The Day of the Dead

Name: The Day of the Dead
Author: Karen Chance

A short story.

“The Day of the Dead” features Tomas, a character from the Cassandra Palmer novels, who was last seen cooling his heels in Faerie. He’ll show up again in the series, but what about in the meantime? What does a powerful, four-hundred-year-old vampire with a serious grudge against his old mass murdering master to do when he suddenly finds himself with too much time on his hands? Hang around Faerie, where there’s nothing to eat (Fey blood=nasty) just because our intrepid heroine parked him there?

Uh, no. Not so much.

Because Tomas is obsessed, and has been for pretty much his whole existence, with one thing: taking out Alejandro, the aforementioned murdering bastard. In “The Day of the Dead,” he slips back into our world to confront his nemesis, only to find unexpected help in the form of a band of magical mercenaries. Think the A-Team with spells and potions instead of (well, actually in addition to) guns and knives and things that go boom. It makes for a lot of mayhem down Mexico way.

NOTE: “The Day of the Dead” is a short story connected to the New York Times bestselling Cassandra Palmer series of urban fantasy novels. It was first published in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (2008) and is now being offered as a free ebook. It features Tomas, a character from Touch the Dark (2006), the first Cassandra Palmer novel.

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Published: October 2009

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Cassandra Palmer

The series

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In a world where magic is as dangerous as it is powerful, Cassandra Palmer is no stranger to the chaos that comes with it. Gifted with a rare and volatile ability—clairvoyance—she's spent her life running from forces that want to control or destroy her. But everything changes when she is thrust into the role of Pythia, the chief seer of the supernatural world, a position that brings with it unimaginable power and even greater peril.

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Set in a world brimming with ancient magic, vampires, gods, and secrets older than time itself, the Cassandra Palmer series is a fast-paced urban fantasy that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. From dark, smoky alleys to hidden realms of magic, every corner of this world holds mysteries that will leave you breathless. As Cassie struggles with her newfound responsibilities, the line between friend and foe blurs, and the enemies she faces are often more complicated than they first appear.

What sets this series apart is its unrelenting pace and its unapologetically complex characters. Cassie is no perfect hero—she’s flawed, uncertain, and constantly battling the forces that want to manipulate her power. And yet, her resilience, determination, and wit make her someone readers root for, even when she’s at her lowest. Alongside her, a cast of intriguing characters—including immortal vampires, charming rogues, and unpredictable allies—make each twist and turn of the story unpredictable and rewarding.

At the heart of the Cassandra Palmer series is an intricate world that blends the supernatural with rich political intrigue. From the politics of vampire courts to the dangerous covenants between gods, Karen Chance crafts a universe that is as complex as it is fascinating. The stakes are always high, and with every book, the world deepens, revealing more layers of magic, mythology, and the consequences of wielding power.

Whether you're drawn to the suspense of urban fantasy, the complex magic systems, or the characters who feel as real as they are mythical, Cassandra Palmer offers a gripping journey that will keep you coming back for more. The world is vast, the mysteries are endless, and Cassie’s fight for survival has only just begun. Step into a world where nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and the truth is a luxury few can afford.