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

“I think it can be arranged, with the right inducements.”


“Like this?” He laved his tongue over my ear. I don’t know how he knew it, or if it was just a guess, but he had found one of my most sensitive spots. When I moaned, hardening instantly, he moved from there to my other ear. After that, nature took its course, as they say. We took it slowly this time, exploring and learning each other’s bodies in the way two men who care deeply for each other will do. The end was explosive—and tender—as we celebrated the culmination of our love making.


Then, with some of the night left, and with neither of us tired even though we were physically and emotionally drained, we went out for a long stroll through the Quarter before coming home just before dawn so that Ephram could sleep—in my bed this time. 11


Chapter 48