In this exclusive excerpt, Paul was on his way home to see Taviano when he heard a girl being attacked. He tried to help but was having the stuffing beaten out of him when a vampire – not Taviano – suddenly showed up and ended the fight. This scene is the introduction of Malik, a character I loved writing and who plays a huge role in the story.

From Fangsgiving by Robert Winter

“Holy shit,” Paul cried out. “Who are you? You’re gonna be in so much trouble.”

The shape dropped the man and whirled to face Paul. Still in a crouch, fangs bared, blood running down its chin, it snarled.

Appearance meant nothing with vampires, but this one looked young. Male, black, and very young, to Paul’s eyes. He was overweight, with a Harvard sweatshirt stretching across his stomach, worn jeans, and white sneakers, but Paul had felt him move like the Tasmanian devil in those old cartoons. A madness in its face made Paul shut up fast. The demon inside this vampire was in control, and that made it a threat to everyone around it. Maybe everyone on the street, too.

Paul got to his knees cautiously and extended both hands, palm up. “Hey,” he said softly. “You really don’t wanna hurt any more people. You’re already in deep shit for coming to the North End in the first place. If you hurt the boss’ boyfriend—that’d be me—you’re gonna face the, uh, true death.”

He hoped he had the jargon right. Taviano had explained a few things about vampire custom but Paul hadn’t paid that much attention. He regretted it now as he fumbled for the words he could say to calm the demon before it decided eating Paul was a perfect way to challenge Taviano for the territory.

The vampire boy blinked several times, a red light in his eyes flickering and dying. His body quivered, but he didn’t attack. Paul counted that as a win. The aches in his body from his beating had already begun to fade—Thanks, magic cum—but Paul didn’t want to test how much damage it could cure.

The boy’s now-human eyes widened in fear. “The North End? Is that where I am? Oh God.” He looked around frantically. “I didn’t know. I swear. A-and you know the Monster?”

Paul blinked. “The monster. What monster?”

“You said you’re the boyfriend of the North End Monster.”

“Now wait a minute.” Paul was indignant. “Taviano’s no monster. Don’t you dare call him that.” He stalked forward, righteous anger making him forget the danger.

The vampire boy’s nostrils flared. “I can smell it on you. The vampire lord. The destroyer.”

“Destroyer?” Paul had to laugh. “Taviano? Are we talking about the same vampire?”

The boy hesitated at Paul’s reaction, then frowned. “I…I don’t know. Are we?”

“Well, what does your destroyer vampire look like? Because mine is tall, Italian and smoking hot.”