Book excerpt: In the majestic mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, where fantasy and reality collide. Where myths and tall tales are brought into a different light. A young woman, Isla Michelle Van Burren still living at home waiting for life to begin, is faced with a decision of extraordinary circumstances. A night out with her girlfriends brings her face to face with an intriguingly spellbinding man. He introduces himself as Bill, the owner of a dark, obscure night club. She's very quickly drawn to him. However, she soon discovers there is an unfathomable explanation to his mysterious insight into who she is. Out of curiosity, she engages in a tarot card reading. One card warns: You could lose your soul but gain so much more in return. These cryptic words puzzle Isla. She is entranced by a phenomenal and overwhelming urge to give herself to Bill in every way. He yearns to have her, but he can't decipher if his desire is of passion or thirst.