NOTE: This book is a prequel. Reading the first five books of the series will greatly enhance your reading experience of this book. Micah Black is a vampire in trouble. He already lost one mate in the Middle Ages and barely survived her passing. Now, he's about to lose another, and this time it could kill him. Except he's not entirely convinced he has actually mated Jackson. Too many questions surround their relationship, because Jackson never returned the mating bond, which makes their pairing an anomaly. Then there's Scarlet, the mysterious and sexy exotic dancer Micah can't forget, who he saw perform for the first time the night he and Jackson met. Micah wishes for one night with Scarlet, which is not the way a mated male is supposed to behave. But for months, as Jackson has slipped further away, Micah hasn't been able to stop thinking about her. If only he had more time, he could explore how he feels for Scarlet, but with Jackson halfway out the door, Micah knows time is one luxury he doesn't have. When Jackson leaves for good and re-opens the emotional chasm Micah fell into after his first mate's death, suffering will claim him, and this time he won't survive. In this prequel to the award-winning All the King's Men Series, readers see what occurred in the weeks leading up to the novel, Rise of the Fallen, which was the first in this exciting paranormal series that introduced readers to a new world of vampires and shifters. In Rise of the Fallen, you met Micah and the rest of the alpha males of AKM. Now, see how the pieces aligned to set Micah on his path to self-destruction and eventual resurrection in the story that readers fell in love with. All your favorite characters and villains of the first five books are back, and you'll get a glimpse into how the war between the vampires and drecks began, as well as a peek at how the drecks plan to use cobalt to weaken the vampire race. You will also get an intimate glimpse of Tristan's and Josie's love for one another, as well as witness King Bain in his complex roles as leader, father, and mate. Every AKM fan will find something to love in this prequel, which provides vital information to set up the remainder of the series as it winds its way toward the two upcoming sister series, as well as the next generation. WARNING: This book contains strong adult content, references to bisexuality, and explicit sexual material.