Aidan Cross is a Dream Guardian. In the Twilight between sleep and wakefulness, a battle rages between Guardians and Nightmares, with the victor reaping the benefits of the energy created in slumber. Guardians recharge with various skills, Nightmares drain by thriving on distress. Keeping the portal locked between reality and dreams is a calling that rules Aidan's life, until he's assigned to protect Lyssa Bates. Unlike the other women whose dreams he's calmed with deeply erotic seduction, Lyssa recognizes him and his purpose. She welcomes him to her bed as he is, without the disguise of her fantasies, and offers him the first true solace he's known in a lifetime of fighting. Her ability is a gift. And a curse.

Because of her rare cognizance, she is said to be The Key they have all been searching for. The Key serves a terrible purpose--to open the Gateway and allow Nightmares in unlimited numbers to travel through the Twilight. From there, they have access to the mortal plane through the individuals whose dreams they control.

Now Aidan must leave the Twilight to protect Lyssa from both his own people and the enemies who need her to open the door to them. Stripped of the endless possibilities of dreams, they will have only their love with which to conquer her destiny.