Reap the Wind, Tempt the Stars, and Hunt the Moon.