"It was the age of tragic mistakes. For me, the tragedy began fourteen years earlier when, mesmerized by a vampire's amazing performing tarantula, I stole it from him" (Prologue, p. 1).

"As a Prince I was expected to deal with every sort of subject under the moon. I was only a young, inexperienced half-vampire, who'd become a Prince more by default than merit, but the members of the clan placed their trust completely in their Princes" (Chapter 1, p. 9).

"'Was this nightmare the same as the others?' I asked" (Chapter 2, p. 13).

"The Stone of Blood was a magical artifact. Any vampire who came to the mountain...laid their hands on the Stone and let it absorb some of their blood. The Stone could then be used to track that vampire down" (Chapter 3, p. 20).

"They aren't honor-bound to tell the truth, they don't have to follow ancient customs - and...