For ten thousand years a race of immortal vampires has waged a secret war to control mankind. Beings of incredible supernatural powers, they are driven by a lust for power... and human blood.

They are the Kindred.

Though mortal, the enigmatic detective Dire McCann knows a great deal about these undead. So does Alicia Varney, one of the world's wealthiest women. They are two wild cards in a global game of chess that has lasted for over a hundred centures.

But now a new player has entered the fray. Known only as the Red Death, he controls forces that make even the Kindred tremble. Who is this mysterious avatar of blood? And is his appearance the first sign that Gehenna, the dread apocalypse for both humans and vampires is about to begin?