Every family has secrets. Even the families you least expect. Years ago, the leaders of two prominent families agreed on a treaty that would cloak the forbidden shadows of desire with darkness, hiding a romance that was never supposed to happen. An ultimate betrayal momentarily broke the organization apart. Now, the group has reformed with new rules, new values, and new ruthless ways of silencing their enemies. In a world where decadence and decay merge seamlessly, the Crownes and Maddens must deal with the consequences of their illicit liaison as dark secrets and evil forces converge, threatening to unravel the fragile threads of their new reign over society. As the clock ticks towards an inevitable reckoning, some will succumb to the shadows that bind them, while others battle the treacherous path between desire and damnation. Contains mature themes.