Chapters 1-7 Summary

Anita Blake, vampire slayer, sits at her desk across from Willie McCoy, a new vampire. Anita did not like Willie when he was alive. Death has not improved the vampire's personality or their relationship. In Anita's eyes, Willie is a weasel, much like a two-bit gangster in a bad mob movie. Although Willie seems like nothing more than an expendable errand boy, Anita notices that Willie is dressed well, better than he was when he was alive. There is a sense of wealth about him that never existed before. The power and wealth of Willie's masters seem to have rubbed off just a little.

Willie wants Anita to investigate a recent string of vampire murders. Anita explains that she is already helping the police with the crimes. The people who sent Willie want more than a routine police investigation - they...