Prologue

“Excuse me, ma’am?” I ask as I stop halfway to the end of the alley. “Are you hurt?” I take another step towards her. This isn’t uncommon on my patrol. We often have strays turn up in these alleys on my beat, drunk and lost. Some are homeless, and others are looking for men to sell themselves to for a quick buck.

She shifts on the pavement. “You can’t sleep here, ma’am. I’m going to have to ask you to move along.”

“Please.” I hear a small voice say. I hurry forward, ready to render aid, pausing to turn and look behind me. My partner is on a break down the street. He should be here soon and can go call for backup.

“Ma'am, can you hear me? Are you hurt?” I ask as I bend over her. I freeze the moment I see her face. She has pale skin, the color of snow. Her lips are so dark they look as though they're covered in blood. “Ma’am, are you hurt? I’m an officer. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m here to help.” I gently place my hand on her shoulder and roll her from her side to her back.

Her eyes fly open, staring back at me. They’re silver, glowing in the moonlight. She grabs my neck with unnatural strength, and in an instant, my back is up against the brick wall of the alley.

“Oh, sweet thing,” she purrs at me, fangs lowering from the top of her mouth. I struggle to reach my whistle. My hands are useless against the strength of hers on my neck.

She lunges towards me, teeth sinking into the side of my neck. Everything goes black. I hear my partner in the distance calling my name just before I slide into the darkness. “Don!”