9. The Battle for Red Hook

Complete story — includes the ending

After Kelly's incursion, Setrakian suspects another strigoi attack is imminent; he and Eph are rebuffed when they attempt to warn Councilwoman Feraldo and her team. Fet and Nora stop by Nikki's new place and suggest that Dutch and Nikki join Setrakian's group for protection, but they decline. Eichhorst and Kelly lead a small party of strigoi across the river from Manhattan and enter a power station, shutting down the power grids. Without UV lamps protecting Red Hook's border, a massive strigoi army invades. Mayor Lyle flees, leaving Feraldo in charge. She initially panics at the hopeless situation, but quickly collects herself and rallies the Red Hook citizens, calling on them to fight in the street to defend their homes. Dutch and Nikki have a vicious argument about their contentious relationship, which culminates in a passionate encounter. Later, Dutch joins the street battle and is nearly stung when Nikki arrives and kills the attacking vampire. Fet and Nora restore all the electrical power, causing the UV lamps to annihilate the strigoi army. Kelly makes another attempt to kidnap Zach, but Fet fends her off. Meanwhile, Eichhorst goes to Fet's hideout to settle his and Setrakian's old feud. Setrakian, waiting, is attacked, but Eph intervenes and Eichhorst pursues him instead. He traps Eph on a rooftop, about to turn him, when Setrakian outflanks his old foe, driving him off with silver bullets. The next morning, Feraldo makes a triumphant victory speech to Red Hook citizens, declaring the battle a turning point in the war against the strigoi plague.