Table of Contents
To Jackie Kessler, the best friend and critique partner in the world
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Many thanks to my keen and amazing editor, Maureen Sullivan, for her incredible input and divine patience; and to my brilliant and incredible agent, Michael Bourret, who always has excellent advice and never fails to talk me down off the ledge. Huge thanks to Team Vlad at Penguin Young Readers: Don Weisberg, Lauri Hornik, Felicia Frazier, Andrea Mai, Scottie Bowditch, Erin Dempsey, Jennifer Haller, Maureen Sullivan, Andrew Harwell, Shanta Newlin, Christian Fuenfhausen, Emily Romero, Courtney Wood, and Allison Verostyou are the makers of dreams and I owe you big time.
Id also like to thank my sister, Dawn Vanniman, for supporting me at every turn, no matter what. And MTB, for keeping me (relatively) sane.
This list wouldnt be complete if I forgot to thank my three favorite people on the planet. Paul, Jacob, and Alexandriayou are my everything. Without you, none of this would be possible. Thank you.
A SLAYERS RESOLVE
THE VAMPIRE SPUN AROUND, a wild, unhinged look in his eye. He lunged forward but the slayer skillfully dodged his blow, delivering a hard roundhouse kick to the creatures throat. The vampire fell to the ground, coughing, choking on its own blood. The slayer could have killed the beast a half hour ago. But this wasnt just about ridding the world of another abomination (though that was definitely the end goal). It was about a slayer needing to release some pent-up hostility and cleanse himself of all of his clouded thoughts.
Thoughts that were now perfectly clear.
These bloodsucking things could not be trusted. Not even when they donned the mask of a relatively normal teenager. Not even when they claimed to be your friend. Especially when they used their insidious powers to gain your trust and get you to reveal secrets that even those closest to you didnt know. Especially when their name was Vladimir Tod.
Joss was done playing games. With Vlads face planted firmly in the forefront of his imagination, he slipped the silver-tipped wooden stake from his backpack and approached the vampire on the ground with an eager step. He whispered, For you, Cecile, and thrust the stake forward, before the beast could draw a single breath. Bloodhot. slick, so deep red that it seemed black in the light of the moonpoured out over his hands. The nameless vampire fell still.
Joss straightened his shoulders, triumphant.
From his backpack, he withdrew a cell phone and hit number two on speed dial. When the voice at the other end answered, he said, This is Joss. I need a cleanup on the ocean side of Russian Gulch State Park. The target is secure. Am I cleared to move on to my next objective?
When the voice on the other end answered in the affirmative, Joss hung up the phone. There was no need to continue the conversation. Small talk didnt matter.
All that mattered was that he was going back to Bathory.
And this time, he would walk away with no regrets.
ABSENT FRIENDS
VLAD TWISTED HIS WRIST, pinching his fingers together, spinning the bronze coin on the table. When it fell, he picked it up and did it again, counting. Thirty-six times it had fallen Slayer Society up. Twenty-two times it was down. He spun the coin again, but before it had a chance to fall a hand came down on it from across the table. Henry looked at his best friend, his eyebrows drawn together in concern. Vlad sat back, a dark cloud hanging over him. When?
Henry plucked the coin up in his hand and turned it over, frowning. Next week.
Vlad watched the coin, rereading the inscription on one side: FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND. How long have you known?
As soon as my mom told me I came straight over to tell you. Henry dropped the coin and ran a hand through his hair, groaning. What are we going to do?
The coin rolled across the table and off the edge. Vlads hand moved so quickly that Henry couldnt even see it. He returned the coin to the table and once again spun it on the tables surface, returning to his former silence.
We have to do something, Vlad. You cant just sit here spinning that stupid coin and waiting for Joss to come finish the job. Now that your invincibility is gone ...
Vlad spun the coin again, harder this time. Henry was right. They had to do something. Henrys cousin Joss was moving back to Bathory, this time with his family, and Vlad bet that it wasnt due to coincidence or the fact that Henrys family lived here. Joss was coming to kill him. And ever since DAblos stupid ritual last year, he was very much in danger of dying.
But Vlad couldnt think about a solution. All hed been able to think about since the Freedom Fest was Meredith, and how much he wished they could be together. But they couldnt. He was too much of a danger to her. So hed broken her heart and, in turn, shattered his own to pieces. He was empty. He was alone.
And now he was in danger of dying at the hand of a slayer, his former friend.
He spun the coin again. Henry picked it up and threw it across the room. It clattered on the floor behind Vlad. Do something!
Vlad looked at him somberly. Like what?
Anything. You act like Joss coming back to town is no big deal. I know youre still all torn up about Meredith... Vlad shot him a warning glance, but Henry wasnt about to back down. What? Youve been like this all summer, but you did what you had to do. Now you act like you dont care if Joss comes back here and sticks another stake through your heart. Henrys eyes shined in frustration. But I do.
His words hung in the air between them, weakening Vlads resolve.
Henry turned and walked to the other side of the kitchen, reaching up to wipe his eyes on his sleeve, trying to keep it hidden from his friend. Look, man, I dont want to get all chick-flick on you or anything, but youre my best friend and I almost lost you last time. I cant go through that again. I wont
Vlad sighed, saying everything with his eyes that he couldnt bear to with his voice. He couldnt do anything. Short of killing JossHenrys cousin, Vlads former friendhe couldnt do anything at all. Youre right. I just dont see how I can stop him without... He didnt have to say it, and neither of them wanted him to. He couldnt kill Joss. That just wasnt an option.
What about mind control?
Vlad frowned. I cant control him for the rest of his life, Henry. Besides, sooner or later, my concentration would break.
There has to be something... Henry returned to his seat, a look of desperation washing over his features. What about Otis? Hes like a million years old.
Three hundred and two
Whatever, hes old. Hes dealt with slayers his whole life, I bet. You should ask him what to do.
After a moment, Vlad nodded thoughtfully. If anyone would know what to do, his uncle would.
Henry nodded too, looking somewhat relieved that Vlad was actually going to take action. Anyway, Id better get back. My mom is on a cleaning rampage because of our extended family moving to town. If Im not there, who knows what shell throw out! The woman has no respect for the treasures of an adolescent male.
Henry stood and glanced at Vlad, a worrisome expression on his face. You sure youre okay?
