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

“Not since 1814, unfortunately. So I’ll go entertain myself by scaring the shit out of the tourists.” Rob laughed. “Not really, although it’s tempting sometimes.”


“You ought to visit some of the places on those haunted house tours,” Liddy suggested. “Give the tourists something to write home about.”


“Who says I haven’t?” Rob replied as he faded from view.


“Do you think he really does?” Liddy asked.


Rob’s disembodied voice told her, “You bet your sweet bippy.”


“He was a fan of Laugh-In, way back when,” I told her. “Check it out on YouTube. I’m pretty sure they have reruns of it there.”


“I think I’ll pass,” Liddy mumbled as she and Duff took off to their, or one of their, apartments.


Chapter 9