Vampire's Kiss

“Acari Drew.” A mellow voice spoke from behind me.

Oh God
. Too late, I noticed the shadow that had fallen on me. My skin rippled with goose bumps, as if a chill breeze were at my back instead of a vampire.

I looked over my shoulder and had to force myself not to startle when I saw how close Alcántara had managed to come behind me.
Stupid
. Things like that could get a girl killed in my world.

He stood there, tall but not towering, with bottomless dark eyes and smooth black hair that brushed the collar of his black leather jacket. He looked like a beautiful indie rocker… carved out of marble.

I hopped to my feet as reverently as one could when wearing damp, sand-encrusted gym shorts. It struck me that all the other Acari had grown quiet around me, and even Tracer Otto was standing in respectful silence. They knew as well as I did how the sudden appearance of a vampire could mean somebody’s imminent evisceration. I only hoped it wouldn’t be mine.

Isle of Night

KISS

the watchers

VERONICA WOLFF

NEW AMERICAN LIBRARY

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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To Martha Flynn,
for bringing the awesome

I owe a tremendous thank-you to the amazing team at Penguin. Everyone’s enthusiasm, support, and smarts makes my otherwise isolating job a real pleasure. In particular, my heartfelt gratitude goes to Cindy Hwang, who is an editor without parallel. I’m also grateful to my superhuman publicist, Rosanne Romanello, and to the art department, which always designs such rocking covers. Thanks also to the remarkable Robin Rue, for giving me a shot in the arm, and to Beth Miller, for her help on everything up to and including music recommendations.

I’m blessed with some dear friends who double as early readers. Drew wouldn’t be the same without the feedback and encouragement of Kate Perry, Martha Flynn, Monica McCarty, and Connie O’Donovan.

Finally, this book wouldn’t be in your hands—not to mention, I’d be a great big wreck—were it not for the extraordinary love and support of my husband, Adam, and our two fabulous kids.

VAMPIRE’S
KISS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

Blood Fever

About the Author

A
s my friend Yasuo the vampire Trainee would say…
Headlines.
As in, here they are:

I sat with Emma on the sand, contemplating my situation, but my uncharacteristically optimistic outlook was squashed
as I realized my butt was getting wet. I shifted, peeling the cotton shorts away from my skin. “Dammit. Are you
sure
he said the beach?”