Their decision to extract an infected werewolf from the New York quarantine ignited a firestorm of outrage. When a traffic camera revealed that a creature had been on the loose in Atlanta, the media called for their heads.
Headlines renamed the organization “Set Disease Free.”
President Weston lauded the efforts of the entire team, but Jessica stepped down from her position as Director of the CDC. It was the right choice for her regardless of public sentiment; she would be happiest where she belonged: in a laboratory. She quickly decided that relinquishing the administrative duties was the best decision she’d ever made.
It was funny, she supposed, how life can dump you in the most unexpected places. After countless hours on the opposite side of the table, Jessica joined the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate, putting her in bed with USAMRIID’s Select Agents Division as the joint head of the lycanthropy virus team.
There were long hours and too many dead ends, but they kept her from dwelling on her empty bed. And moving across the country helped her gain distance from her sorrows.
And no, she wasn’t hopeless without Richard. As the scientific community banded together, Jessica found inspiring new colleagues—and friends.
She wished Richard could have experienced this new collaborative mindset. And the new, independent Jessica. But a part of him would be with her forever: Miraculously, the IVF treatment took. She was pregnant.
Parenting would be daunting, especially as a single mother with so many responsibilities. But she’d gotten a head start.
In an unnamed laboratory hidden deep beneath the wildlife refuge on Protection Island, five miles off the coast of Washington State, Jessica was working on a top-secret project.
She was raising Zaharius Valenkov IV.
GRATITUDES
A wide variety of wonderful people were generous with their time and talent to help me bring this novel to fruition. One of the best things about having finished is that I finally get a chance to rave about them.
(And if I got something wrong, I’ll betcha it’s my fault and not theirs.)
ON INSPIRATION
Curt Siodmak wrote the 1941 film The Wolf Man, in which he created the lore of the werewolf’s connection to the pentagram and the wolf man poem. Lon Chaney, Jr. played the cursed Lawrence Talbot and the wolf man. George Waggner produced and directed.
Monster makeup guru Jack Pierce defined the look of the werewolf in The Wolf Man and Rick Baker revolutionized it in An American Werewolf in London (1981).
John Landis wrote and directed An American Werewolf in London, the movie that ruined my childhood and began my fascination with werewolves.
Bram Stoker wrote the 1897 novel Dracula.
Bela Lugosi played Bela, the cursed Gypsy who infected Lawrence Talbot in The Wolf Man. In the 1931 film Dracula, he defined the role of Count Dracula.
Gerry Conway wrote many of the best issues of the Amazing Spider-Man, including issue #124, “The Mark of the Man-Wolf!” (art by Gil Kane). A Book & Record set of that story fueled so many of my nightmares that I finally made my father break the record. Spider-Man was created by two of my favorite influences, Steve Ditko and Stan Lee.
Stephen King wrote the most terrifying novel I’ve ever read, Pet Sematary. His book about the craft, On Writing, has served as my inspiration and my crutch on many occasions.
I’ve also been inspired and educated by the works of Shane Black, James Cameron, Wes Craven, Cameron Crowe, Michael Crichton, Frank Darabont, Richard Donner, William Goldman, Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas, Aaron Sorkin, Steven Spielberg, and Joss Whedon.
Judy Burns taught me how to take an idea and make it a story.
ON SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Dr. Paula Cannon, an associate professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at USC, took the time to assist me with the intricacies of the lycanthropy virus and the Sorcerer bacteria, as well as the politics of government and private scientists. She gave me a tour of her laboratory and shared her fascinating research into a cure for AIDS.
Diana Colleluori, PhD in Biochemsitry, reviewed my jargon.
Demetrius Valenkov’s meditation techniques are an amalgam of the practices he and I researched. Dr. James Hopkins directed me toward Pythagoras’ concept of the Harmony of the Souls and inspired Valenkov’s harmonic therapy. Dr. Hopkins is an old friend, and he has enlightened me with his astounding talent and wisdom in so many ways. Please visit him at harmonixhealing.com.
I created Brianna Tildascow’s artificial savant syndrome from research and imagination. Forecasts of her physical augmentations were born from my studies for another project, which was inspired by the work of Ray Kurzweil and his book The Singularity is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology (Viking Press, 2005). Learn more at kurzweilai.net.
Rick Loverd and Jennifer Ouellette from the Science & Entertainment Exchange put me in touch with a number of brilliant scientists, including Dr. Cannon and Mr. Reed. Their website is scienceandentertainmentexchange.org.
Anna Murdock, RN, helped with medical terminology.
My dear friends Jay and Lisa Orlandi shared their experiences with In-Vitro Fertilization, helping me describe Jessica Tanner’s physical trauma.
Timothy Reed lent me his expertise in the realm of optical physics. We had great fun discussing theoretical spectral catalysts and inhibitors for the lycanthropy virus.
I pieced together Jessica Tanner’s anti-quorum-sensing technology from an article in Discover Magazine (“Field Notes,” September 2010). The article, by Dava Sobel, explored the research of chemist Helen Blackwell into QS-resistant compounds. Graduate student Margie Mattman and biochemist Andrew Palmer are also credited in the article.
Ira Sterbakov, best father in the universe (and crackerjack/crackpot physicist and mathematician), introduced me to the subject of heuristics as I designed Tildascow’s problem-solving methodology.
The sunrise/set and moonrise/set times presented are accurate to the corresponding dates from 2009/10.
ON LAW ENFORCEMENT & MILITARY
Attorney Jason Alderman proposed legal ramifications for President Weston.
Ian Anderson was invaluable in helping me understand every aspect of Brianna Tildascow’s life in the FBI. We discussed a wide variety of topics, including her relationships, her job structure, her interrogation techniques and FBI culture in general. Mr. Anderson also provided advice about firearms and tactical combat. Matt Senreich put me in touch with him.
Sergeant Christopher Angelone, USMC Scout Sniper (Ret.) talked me through sniper technology and assisted with dialogue in the attack on New Year’s Eve. Jerry and Chris Scarmuffa put me in touch with Sgt. Angelone.
Dwight ‘Cpt Awesome’ Cenac and Moe Suliman also provided firearms advice.
Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Hulse of the 1-82nd Armed Recon Battalion (Attack) (Airborne) was my guide through the world of the US Army and their helicopters. In his downtime between flying combat missions in Iraq, CW3 Hulse E-mailed long, detailed descriptions of the Apache and Black Hawk helicopters, Army society, and the pilots’ dialogue. Mel Cherney put me in touch with CW3 Hulse.
Colonel Tim Wray, US Army (Ret.) provided legal and military advice in regard to Operation Wolfsbane and the fallout for President Weston. Col. Wray’s son, John Wray, put me in touch with him.
My research suggested that the government might consider detonating a nuclear weapon over New York in order to thoroughly eliminate the werewolf threat. I chose to pursue the biological weapon simply because it was a more palatable scenario for entertainment purposes.
ON ROMANIA
The accounts of Vlad II Dracul and Vlad III Dracula’s military achievements are accurate according to historical records. My description of their fictional secret castle was drawn from other Romanian castles linked to the Basarab lineage: Bran, Poienari, and Hunyad.
Claudiu Trandafir contributed all of the Romanian translations in the novel. He also undertook tireless rese
arch on topics from Romanian history that aren’t readily available in English, particularly in regard to Vlad II Dracul’s wives and the history of the Order of the Dragon. My great friend Paul Kim put me in touch with Mr. Trandafir, and Garrett Frawley also offered assistance with Romanian translations.
ON THE BOOK
Bob Boardman, my tireless editor, had a deft touch that cleaned the whole house without moving any of the furniture. You can find him at RobWrite.com.
Rob Prior created the astounding cover art, as well as concept images.
Manny Galan, an all-star supporter, finessed the cover design.
Katrin Auch solidified the book and cover design, tolerated my nitpicking of fonts and wording, and assisted with marketing materials. See more of her work at KatrinAuch.com.
MISCELLANEA
Mike Fasolo, Renae Geerlings, Fred McFarland, Robert Taylor, Robin Taylor and Brian Turner provided feedback on early drafts.
Christa Starr was a spectacular proofreader, nitpicker, supporter, and advisor. She also authenticated Lon’s goth playlist.
Sandra Rohr, my second mother, gave me a grammar lesson.
Dan Amrich educated me on Lon’s taste in Bach.
Kevin Weinstock supplied architectural lingo and partnered in several of my crimes during a frantic research trip to New York.
Rebecca Brooks, Rich Hatem, Brad Meltzer, and Josh Ortega also took the time to give me much-appreciated advice.
Zoa Keith always kicks ass on my behalf.
Brenda Feldman, the most tireless PR flack in the business, has looked out for me for many years, through thin and a lot of thick. And thanks also to the Batman to her Robin, my friend Trice Koopman.
The beautiful City Under the Moon website, based on the cover design, was created by Craig Fisk, with assistance from Jonathan Coates and Matt Hancock.
Allison Binder is my rockstar entertainment lawyer. The best thing about having her on your side is that you’ll never have to come up against her. Thanks also to my agent, David Saunders, who—despite what they say—always takes my calls.
“Bawk Bawk” to my friends and family at Robot Chicken.
“Oh, bye there” to my friends at the One of Swords podcast.
And a very special thanks to my loyal and devoted Freshmen fans.
My home team, supporters and advisors:
Amy Freese, Amy Neely, Anna Murdock, Brian Turner, Caroleigh Deneen, Christa Starr, Clare Green, Dan Amrich, Dan Milano, David Freese, Fred McFarland, Jay Orlandi, Katrin Auch, Kevin Weinstock, Lyman Massey, Mack Culkin, Matt Senreich, Mila Kunis, Momma Rohr, Rich Hatem, Zoa Keith, and my co-pilots and cheerleaders, Bill Itzstein and Seth Green.
“Think where man’s glory most begins and ends,
And say my glory was I had such friends.”
-William Butler Yeats
For
Ben and Derek, who taught me how to be a friend and a man.
Poppa Sterb, who saved me, supported me, and believed in me.
Lisa, the best wife I could never have imagined.
And our glorious children, Sophie Pie and Sammie D.
March 2012
CONTENTS
PART ONE
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
PART TWO
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
PART THREE
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
PART FOUR
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
INTERLUDE
PART FIVE
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
PART SIX
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
PART SEVEN
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
EPILOGUE
GRATITUDES
City Under the Moon Page 39