"A fascinating second book in an intriguing series!"

This is Alek Dragovich's story. We first met Alek in DOUBLE IMAGE when he visited Dallas Allgate as the Enforcer for the Directoress. This story is every bit as compelling as DOUBLE IMAGE was.

Alek's job is to seek and find Marya Jaks, a dhampir due to her grandfather being a vampire. She's an aberration to the mortal and vampire world. Several vampires have visited Marya in the past to check up on her. It's Alek's chore to decide once and for all if Marya is to live or die.

Marya isn't at all what Alek expected. For one, she's not a vampire hunter. For another, all she wants is to be left alone to live her life. She's not been able to do that thus far because she doesn't know when the next vampire visit will be. When Alek decides to grant Marya life, a huge burden is lifted from her shoulders. Alek goes back to Paris thinking that's the end of that saga. Little does he know plans are being put into place for his set up and possible demise. Marya only knows that another vampire visits her telling her that Alek has reversed his decision. She calls Alek's cell number leaving a message that she will destroy him.

There's nothing that Alek can do but revisit Marya in an effort to figure out just what she's trying to prove. He'd granted her life. What more does she want?

Jaye Roycraft's books have done much to dispel the Hollywood myth surrounding vampires. She has vampires who walk around during the day and vampires who don't act like vampires. I have not only enjoyed her main characters but her secondary characters just beg for their own stories. I hope to see many more books in this fascinating series.

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted January 14, 2002

Author Interview

Summary

Russian Alek Dragovich, head enforcer for the Undead, is feeling the weight of his years and has yet to find the elusive affaire d'amour that would lighten his burden. When Gypsy Marya Jaks, daughter of a vampire hunter, tries to kill Drago, the two are thrust into a game of death and betrayal where no one can be trusted.