Eli is a young vampire drawn to Ronan, a hunter who challenges him to admit whether he wants blood or love. Their story returns to their days at a hunter academy, where they were expected to be enemies. Ronan’s teasing unsettles Eli, while Eli struggles to distinguish hunger from affection. As danger and close quarters force them to rely on each other, they begin to build trust across the hunter-vampire divide. Ronan offers his blood, but wants Eli to choose him freely. Eli learns that he wants both Ronan’s blood and his heart.