My name is Piper Gorecki, Heir of House Gorecki, Devana blessed and chosen leader of all vampire hunters. This is my Hunt.

Red. All I see is red.

I can't stop seeing it. Every time I close my eyes, it greets me, eager to send me into a spiral of nightmares. Blood sprayed across the cabin's walls, and the revolting squish of gore beneath my boots will forever haunt me. I can still hear the anguished screams of the ones we could not save, the ones whose screams will now and forever go unheard.

There's something different with the vampire covens lately. Their bloodlust is growing out of control. My partner, Adam, and I have had far too many close calls with ancient vampires over the last few months, yet the Collective Council of Elders doesn't seem concerned. I don't trust them. They're hiding something from the Hunters, but I am also hiding something from them.

The sickly-sweet stench of death and decay clings to me; I've been touched by it too many times. I can't escape it.

Death stalks my sleep, and so does he.