A terminally ill man stumbles across a long-lived secret sub-race of humans.

SYNOPSIS:

KNOX GUIDRY loses his wife when she dies from a routine dental procedure and soon after receives his own terminal diagnosis. Heartbroken, he decides to spend his remaining time in New Orleans.

Knox is astonished one day to see a child sustain a mortal injury — yet survive. He shadows the parents, two preternaturally healthy people that he dubs the Golden Couple. One day while watching the Golden Couple at the coffee house, he saves MJ from choking. In gratitude, she tells him there is a way he can save his life.

Among the normal people of New Orleans lives a secret society of near-humans called the Bonded. They have supernatural powers, including the ability to heal any wound or disease. The Bonded can pass their abilities along, but only during sex to someone they truly love. If Knox wants to survive, he needs to win a Bonded woman’s heart.

Still desponded over his loss, and not quite believing MJ, Knox at first refuses. But then he meets the beautiful NATALIE ROSE at a charity ball. She reminds Knox of his lost love. MJ tells Knox he’s wasting his time; though Natalie is Bonded, she is already engaged to another of their kind. Knox asks MJ for one week.

M.J. indulges Knox and shares her research with him. Armed with background information on Natalie, Knox manages to forge a connection with her. Kenneth becomes full of rage and beats her. And though she should be healing fast...her bruises flicker and reappear.

From an underwater world, another watches the growing closeness of Knox and Natalie, with sinister interest: TRAVIS, a shape-shifter who desires to become Bonded for his own evil purposes. Assuming the shape of each of the three parties to the triangle, he estranges Knox, disappoints Natalie, and as "Kenneth", claws his way into Natalie’s affections. After months, she finally has sex with him — and he reveals his true identity.

Meanwhile, Knox's time has run out. Finding him unconscious and near death, M.J. bites him — she's not Bonded, she's a vampire!

Natalie’s snatched by Travis! M.J. and Knox trail them to the swamp. He threatens Natalie and M.J. — unless M.J. makes him a vampire. She has no choice. Flush with power, Travis leaves. Natalie's reunited with Knox, her true love, at last. As one final order of business, Knox and Natalie lure Travis to a Bahamas resort. There they turn the tables on him and turn him over to underwater authorities. The new lovers go off to a happy life — but Travis's project was done with full knowledge of his superiors...and foul deeds are afoot...