Back on Thaxos after years in exile, Edgar Le Compte is determined to convince the locals they have nothing to fear from him or his ancient vampire lineage. He plans a lavish celebration to win their trust—but the night unravels into disaster, revealing just how deeply the island's hatred still runs. Worse, someone among the townsfolk is already plotting to erase the last Le Compte forever. While Edgar struggles to contain rising hostility, Kate delves deeper into the island's buried past. Her search leads her to a secret hidden beneath a circle of weather-worn stones – a discovery that suggests she's far from the first to question the Le Compte legacy. Those who came before her sought the truth… and they all met violent ends. With shadows closing in, Kate must decide who she can trust, while Edgar hunts for the traitor lurking in plain sight. But on Thaxos, alliances are fragile, loyalties are twisted, and some mysteries are protected by forces willing to kill to keep them buried. Birthright is the second book in the long-running Dead Souls saga. Each book ends with a cliffhanger, and readers are advised to start at the beginning.