Gabe Granger gathers intelligence for George Washington, even after he's bitten by a vampyre in the service of the British. Remember Littlebury, his longtime friend, stays with him as his black swan, keeping him safe from sunlight and getting messages to General Washington.

After the war ends, they continue working for the fledgling government through one conflict after another. When Gabe loses Remember at the Battle of Gettysburg, he's ready to give up, but his country still needs his services. And there are many black swans for him to choose from. None are any more fortunate than Remember, and one by one they're killed in various wars.

All Noah Poynter wants is to be a black swan, and he's devastated when his pop tells him he's just a normal. In spite of everything, Gabe and Noah become friends. Is there any hope for the two of them?