In the world of vampires, noble titles were a privilege reserved exclusively for pure-blood families. Historically, there were five noble, pure-blood vampire families, but the annihilation of the Vexleys had reduced their number to four. A family could retain its noble title as long as at least one pure-blooded member remained alive. For the Thornes, this legacy rested on the shoulders of three surviving members: King Alaric, Princess Selene—both pure-bloods—and Prince Varen, a ...