[2] In the twentieth century, from his castle in the northern part of Tuscany, Vittorio writes the tragic tale of his life.

In 1450, Vittorio di Raniari is a sixteen-year-old Italian nobleman, when his family is murdered by a powerful and ancient coven of vampires.

During this tryst, Ursula feeds on Vittorio, during which time he sees visions of them alone in a beautiful and peaceful flowered meadow that belongs only to them.

The next day, Vittorio confesses to a priest and seeks absolution for his sins, along with help from the Dominicans to return home and help slay these demons.

In the closing pages we find Ursula and Vittorio performing as an age old Bonnie and Clyde, killing and drinking until they had their fill.

At the end of the book, he is left with the "gift" to see human souls, which appear from every person as an intense shining light.

Mastema tells him that he will never be able to rid himself of this, and that every time he takes a human life he will bear witness to the extinguishing of the soul.