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

Duff grinned. “I’ll put Liddy on the case. It’ll keep her out of your hair until we leave for the northwest.”


Liddy and Duff took off late the next afternoon, with more bags than any two people should be allowed to take on an airplane. But that was Liddy. She liked to be prepared for any contingency. Rob disappeared soon after they left, telling me with a wide grin that he’d finally be able to spend quality time with some friends. It made me feel better to know he actually had a life, as it were. He wasn’t one to talk about what he did on his off time—and hadn’t been since soon after we’d met—so it was nice to know he didn’t just hibernate somewhere when he wasn’t working with us on a job.


I spent the first night after everyone was gone enjoying the peace and quiet. I love my friends but there are times when sharing the building with all of them 24/7 can be stressful, even though we’re on different time schedules.


Chapter 23