Albert Manlii has walked this earth for more than two thousand years, but survival on his own was never easy. Now he leads a faction of highly organized vampires who carefully guard the secret of their existence. Unlike the old days, potential recruits are carefully selected and presented with an offer.<br><br>Phillip Brewer has weeks to live -- if he lets his disease run its course. He doesn’t want to die, but given a choice, will his desire to live outweigh his concerns about the vampires’ ethics?<br><br>When the new recruit’s missteps are cause for concern, can Albert control the fallout, or will Phillip’s life once again be torn apart?

The Recruit

“Okay,” Phillip said. “I’ve got a few more questions. One, you’re immortals, so why are you adding to your ranks? Two, why me? And three, what are the rules?”


“Excellent questions. We don’t add very many to our ranks each year. We expand as we see the need for additional specialties. We also seek replacements for those killed accidentally or rare victims of random murders, or for those who’ve transferred to new or other factions. Some make the choice to…check out voluntarily.” Albert shrugged. “We’re all different, and some of us get tired of existing after a while.”


Albert’s answer only raised more questions—like how did they cover up those “rare random murders,” because black blood would raise all kinds of questions. Perhaps Phillip was worn down mentally as well as physically, because he just didn’t have it in him to pursue that train of thought. Instead, he said, “I have nothing special to offer. So again, why me?”


Chapter 9