In the clearing upon Pine Hill where the Bartleby place had once stood, the two survivors argued about what to do next. One was determined to have vengeance upon Sheriff John Tackett. The other wanted simply to flee. And so they argued, and they hunted for meager sustenance, and they lingered there together, wondering how long it would be before Tackett came to the clearing.
They were still there when she arrived, tall and thin, with eyes so cruel they both lay quickly before her, offering their throats. They had not the heart to fight.
The face she wore, the faÆade, was dark and exotic by human standards, but they could sense the power of the beast underneath. She demanded to know what had happened, and they told her all of it.
“This cannot be," she whispered. “This was supposed to be the sanctuary, the place to rest and to start again."
“The sheriff killed them all. A boy and a girl, outsiders, they helped him," one of the survivors replied, “and one of us. He killed his own."
The female sniffed the air. “I can smell them. They have been here, fouled this sanctuary with their presence. Their scents are familiar."
Fury raged in her, but she forced herself to be calm. “Come then. We'll begin again together, we'll gather others around us. A great Pack, just as Tanzer dreamed of. And when the moment is right, we shall all have our vengeance upon these murderers."
The survivors bowed their heads to their new mistress. She laid a hand upon each of them, reassuring, and yet also establishing her place as their pack leader, their Alpha.
“Just as you say, mistress," said one of the survivors.
“Jasmine," she corrected. “Call me Jasmine."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN is the award-winning, L.A. Times bestselling author of such novels as Straight on 'til Morning, Strangewood, Prowlers, and the Body of Evidence series of teen thrillers.
Golden has also written a great many books and comic books related to the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. His other comic book work includes stories featuring such characters as Batman, Wolverine, Spider-Man, The Crow, and Hellboy, among many others.
As a pop-culture journalist, he was the editor of the Bram Stoker Award-winning book of criticism, CUT!: Horror Writers on Horror Film, and co-author of both Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Monster Book and The Stephen King Universe. s
Golden was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he still lives with his family. He graduated from Tufts University. He is currently at work on the third book in the Prowlers series, Predator and Prey, and a new novel for Signet called The Ferryman. There are more than four million copies of his books in print.
Please visit him at www.christophergolden.com
CONTENTS
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
EPILOGUE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
