Part One of "World Enough, And Time", the first book of the "New World Trilogy" written by James Kahn consists of the Prologue and Chapter One - a heinous crime, followed by the introduction of the heroes, who give chase to the mythological kidnappers:

In the next three chapters, the hunt heats up, confronting deadly obstacles, and going to ground in a strange, dark place of safety - for the moment.

Our heroes gain safe haven with a civilized vampire, until they must battle an onslaught of mythical creatures, from dragons to mutants - and finally learn the origins of the strange animals who inhabit this new world.