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

A corner of Albert’s mouth quirked. “Now that your appearance transformation is complete, and unless you object and would prefer to be given other options, you’ll move in with me this afternoon.”


“I don’t object.” Dammit…again with the breathless wheezy speech. And he reallyneeded to stop gushing at Albert, although the man didn’t seem to balk. In fact, he appeared to be pleased by Neil’s responses, both verbal and non.


Albert nodded to Mona. “You’re free to go. Thank you.”


“Are we leaving now?” Neil turned to Ivan. “Do you have a bag I can put those in, please?”


Ivan nodded, and Marshall said, “Sack.”


“‘Bag’ isn’t wrong, per se, but many rural Texans would likely say ‘sack,’ rather than ‘bag.’ In fact, go with, ‘We fixin’ to leave? Y’all have a sack I can put those in?’” Which sounded more like “Y’all have a sack ah kin put those in?”


“Jesus Christ.” Neil shook his head. “There’s so much to learn.”


Chapter 13