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Chapter One

Most said it was going to be the end of the world as we knew it Some said that was ridiculous, but those eren't too busy or too blind to see the signs knew the truth Mankind had been heading for this shon ever since the preternatural creatures decided that, although they were small in nuth and the Supernatural power to pretty much run the planet any way they saw fit And since the nations of the Earth had finally achieved universal peace, most of the world's arether, leaving only local law enforceovernments debated how to best handle a possible future threat

In the last sixnumber of battles between the two major baddies—the Werewolves and the Vampires

No one really kneas winning the war In the past, when the hu The number of casualties, both civilian and enemy, had been reported far and wide Pictures of those killed in battle had appeared in newspapers, on television, and online The nightly news had flashed brutal, graphic i carried off the field of battle

It was different with the Supernatural creatures Their battles were fought in the dark hours of the night in remote areas around the world The bodies of the fallen were never found The Vaht The Werewolves were carried off by others of their kind; some said the dead were eaten so as to leave no trace

Ss: how to repel the preternatural folks, and how to stay out of their way Those eren't so smart usually ended up as someone's dinner Except for a few reporters who had more curiosity than brains, human casualties had been few so far

Of course, everyone knew that sooner or later, ainst whichever side won the war between the Werewolves and the Va to do was just stay out of the line of fire

Being a pretty s city and took up residence in a s in Oak Hollow to attract either the Vah to appear on most maps, and since the Werewolves and the Va to a sleepy little community like Oak Hollow seemed like the perfect solution

I bought a cute little house , opened a new and used bookstore on the corner of Third and Main, and figured I'd stay out of danger while the Werewolves and the Vamps killed each other off

Of course, you knohat they say about the best laid plans…

Chapter Two

I spent the next feeeks i up the bookstore I painted one hite and the other three a pale apple green Since I had always loved movies, I put up some framed antiquewith soht some pretty potted plants and flowers and spread the the tops of some of the bookshelves I had a collection of stuffed teddy bears I'd had since I was a little girl Digging thehout the store and a with an occasional decorative birdcage I found a fancy automatic coffeemaker and a sturdy table to put it on, stocked up on colorful cups and napkins, and opened the store for business