Below you will find a possible opening to Kate 5, subject to change, be completely discarded, torn apart for parts, etc. There is no guarantee it will actually make it into the book, although we kind of like it so it might.
All spoilers have been carefully taken out.
The phone rang. I stared at it. You never know. It could be a trick.
The phone rang again. I picked it up.
“Kate,” a dry voice vibrated with urgency.
Long time no kill. “Hello, Ghastek.” And what would Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead want with me?
Masters of the Dead piloted vampires. When a victim of Immortuus Pathogen died, his mind and ego died with him, leaving a shell of the body, superstrong, superfast, lethal, and ruled only by bloodlust. Masters of the Dead grabbed hold of that empty mind and drove the vampire like a remote controlled car. They dictated the vampire’s every twitch, they saw through its eyes, heard through its ears, and spoke through its mouth. In the hands of an exceptional navigator, a Master of the Dead, a vampire was a weapon like no other.
Riding vampire minds was a well-paying business. Ghastek, like ninety percent of navigators worked for the People, a cringe-worthy hybrid of a cult, business corporation, and research facility. I hated People with a passion and I hated Roland, the man who led them, even more.
“What can I do for you?”
“A loose vampire is heading your way.”
Shit. Only the will of the navigator kept the vampire in check. Without that restraint, an insatiable hunger drove the bloodsuckers to slaughter. A loose vampire would massacre anything it came across.
It could kill a dozen people in half a minute. The city would be a bloodbath.
“What do you need?”
“I’m less than twelve miles behind her. I need you to delay her, until I come into range.”
“From which direction?”
“North-West. And Kate, try not to damage her. She’s expensive…”
I dropped the phone and dashed outside, bursting into almost painfully cold air. People filled the street – laborers, shoppers, random passersby hurrying home. Food to be slaughtered. I sucked in a lungful of cold and screamed. “Vampire! Loose vampire! Run!”
For a fraction of a second nothing happened, and then people scattered like fish before a shark. In a breath I was alone.
A thick chain lay coiled on the side of the building. It was used it to block our parking lot at night so weirdoes wouldn’t park there. Perfect.
I ran inside and swiped the keys off the hook on the wall.
Two seconds to parking lot
A second to unlock the padlock securing the chain.
Too slow. I ran, dragging the chain behind me, and dropped it before an old tree.
Three seconds to loop the chain around the trunk and work the other end into a slip knot.
I needed blood to bait the vamp. Lots and lots of blood.
A team of oxen turned the corner. I ran at them, pulling a throwing knife . The driver, an older Latino man, stared at me. His hand reached for a rifle laying on the seat next to him.
“Get off! Loose vampire!”
He scrambled out of the cart. I sliced a long shallow gash down the ox’s flank. It bellowed. Blood dripped on the ground. I ran my hand along the cut. It came wet with hot crimson and I waved it, flinging red drops into the wind.
The ox moaned. I grabbed the chain loop.
An emaciated shape leapt off the rooftop. Ropes of muscle knotted its frame under the skin so tight that every ligament and vein stood out beneath it. The vampire landed on the pavement on all fours, skidded, its long sickle claws scraping the asphalt with a screech, and whirled. Ruby eyes glared at me from a horrible face. Massive jaws gaped open, showing its fangs, ivory against the black mouth.
The vampire charged.
It all but flew above the ground with preternatural speed, straight at the ox, pulled by the intoxicating scent of blood.
I thrust myself into its path, my heartbeat impossibly slow in my ears.
The vamp’s eyes fixed on my bloody hand. I’d have only one shot at this.
The vampire leaped, covering the few feet between us. It flew, limbs out, claws raised for the kill. Its maw opened, fangs aiming for my throat. It came straight at me.
I thrust the chain loop up and over its head.
Its body hit me. The impact knocked me off my feet. I crashed to the ground and rolled upright. The vamp lunged at me. The chain snapped taut on its throat, jerking it off the pavement. The bloodsucker fell and sprung up, twisting and jerking on the end of the chain like a feral cat caught in a dog catcher’s leash.
The ox bellowed in pain. I breathed, short and shallow.
The vampire flipped and lunged in the ox’s direction. The tree shook and groaned. Blood spurted from under the chain on its neck. Either it would snap the tree or the chain would slice its throat.
The bloodsucker threw itself again, snapping the chain taut, and fell to the ground, its leap aborted. It picked itself up and sat. Intelligence flooded into its burning red eyes. The huge jaws unhinged and Ghastek’s voice came forth.
“A chain?”
“You’re welcome,” I growled, fighting the urge to bend over in relief. Ghastek must’ve gotten close enough to grab the bloodsucker’s mind. “I had to cut an ox to get the vamp fixed on me. The bill is all yours.”
“Of course.”
You bet your ass, of course. An ox cost about a grand. A vampire, especially one as old as this one, went for about thirty times that. And Ghastek didn’t even have to buy a new ox, he just had to pick up the vet bill.
The vampire squated in the snow. “How did you manage to get a chain on her?”
I sagged against the ox cart. “The old-fashioned way – I put it over its head.” My face was hot, my hands were cold. My mouth tasted bitter. The adrenaline rush wearing off.
“What the hell happened?” I asked.
“One of Rowena’s journeymen fainted,” Ghastek said. “It happens. Needless to say, she’s now barred from navigation.”
The journeymen, Masters of the Dead in training, were perfectly aware that if their control over the unded slipped, the vampire would turn the city into a slaughterhouse. They had nerves like fighter pilots pre-Shift. They didn’t faint. There was more to it, but Ghastek’s tone made it clear that getting any more information out of him would take a team of lawyers and a medieval torture device.
Just as well. The less I interacted with the People, the better. “Did it kill anybody?”
“There were no casualties.”
My pulse finally slowed down.
To my right, a humvee swung into the parking lot at a breakneck speed. Armored like a tank, it carried an M240B, a medium machine gun, mounted on the roof. The gunner was pale as a sheet.
“Cavalry,” I said.
The vampire grimaced, mimicking Ghastek’s expression. “Of course. The jocks got all dressed up to kill a vampire and now they won’t get to shoot the big gun. Kate, would you mind stepping closer? Otherwise they might shoot her anyway.”
You’ve got to be kidding me. I moved to stand beside the vamp. “You owe me.
“Indeed.” The bloodsucker rose next to me, waving its front limbs. “There is no need for concern. The matter is under control.”
A black SUV turned the corner into the parking lot from the left. The two vehicles came to a screeching stop in front of me and vampire. The humvee disgorged four cops in the blue Paranormal Activity Division armor. The taller of the four leveled a shotgun at the vamp and snarled. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? You’ve almost killed half of the city!”
The SUV’s door opened and Ghastek stepped out. Thin and somber, he wore a perfectly pressed grey suit with a barely visible pinstripe. Three members of the People emerged from the SUV behind him, a man and two women. All three were meticulously groomed and would’ve looked at home in a high-pressure boardroom.
“There is no need to exaggerate.” Ghastek strode to the vampire. “No lives were lost.”
“No thanks to you.” The taller cop showed no signs of lowering the shotgun.
“She is completely safe now,” Ghastek said. “Allow me to demonstrate.” The vampire rose from its haunches and curtsied.
The PAD collectively turned purple with rage.
“See? I have complete control of the unde…” Ghastek’s eyes rolled back into his head. His mouth went slack. For a long second he remained upright, his body completely still, then his legs gave. He swayed once and crashed into the dirty snow.
The vampire’s eyes flared with bright murderous red. It opened its mouth, revealing twin sickles of its fangs.
The PAD opened fire.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
Horrid day now so much better.
Mmmm. Yummy. Perfect ratio of satisfying to tantalizing…
I saw this with complete kindness and appreciation for all of your work…..
EVIL!!!! Torture!!!!
Can’t Magic Bleeds come out faster? Or like an extra mini chapter from someone else’s POV every week? It’d be fun!!!
No? Had to try. Good luck with the rest of the book!
WOW!! Wicked ! i love it! i wish I could have kate on tap
AWWWWSSOOOMMEE!!! Hell yah! Starting off with a bang! I love it!!!
SO GOOD
And once again I actually can not wait, I’m positively bursting with excitement
Thank you!
*can’t… explain…my…happiness*
*bursts into tears*
What’s the deal with this vamp that it makes its riders faint, even Masters? Hmmm… I know, I know. I’ll have to wait for the answer, but damn that’s good writing.
Thank you for the snippet!
Chances are, fainting vamp pilots are going to be part of the plot in this needs to be released faster novel!!! mwahahahaha
Here we are, chomping at the bit for the 5th installment, and the 4th isn’t even out…
that said, I think we can all be described as rabid fans
Mmmmmm, mmmmm good. Want more. Need Kate
fix on a regular basis.
How facinating! I can see Kate bugging Ghastek about this one for a while… unless he dies… does he?
I know, I know, wait for the story
You know, if the situation wasn’t so dire, I could just see Kate snickering or looking smug. I imagine that Ghastek’s nice clothes got all dirty, too.
Kate vs. a vampire (and her besting it) is always a good thing.
*stares*
Wow. This series just keeps getting better and better!
No fair. Must you always be this evil?
Thanks for the snippet!! Now where’s a time machine when you need one?
TOO FAR AWAY! It’s release is too far away…….. Thank you.
Read this early today and couldn’t comment then. I can now. Thanks!
Wonnnderful snippet:D Thaaank you !!!
Ghastek wouldn’t normally have a problem so why does he all of a sudden faint with this vampire ? Does it have some extra-evil powers we are going to be introduced to ?
Yummy! Thank you for the tempting appetizer for Kate 5, it was very good; and goes well with merlot!
How did Ghastek know that Kate was in the same area that the vampire was?
How do you know I will answer a question for a book that doesn’t come out until two years from now?
Because otherwise I will have to wait until two years from now.
Oooo… pretty!
Thank you!
and how did Kate know that the vampire wasn’t already munching on a human somewhere further up the street?
See previous response.
Oooo..whats going on with the People that their pilots keep fainting??
Good hook!
Maybe Roland is in town and is stealing the vampires away from them.
That is exactlly what I was thinking….
I can’t wait till we finally meet Roland
*drooly mcdrool*
Is it me or does Kate have some kind of mild phone phobia? Heh.
Awesome snippet! I need moar! Lol.
**huge sigh**
Thanks Ilona!
That was on-the-edge-of-your-seat excitement!!! What a great scene and tantalizing snippet. Thanks mucho
Thanks for sharing!
An appetizer before the main course is always enjoyable.
Very nice, but.. I haven’t read any of the Edge2 snippets and now I think I’ll put off all the Kate5 snippets until I’ve read Kate4, I just don’t want ANY hints on how Kate4 ends until May26th.
Oh, by the way: I mentioned the lack of Kate Daniels books in the shelves to a staff member at Galaxy Bookshop in Sydney the other day and she told me “Yes, that’s because they always sell out”.
Yay!
oh shet! you from Sydney?? WUWUWU.. was at Galaxy Bookstore last month for the Kylie Chan book signing
And Yes, I asked the same thing ( as I’ll be getting a second lot of Kate books as mine are getting worn out & I managed to get On The Edge there too which was fantastic!!)
So… next question… When shall Ilona and family be coming to Australia? >.> we have Roo’s and Koalas and Wombats, Oh My! (and cookies….)
Also from… well, NSW… was 2hrs from Sydney, now at uni in Wagga, but whatever… Come to Australia!!!
It’ll be fun
After you’ve finished moving of course…
Great snipet! The PAD people seem rather twichy.
Ghastek has a weakness excellent ! Oh, I hope this gets included in some story down the line if not Kate 5, a thrilling plot and character ! Thanks for the snippet.
Thank you so much for the snippet. The tortuousnous (i know that’s not a word =}) is killing me
Thanks for the snippet! Loved the part about vamps being like remote controlled cars – it cracked me up.
I bow to your brilliance…
Oh, I have a big goofy smile on my face. It is just the most exquisite torture to have to wait for this book, and the next Edge. Now I am wondering about this vamp … And how funny is it, Kate and a chain – more effective than the macho calvary with their big guns. Makes me want to snicker.
Kate 5 Snippet! Fan-freakin-tastic! Now there are two sides to the end of this snippet: Good news? The vampire was still on the leash (if I read that correctly). Bad news? Pretty sure Kate’s within range when “The PAD open fired.” Overall results? Can’t wait for Magic Bleeds – is it May 25 yet?!? XD
Awesome! Thanks for the snippet
Ghastek is Atlanta’s “premier” Master of the Dead?
Hmmm – I’m going to take that as being a spoiler ^^.
thanks Ilona! great piece…looking forward to magic bleed n the rest! honestly…kate series is the best! her attitude, walk talk n dress is just perfect. =)
Much thanks! I have to say there are very, very few (UF)authors who are so generous with their fans. Thank you, Ilona!
Even if this doesn’t make it – it was still a treat.
I have to agree with CeeCee. There are not many authors who do as much for their fans as you and Gordan have done. It is much appreciated. I love every minute of kate that I get! Thank-you.
I REALLY shouldn’t have read this! I am having a hard enough time waiting for Kate #4, reading a possible snippet for Kate #5, NOW, is just plain stupid. I am gonna go into Kate-withdrawals before even having read the book if I keep this up.
Awesome snippet though! It sure as heck made me curious as to what it is about this vampire that makes the Masters of the Dead faint. I mean, a rookie, sure, but Ghastek? Something fishy is going on here.
wonderful…love it and can hardly wait for more of you alls books
I have a sneeky feeling that this crazy rogue vamp is Kates Mo
mother!
What makes you say that?
Soooooo GOOD! and “yeah that” to what Kristina F said!
Ahhhhh sweet torture!
while I LOVE reading new snippets (and am eagerly awaiting Curran’s POV #3), this feels like the opening of your first book, with the vampire entering Kate’s place being guided by Ghastek to inform her of Greg’s passing.
…. Well, I suppose the both have a vampire and Ghastek in them, but that’s about it:
first book: Kate’s drinking, vampire sneaks in, hangs on the ceiling, Ghastek and Kate have a conversation, she calls to the Order and decides to go to Atlanta
this book: Kate is not in her house, not drink, vampire doesn’t sneak in, Ghastek calls on the phone, she runs outside, bleeds an animal, puts the chain on a runaway vampire, and then cops open fire.
I missed this when you posted it. Apparently a very large brain cramp occured. Thanks for a Kate fix. I seriously needed one:)
a–freaking-mazing!! I was already in a slow death waiting for book for… now i have book 5 to pine for. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. I also can’t wait for the 2nd Edge book! You guys are the best!!!!
OMG — that is the best opening! It looks like someone is about to loose an investment.
And what a set-up for the mystery — mysterious fainting vamyre navigators? Sounds like a plot (*blinks* or some sort of weird ‘outbreak’ scenario). … Oh geeze — this is book five … more than hundred days out I guess — oh well — can’t wait for book 4 & 5!!
Man. This sounds awesome! Solid. Very solid beginning, I can’t believe we all have to wait 2 years for this to come out! *sad face* =(
I just love though the more I come to your site the more I find entries I haven’t read before. Ya think you’ve seen it all but, wait! Oh, there’s more. heehee.
Happy-happy-joy-joy!
Action packed and funny sarcastic what I love most about Kate. You also can’t help but love Ghastek failing at something. Could you make it a sissy face plant, broken nose, something he can be really embarrassed about? roflol ! Crazy cops hope they let Kate clear the Kill zone before firing! Screams at the cops ” HELLO !! Gun Safety People! before you get smacked down with books by a bunch of Loony Kate Fans!” Lol Okay ~ Steps away from the keyboard, goes back to the mouse to read the next snippet! ~ Thankzzzzzz Yall Rock !