Angel knelt beside the charred remains of the organ loft. He gathered some ashes from the floor and sifted them carefully through his fingers.

It wasn't over. Not yet.

He knew Spike and Drusilla were still out there somewhere, hidden in darkness, biding their time. And that they'd be more dangerous now than ever.

My fault,Angel thought miserably.It's all my fault.

He could still feel the thrust of the knife blade through his hand. He could still feel the holy water burning his chest, and the dizzy confusion in his brain, and the hopelessness of watching Buffy fight for her life but not being able to help her.

My fault,he thought again, and he choked back a cry.

Because ofhim, Buffy had risked her own life. Because ofhim, Drusilla had lost hers forever. And hadn't he suffered enough pain and regret in his lifetime without dragging Buffy into it, too?

Ashes to ashes . . .

Love was a dangerous emotion, Angel reminded himself angrily. It weakened people, clouded their instincts, made them vulnerable.

Dust to dust . . .

It could only lead to tragedy and despair.

Oh, Buffy . . .

Slowly he got to his feet.

He moved silently through the shadows of the church and slipped out again into the night.

No, love was a luxury neither he nor Buffy could ever afford.

Not if they wanted to survive.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

Richie Tankersley (Cusick) is the author of over twenty books, including two adult novels, sixteen young adult thrillers, and severalBuffy the VampireSlayer novelizations. Among the young adult titles she has written areVampire, Fatal Secrets, TheLocker, The Mall, Silent Stalker, Help Wanted, TheDrifter, Someone at the Door, Summer of Secrets,Overdue, andStarstruck. She lives outside Kansas City with her two dogs, Hannah and Meg, where she is currently at work on her next novel.

A vicious shooting spree leaves Sunnydale shell-shocked. What could have sparked this random rampage? Buffy Summers can guess. Considering the prophetic dreams she's been having, the Slayer suspects possession by an especially malevolent force. As the police follow their typical false leads, the Slayerettes start up their own research into possible paranormal causes. But when Oz's van is discovered on the side of the road, minus one teen wolf, a distraught Willow turns on Buffy, disrupting the investigation.

The Slayer continues her search for answers, narrowly surviving an attack by a well-trained and powerful vampire who brought a gruesome death to every Slayer who crossed her path. Is this ancient creature behind the recent influx of evil? Or is there another influence . . . closer to home?

THE EVIL THAT MEN DO.

by Nancy Holder Published by Pocket Books