Lynn Viehl's amazing story that you probably will read, is based on the idea , that the vampires are not the predators but victims. The main character of the story is the Darkyn who resembles a vampire aтв was followed by the human beings since the Middle Ages. Alexandra Keller is recruited -- kidnapped, actually -- to perform reconstructive surgery on a reclusive New Orleans millionaire, she finds more than a patient in need of a new face. She meets a compelling being, Michael Cyprien, who engages her on the most primal of levels and inspires her to help his people. Alex's battle to heal her patient and her struggle to regain control of her own emotions is paralleled by the story of her brother, a tortured monk who allies himself with the Brethren, a Vatican-sponsored enemy of the Darkyn.