Laurell K. Hamilton - Rafael

Anita Blake 28. Raphael, the king of the wererats, must fight a duel to the death to keep his crown. He finished his previous opponents with ease, but his current challenger seems much more dangerous. Therefore, on the night of the duel, he definitely wants to have one of his oldest and most reliable allies, Anita Blake, by his side. There are, however, among the wererats who consider the bond with vampires too close. They believe there is only room for one supernatural king in America, and if Rafael exposes himself and his people to his allies so much, the rats will eventually become the bloodsuckers' toys and food. The new challenger also emerges from among them. A werewolf who is younger and hungrier than the current ruler, but harbors dark secrets that promise the downfall of not only his own kind, but the vampires as well. However, Rafael is undeterred: he takes up the fight and is not afraid of the bloodiest violence to save his world.