Black takes Miri with him to New York, where he throws himself into the world of Wall Street, talk shows, fancy dinners and hounding paparazzi. While he plays the role of a grinning Wall Street pirate, it's all part of his new business venture, which, as far as Miri knows, is to hunt down and kill every vampire on Earth. Mainly, however, Black wants Brick. He literally won't stop until he chops off the head or cuts out the heart of the vampire king who has locked him away in a federal prison in Louisiana. Worried about the changes she sees in Black, Miri becomes increasingly worried about what he is ready to go to destroy the vampire kingdom. Given his nightmares, mood swings, lengthy nighttime disappearances, new interest in sword fighting and outright lies, she can't help but worry about his mental health and whether his actions are driven by trauma rather than anger. When a series of terrorist attacks occur in the southern United States , which Black seems to be involved in, Miri's fears intensify. More and more, she begins to wonder who is tracking whom - whether Black is luring the vampires into an open confrontation, or whether Brick is simply manipulating him again for his own interests.