Garnetta Briars, a once-beautiful 17-year-old girl from a small town, is accidentally killed by a group of drunken boys while visiting her mother’s grave. As she lies dying, she is offered a second chance at life by Raphael, an ancient and mysterious vampire with a French accent. Raphael transforms Garnetta into a vampire, awakening her to a new world filled with both danger and power. Now, 200 years later, Garnetta lives a life of solitude and restraint, feeding only on wild animals and honing her unique vampire ability to grow and manipulate briar roses that can siphon the life force of others. The roses serve as both a defensive weapon and a surveillance system, allowing Garnetta to protect herself and those she cares about.