PROLOGUE A NICE TIME

A pale moon floated high over the beach at Sandy Hollow as Diana walked beside Eric. The wet sand felt cold under her feet. Diana took Eric’s hand. “I love the beach at night,” she murmured.

“Huh? What did you say?” Eric asked. He seemed distracted.

“Nothing. Come on.” Pulling him toward the waves that broke gently on the sand, Diana began to walk faster.

The beach is so peaceful at night, she thought. So perfect for what I must do.

The stars gleamed, silvery against the clear black sky. It was at least an hour before dawn. Diana had plenty of time.

She studied Eric’s face. His hair was black and shaggy, his eyes dark and serious. Her gaze lingered on his throat, on the smooth flesh just below his jaw.

Any moment now, she thought. Any moment.

“It’s late,” Eric said. “I really should go home.”

“Not afraid of the dark, are you?” Diana teased.

“Of course not.”

“Then what’s the hurry?”

“I had a crazy day. I’d like to get a little sleep before the sun comes up.”

Diana stopped walking and peered down the dark beach. “Look!” she cried. “Someone left a beach umbrella. Let’s sit down. Just for a minute?”

“But it’s so late,” Eric protested.

Diana hurried to the umbrella and dropped onto the sand beneath it. “Come on,” she urged. “We’ve got our own private spot.”

Eric joined her. She pulled him to her and kissed him. Just once. Quickly. His lips felt cool on hers. As cool as the night air.

“I really have to get home,” Eric whispered.

“You’re not going home, Eric.”

For a moment, he said nothing, his face a frozen silhouette against the star-filled sky. “What are you talking about?” he finally asked.

“I brought you here to die.”

He laughed. “Is this a joke?”

“No, Eric. It’s no joke. A vampire murdered my cousin last summer. She wasn’t just my cousin, Eric. She was also my best friend. I want all vampires to die.”

Eric’s fangs slid down. “You lose,” he snarled.

“No. You lose,” Diana snapped.

His eyes glowed with rage and hunger. He reached for her.

Diana rolled away. She yanked the beach umbrella from the sand. The special umbrella she had made for tonight.

Eric came after her, moonlight flashing in his eyes.

The umbrella top slid across the sand as Diana yanked the pole off.

“I can already taste your blood, the sweet nectar!” Eric proclaimed.

“Don’t count on it,” Diana replied.

Eric groaned as she jammed the pole’s sharp wooden tip through his heart. His eyes bulged wide in shock. “No!” he gasped. “No. You can’t!”

He collapsed onto the sand.

The glow in his eyes faded.

His body shriveled. Slowly at first, then faster, his legs shrinking beneath his jeans. His arms dissolving. His skin flaking, blowing away in the wind.

Until a skeleton lay sprawled on the sand in Eric’s clothes.

Bones. White bones.

Then dust.

Diana stirred the dust around with her hand until it disappeared into the beach sand.

“Good-bye, Eric,” she murmured. “I had a very nice time.”

Date: 2015-04-20; view: 600