Thief of Lives - Book 2 of the Saga of the Noble Dead
by Barb Hendee and J.C. Hendee

Magiere, half-human child of a vampire, and Leesil her half-elf partner are investigating the sinister murder of a Councilman's daughter in a nearby town. Only her damaged town's desperate need for money could have pressured Magiere to return to the twilight world of crime that she used to inhabit. But this murder is not all it seems, and has all the hallmarks of something much darker, more complicated, more calculating. It seems that someone was trying to send a message, but was it a vampire or an even more dread force?

The second book proves even better than the first. More is discovered about Leesil and Chap, who is not what he appears to be. Magiere is finally coming to accept her real nature and is searching for answers. Finally, too, the relationship between Magiere and Leesil moves on to a new level of intimacy. The ending leads into another book, which I'll be ordering. If you loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you'll love this series. There are still lots of questions to be answered and more vampires to slay.