Sixteen-year old Zoey Redbird gets Marked at school one day and has to go to the House of Night, a school for fledglings (young vampyres) and leave her family and friends behind. Confused when this happens, she goes to see her grandmother, who is the only one she will truly miss. When Zoey sets out through her grandmother's lavender farm to find her, she falls and hits her head and is knocked unconscious. She has an 'out of body experience and sees the Goddess Nyx; the ancient personification of night, and the goddess of the vampyres, who tells her she is important to Nyx's plans and kisses her forehead, knocking her out once again. Later, when Zoey arrives at the House of Night, she is instantly seen as an anomaly because her mark (a crescent moon on her forehead which with normal fledglings should only be an outline) had been filled in. At school she meets Stevie Rae (her roommate), who introduces her to her friends- the 'twins' Shaunee and Erin, who are so alike they nickname each other this, though they are completely different physically, and Damien, the token guy of their group. After attending her first school ritual in Nyx's Temple, Zoey realizes that she has been given an affinity for all 5 elements: Air, Earth, Water, Fire and Spirit which is greatly unheard of in a vampyre, let alone a fledgling.
She also meets Aphrodite,a mean, selfish bully who is leader of a traditional student organisation called the Dark Daughters. Aphrodite has also been gifted with an affinity, but not for an element, instead Aphrodite has visions of future tragic disasters. However, though it's well known she has these visions, when she has one she hides it, at one point (if not for Damien realising she was having one) almost allowing those involved in the vision to die. She lords her power over the school and treats other fledglings she doesn't see as worthy, horribly. She instantly sees Zoey as a threat, due to the fuss being made about her. Seeing just how much trouble she was really causing, Zoey realizes she must bring Aphrodite down, even if that means taking over her position as leader of the Dark Daughters.
Zoey's chance comes during the Dark Daughters celebration of Samhain, where Aphrodite accidentally summons evil spirits. Heath, Zoey's ex-almost-boyfriend arrives and is attacked by the evil vampyre spirits that crave fresh human blood. Erik, a Dark son who has shown interest in Zoey, attempts to save Heath as Zoey and her friends cast a circle to send the spirits to where they were summoned from. Zoey is the post of leader of the Dark Daughters from Neferet, the High Priestess of Nyx, as a reward for her quick thinking and bravery. Given as an addition, Nyx blesses Zoey by adding additions tattoos to her Mark and shoulders, something unheard of even for full-fledged vampyres.