In the steam- and fuel-driven London of the Victorian era, vampires, werewolves and gangs of "Tesaks" take to the night streets, and a man, partially made of metal, learns what he is ready to do to protect his beloved woman. After being attacked by a brutal vampire, John "Rip" Doolan tries to pacify his dark desires caused by a virus that awakens his thirst for blood, and believes that he has already coped with his inner darkness. But there's something that threatens Rip's hard-to-find self-control: Esme, his best friend and the only woman he's ever wanted. If a stubborn beauty realizes what is on his mind, their friendship will come to an end ... Six months Esme waited for Rip to recover and make her a personal thrall She does not dare and hopes for something more and is too afraid to risk her heart, so she despairs when Rip claims that he never wanted to claim her rights. But when a brutal gang of butchers begins to kill right and left in Whitechapel, Rip and Esme have no choice. They need to understand how deep the passion is between them and take their relationship to a new level... or risk losing each other forever.