The Seats are long dead. And after more than two centuries, the vampire world is stable enough for Serenity to settle down into a quiet, happy life. Until July 4th on the celebration of Independence Day. Centenary celebrations in Times Square broadcast the world over. It should have been a joyous occasion, another in the long line of human milestones Serenity and her vampire family have witnessed. That is until a vampire chases a woman into the crowd and drains her dry on the summer's day.