Trials of Death

Trials of Death
Darren Shan

This is the fifth title in the compelling and chilling saga of Darren Shan, but the second part in a new trilogy, following Darren’s initiation into the vampire clan.Compelled by his loyalty to Mr Crepsley, Darren Shan, the vampire’s assistant, agrees to prove his worthiness to the vampire clan by undertaking a series of trials. Each Trial is set by the Vampire Princes to test agility, cunning and intelligence. Failure means death.Whilst their attention is focused on Darren, the vampire clan fail to notice that the vampaneze have infiltrated their mountain stronghold. Who is the traitor helping the vampaneze, and will Darren survive the trials to oust the vampire’s greatest foes?Another atmospheric and terrifying tale from the author of Cirque Du Freak.

TRIALS OF DEATH

THE SAGA OF DARREN SHAN

BOOK 5

TRIALS OF DEATH

THE SAGA OF DARREN SHAN

BOOK 5

If your trip to Vampire Mountain leaves you

bloodthirsty for more, visit Shanville

– home of Darren Shan –

at www.darrenshan.com

For:

Nora & Davey – ever-gracious hosts

OBEs (Order of the Bloody Entrails) to:

The enormous, fearsome Emily Ford

Kellee “take no prisoners” Nunley

Mechanics of the Macabre:

Biddy & Liam

Gillie & Zoë

Emma & Chris

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Other Books in the Series The Saga of Darren Shan

Copyright

About the Publisher

PROLOGUE

IF PEOPLE ever tell you vampires aren’t real — don’t believe them! The world’s full of vampires. Not evil, shape-changing, cross-fearing creatures like in the legends, but honorable, long-living, extra-strong beings who need to drink blood to survive. They interfere as little as possible in the affairs of humans, and never kill those they drink from.

Hidden away in some snowy, barely accessible corner of the world, stands Vampire Mountain, where vampires meet every twelve years. The Council (as they call it) is presided over by the Vampire Princes – who are obeyed by all vampires – and most of those in attendance are Vampire Generals, whose job is to govern the walking undead.