Yes, he had an alter ego. And he'd paved the way. Two dead already, just in the past month. Now...this one. And there'd have to be more.

He'd watched the first girl, Sarah, not with malice, but with purpose. He hadn't done anything out of hatred or viciousness. He'd been inexperienced then, still learning. With Celia, the second girl, it had been easy. It wasn't that he liked what he'd done. He'd seen the need early on and he did his job as he understood it.

It was just necessary. Like dressing every morning, driving, breathing, eating-making a living.

He wished he could be sorry. He wasn't.

He did what he needed to do, and that was all.

He'd become Slash McNeil.

For a moment, he paused. It was messing with him this time. He had it figured out-and d.a.m.ned well, too. The girls, the type, the psychology.

But this one...

This one was different. The way he handled her had to be different. And he sure as h.e.l.l didn't like it, not one bit.

Still...

He was prepared. He'd prepared for this possibility months ago, and in actuality, there were things about it that were even more appealing than usual. This involved wits and careful machinations and a certain danger that made it all the more exhilarating; it gave him a high that was greater than the rest.

He smiled and thought about the woman-her flair, her grace, her confidence.

And he thought about what she'd be...

When it was all over.

ISBN-13: 9781460390207.

Also by HEATHER GRAHAM.

THE FORGOTTEN.

THE SILENCED.

THE DEAD PLAY ON.

THE BETRAYED.

THE HEXED.

THE CURSED.

WAKING THE DEAD.

THE NIGHT IS FOREVER.

THE NIGHT IS ALIVE.

THE NIGHT IS WATCHING.

LET THE DEAD SLEEP.

THE UNINVITED.

THE UNSPOKEN.

THE UNHOLY.

THE UNSEEN.

AN ANGEL FOR CHRISTMAS.

THE EVIL INSIDE.

SACRED EVIL.

HEART OF EVIL.

PHANTOM EVIL.

NIGHT OF THE VAMPIRES.

THE KEEPERS.

GHOST MOON.

GHOST NIGHT.

GHOST SHADOW.

THE KILLING EDGE.

NIGHT OF THE WOLVES.

HOME IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS.

UNHALLOWED GROUND.