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Showing posts with label Morganville Vampires. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Morganville Vampires. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Review: Fall of Night by Rachel Caine
Fall of Night
Author: Rachel Caine
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: NAL
The Morganville Vampires #14
ISBN: #978-0451414250
Genre: YA Paranormal
Format(s): Hardcover (352 pgs)
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
|
Claire never thought she’d leave Morganville, but when she gets accepted into the graduate program at MIT, she can’t pass up the opportunity. Saying good-bye to her friends is bittersweet, especially since things are still raw and unsettled between Claire and her boyfriend, Shane.
Her new life at MIT is scary and exciting, but Morganville is never really far from Claire’s mind. Enrolled in a special advanced study program with Professor Irene Anderson, a former Morganville native, Claire is able to work on her machine, which is designed to cancel the mental abilities of vampires.
But when she begins testing her machine on live subjects, things quickly spiral out of control, and Claire starts to wonder whether leaving Morganville was the last mistake she’ll ever make...
What Una is talking about:
|
Fall of Night is the fourteenth book on the Morganville Vampire series. Ms. Caine has been successful as this series continues, which is no small feat with a long running series. Considering the end of the previous novel, Bitter Blood, I was concerned how Fall of Night would go. I am pleasantly surprised how Claire's adventure to MIT went and even more intrigued with what awaited her in Morganville.
The love story between Claire and Shane has had its trials and triumphs. However, as Bitter Blood came to a close, Shane's distrust of Claire was a final straw. With the Founder's permission, Claire has a one-way ticket to her dream, an independent study at MIT. However, even though Shane has the same permission, Claire refuses to have him accompany her. She needs to see what life is like outside of Morganville and on her own. She has dreamed of attending MIT and pursuing high academic studies. Plus, after all of her time in Morganville, she dreams of a normal life.
Fall of Night begins with Claire leaving Morganville and heading to MIT to see what a normal life is like. However, normal is a matter of opinion, and Claire is a fully assimilated Morganviller. From the start of her reunion with her BFF from high school to her new professor and boss, Dr. Anderson, Claire is not sure this was the right decision. Between the changes her roommate has gone through, not to mention her creepy ex-stalker, and the oddness of Dr. Anderson together with the suits that she works for, Claire feels she was safer in Morganville. Even with that, she is eager to start working in earnest on her device, and considering she is not in Morganville, Claire assumes she is safe. But the normal world has dangers of its own, and it is easier to live with the enemies you know than the unknown. It seems that there is a new enemy in the world of Morganville that is making its introduction to Claire finally and forcefully.
Anyone would think that with Claire leaving Morganville, Fall of Night would be solely from Claire's point of view, but that is not the case. In what world would Shane let Claire march into the unknown without being close, just in case? Certainly not this one. However, Shane does give Claire the space she asks for, just not in the distance she thought. So there are both point of views during the course of Fall of Night. Being able to have both Claire and Shane's point of views allows the reader to experience the growth that they both experience during this separation.
I will warn you, there is a huge cliffhanger at the end and personally, I cannot wait to find out what happens next in the Morganville Vampires series. If you haven't heard of this great young adult series, I would recommend starting at the beginning.
Una’s Rating:
|
Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
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Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Review: Bitter Blood by Rachel Caine
Bitter Blood
Author: Rachel Caine
Release Date: Nov. 6, 2012
Publisher: NAL
The Morganville Vampires #13
ISBN: #978-0451238115
Genre: Young Adult, paranormal
Format(s): Hardcover (404 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
|
For years, the human and vampire residents of Morganville, Texas, have managed to co-exist in peace. But now that the threat to the vampires has been defeated, the human residents are learning that the gravest danger they face is the enemy within…
Thanks to the eradication of the parasitic creatures known as the draug, the vampires of Morganville have been freed of their usual constraints. With the vampires indulging their every whim, the town’s human population is determined to hold on to their lives by taking up arms. But college student Claire Danvers isn’t about to take sides, considering she has ties to both the humans and the vampires.
To make matters worse, a television show comes to Morganville looking for ghosts, just as vampire and human politics collide. Now, Claire and her friends have to figure out how to keep the peace without ending up on the nightly news… or worse.
What Una is talking about:
|
Wow. Wow, just wow. I am stunned and this review is going to be late because I am speechless. Bitter Blood is the thirteenth edition in the riveting Morganville Vampires series. I….I just don’t know whether to be happy or absolutely depressed…anxious, worried, thrilled. I feel as if I am on pins and needles. Ms. Caine has delivered a novel that I don’t know really what to say but, if you are fans of the series…you may be supremely stunned.
The town has recovered from several threats over the last twelve books: the blood born vampire illness, Bishop, the Draug, just to name the majors. However, our fearless foursome was always able to weather the storm…no matter how the painful the learning experience, it brought them together. But I fear I am getting ahead of myself.
Ms. Caine continues in this novel to give us the point of view of more than just Claire. Which continues to provide the reader a rich story. I was especially thrilled to have Myrnin’s POV in Bitter Blood. However, I feel now as if the multiple POV’s were a foreshadowing of what was to transpire in this novel. That maybe the multiple POV’s will allow some our near and dear to be absent in the future…
Now that the Draug are gone, the vampires are once again at the top of the food-chain of Morganville. They have nothing to fear. Meanwhile the human population has much to fear, especially the town reverting back to what it was. Although Claire, our human heroine and Amelie, the vampire, had an agreement that humans and vampires would coexist, they needed to be on more equal planes. However, it seems that Oliver and Amelie’s relationship is giving Oliver a measure of influence that is a reason for the humans to fear. The tentative balance between vampires and humans seems to be deteriorating and this time - the cows, oops, I mean the humans are not going to go “gently into that good night.”
As the mysterious ringleader of all the strife and dissension is discovered, there is much collateral damage. Not just to the town and the residents, but to our fearless four – emotionally and physically. In some ways, I fear that some damage may not be fixed. However, we are given a glimmer of hope, albeit a clouded one, in the end of Bitter Blood. I am thrilled for some of the potential outcomes but I fear, deep, deep inside (geez, when did these kids become so near and dear to me…ack, I mean characters….) that we are at a huge crossroads. Just as in life, sometimes people come and go. Like in whatever movie it is: “endings are sad and beginnings are scary.” However, beginnings can be thrilling. It seems in the resolution of the overall story arc of the Draug, we are in the beginning of a new story arc. Like I said, I am sad, I am afraid, but I am also a little excited. Where are you taking us, Ms. Caine? And when is the next book due out so I can inhale it and find out?!?!?!
If you haven’t tried the Morganville Vampires, you may be supremely surprised. For the most part, they are quick reads, and oh so enjoyable. Therefore, do not let the fact that Bitter Blood is the thirteenth in the series. You can easily catch up and be as mesmerized and enthralled as I am. You won’t regret it!
Una’s Rating:
|
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
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Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday Snippet #105
Black Dawn
Author: Rachel Caine
Publisher: NAL
Released: May 1, 2012
And she saw the wave flood down the steps from the next floor up, thick and murky.
It hit Shane in the back and knocked him off his feet. Then, instead of continuing to fall down the steps as gravity demanded, it just . . . stopped, formed a thick trembling bubble, and consumed him.
He floated in the liquid, as if it had more density than real water. He was thrashing, but he couldn't get leverage.
"No!" Claire screamed, and lifted her shotgun, but there was nothing she could do; firing at it was firing at him, and she couldn't, couldn't.
More fluid rushed down the steps toward her, and she saw his face through the distorted lens of the liquid drowning hi, saw the fear and the rage and the horror, and she saw him say something. maybe it was her name.
Maybe it was just run.
She ran.
The liquid snaked after her, more like tentacles than a wave now, grabbing and reaching for hr as she flung herself forward and around the corner of the stairwell. Shane wasn't in the way now, and she fired wildly up at the thing. The noise slammed her like a physical blow, and the hammer of the shotgun hit her shoulder with brutal force. She hardly felt it, because the real pain was inside, where she was screaming Shane's name.
I left him. I left him.
The force of the shotgun blast pushed her backward, off balance, and she fell the last few steps. The silver spread hit the draug's shape with awesome force, ripping it apart, but it only flowed up the stairs in retreat. It made a sound, a horrible, shrieking chorus.
She couldn't see Shane.
I left him.
The door opened behind her, and a hand grabbed her shoulder and yanked her backward. She fought it blindly, tried to get the shotgun turned around, but a cool, pale hand grabbed the barrel and held it away and then she realized that it was Myrnin. He looked past her and saw the draug flowing down the steps toward them, and without a word, grabbed her around the waist, lifted her, and ran.
"No!" she screamed, and struggled to get free. She lost the shotgun in the process, but it didn't matter now; the only thing that mattered was she had to make him understand that they had to go back. She kept screaming as the walls flashed by at nightmare speed, and there was a sound around them that drowned out even her own anguished cries, something brutal and triumphant and terrible. There were draug, too. She could see them coming for them, but Myrnin fired his shotgun one-handed to clear the way and never stopped, never faltered. "No, go back!"
Then they were outside, and Michael and Eve were in the truck's driver and passenger seats. Claire saw them in a tear-streaked blur as Myrnin passed them, opened the back door, and flung hr bodily inside. He entered, slammed the door shut, ad shouted, "Go! Now!"
"Where's Shane?" Eve asked. She'd turned, staring and the dawning horror in her eyes was nothing to the blackened fury and terror inside Claire. She grabbed for the door, but Myrnin held her still.
"He's gone," Myrnin said, never taking those dark eyes away from Claire's face. "Shane is gone."
Michale's face was grim and ashen. "We can't just--"
"He's dead," Myrnin said, and it was as cold and cutting a thing as she'd ever heard him say. "He's dead and you will kill us all if you don't get us out, now. Do you want to see what your pretty Eve will look like in their pools as they strip her down to the bones? Because I promise you, Magnus will make you watch."
Michael flinched, and hesittated, and then ...
Then he put the truck in reverse and no matter how Claire tried to scream, fight, stop him, he drove away.
And left Shane behind.
Friday, April 27, 2012
ARC Review: Black Dawn
Black Dawn
Author: Rachel Caine
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: NAL
Morganville Vampires #12
ISBN: #978-0451236715
Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal)
Format(s): Hardcover (384 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
|
With its eclectic mix of vampire and human citizens, Morganville, Texas, has always been a risky place to call home. But with the invasion of the vampires’ deadliest enemy, Morganville isn’t just in danger – it’s dying…
Ever since the draug – mysterious creatures that prey on vampires – took over Morganville, the lives of Claire Danvers and her friends have been thrown into turmoil. Most of the residents have evacuated, but Claire, Shane, Eve, and Michael have chosen to stay and fight.
By using the town’s water system to spread, the draug have rapidly multiplied. Things in Morganville look grim, especially since vampire Amelie – the town Founder – has been infected by the master draug’s bite.
If Claire and her friends don’t figure out how to cure Amelie and defeat the draug, it looks as though Morganville will become little more than a ghost town.
What Una is talking about:
|
Black Dawn is the twelfth book in the Morganville Vampires series. We were left with a huge cliffhanger in the last book, Last Breath. I will say this novel is aptly named and I enjoyed it.
This novel is action packed and was quite difficult to put down. Black Dawn is longer than the previous novels, but it still feels like a fast read. I believe it to be due to its engaging plot and the realization of more of the citizen’s secrets, both human and vampire. Morganville continues to evolve, even through the threat of annihilation that the draug present.
Ms. Caine continues to use the new format, multiple POVs (points of view) in this book. It allows the reader to see more of what is going on and gives the reader more insight into different characters. However, I felt there may have been a few too many. Multiple POVs can be a very powerful tool if it isn’t over used. Trying to follow too many different characters can become confusing, and although that didn’t happen, I just want to caution Ms. Caine. So far, Black Dawn is appropriately balanced between our main characters and a couple of smaller characters. However, I wonder if that is a signal that they may become more important.
The continuing saga of Michael and Eve’s engagement and the obstacles they must overcome (both between each other and the town) reached a critical point near the end of Last Breath. I am relieved that there is some closure to the issues in this novel... Without giving anything away, the pacing of the issue (and resolution) of a vampire marrying a human is well done. As the reader, I felt satisfied and yet had a very realistic closure to it. Is it completely resolved…no, but there is a satisfaction in how it is ended.
The reader also is able to continue to see Claire and Shane’s relationship grow and mature. I just love this couple. The role reversals that they have experience in the last and in Black Dawn give such foundation to the novel and allow the reader to feel the drama in a very adult way. There is the occasional “high school” like moments, but Ms. Caine does a fabulous job at allowing these moments to not annoy the more adult reader, but enhance the world she has created.
I am very anxious to read the next book in this series. As I hinted before, Black Dawn is perfectly named. Again, without giving anything away, we are left with the bleakness before a new dawn and the fear that all the humans and vampires have experience together – the bonds that have been forged and the considerations given – may be entirely wiped away. The next novel will be a new beginning in Morganville, but it is difficult to say whether it is a good one with promise of a new town….or just another dawn in the town of Vampires who rule over the humans.
If you haven’t read this series, please pick it up. It’s great for kids thirteen years or older and something you can share with them and read together.
Una’s Rating:
|
Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Previous reviews in the series:
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NAL,
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Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sunday Snippet #82
Last Breath
by: Rachel Caine NAL
November 1, 2011
Shane couldn’t go quite as fast as Myrnin wanted, but that was good; as it was, Claire felt she was hurtling uncontrollably down a dark tunnel, like something flung out of a slingshot. It was a deeply unsettling feeling. As short a drive as it was, she was relieved when Shane hit the brakes and slid to a stop at the Founder’s Square guard post, manned by a uniformed cop. He was starting to explain when Myrnin rolled down his window and snapped, “Call Amelie and tell her I’m coming. Tell her to be waiting.”
“Sir!” the cop said, and practically saluted. Not because Myrnin was so commanding, generally, but right now, he sounded very focused.
He was actually very scared, Claire thought. And that raised her personal terror scale all the way up into the red zone. “Myrnin, what’s in the envelope?” she asked.
He didn’t answer, but then, she didn’t really expect him to. “There, take a left,” Myrnin said, leaning over the seat to point.
“Get your hands out of my face, man,” Shane said, but he followed the directions, and steered the car down the ramp into the parking garage beneath Founder’s Square. It was crowded today, and as he looked for a parking space, Myrnin growled in impatience, opened his door in the back, and bailed.
“Hey!” Claire called. Shane found a parking spot and pulled in. They got out at the same time, and caught up with Myrnin as he punched the elevator’s call button for about the hundredth time in thirty seconds. “Chill out, Myrnin, you’re going to break it. Listen, it’s coming.”
He was practically vibrating with tension, and she couldn’t understand why. She’d seen him in many bad situations, and even in the worst, even with Bishop, he hadn’t been this freaked. When the elevator doors parted, he shoved his way in and jammed the floor button just as frantically as he had on the outside. Claire finally put herself physically between him and the control panel, out of a very real fear he was going to shove his finer through the button and short out the electronics altogether.
Myrnin took in a breath – unusual, except when he was talking – and slumped against the back wall. He pulled off his hat and wiped his forehead with a trembling hand, as if he were sweating, though Claire was pretty sure he couldn’t, physically. “It was only a matter of time,” he said, but it was in a whisper, and Claire didn’t think he meant for her to hear. “Inevitable.”
“Myrnin, what in the hell is going on?” She looked at Shane, and saw that he was watching her boss with a worried frown, too. He knew this was freaky, too. “What’s in the envelope?”
“A word,” he said. “Just a word.”
“Must be a hell of a word,” Shane said.
“It’s a short one,” Myrnin said. He was watching the lights climb on the elevator display, and finally, the car lurched to a stop and the doors slid open. “I’ll take it to her. You to – go home. Now.”
“Wait!” The elevator doors started to close after him, and Claire slapped a hand in place to stop them. “Myrnin, what’s the word?”
He turned to look at her, and that look – that look chilled her, all the way down.
“Run,” he said. “It says run. Now go home.” And he moved, vampire speed, down the hallway.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
ARC Review: Last Breath
Last BreathAuthor: Rachel Caine
Release Date: Nov. 1, 2011
Publisher: NAL
Morganville Vampires #11
ISBN: #978-0451234872
Genre: Young Adult
Format(s): Hardcover (352 pgs), Paperback (4/2012), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book: |
With her boss preoccupied researching the Founder Houses in Morganville, student Claire Danvers is left to her own devices when she learns that three vampires have vanished without a trace.
She soon discovers that the last person seen with one of the missing vampires is someone new to town-a mysterious individual named Magnus. After an uneasy encounter with Morganville's latest resident, Claire is certain Magnus isn't merely human. But is he a vampire-or something else entirely?
What Una is talking about: |
I picked up the Morganville Vampires by accident. There was a short story in an anthology and it really piqued my interest. Last Breath is the eleventh book in the Morganville Vampire series and the world continues to fascinate me while the characters continue to enthrall me. Ms. Caine has expanded on the departure we saw in her last book and it only enriched the experience.
Last Breath finds the residents in the Glass house in the center of scrutiny. Without spoiling anyone who has missed reading the previous book (Bite Club - review HERE), we begin with the ramifications of our cliffhanger. Sides are once again being drawn between the vampires and humans with our heroes – the Glass House residents – Michael, Eve, Shane and Claire, once again caught in the middle. There is a new evil that has infiltrated the town and it puts the last nemesis, Bishop, to shame. However, I will say that the book summary (see above) does not seem to match my feeling or personal understanding of the actual book plot. Or more to the point, I feel that it was a little misleading. I did read an uncorrected proof so maybe this is the reason. That being said, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel.
I admit, this is a young adult novel that does have the young adult aspects – language, slang, angst, but it does so in a way that allows adults like me to relate to the reality and not be irritated by it. Ms. Caine does an expert job in crafting this series. In the previous book, she allowed us to glimpse portions of the story from Shane’s perspective (up until then, the stories were told from Claire’s point of view). In Last Breath, Ms. Caine pulls out the stops and gives us insight into several other characters, all of whom I have been wondering about their perspective. It truly added a new refreshing aspect and overall enriched the novel immensely.
The Morganville Vampire series is a young adult novel that I would recommend mothers and daughters could share. I would say that it is best for ages mature middle school age through high school and up. There are, what I would consider some adult choices that are made and I feel are not appropriate for young/elementary school age or immature students.
Suffice to say, this is another great book in a wonderful series. Last Breath took mine away several times. I admit, I did get worried and teary-eyed in a few places. However, Ms. Caine did not disappoint. Go out and try the Morganville Vampire series, but I do not recommend you start with Last Breath. There is such a rich back-story, it is well worth starting at the beginning or, at least, you can start at book 9, Ghost Town, (review HERE) as Twimom did.
Una’s Rating: |
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
To celebrate the release of LAST BREATH, the 11th book in the New York Times bestselling Morganville Vampires series, Rachel Caine is throwing a
“Welcome to Morganville Bash” in a city near you!
Readers who purchase books at the store will be eligible to win free raffle bags filled with notebooks, pencils, vampire swag, books and other cool Penguin gear goodies!
There will also be free goodies for everyone who attends.
Come to the bookstore, meet RACHEL CAINE, have your books signed, and participate in a raffle drawing to receive cool prizes!
Wednesday, November 2nd
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonett Street
Houston, TX 77005
6:30 PM
Thursday, November 3rd
BARNES & NOBLE #2662
Oakview Mall
3333 Oakview Drive
Omaha, NE 68144
7 PM
*w/ Chloe Neill
Saturday, November 5th
VEGAS VALLEY BOOK FESTIVAL
Historic Fifth Street School
401 S. 4th St
Las Vegas, NV 89101
ALL DAY
Sunday, November 6th
BARNES & NOBLE #2614
Roseville
2100 North Snelling Ave
Roseville, MN 55113
2 PM
*w/ Chloe Neill and Andrea Cremer
Monday, November 7th
BARNES & NOBLE #2808
5275 Harvery Street
Muskegon, MI 49444
7 PM
Tuesday, November 8th
BARNES & NOBLE #2086
301 Main Street
Exton, PA 19341
6 PM
Wednesday, November 9th
BARNES & NOBLE #2908
3454 Erie Boulevard East
Dewitt, NY 13214
7 PM
Saturday, November 12th
BARNES & NOBLE #2344
861 NE Mall Blvd
Hurst, TX 76053
3 PM
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Sunday, May 1, 2011
Sunday Snippets #56
Today’s snippet is a SNEAK PEEK
from Bite Club by Rachel Caine
NAL Hardcover
May 3, 2011
It was on Thursday when things started crashing down. To start with, Shane was late, really late. When he finally got home, he came bearing food – barbecue again, but with all the veggies and everything. Which made him popular, of course.But as she set the table, Claire watched him wandering around the living room. He was pacing, and Shane usually didn’t pace – he was more inclined to drape himself over the couch and look like he was asleep, even when he wasn’t. Tonight, though, he was moving like he was pumped up and distracted, and when she touched him on the shoulder, he spun around so fast, she took a step back. It was easy to forget how big Shane was and how strong, until she saw him in action. He was usually so gentle with her.
“What?” he snapped, and then some of the shadows left his expression. “Oh. Sorry, Claire. Didn’t mean that.”
“Yeah, I know. What’s up with you?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Restless, I guess. Been like this all day. I think after dinner I’ll hit the gym, burn off some energy.” That was not like Shane. He was usually all about lazing around on the couch, maybe putting some energy into a video game. He wasn’t the nervous type.
“Okay,” she said doubtfully. “Maybe play a game first? I’ve hardly seen you at all. We could spend some time together.”
“Yeah, well, you’re the one who runs off to High Wizard Crazy Pants every time he snaps his fingers. Don’t blame me if you never see me. I’ve got a life, too. It sucks, but I’ve got one.” Shane’s words were blunt, and his tone – it was almost mean. Claire felt it like a slap, and it shocked her – why, she didn’t know. He’d been angry enough over the Myrnin incident, but she’d thought… Well, she’d thought he’d gotten over it, that it was safe to talk to him again.
Clearly he hadn’t moved past it. She decided not to say anything at all, which was probably wrong, but she didn’t trust her voice. She didn’t want him to hear how much he’d hurt her.
After another second of silence, he looked away. “Sorry. Game sounds good. I’m just in a mood, I guess. Maybe a little unnatural creature killing is just what I need.” Not zombies. Unnatural creatures. That might be nothing, but Claire’s instincts told her it was a very bad sign.
Michael was putting out the food. Claire knew he was listening, but he didn’t say anything, just shot her a glance. From that, she got that he was worried, too. Something was off. Definitely off.
“Hey, bro, you’d better play me first,” Michael said. “Been a week since I got to beat your punk ass. Time for you to step up.”
Shane bared his teeth. It wasn’t a smile. “You want to play? Let’s play. We’ll see who gets bloody this time.” That was Shane, but it wasn’t. All the subtext was wrong – the body language, the tone, everything but the words.
Michael knew it, too. He locked eyes with Shane, frowned, and said, “Maybe you’d better lay off the caffeine.”
“Maybe you’d better mind your own damn business.” He said something under his breath. It sounded like bloodsucker.
“Hey,” Claire said, and put her hand on his arm. “We’re all friends here.”
He flinched and shook her off. “Are we?” Shane asked. “You sure about that?”
“Hey!” Eve had come in, and now she thumped plates down on the table. She looked furious. Michael, on the other hand, was silent, watching Shane with a wariness that made Claire’s skin prickle. “Hey, Van Helsing Junior, back off. How many times do we have to play this? What crawled up your ass again? Michael is one of use; you know that.”
“He’s one of them,” Shane said. “Like my dad. Like Oliver and Amelie and all those others. He used to be one of us. Now he just looks like us. You’d better stop drinking the suicide juice, Eve, before you wake up without a pulse, just like him.”
“What are you talking about? What the hell happened? Michael? Did you say anything?” Eve looked to him, but Michael shook his head.
“Oh, come on. Stop pretending,” Shane said, and took a step toward Michael. Michael tensed up. “I can feel it, man. I can feel you watching me. Watching Claire. Hell, Eve, too. We’re all just walking snacks to you now. You think I don’t know that?”
“Seriously,” Michael said. “You need to check yourself. Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong. I wouldn’t hurt you or Claire or Eve. Never.”
“Never?” Shane laughed, high and tense. His eyes had a feverish kind of glitter. He crossed to Eve, and she shrank back, but too late. He grabbed her arm, and she dropped a handful of knives and forks with a clatter to the table.
She was wearing a black velvet choker with a skull and crossbones printed on it. He reached up and ripped it off her neck.
And on her throat were healing bite marks. Eve clapped a hand over them, eyes wide, but it was too late. They’d all seen it.
“You want to tell me that again?” Shane said. He was almost whispering now, face close to Eve’s, but it wasn’t kind. It was cruel. “You want to lie to me again about how you’d never hurt her, Mikey?”
Eve gave a little sound of distress and tried to pull free. His hand closed around her arm even tighter, holding her there.
“Shane, stop it. You’re going to break my arm…”
Maybe he would have let go – Claire didn’t know – but Shane didn’t get the chance.
Michael totally snapped, and sent Shane flying.
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