Edward has called in a favor and he really needs the help. Anita must travel to New Mexico and act as his backup. A terrible and powerful magic is being used to skin some humans alive and to slaughter others. Edward, with his Ted Forrester - bounty hunter alias, convinces the local police to call in Anita for her preternatural expertise.
Obsidian Butterfly, the local Master of the City, could be helpful in solving this mystery, but she offers more trouble as well. Nicky Boco, necromancer, and vagamour for the local werewolf pack knows what creature is murdering the residents, but he has his own secrets to protect. And treasure hunter, Riker, rears his head and causes some serious trouble for Edwards new family - trouble that could be deadly.
There are a lot of monsters in Anita Blake's life. And some of them are human. One such individual is the man she calls Edward, a bounty hunter who specializes in the preternatural. He calls her to help him hunt down the greatest evil she has ever encountered. Something that kills and maims and vanishes into the night. Something Anita will have to face alone...
"MY NAME IS ANITA BLAKE. I'D LIKE YOU TO MEET EDWARD... '' Edward was a hit man. He specialized in monsters. Vampires, shape-shifters, anything and everything. There were people like me who did it legal, but Edward didn't sweat the legalities or, hell, the ethics. He was an equal opportunity killer. I may be one of the few friends that Edward has, but it's like being friends with a tame leopard. It may curl on the foot of your bed and let you pet its head, but it can still eat your throat out...