Though Butch O'Neal was simply human and not a vampire, much less a Black Dagger, he was part of them via the bond of friendship and Marissa, one of the females of worth, loved him, though such a thing was not looked on kindly by some. His ties and his humanity drew the attention of Mister X and the Omega to Butch, so that to hurt the Brothers, they took him, tortured him, and implanted part of Omega into him. When he was rescued, Butch had to fight for his life. The life he wins is one forever changed as he struggles to comprehend what Omega did means for him and the Brothers and to deal with his forbidden love. Yet, as if all that was not enough, the alterations of Butch's life are only beginning as prophecies come together and play out through him.

Butch's story reveals more about the Brotherhood than any of the prior entries in the series. It also takes the overall narrative forward by an almost evolutionary leap. Ms. Ward's imagination is stunning as her world grows in complexity and detail. Her talent for world-building is amazing, as is her ability to present a story that both focuses on one couple, but also is somewhat an ensemble piece.