Excerpt: not quite the vampire novel you were expecting

“Got a light?”

She tried not to jump as the voice came out of the dark, and kept walking, glancing back at the man who had started to walk after her in the shadows of the broken street lamps. She couldn't see him properly until he jogged a little to catch up with her and fall into pace beside her, still in the shadows. But then, she was in the shadows too.

He looked like a shadow.

Dark hair, slicked back and greasy looking, dark skin, greasy looking face too match his hair, dark clothes to match his skin. He looked like he was wearing a costume but looked far too comfortable, the trousers faded in places, the rips mended in places, the jumper stretched and well worn.

“Sorry,” she muttered, still walking, “that was my lighter back there.”

“Bloody hell.” He glanced behind them and shoved the cigarette he'd been holding behind his ear. He carried on walking with her. “So, where are going tonight?” he asked.

“None of your fucking business,” she snapped.

“Sorry, maybe I should have introduced myself,” he said, extending his hand, still walking with her. “I'm William.”

“Good for you.”