Vampire Philip Archer and his team of successful art thieves -- black panther shifter Duff, ghost Rob, and Duff's human girlfriend Liddy -- are asked by the handsome Ian Croft, a potential client, to break with tradition and rescue a kidnapped child. When the caper turns out rather differently than expected, Philip is bitterly reminded why he has remained single for so long. Yet, surrounded as he is by loving friends, he is not desperate. This is why, when he meets the newly-made vampire Ephram, he suppresses his attraction and focuses on being a mentor to the Fledgling.<br><br>Ephram was turned by Virgil Ionescu, an ancient vampire known for casting off his Children before they are ready. Living off the streets, Ephram's future is precarious until he meets Philip. Ephram is immediately attracted to Philip and only too happy to be taken under his wing and taught the skills of surviving in modern New Orleans.<br><br>But Philip keeps secrets. Ephram can sense it, but he can't penetrate the thousand-year-old Philip's reserve. What will Ephram do when he discovers the big secret his new group of friends are keeping from him? Will his love for Philip trump all, or will he betray them? And, to complicate matters, Ionescu arrives unexpectedly in town, coming to check on his Child.

Art Theft 101

“Bryce Milton, whom you know, and Ian Croft.”


“Bryce recommended him,” I replied to Duff. “They tend to be interested in the same types of art.”


“Style-wise or stolen?” Libby asked with a grin.


Duff nodded. “We need to meet with this Croft guy before we make any decisions about him. And do a complete background check on him. I don’t want to find out we’re being set up by Bryce, whether he knows it’s what’s happening or not.”


“I doubt Bryce would do that intentionally. He likes our…services. Besides, if he did turn on us, we know about a few paintings he has in his collection he’d rather the FBI not find out about. Last I checked, one of the pieces is on their top ten list.”


“The Pissarro?” Rob grinned. “Getting our hands on that for Bryce was an interesting challenge.”


Chapter 3