Prelude to the Vampire War: Hunters & Prey, #0

By Jay Ishino

War is coming...

Anna and Christina are vampire hunters, sworn to rid the world of the undead. Staking vamps had always gone according to plan until the most powerful vampire they've ever encountered comes for Christina. If that wasn't enough to worry about, new hunters show up at their headquarters, and a crack opens up in the park that may very well be the doorway to hell itself.

Time is running out for the hunters as Christina is taken prisoner, and Anna does everything she can to try to protect her friends, hoping her power and intelligence is enough to save them before it's too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jay Ishino
• Release date: Aug 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9781962420099

Book preview

Prologue

Two Years Ago

It was Sunday in what might have been any American college town. The night air was a bit too warm. Shop lights lit up a small section of the brick sidewalk along the avenue, where chattering groups of college girls walked, and the familiar sounds of boots, flip-flops, heels, and dog paws filled the air with clumping and clicking.

A few homeless people, their hands outstretched, sat underneath trees with long droopy branches. Farther down came the hiss of spray paint as a man kneeled on the walk, painting pictures on canvas of the moon, stars, or distant planets.

Following the walkway, a person would end up at a park next to a manmade lake. There, by a bench, the sidewalk fissured, and little by little, the cracks became bigger until a magenta glow pulsed there.

Chapter 1

CHRISTINA

Two Years Ago

A dark-haired woman dressed in black jostled the crowd as she shoved through, running north toward the park. Christina chased her, a stream of golden hair flowing behind her like waves.

The woman in black raced alongside the lake, heading toward an abandoned railroad bridge. Christina trailed behind. Ahead of her the woman in black reached the bridge and disappeared into its dark underbelly.

When Christina arrived, she looked every which way for the woman in black. Catching her breath, she threw up her hands in frustration. Then the woman in black fed her legs through the side of the railing, dangling them just out of reach.

So close, Christina. The woman in black had a British accent, which wafted through the air, warm and welcoming.

You say it like this chase is over, Christina said.

You look tired, love.

Not too tired to kill you, Sonya. Christina pulled a stake from her cross-body bag and used it as a pointer to drive her message home.

Right. I guess it’s the thought that counts. Sonya raised an eyebrow, and her tone indicated she didn’t view Christina as much of a threat.

Bite me.

Don’t ask for what you can’t handle, love. Sonya laughed, exposing the two tiny points of her incisors.

Stay there! Christina said, pointing again with the stake.

With wobbling arms, climbing up to the railroad bridge took more effort than Christina expected. The chase had tired her out. She huffed and took several tries to get her footing until the two stood face-to-face.

Christina swung at Sonya. She retorted with a punch stronger than a human could deliver, sending Christina flying down the railroad tracks. Christina heaved as if her chest had just caved in. Sonya sauntered towards her like they’d been friends for years. She dropped to her knee on one side while swinging her leg over her and grabbed Christina’s hands and pinned them back.

Don’t worry, love. Someday we’ll have a real good fight, and I gather one of us will end up dead. Sonya trailed her tongue along Christina’s neck, and once she found the spot, sunk her fangs into the delicate skin there.

Christina squeezed her eyes shut as she squeaked out a soft cry of pain. No.

Cheer up, love. I only took a taste. Lying helplessly on the railroad tracks, Christina forced open her eyes, watching as the darkness swallowed Sonya.

For a long time, Christina laid on the railroad tracks, trying to stop the bleeding from her neck. Every time she pushed herself up, stars filled her head, and she had to lie back down again.

Christina! Christina! Chrissy! Christina recognized Anna’s voice calling her, but she didn’t have the strength to call back.

Chrissy! The second voice belonged to Eric, but Christina had no reply for him either.

Christina looked down at the blue teardrop necklace that she’d not taken off since Stacy had given it to her. A slight hum emanated from it, and it started to glow.

She’s close! Anna’s voice again.

Chrissy! Eric called to her once more.

Christina tried to sit up again, still unable to see her friends, but in the distance her eye caught sight of a blue glow that matched the one around her neck.

Anna immediately fell to her knees and cradled Christina’s head. Oh my God! Chrissy, are you okay?

Great, she’s a vampire. Eric folded his arms as a frown spread across his face.

No, it’s okay . . . she just bit me. Christina finally managed to roll herself off the tracks.

No blood exchange? Anna asked.

No, said Christina. I think she just wanted to piss me off.

You’re not a vampire? Christina didn’t fail to notice how far Eric hung back.

I’ll do some tests anyway, just to be sure, Anna said.

Stop fussing. I said I’m okay.

Anna pulled a scarf out of her shoulder bag.

What’s that? Eric asked.

A scarf. Anna said, as if Eric had never seen a scarf before.

You carry a scarf with you? Eric asked.

Yes.

Why?

You never know when it might get cold or you might need to bandage up a vampire bite, things like that. Scarves are very versatile. Anna wound the scarf around Christina’s neck.

Anna, it’s summer. Christina pawed at the scarf.

So, it’s either the scarf and people look at you funny all the way home, or you bleed to death.

Got it. Wearing the scarf. Proudly.

They helped Christina to her feet. Anna pulled out her cell phone.

Trent, hey, it’s Anna. I know you know it’s me. Can I talk to Stacy? Hey Stace, Christina’s been bitten. Can you brew up a healing tonic? Maybe ten minutes. Yeah, we’re slow and go. She’s really weak.

You think you can make it home, Wobbler, or should I call Trent to come pick us up? Eric asked.

I’ll try. Christina blew out a breath and put one foot in front of the other.

Chapter 2

GERTIE

Two Years Ago

Gertie wasn’t a fan of this place. Whatever the room had been before, there was no way to tell since Sonya’s boys, a group of ageless men with perfect skin, had decorated it with only the nicest reclaimed furniture. They lounged, after their nightly pursuits, drunk on what few humans they could find in this once prosperous town. Gertie hovered, just out of sight, in a small room in the back. Watching, waiting.

Hullo boys.