The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires

by Grady Hendrix

“I love you,” he said. It took her by surprise and she faltered for a moment, thinking of everything James Harris had told her about Carter’s out-of-town trips and wondering how much of it was true. “I love you, too,” she made herself say back. He left and she waited until she heard his car back out of the driveway, and then she got ready to die.

“You can’t,” he said, eyes dilating with shock. “You can’t do that to me. I’m one of a kind. I’m a miracle.”

They could feel James Harris moving inside, like they were carrying boxes full of rats.

Patricia realized she didn’t recognize this man anymore. The quiet boy from Kershaw she’d fallen in love with was dead. In his place stood this resentful stranger. “Carter,” she said. “I want a divorce.”

They weren’t stronger than him, they weren’t smarter, they weren’t more prepared. But circumstances had brought them together and allowed them to succeed where so many others had failed.