Two years have passed since the vampiric virus was first unleashed upon humanity—and nuclear winter has cast the poisoned world into eternal night. The remnants of the living who were not turned have been subjugated—with many imprisoned in camps to be bred and bled for the sustenance of the Master's vast vampire army.

Yet the fight continues. Dr. Eph Goodweather, of the Centers for Disease Control's biological threats team; his former colleague and lover, Dr. Nora Martinez; and the exterminator Vasiliy Fet lead a band of freedom fighters aided by Mr. Quinlan, the half-breed offspring of the Master, who now is bent on revenge. At humankind's darkest hour, one of them may hold the key to salvation. But a traitor is among them. And who will be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so that others may live?