Exclusive: Excerpt of Blood Night by Heather Graham

About Blood Night:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Heather Graham comes a new story in her Krewe of Hunters series…

Any member of the Krewe of Hunters is accustomed to the strange. And to conversing now and then with the dead.

For Andre Rousseau and Cheyenne Donegal, an encounter with the deceased in a cemetery is certainly nothing new.

But this year, Halloween is taking them across the pond—unofficially.

Their experiences in life haven’t prepared them for what’s to come.

Cheyenne’s distant cousin and dear friend Emily Donegal has called from London. Murder has come to her neighborhood, with bodies just outside Highgate Cemetery, drained of blood.

The last victim was found at Emily’s doorstep, and evidence seems to be arising not just against her fiancé, Eric, but against Emily, too. But Emily isn’t just afraid of the law—many in the great city are beginning to believe that the historic Vampire of Highgate is making himself known, aided and abetted by adherents. Some are even angry and frightened enough to believe they should take matters into their own hands.

Andre and Cheyenne know they’re in for serious trouble when they arrive, and they soon come to realize that the trouble might be deadly not just for Emily and Eric, but for themselves as well.

There’s help to be found in the beautiful and historic old cemetery.

And as All Hallows Eve looms, they’ll be in a race against time, seeking the truth before the infamous vampire has a chance to strike again.

Excerpt:

“I hear you two are intrigued. And I’m impressed,” he gushed. “You’re from Louisiana, right? They have quite amazing cemeteries there, as well, yes? Cities of the Dead! One day, I’ll get there.”

“Yes, we’re from Louisiana, but we live in D.C. now,” Andre told him. “And this…well, it’s huge, for one. And the landscaping…remarkable.”

“So many buried here,” Monte told him. “You don’t mind walking, do you?”

“Not at all,” Cheyenne assured him. “We’re grateful to you.”

“Not a problem. My, uh, cousin asked me to do this,” he said.

“Your cousin?” Andre asked.

“Inspector Michael Adair.” Monte lowered his voice slightly, though there was no one around to hear.

“He and old Birmingham get along all right, but Mike thinks Birmingham is being a wanker. There’s no reason you shouldn’t be here—and helping if possible. So, cousin Mikey called to make sure I gave you the old A-1 tour. And I hope to!”

“We’re sure you will.”

“The stakes are high for me, eh? I mean, you come from Louisiana. I’ve seen pictures and have read up on some of your places. Fantastic.” Again, he lowered his voice. “And this Krewe thing of yours…it’s intriguing. Do you really solve just about everything?”

“We try our hardest,” Cheyenne said.

“Deep, dark secrets of the investigations?” he asked.

“We go through the academy. We work all hours of the day. Pretty much like any law enforcement officers,” Andre said.

They headed through the cemetery, Monte pointing out various special graves, either because of the person buried there or the funerary art.

One grave with an obelisk marker set by a stunning weeping angel, caught Cheyenne’s attention. The epitaph was beautiful.

Here lies she in beauty and grace,

Kind in soul and gentle in face,

And surely now with angels she soars,

Watching over all she adores,

For goodness ruled her every breath

Stolen so cruelly, unto death.

Oh, bitter loss, while we shed tears

Let her killer know new fears

For in Heaven she will gently tread

Eternal, while flames shall fill the other with dread.

“Lovely, and so sad! I’m taking this to mean she was murdered?” she asked softly, thinking Andre was still at her side. But he was a bit away, studying a small mausoleum tomb created in the Egyptian style.

She thought he looked at the tomb but also…

Beyond it.