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 you like that,” he said with a mischievous grin.


“If you don’t know by now, we’re in deep trouble,” I replied, tweaking his nipples. He hissed with pleasure, as I knew he would, so I laved my tongue over them. From there, I began to work my way down his body, nipping occasionally with my fangs extended then licking away the small drops of blood. To a human, this might have seemed, well, inhumane. For us it raised our anticipation of what was to come. I stopped when I reached the object of my desire, looking up at him. His eyes were closed, his lips parted as he panted in anticipation.


So I began to give him what he wanted, taking his pulsing cock between my lips to lap the pre-cum from its leaking slit. Slowly I drew his cock further into my mouth, swallowing then releasing it, tormenting and teasing him until he was writhing uncontrollably, gasping, “Please, Philip, please…”


Chapter 54