Despite the support of his rich older boyfriend, starving artist Riley Burke is determined not to be a trophy--hence his second job as a nude model at the local art school. It's important to him that he pay his own way, so when the artist Coliaro requests a private modeling session with him, he jumps at the chance to earn some real cash. Then he hears the rumors--that Coliaro is undead. That his worshippers perform rituals to fill him with life energy. That every time he paints a male nude, the painting transforms to depict a gruesome murder. And that shortly after, a young man turns up dead. The source of these rumors is a man named Westwood, who claims to be an instructor at the school and warns Riley not to get involved. Riley ignores the advice--but when the rumors pan out and another murder looms, he turns to Westwood for help. Westwood is clearly keeping secrets. He's dangerous, and Riley doesn't know if he can be trusted--which makes him all the more attractive. Riley is in way over his head and his involvement with the undead may make him the ultimate target.