Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1)

Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1)

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.About the AuthorJ.R. Ward is the author of over twenty previous novels, including those in her 1 New York Times bestselling series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than 15 million copies of Ward???s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in 25 different countries around the world. She lives in the South with her family.Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.Chapter OneDarius looked around the club, taking in the teeming, half-naked bodies on the dance floor. Screamers was packed tonight, full of women wearing leather and men who looked like they had advanced degrees in violent crime.Darius and his companion fit right in.Except they actually were killers.So youre really going to do this? Tohrment asked him.Darius glanced across the shallow table. The other vampires eyes met his own. Yeah. I am.Tohrment nursed his Scotch and smiled grimly. Only the very tips of his fangs showed. Youre crazy, D.You should know.Tohrment tilted his glass in deference. But youre raising the bar. You want to take an innocent girl, who has no idea what the hell shes getting into, and put her transition in the hands of someone like Wrath. Thats whacked.He isnt evil. In spite of the way he looks. Darius finished his beer. And show a little respect.I respect the hell out of him. But its a bad idea.I need him.You sure about that?A woman wearing a micromini, thigh-high boots, and a bustier made of chains trolled by their table. Her eyes glittered from behind two pounds of mascara, and she worked her walk as if her hips were double-jointed.Darius gave her a pass. Sex was not on his mind tonight.Shes my daughter, Tohr.Shes a half-breed, D. And you know how he feels about humans. Tohrment shook his head. My great-great-grandmother was one, and you dont see me yakking that up around him.Darius lifted his hand to catch their waitresss eye and pointed at his empty bottle and Tohrments nearly dry glass. Im not going to let another one of my children die. Not if theres a possibility I can save her. And anyway, theres no telling whether shell even go through the change. She could end up living a happy life, never knowing about my side. Its happened before.And he hoped his daughter would be spared. Because if she went through her transition, if she came out alive on the other side as a vampire, she was going to be hunted as they all were.Darius, if he does it at all, hell do it because he owes you. Not because he wants to.Ill take him any way I can get him.But what are you giving her? Hes about as nurturing as a sawed-off, and that first time can be rough, even if youve been prepared. Which she hasnt.Im going to talk to her.And hows that going to go? Youre just going to walk up to her and say, Hey, I know youve never seen me before, but Im your dad. Oh, and guess what? Youve won the evolutionary lottery: Youre a vampire. Lets go to Disneyland!I hate you right now.Tohrment leaned forward, his thick shoulders shifting under black leather. You know I got your back. Im just thinking you should reconsider. There was a heavy pause. Maybe I could do it.Darius shot him a dry look. You want to try and get back into your house after the fact? Wel