''A sex-positive, kick-ass female protagonist'' STARBURST

''I''ve never read a writer with a more fertile imagination'' DIANA GABALDON

An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, short story from the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author.

FOR FANS OF CHARLAINE HARRIS AND ANNE RICE.

My name is Anita Blake and I''m proud of my battle scars. They mean I''m stronger than whatever tried to hurt me.

My friend is getting married. But even on the happiest of days there are wounds that need healing. She wants me to talk to her thirteen-year-old brother, Tomas, who is struggling to recover from a gunshot wound. He''s depressed and demoralised - convinced he''ll never run again.

But what if I tell him about my own scars? The times I have survived the worst? With wereleopards Micah and Nathaniel by my side sharing their own survival stories, maybe we can convince Tomas that life is worth fighting for...

Readers can''t get enough of the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, series:

''Anita Blake novels are my addiction''

''Vampires, zombies and guns, oh my!''

''I have loved every single book in this amazing series, have fallen in love and lust with many characters and desperately hope that there will be more''

''I am hooked''

''I couldn''t love Anita and her adventures with the supernatural community any more