In 1803, rumors of a book bound in human flesh circulate in an English town, setting in motion a prophecy centuries in the making. In 2083, the world has ended, but hope remains. In 1790, two lives become entwined by an assassination attempt that never made the history books.

"Balderdash, Jack. There's no such thing as vampires."

The Council lets Giles know that a centuries old vampire is headed toward Sunnydale, and no one knows quite why.