The vampires and werewolves chosen to be the Guardians of Eternity believe they've conquered their latest threat. But as one of them will learn in this mesmerizing installment, old lovers make the most ruthless new enemies . . . Only one drastic mission can tempt Kyi away from the peaceful woodland where the dryads raised her: killing her mother. Xuria's beauty masks a bone-deep evil that has enslaved fey for centuries with the help of a powerful stone. A hundred years ago, Kyi almost succeeded-until one meddlesome vampire destroyed her chance. With rumors that Xuria has emerged from her secret realm, Kyi's determined to try again-despite the vampire who is focused on destroying her. Locke has been waiting over a century to avenge what he believes was Xuria's death. Discovering the sorceress's raven-haired fey daughter was the assassin is a surprise-until her story of Xuria's treachery begins to ring true. Working with Kyi is one solution-and the relentless heat simmering between them is a hint that they may be fated as mates. But even a destined love will have to wait as they now struggle to defeat Kyi's twin sister, who has a chilling plan of her own . . . Contains mature themes.