Ryan  begins life as a young peasant in the 14th century. She is raised as a boy in a harsh, medieval world, and her androgynous good looks allow her to easily maintain her disguise for most of her long life. When she is a mere 19 years old, that life changes forever when she is attacked by a dark stranger, Victor, and reborn into the world of the Others.

Victor Alexander is a powerful nobleman who is soon revealed to be the oldest of the Old Ones. He introduces Ryan into a sensual and deadly world of creatures who do not feed upon humans, but rather on each other. He does everything he can to protect Ryan, but she is both young and powerful, an unheard of combination in their Kind. All are drawn to her, and it is only a matter of time before she becomes prey.

Abigail, another of the Old Ones, is a matriarch of their Kind. Although the appearance of physical age has little meaning amongst their people, her older appearance lends her an air of dignity that enhances her power. She is as deadly as Marilyn, and more scheming.

Marilyn, another of their Kind, is beautiful, powerful and deadly. She is both jealous and attracted to the young Ryan, wanting both to feed upon her and destroy her. It does not help that Marilyn was one of the few to ever Share with Victor, and has now lost him to the younger adversary.

Susan Ryerson is thrown into this deadly world against her will. She is torn between the desire to learn about immortality, the Grail she has been chasing in her research for years, and an icy fear for both herself and her young son. In the end she will be given a choice between a normal life, or a chance at immortality that may end in a horrible death.

The Others, also referred to as Ryan's "Kind," are the creatures who have been Changed (i.e. transformed from humans to immortals by the Sharing of blood). What is unique about the Others is that they do not feed on humans, but rather on each other, and they are the fiercest predators on earth. Sharing is the greatest pleasure—but also the most deadly if one Shares with another too powerful. The longer they live, the more powerful they become until they reach an age where they cannot be killed. These are known as the Old Ones, who are beyond death, but also beyond life in that they can no longer reproduce.

Aeron represents a new danger to Ryan. An ancient enemy as old and powerful as Victor, Aeron's icy exterior barely conceals the fury Ryan brings forth in him. Ryan brings other, unfamiliar emotions to him as well, and he is uncertain whether he wants to seduce her or destroy her, or perhaps both. If he can achieve either to strike back at Victor, it will be the culmination of 400 years of planning.

Ala is the African Queen, arising from the primordial jungle of the Conga. Regal, beautiful, with an earthy sensuality that is irresistible. She is wary of Ryan, cautious of the power raging through the girl. But she fears for her as well, desiring to protect the offspring of her beloved Victor.

Kusunoki Masahige, revered in so many legends of the East and mentor to the young Ryan. He now views his pupil uncertainly, noting the extraordinary Being she has become. He will server her regardless, however, just as he has served Victor for so many centuries.