Forever Knight

Going Public

 

Roland Henley motioned to the waiter to put the refreshments on the table.   The group gathered in his conference room at Drake House included his lawyer, several movie and television producers,  representatives of two of the more popular tabloid type 'newspapers', Nick, LaCroix, Larry Merlin, and Lady Zera.  Of course, where there was Lady Zera, there were her ever present bodyguards.  Everyone in the room shared a common lifestyle.  Nick noticed Lady Zera smile softly as one of the guards struggled to maintain his stiffly macho demeanor at the door despite the provocative overtures of a certain female vampire named Candy.

 

"Gentlemen."  Roland began.  "We have been given the task of implementing phase one of Proposal One.  Namely to make the general public aware that vampires exist, and to do it in a positive way.  Any suggestions?"

 

"How about a web site?"  Larry Merlin asked.

 

"Excellent!"  Dave Parklance of the 'Weekly Browser' replied.  "I'll help you all I can to get it started.  We could start with a fact and fiction page.  You know, pointing out the fallacies and inconsistencies in published vampire fiction."

 

"Good idea, but let's go slow.  We don't want to let the proverbial cat out of the bag too soon." 

 

"How about a TV series?  We could portray vampires as a really great people that just happen to be a little different."

 

"What about a cop show?  That way we could show that not all vampires are evil monsters."

 

"Then we can build on that.  Maybe organize fan clubs and conventions and merchandising tie-ins."

 

"I believe that's already been done... in Canada, I think."

 

"Rats!"

 

"I see a sitcom." Preston Widgett, Roland's chief producer said.  "Imagine this.  A single vampire gets custody of twin teenagers, played by the Olsen twins, of course.  We can show him as just an ordinary father figure who has all the problems of anyone else."

 

"Not bad.  See what you can come up with, Preston."  Lady Zera said.

 

"How about an ad campaign.  You know placing vampires in ads for everyday things.  Something like 'I may be a vampire, but some credit card companies are worse bloodsuckers than I could ever be.  Get the ABC card and keep your blood for me.' or 'This new toothpaste really keeps my teeth white and cavity free, and with these teeth, that's really important."

 

"Yeah!  We could make it very 'in' to be a vampire."  Widgett said, his eyes flecking with excitement.  "Of course, we wouldn't use real vampires."

 

"And why not?  We just don't tell anyone that they're not acting."  LaCroix suggested.

 

The meeting continued until nearly dawn.  Several other ideas were brought forth.  Among them, a line of 'vampire' candy, 'vampire' greeting cards, 'vampire' beanie tots, Larry Merlin's vampire game, and several documentary-type specials on vampires.

 

**********

 

The group stopped outside the mansion as they left.  There was a gathering concealed in the shadows of the shrubbery.  Mortal eyes would not have spotted them, but to the vampires' enhanced vision, they stood out clearly.

 

"Stop this madness."  One of them whispered just loud enough for the others to hear.

 

"Return to the true code."  Another added.

 

"If you continue on this path."  Another said.  "The consequences will be harsh."

 

LaCroix recognized several among the protesters as part of the group that had left the Symposium with Franz.  "Do not persist in this."  He said.  "You are the ones who are rebelling, not us."

 

Several of the vampires in the shadows hissed loudly and let their fangs drop and their eyes change.  An instant later, they were gone.

 

**********

 

Franz shook his head sadly.  "Won't they ever learn?"  He asked.  "I guess the only way is to teach them the error of their ways."

 

"And how do you intend to do that?" Rolf, the vampire next to him asked.

 

"Here in this area, Lucien LaCroix is the one they look to.  We will start with him.  And if his mortal-loving son interferes, well, I have a score to settle with him from the Symposium.  No one attacks me like he did and gets away with it."

 

"How did he do that?  As I remember it, he was the peaceful one.  You were the aggressor.  You were the one who beat him unmercifully and left him nearly dead."

 

"Then you remember wrong."  Franz growled and knocked the offending vampire across the room.

 

**********

 

"So, what do you think?   Your input as a mortal means a lot."  LaCroix asked Robyn Parker as the sat snuggled on his couch.

 

"I don't think I'm entirely your neutral third party.  After all, my son in law, many of my friends ... and you ... are all vampires.  I think I'm just a little biased."

 

"Still, what do you think?"

 

"A sitcom?  Isn't that stretching it a bit far?"

 

"It worked for the witches and the genies, why not for us?  You do remember those shows from the seventies don't you?"

 

"Oh, yes.  They were very popular shows.  In that same vein ... excuse the pun ... how about a romantic comedy.  You know.  She drinks grade A.  He drinks Type O."

 

LaCroix nodded thoughtfully.  "You may have something there.  Maybe you and Preston should get together."

 

"Maybe I will.  You know that Toni's been drafted to do the media layouts for some of the ads."

 

"No, I didn't, but, knowing my daughter in law ... and your daughter, I suspected that she would get involved in this in some capacity.  I don't believe that it took very much drafting to get her."

 

"Well, shall we go to the other room and see if we can come up with some possible plot lines for the new romantic series."  Robyn said, nuzzling the elder vampire's ear.

 

"I know at least one thing that will definitely come up."  He said, returning the nuzzle.

 

**********

 

Nick sat at his desk, mumbling as he attempted to fill out the latest new form mandated by Records Department.  This one happened to be online.  They said they did it that way to cut down on the amount of paper.  Of course, at the end of the shift, he had to print it out anyway, so where was the savings.  It was a running log of his daily activities. "Pencil pushing bean counters. Don't they have anything more to do but think up ways to torture us poor slobs in the trenches?"  He grumbled as deleted a line and then retyped it.  He slowly became aware of an uncomfortable pressure in his groin area. "I'll be right back."  He said to Mike as he headed for the bathroom.

 

< LaCroix! >  He sent forcefully to his sire.  < You had better start shielding your emotions at times like this.  This is the third time this month I've had to ... relieve myself because of you and your amorous activities. >  He wondered for a moment how he was going to enter this on the log, and then decided not to enter anything at all.

 

**********

 

"Do you really have to go?"  LaCroix said as he brushed a stray hair from Robyn's forehead.

 

"Unlike some of us in this room, I can't afford the luxury of lying around in bed all day.  I have to earn a living."  She replied, playfully slapping him across the chest.

 

"If you would let me, you would never have to do anything you didn't want to do."

 

"Lucien.  We have talked about that before.  I'm not ready to commit to anything just yet.  Anything."

 

"I know.  It has to be your decision entirely, and I will respect that."

 

A half hour later, Robyn paused at the door to the apartment. 

 

"Will I see you tonight?"  LaCroix asked as he straightened her collar and brushed an imaginary piece of lint from her coat.

 

"Not tonight.  I have a business meeting with some software representatives from Japan.  We're working on a top secret project.  If it pans out, it'll knock the socks off the competition.  They're leaving in the morning, and this is the only time both of us are free."  Then noting the disappointment in his face.  "There's always tomorrow night."

 

"I don't know if I can wait that long."

 

"Sorry about that.  It's one of the disadvantages of working for the world's richest nerd."

 

He watched as she walked to her car and drove off.  Then he went back into the bedroom and crawled under the silk sheets.  He held the pillow to him and breathed deeply of  the scent of hazelnuts and baby's breath still clinging to the pillowcase.  He drifted off to sleep with a very contented smile on his face.

 

**********

 

As she walked to her building, Robyn was vaguely aware of the two persons following her. She glanced at her watch.  Almost 6 AM.  It was nearly starting time and everyone was in a hurry to get to their offices before then, so she paid no attention.  < Only committed employees like me would be at work before dawn. Then again, maybe we should all be committed .... to the nearest mental facility >  She thought as she rummaged through her pockets for her SecurID card.  Her hand rested against her perfume spray bottle.  This one, however, did not contain perfume.  Instead, it held a mix of pepper, garlic juice and holy water.  She had started carrying it several years ago at Nick's insistence.  So far, she hadn't had a reason to use it.  She hoped she never would.

 

She slid the card through the entrance reader at the some moment that she was grabbed from behind.  It was the same persons who followed her from the parking lot.  She had the distinct impression that they were vampires.  "Who are y ... " She began, but before she could finish, a handkerchief was pressed against her face.  A sweetly sickening odor accompanied the swirling green mist that filled her mind.

 

**********

 

"We have your mortal plaything.  She has not been harmed."  The voice on the other end of the telephone said.  "If you want her to stay that way, be at the Mitchell Building on East Fourth in fifteen minutes."  Then there was only the sound of the dial tone.

 

"ROBYN !!!"  Lucien LaCroix screamed.  He reached out with his senses for any signs of her.  There were none.  He glanced out the window.  In the far distance, he could see the first faint signs of false dawn.  He had just enough time to get to the east side of town before sunrise.

 

The Mitchell Building was not hard to spot. The name was etched in a faux marble slab set in the cornice.  From the faded, peeling signs on the outside, it had once been an appliance store. When they moved out, a dentist moved in.  Several discount and used furniture stores had occupied it at various times. Then a pawn shop, and finally a storefront church graced the edifice.  Now, it stood alone, abandoned, on the block, its windows and doors boarded up. A condemnation notice was posted on the mottled green door. Any other buildings that may have been nearby had been razed long ago and the area was overrun with weeds and litter of all kinds, including rusting household appliances and derelict autos.  It was the perfect fortress for vampires.  Because of the boards on the windows and doors, no light could get through, and since it stood alone, there was no effective cover for any kind of an assault on the building. 

 

Cautiously, LaCroix approached.  He had sensed several vampires, but with the power that comes with age, it was highly unlikely that any of them had sensed him.  It wouldn't have mattered.  They were expecting him anyway. 

 

Carefully, he tried the door.  He was only mildly surprised that it was not locked.  Immediately, several pairs of hands grabbed him and threw him to the floor.  Another struck him several times in the head from behind with a wooden board or pole.  At the same time, someone rammed his / her fist into his stomach.  Dazed and bleeding from several large splinters in his scalp, he was dragged down a hallway and roughly thrown into a room. 

 

He heard the sound of cylinder bolt turning in a lock.  Groggily he made a lunge at the door, but stopped barely inches from a large wooden crucifix nailed to it, undoubtedly a remainder of the church.

 

He could make out the telltale signs of several vampires in the hall, heading for the door.  LaCroix had thought about attacking them.  He was certain that he could take them with little trouble.  The door opened and they entered.  One brandished a stake and the another had a crossbow and a quiver of wooden arrows.  One arrow was nocked in the bow.  With such an array, he thought better of it.   Next came two more vampires.  One had Robyn slung across his shoulders.  He dropped her crudely on the floor.  LaCroix heard her head hit the boards.  Behind them came a vampire that LaCroix recognized immediately.  Franz

 

"ROBYN !!!"  LaCroix cried as he lunged for Franz.  His eyes were fiery red and his fangs had dropped their full length.  At the same time, the vampire with the stake hit him across the head with it.  Another kicked him savagely in the groin.  Confused and in great pain, he sank to his knees.

 

"Is she ... "  LaCroix barely whispered, clutching at his hips and rolling in pain.

 

"Dead?"  Franz finished.  "No.  At least not yet."

 

LaCroix attempted to lunge for him again, but the pain in his head and in his pelvis made movement, let alone attack, nearly impossible.  "Let her go.  Your quarrel is with me ... not with her."

 

"Lucien LaCroix."  Franz began coldly.  "You and this ... woman ... "  He spat out the word.  "Have been found guilty of violating the Code.  The punishment for that is death.  Since the  ... Enforcers ... "  He also spat that one.  "Will not carry it out, it falls to us who follow the true code to do so."

 

Gradually the dark green blackness dissipated.  Voices ... Lucien .... In pain .... Slowly, Robyn forced her eyes to open.  As the room came into focus, she could see five men ... vampires ...  standing over another man ... vampire ...  Their backs were to her.  < LUCIEN !!! >  She cried mentally.  She felt LaCroix's wordless acknowledgment in her mind and his assurances that he was all right.  She didn't believe him.  She had already sensed his pain through the tenuous link they shared. 

 

" ... And the punishment for that is death ... "  One of them, she assumed the leader, was saying.  One of the  vampires was tightening the bolt of a crossbow.  They were going to KILL him !!! 

 

Her fingers tightened around the folds of her coat in panic.  She felt the outline of a cylinder in her pocket.  The spray!  It was his only chance.  If she could distract them, maybe LaCroix could overpower them.  It was worth a try.  Carefully, silently, she stood. 

 

The vampire raised the crossbow and pointed it directly at LaCroix's chest.

 

"Over here!"  Robyn yelled.  As a group, they turned to her.  She raised the bottle to eye level in front of her and began pumping the spray as fast as her fingers could move.  The vampire nearest to her screamed in pain as his face and neck began to blister and smoke from the liquid.  Another also screamed and cursed as the sanctified garlic juice sprayed his face as well.

 

LaCroix was on his feet in moments.  Ignoring the pain and dizziness, he grabbed at Franz.  He attempted to sink his fangs into the vampire's neck, but Franz caught him off stride and thrust his arm into LaCroix's throat and shoved him away.   There was a small popping sound and LaCroix felt an excruciating pain in his abdomen.   He glanced down to see the feathered  tip of a crossbow arrow protruding from the top of his trousers.  A hot burning sensation spread through his torso from the point of entry.  He groaned in agony and sank once more to the floor.

 

Robyn screamed his name as LaCroix went down.  Another of the vampires, the one she had sprayed second, pulled a gun and fired a shot.   Robyn saw, rather than felt, the bullet imbed itself in her right shoulder.  In a slow motion sequence, the spinning floor rose to meet her.  Things went dark once more.  

 

Through  the red haze that had enveloped him, he saw Robyn fall.  He attempted to reach her, but his limbs would not obey him.

 

"What a delicious turn of events."  Franz said, licking his lips in anticipation.  "I was going to kill you quickly and cleanly.  Fate, however has given me another option.  Now, it will be slow and very painful.  Oh, do not try to take out the arrow.  It is barbed and soaked in garlic and curare.  Any attempt to remove it will only cause it to become more firmly imbedded in you.  While it probably won't kill you outright, it will tear your insides to shreds, not to mention it will be exceedingly painful. 

 

As for your ... pet.  If ... IF ... you can reach her, you could feed on her blood.  It would probably buy you a little more time.  And such sweet blood it is.  Can't you almost taste it now?"  He went to Robyn's unconscious form and dipped his finger into the wound.  Then he put it to his mouth.  "Hazelnuts."  He said softly.  "Don't you want her blood?"  He said, forcing his finger between LaCroix's lips.  LaCroix opened his mouth slightly and clamped his teeth tightly on Franz's finger. He heard bones snapping and his mouth filled with the vampire's blood.  Franz responded by planting his foot viciously in LaCroix's abdomen, right above the arrow.  Excruciating waves of pain swept over him.

 

"I'm sure you'll change your mind as time goes on.  Eventually the need for blood will be so great, you'll have no choice but to drain her."  Franz said, clutching tightly to his bloody digit.  "Naturally, you'll kill her if you do.  But then, since she is mortal, she will  eventually die anyway.  If not from her wound, then from old age.  Or she could be run over by a bus.  What difference does it make when?"  He smiled evilly and gave the arrow in the elder vampire a tug to emphasize his words. 

 

LaCroix set his teeth and screamed mentally as wave after wave of pain enveloped him.

 

Through the thickening haze of pain, LaCroix saw Franz and his minions leave the room.  The last thing he remembered clearly was the sound of the lock being turned on the door.

 

**********

 

"That's not what you said we were going to do."  Rolf said.  "You said no one would get hurt."

 

"Shut your sniveling mouth."  Franz spat.  "We will do whatever it takes to bring the errant vampires back to the true way.  If some have to be killed, so be it."

 

**********

 

Nick screamed and sat bolt upright in the bed.  He was bathed in a cold sweat and clutching his abdomen.

 

"What's wrong?"  Toni said anxiously as she saw her husband in obvious pain.

 

"Not me ... "  Nick stammered in a hoarse whisper.  "LaCroix ... pain ... he's hurt ... Must go to him."  Almost mechanically, he staggered out of bed.  He pulled on his clothes quicker that Toni had ever seen him dress.  He started for the front door.  Toni, a step behind him.

 

"No, Nick!"  She screamed as he opened the door.  "You can't go out!  It's a cloudless day and the sun is much too bright!"

 

Nick winced in pain and raised his arms as the brilliant sunlight hit him.  He staggered inside.  Normally, he could spend several minutes in the sun, but on a cloudless day such as this, his face and arms were already turning a bright pink-red.

 

"DAMN!  There's got to be a way!  Get Nick2 out of the garage and put him in the Caddy!  I think we put him on the hooks above the workbench!"  Nick called frantically as he opened the hall closet and took out a long coat and a ski cap.  "I can go out in the daytime with him at the wheel!   I'll drive him from the trunk!"

 

"Nick, you're not thinking clearly."  Toni said as she took the coat and cap from him and put them back in the closet.   "First of all, you don't know where he is.  You could spend hours driving around in circles.  Second, you don't know how many vampires there are.  It could be a trap and they could be using LaCroix as bait.   Third, how are you going to get from the trunk to wherever he is in the sunshine?"

 

"MIKE!  I can tell Mike what has happened.  Maybe he and Tracy can find him!"

 

"Nick!  Mike and Tracy are mortal!  If there are vampires powerful enough to bring LaCroix down, what chance do they stand?"

 

"You're right as usual."  He said, heaving a disappointed sigh.  "I'll keep trying to connect with him through our link.  Maybe I can pick up something that will help me pinpoint where he is and exactly what the circumstances are.  So, what do I do now?"  He said in a voice filled with frustration and fear.

 

"Nothing."  Her voice mirrored his.

 

**********

 

At Maison De Mer, Clarissa La Pont bolted to a sitting position.  Waves of pain shot through her.  "LACROIX !" She shouted.  As soon as the pain passed, she reached in her mind for the link with her vampire brother.

 

**********

 

< ... Yes, I know.  I felt it too. >  Nick responded.  < Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do until the sun goes down.  Meantime, keep trying to communicate with him.  Send him all the strength you can spare.  As soon as it's dark, meet me here and we'll make plans to rescue him .>

 

**********

 

Jeb Puckett doubled over in his seat in the Advanced Engine Design classroom at UCLA.  Although it was a day class, it was a requirement for his degree in Automotive Engineering.  He had solved the problem of daytime travel by having a suit of Kevlar clothing made, similar to his racing coveralls.  This, plus his NASA inspired racing helmet, enabled him to go out in the daylight.

 

"Mr. Puckett?"  The instructor said.  "Are you all right?"

 

"I don't feel all too good."  Jeb said, clutching his stomach.  "I feel powerful sick."  It wasn't exactly a lie.  The pain he felt through his link with his 'grandpa' was making him very queasy.

 

"Do you want to go to the dispensary?"

 

"No, thank you."  Jeb groaned.  "If'n it's all the same with y'all. I think I'll just go home."  He hardly had time to pick up his books and his things before the nausea made him run for the mens room.

 

**********

 

Tracy grabbed her head as the sensations of pain became like a hot poker in her brain.  Seconds later, they were gone.  She had jumbled impressions.  LaCroix ... Robyn ... Nick ...  Someone was in near agony.  She picked up the phone and dialed.

 

"Knight residence.  Jenkins speaking."  The voice of the smart house computer that 'ran' the house where Nick and Toni lived, answered.  "Whom do you wish to speak to?"

 

"Jenkins."  Toni answered.   "This is Tracy.  Is Nick or Toni there?  Is everything all right.?"

 

"Yes, Tracy.  They are both here."   The computer had sophisticated AIS voice recognition and state of the art Boolian logic.  "As far as my logs show, there are no problems here."

 

"Connect me to either one of them."

 

Nick answered.  "It's LaCroix."  He said after Tracy had explained her psychic experience.  "He's been hurt and he was sending.  Suddenly, it stopped and I can't feel him anymore.  I sensed other vampires. too.  I think they were the ones who did this.  Either he's blocking, or he's ... "  His voice trailed off.

 

**********

 

The door opened and Franz and another vampire came in.  This one carried a dart pistol.  He kept it aimed at LaCroix's heart.

 

"Wakey, wakey."  Franz taunted as he nudged the elder with his foot. 

 

LaCroix looked up.  His eyes refused to focus and his head throbbed unmercifully. He willed his body to respond. His fangs were out and his eyes were a glowing red.  He growled and attempted to grab the rogue vampire's leg, but Franz smashed his foot hard against his arm.  There was the sound of bones breaking as he ground the arm against the floor.  

 

"Naughty.  Naughty.  Mustn't touch.  I know you've been sending pleas for help to that boot licking wimpy son of yours.  Please do continue.  You'll save us the trouble of hunting him down.  When he arrives, we will be waiting for him and the others."  Franz tugged at the arrow.  "Now ... SEND!"

 

LaCroix gritted his teeth as the pain coursed through him.  < So that is their plan. >  He thought  < They plan to use Robyn and me as their bait to get the others.  They obviously underestimate both Nicholas and me. >  He concentrated on closing the link with his vampire children and keeping it closed.  It was not easy.  His mind cried out for release.

 

**********

 

"If you don't sit down, you'll wear a hole in the rug."  Toni said as Nick measured the living room for the thousand and seventh time.

 

"I can't.  I have extended my senses as far as I can, and I can't find even the smallest trace if him.  I know there's nothing I can do now, but I feel so helpless.  So trapped" 

 

He felt another shot of pain as he waited for Tracy and Mike.  This time, though there was a name as well.  Franz.  His face drained of any little color that he had.  < Franz was behind this?  The vampire and his band of renegades were determined to reinstate the old Code.  That was not the question, but to resort to torture ... If LaCroix was at their mercies, who was next? >  He pondered.  He picked up the phone and dialed the Taylor residence.  There was no answer.  "They must be on their way here."  He told Toni.  He tried Mike's cell phone.  He answered on the first ring.

 

"Mike."  Nick said anxiously.  "I don't have time to explain.  The twins and Donny may be in grave danger.  Go to the school and the daycare and pick them up.  Take them to the Feldmans.  Their teacher won't let you take them without the secret word.   Repeat after me ... Je sui emis par vous pere."

 

"Jess sooey amys par view pear."  He repeated.  "What does this have to do with chop suey and Amy Parr seeing fruit?  And why do I need a secret word in the first place?  The kids know me."

 

"The kids do, but the teachers don't.  And the password is Brabantese, a medieval French dialect.  Loosely translated, it means 'I was sent by your father'."

 

He hung up and called the Feldmans.  He gave Miriam instructions that no one should know that the children were there.

 

"Now all we have to do is wait for sundown."  He said as he hung up the phone.

 

**********

 

Mike Taylor stood in the principal's office as he waited for Joey and Nattie.  They had picked Donny up first and then went for the twins.  He had, he suspected, badly mispronounced the code words, but he had done the best he could with them.  The daycare teacher was reluctant, but she finally released the baby.  Even after he had shown them his driver's license and badge, the grade school administrator was not so eager to let her charges go.

 

"Uncle Mike! " Joey cried as he spotted him."  What are you doing here?"

 

"Does it have something to do with Grandfather and Grandma?"  Nattie asked.

 

"Then he is your uncle?"  Mrs. Clarke, the assistant principal asked. "From the way he butchered the password, we weren't sure."

 

"Oh, yes."  Nattie affirmed  "And he's my Daddy's partner, too."

 

"And he and Aunt Tracy are my Godparents."  Joey added.

 

"Then you may take them. We can't be too careful.  There's too many people that could harm young children."

 

"How did you know about LaCroix ... and Robyn?"  Mike asked as they walked to the car.

 

"They're hurt real bad and there are some bad vampires that want to kill them and all of us."  Joey said solemnly.  "That's why you're taking us to Aunt Miriam's, isn't it?"

 

"And how did you know that?  Did your father call and tell you?

 

Nattie shook her head.  "We just know."

 

**********

 

"It's only ten thirty.  If you keep this up, you'll be worn to a frazzle before noon."  Toni stood up and put her hands on his back.  "You're tight as a drum.  I bet if I said boo, you'd come apart at the seams.  She began to massage his shoulders gently.  She could feel him start to relax.  "That's better."  She whispered.  Playfully, she stuck out her tongue and guided it around the folds of his ear.  "Like my treatment?"

 

"Keep that up and you'll have to give me a treat as well as a treatment."

 

"Come into the bedroom and I'll give you the full treatment.  And I can assure you it will be a treat as well."  She said as she ran her fingers lightly across his jaw line and down the side of his neck.

 

"The Taylors have just pulled into the driveway."  Jenkins announced.

 

"Party pooper!"  Toni said, sticking out her tongue at the speaker imbedded in the wall and making raspberries.

 

"This is not a party.  And it's not in my configuration to ... poop."  Jenkins replied.  Although he had not been programmed for it, Toni thought there was just a touch of sarcasm in the computer's voice.

 

**********

 

"I think that's an excellent idea, Clarissa.  A diversion may be just what we need."  Nick said over the phone. "Get whatever you think is necessary and meet us at the house at sunset."   He hung up the phone and returned to the living room where the Taylors and Toni were.

 

Mike flipped his cell phone off.  "I just called us off tonight.  I told Captain Norris, she's the day shift super, that it was a family emergency.  I'm afraid I let it slip that your father, and your mother, Toni, were missing and probably injured.  I said I was going to help you look for him.  She said that she would pass it along for all the street units to keep an eye out for him. She's going to let the other precincts know as well.  She also said that she would say a prayer for their safety.  You think that will help?"

 

"It can't hurt."  Tracy answered.  "I've also contacted a few of my people and they will put out the word on the streets."  She put her arm around her former partner.  "We'll find them, Nick.  I promise."

 

"I appreciate everything, but if the people who have them don't want to be found, you could look till hell freezes over and never turn up a clue.  Clarissa and I are the best hope to find them.  That is, if he can just send to us."  Nick began pacing the floor again.

 

"I’m worried about you, Nick."  Toni said.  "You haven't had any sleep since yesterday, and if you go out like this, you're not going to be any good to anyone."

 

"I told you before.  I can't relax.  Not while they are in danger."

 

"I can relax you."  She said massaging his back once more.

 

"M-m-m-m that feels good."  He said, closing his eyes and giving a very small smile.

 

"Step into the bedroom and I'll make you feel good all over."

 

Tracy grabbed Mike by the hand and headed to the hall.  "Let's go into the den and watch television for a while."

 

"I don't want to watch television."

 

"Yes, you do."  She said, pointing to Nick and Toni, who were by now, busily engaged in serious foreplay.  "I think Passion is just beginning.  If we hurry, we can get in on it."

 

"OH!  ... Come to think of it, I think I'd like to get in on a little passion."  He said, following her to the den.

 

**********

 

Toni came out of the bedroom at about the same time Tracy came from the den. Toni was putting her T-shirt in her jeans while Tracy was fixing the clasp on her hairclip.

 

"How's Nick?

 

"Totally relaxed and sleeping the sleep of the dead.  Almost literally.  What about Mike?"

 

"Purring like a pussycat."

 

"Men!"

 

"Yeah!  Can't live with them.  Can't live without them.  But then again why would you want to?"

 

"While they're basking in the afterglow, why don't we go up to the attic and get things ready for tonight?"

 

Toni pulled out a large wooden box and opened it.  Inside were a number of stakes, a crossbow, a dozen crosses of various sizes, two extra large cans of hair spray, and several super soakers with refill tanks.  "That's my handy dandy little anti-vampire kit.  I had it in the apartment and when we moved, we put it up here.  I forgot about it until this afternoon."

 

"I can guess what the other things are for, but why the squirt guns?"  Tracy asked.

 

"That's right, you weren't with us when Nick, LaCroix, and Mike took on Alexandra.  You remember, it happened just before we were married?"

 

Tracy nodded.

 

"The super soaker is for holy water."  She pulled out a duffel bag and started stuffing the contents of the box into it.  "While we mortals may not be as powerful as vampires, this stuff will give us a bit of an advantage."

 

"And the hair spray?"

 

"This." She took out a lighter and held it to the nozzle.  She flicked the lighter and at the same time quickly pressed the nozzle.  A jet of flame shot out seven or eight feet.  "Best little portable flame thrower on the market."

 

She took out a gallon jug and filled the soakers and the tanks.  "You wouldn't believe the things I had to tell Father Ryan to get this much holy water.  Come to think of it, I don't think he believed it either, but he gave it to me just the same."

 

**********

 

Slowly, as if in a dream sequence, the world came into focus.  The first sensation was blood.  Lots of blood.  She tried to sit up, but a hot fire in her chest forced her back to the floor.  Slowly, in bits and pieces, the events of this day began to filter into her mind.  She had been kidnapped.  There were other vampires involved.  Lucien tried to rescue her.  One of them had shot her and another fired a crossbow into Lucien.  < LUCIEN! > She screamed over tenuous link between her and the elder vampire.

 

< Do not exert yourself, my love .>  Came the weak reply.  < You need your strength. >

 

She looked across the room.  Lucien lay in a pool of blood, the arrow protruding from his abdomen.  Summoning every ounce of effort she could muster, she began the torturous journey across the floor to him.  Her chest burned with pain and her right arm and shoulder refused to obey her commands.

 

Lucien LaCroix saw her start toward him.  With vampiric strength, he managed to roll to his side and gritting his teeth against the pain, he managed to propel himself a few inches.  Another effort brought him a several more centimeters closer to his beloved. 

 

After what seemed like an eternity, they finally met.  Gently, he ran his hand down her sweat covered face.  "Rob ... Robyn."  He managed to gasp.  That took all the strength he had.

 

She  put her hand on his and held it tightly to her cheek.  It was cold, colder than she had ever remembered, but it was his hand.  He was still alive and so was she.  That was all that mattered for right here and now.

 

She held her hand to his face.  It was difficult to tell if the blood streaks on it were from injury or exertion  "You ... you need blood."  She gasped.  "Here ... take mine."

 

Her blood sang to him.  Involuntarily his fangs dropped.  His eyes were already yellow-red.  The scent of hazelnuts was overpowering.  He opened his mouth and  put his lips around her pulse point.  The fangs scraped the tender flesh and he could feel the thin throbbing underneath. "Robyn." 

He whispered.  In his mind, he could already taste the intoxicating liquid coursing through him. 

 

< DRINK >  Franz's words echoed through his mind as he prepared to break the skin.

 

"NO!!!"  He cried as he pulled his head away from her.  "You ... you need all ... the strength you can get."  He gasped.  "If anything ...  you need my ... blood to heal your ... own wound."

 

She grasped the end of the arrow.  "Then let me get the arrow out.  At least then, you can start to heal." 

 

"No.  The tip is barbed. If you attempt to remove it, it could kill me."

 

"So!  What is the alternative?  Just lay here and die?  There has to be some way ... "

 

"Perhaps if we ... cannot pull the arrow out ...  maybe we can ... push it out."  With his last bit of strength, LaCroix managed to raise himself on one elbow.  "See if you can help me to sit up."

 

After a great deal of painful tugging and pulling, he was in a sitting position.  Slowly, grasping his abdomen and grimacing from the pain, he rolled onto his knees.

 

"Lucien, what are you going to do now ... LUCIEN!"  She watched in horror as he toppled forward.

 

He screamed as the tip of the arrow burst through the muscle of his back. "Now .. pull ... it ... out."  He gasped between waves of agony.

 

"I can't."

 

"You must!  It ... it's our ... only chance."

 

With her good hand, she grasped the tip and using strength she didn't know she had, she gave a mighty tug.  The arrow moved.  She felt as well as heard his cry of pain.

 

"Once more."  He hissed through clenched teeth.

 

"I can't."

 

"YOU MUST!"  He commanded.

 

She pulled as hard as she could.  Inch by inch, she felt the arrow reluctantly leave his flesh.  Finally, the bloodied fathers were through.  She collapsed beside him.  "It's out."  She whispered.  There was no reply.  < Lucien? >  She called.  No reply there either.  < He can not be dead. >  She agonized.  Slowly, she felt the darkness sink around her once more, but this time, it was emotional as well as physical.

 

**********

 

Nick screamed as he bolted up.  His eyes were glowing red and his fangs were fully out.  The pale sheen of a cold sweat covered his body.

 

In a flash, Toni, Tracy and Mike were at his side.

 

"It's LaCroix."  He gasped to them.  "He's in agony."  

 

"What about Mom?"   Toni gasped.  "Is she all right?"

 

"I don't know.  Nick said.  "I only got fragments.  He's trying to block, but whatever happened was so traumatic that he couldn't keep it out.  We've got to get to them as soon as possible.  I have the feeling that they're in more danger than even they realize."

 

**********

 

Nick was just leaving the shower when Clarissa La Pont and Jeb arrived.  Behind them were at least a dozen more vampires.

 

"What are they doing here?"  Nick asked.

 

"When I went to the After Sunset to get some supplies, they were there.  They wanted to know what they could do.  I figured we needed all the help we could get, so I told them they could come too.  It's all right, isn't it?"

 

Clarissa and Nick held each other tightly.  'He's in agony."  He whispered. 

 

"I felt him too.  Robyn's with him and they are both injured."  She said softly.  "We'll get them for what they have done."

 

"It was so bad, I almost went off the road."  Jeb said, pulling his 'mother' and his 'uncle' to him. "When we all felt this one and we realized Miss Robyn was hurt too, we swung by the clinic and picked up Doctor Tom and Rico Valenz as well."

 

Tom Nichols raised his hand from the middle of the throng of vampires.  "I also brought a number of things we will probably need."  He said, holding up his black bag. 

 

One of the vampires, a young black named Lazar, held up a cooler.  "So did we."  He said.

 

"I brought the things for the diversion as well."  Clarissa said, holding up a small bag.  She took out a black leather mini skirt and a skimpy red tube top.  "The only question is, who gets to wear it.  I don't think I should be the one, since they would probably sense me before I got close enough the make it work.  That leaves Toni or Tracy."

 

"It won't be Toni."  Nick said.

 

"What's the matter."  Toni said indignantly.  "You think I won't fit?"

 

"No, I think you could wear it, and you'd be a knockout in it too, but you aren't going with us."

 

"And why not?  That's my mother as well as your father out there.  I'm going."

 

"No.   I want you to go to the Feldmans and stay there."

 

"But ... "

 

"I don't know what will happen.  There's a very real possibility that we may all be killed.  You have to be there for the twins and Donny.  If we aren't successful, I want you to take the kids and go to Sherry's in Munks Corner."

 

"But ... "

 

"No buts.  Now go.  And take the anti-vampire kit with you.  Just in case."

 

"I'll go.  But I won't like it."  She said reluctantly.  She kissed him on the cheek.  "Be careful, and come back to me ... and bring LaCroix and Mom with you.  I need you.  All of you.  Safe and sound."  She opened the bag and separated the contents into two piles.  "Just in case you need them."  She said, packing one collection in a shopping bag and the other back into the carryall.  She picked the duffel up and slung it across her shoulder as she headed for the door.

 

"I guess that leaves you to wear this."  Clarissa said as she held up her bag.   She escorted Tracy into the bedroom.

 

A few minutes later, they emerged.  Tracy was wearing the skirt and top and also black fishnet stockings and three inch strap heels.

 

"Well?  Is this enough of a distraction?"  Tracy asked as she wiggled her hips provocatively.

 

There was a round of whistles and catcalls from the assembled vampires.

 

"It's sure enough distractin' me."  Jeb said, his fangs peeking out from his lower lip and his eyes turning yellow.

 

"Why couldn't we just have a fight or something like that?"  Mike said, taking off his jacket and putting it protectively around Tracy's shoulders in an attempt to cover her.  It did little good.

 

"Vampires would probably just ignore a fight, but this ... "  Clarissa pointed to Tracy.  "They may be vampires, but they're still male vampires.  You saw the reaction she got here.  Need I say more?  Now, you'll need something to go with that."  She pointed out the window.  There, in the driveway was a lipstick red Corvette convertible.

 

"Where'd you get that?"  Mike asked.

 

"Let's just say that I have a friend, who has a friend, who knows someone who happens to work at a new car dealership.  This ... friend also owes me a favor.  A very BIG favor.  Just remember, it's only on loan.  Well ... sort of ..."

 

"I don't think I want to know the details."  Nick uttered.

 

**********

 

Lucien became aware of an arm across his chest.  Robyn lay beside him.  He listened carefully.  Her breathing was shallow and ragged and her heartbeat, while regular, was weak.   He looked at his abdomen.  The wound was still open, but the bleeding had slowed considerably.  The throbbing in his head was still excruciating, but her could control or at least ignore that.  If help came soon, he would live.  He was not so certain about Robyn. 

 

She opened her eyes.  They were glassy and there was a thin veil over them.  < She's dying? >  He thought.  < I cannot let that happen .> "Mephistopheles will not claim another that is mine!"  He swore aloud.  He tore a piece out of his shirt and placed it over his wound.  When it was saturated, he put it over the hole in Robyn's chest and wrung it out. He watched as his blood dripped into her.

 

"Wha ... "  She whispered.  If it had not been for his extraordinary vampire senses, he would have never heard it.

 

"Sh-h-h-h"  He whispered back.  "This will help you heal."

 

"But you need the blood, too."

 

"I am losing it anyway.  At least this way, I am losing it to you."  He said as he pressed the cloth over his stomach and repeated the process.

 

"Now, tell me about Munks Corner."  He said as he saw the life starting to return to her eyes.  He knew he had to keep her awake.  He could not let her slip into a coma.  It would also keep him from the blackness as well.

 

"Only if you tell me about your home town."

 

"Deal"

 

Franz, accompanied by the ever present crossbow wielding assistant, entered.  "Well, General.  I see you've returned to your true ways.  I told you couldn't resist her for long, although I didn't think you'd bring her across.  I thought you said you had reformed when Nicholas killed that puny mortal.  What was her name again?  Oh yes.  Lambshit ... or something like that."

 

"It was Lambert!"  He said indignantly.  "How do you know what I would do or not do?" 

 

"Oh, didn't I tell you?"  He laughed sarcastically.  "While you were unconscious, I took the liberty of sampling your blood.  I know everything about you.  And I can also tell whenever you try to contact those pathetic friends of yours.  Although I thought you would taste different than you did.  The sandalwood is a nice touch, but oatmeal?  Really!"  He smirked.

 

LaCroix put his fingers to his neck.  Sure enough, there were two tiny puncture marks.  He started to rise, but Franz pushed him back to the floor with his foot.  "Save your strength.  You'll need it to control your fledgling.  Maybe you'll have better luck with her than you had with some of your ... other attempts.  That is, if you live to do so."

 

"What do you mean by that?"  Suddenly, a thought hit him.  "This isn't about the code is it?  This is personal.  Why?  I don't even know you."

 

"You really don't know, do you?  I thought you could always tell ... family. "  He spit the word out.  "Your ... son was the one who brought me across."

 

"Nicholas?"

 

"No, not that sniveling wimp.  Your other bastard son.  The one who bore your name and your evil.  You abandoned him.  He never forgave you for that and neither have I.   Even when he died, there was no response from you. 

 

This meekling, this ... mistake of yours ... this ... Nicholas de Brabant ... is a different story altogether.  You lavish on him and his follies ... but for HIM ... for your true family, you had nothing but contempt.

 

The Code was the only thing I had to guide me.  It was my mother, my father, my beacon, my refuge through the centuries. Now you ... and de Brabant ... have taken that from me as well.  Do you wonder why I hate you and all that you stand for.  That is why you have to be punished.  That is why you ... and your kind have to die." 

 

"Your master ... my first son ... was pure evil.  More evil than I have seen in centuries.  I have done many things through the years that I am not now proud of, but he embraced the evil for the ecstasy of it.  I had no choice but to reject him, although I could not bring myself to destroy him.  Perhaps that was my mistake. Perhaps I should have killed him when I had the chance.  I never contacted him after I exiled him.  I had no knowledge of him or his actions.  I did not then, and I still do not know those he brought across.   I did not know until recently that he was dead.  If you would like to join me, you will be welcomed into my family."

 

He spat and gave LaCroix a kick as he and his henchman left the room  "Never!"

 

"Lucien ... you didn't ..."  Robyn asked hesitantly.

 

"Bring you across?  No.  The amount of blood I gave to you was only enough to speed up your healing process.  I told you before.  The decision has to be yours."

 

"Then why did he think you had?"

 

"He does not realize the control that I have.  In his eyes, there were only two options.  Either I kill you or I bring you across.  Since you are still alive, he assumed I had brought you across."

 

"But couldn't he see my eyes and my teeth?  Couldn't he see that there were no puncture wounds?  Couldn't he feel that I was not a vampire?"

 

"Like so many with closed minds, and I speak from centuries of experience, he saw only what he wanted to see.  He sensed only what he wanted to sense.  His truth is only what he wants to believe.  Perhaps we can use that information to our advantage.  Now, tell me about Munks Corner."

 

"It's just a small town on the outskirts of Columbus Ohio ... "  She began.

 

**********

 

The plans were at last agreed upon.  Nick and Clarissa would take the lead.  They would fly in ever widening circles searching for any sign of LaCroix.  As soon as they found something, they would signal the rest.  Mike and Tom would be in the Caddy and Tracy would bring up the rear in the Corvette. The other vampires would provide shotgun and cover.

 

Suddenly, Nick stopped and hovered in midair.  In seconds, Clarissa was beside him.

 

"You have something?

 

"Not exactly.  I thought of something that might help, though.  LaCroix might not be able to send to us for whatever reason, but maybe we can send to him.  If we get close enough to him, the lines of the sendings are almost physical as well as mental.  If we fly about fifty meters apart and send every minute, we might be able to pick up on those sendings, even if he doesn't respond.  The military used something similar to pinpoint illegal radios during World War 2.  It's called triangulation."

 

"I've heard of it.  It's worth a try."

 

**********

 

" ... And then there was Mr. Bernstein."  Robyn said.  LaCroix could tell that she was getting stronger from his blood.  He fervently hoped that it would be enough to sustain her until help arrived.  "He owned the local store."  She continued.  "He used to slip us kids a pretzel every Saturday if we were good all week.  Two on report day if we got an 'A'.  He retired ten years ago.  Right after they built a Super Kroger store in the new shopping mall.  He died three months later.  The death certificate said it was heart failure.  In a way it was.  Most people believe that without the store, he simply didn't have the will to live.  

 

Things have really changed in the last few years.  When I was a child, Munks Corner was a nice sleepy little town.  Now, it's practically part of Columbus.  Are you sure you want to hear all of this, Lucien?  I mean it can't be that interesting.  After all, you have seen all the important places in the world many times over."

 

"But I've never been to Munks Corner.  That place is now just as important to me as Paris or London.  Anything that concerns you is important to me." 

 

Suddenly his head snapped back an he took a deep breath.  His eyes glassed for a split second.

 

"Are you all right?"  Robyn asked.

 

"Sh-h-h."  He said.  After a few moments, he shook himself lightly to clear his head.  "It's Nicholas and Clarisse.  They are sending to me on a regular basis and if I read them correctly, they are using the information to attempt to locate us."

 

"But you aren't sending to them?  How will that help?"

 

"I'm not sure.  From what I'm receiving from Nicholas, they're using the sendings they make as a sort of  radar."

 

"Won't Franz be able to pick up on them?  He did taste your blood, and he is family after all.  Isn't there a bond?"

 

"Yes.  He tasted my blood.  There is a temporary bond there, but we were never bonded as family.  He has not tasted Nicholas's or Clarisse's. He has no bond with them beyond the one common to all vampires.  If I don't answer, he probably won't sense anything unusual until they are in range.  I just have to put them out of my mind."

 

"Okay.  I'll help keep your mind off them.  I've told you about Munks Corner.  Now it's your turn to tell me all about Pompeii.  I've seen some of the History Channel's specials on it, but you were actually there."

 

"Actually, I was not there that much.  I would normally be on military campaigns, frequently for years at a time.   They have excavated most of northern side of the city and nearly all of the southern half.  There was no western part.  That was the ocean.  My villa is … was in the EASTERN portion."  He emphasized the word.   "They have only started clearing that area in the past few years. 

 

"It sat on a rise overlooking the EASTERN hills and Mount Vesuvius.  The house was large, even by today's standards.  The front portico was of EAST Egyptian marble and in the courtyard were trees of every description. Many of them from the Near EAST."  Another emphasis.  "In the center was a reflecting pool."  A slight smile came on his face at the memory.  "Ah, the parties we had around that pool."

 

**********

 

Nick heard his cell phone beep.  He paused and landed on a roof to answer it

 

"I just heard about what happened to your master, man."  Tino said.  "I kinda liked him in spite of what some of the others said about him.  I don't know if it means anything, but some of the brothers said they heard blood-curdling screams over on the east side of I-710 near Arizona earlier today.  They didn't go in to find out what was making them, 'cause that ain't their turf and they don't want to start nothing." 

 

"Thanks, Step-bro."  Nick said.  "I'll swing by there and have a look."

 

"If there's anything ... "  Tino's voice  trailed off.

 

"I know ...  Thanks."  Nick said softly as he flipped the phone shut.

 

"I just got something."  Clarissa said as she joined her vampire brother on the rooftop.  I believe it was from LaCroix.  It wasn't too clear, but I think it was something about East."

 

"That dovetails with something Tino just told me."  Nick relayed his conversation with the street vampire as he and Clarissa headed for East Los Angeles.

 

**********

 

"You can't do this!"  Rolf said as he grabbed Franz's arm.  "Not now.  We were only going to show them the error of their ways.  No killing.  That's what you said."

 

"You are starting to annoy me."  Franz said, pulling his arm from Rolf.  "If you don't have the stomach for this, why don't you join that ... sorry excuse for an elder in the sacristy.  It makes no difference to me if there is one dead vampire or a dozen."

 

"You're mad!"

 

Franz grabbed one of the stakes he was sharpening and thrust it under Rolf's chin.  "And what are you going to do about it?"

 

**********

 

Tracy saw the flashing lights of the black and white patrol car in her rear view mirror.  She checked the speedometer.  She was below the speed limit and she couldn't remember any stop signs or red lights that she had ignored.  Slowly, she pulled to the curb.  She checked and was relieved to see the Caddy circle the block and pull in behind the patrol car.

 

"Excuse me, Miss."  The officer said as he approached the Corvette.  "Could I see your drivers license and registration?"

 

"What's the problem, officer?  I wasn't speeding and I don't think I ran any traffic signs."

 

"Just a routine check.  This isn't exactly the safest part of town for someone in a sports car to be in."  Just then, he noticed what Tracy was wearing.  "Maybe it might be wiser if we continued this conversation at the precinct."

 

"That won't be necessary."  Mike said as he approached the officer.  He had clipped his badge holder to his pocket, in plain sight.  "I'm Detective Taylor and these are all police officers."  He said pointing to those assembled in the Caddy.  "We're on an undercover assignment and if you stay here, you are in danger of blowing our cover."  It wasn't exactly a lie, but he hoped that the officer would take it at face value and not check too closely.

 

Jeb had landed and also approached.  He homed in on the officer's heart.  "That's right, Officer ... ."  He looked at the patrolman's nameplate.  " ... Bearlinger."  His words mimicked the thump thump of the heartbeat.  "Now, why don't you get in your car and forget you even saw us.  And by the way, you could use a donut right about now, couldn't you?"

 

Slowly, the officer turned and got back in the patrol car  Mechanically , he put it in gear and pulled away.

 

"1 Baker 14."  The voice of the dispatch came over his radio.  "What is the status of the suspicious person you were stopping?"

 

"There was no suspicious person."  The officer replied flatly.  "Forget I called.  I think I'll take a quick code seven at the Krispy Kreme.  Bearlinger out."

 

"W-O-O-Wee!"  Jeb said pulling his arms into his sides.  "It worked.  It really, really worked."

 

"You mean you've never hypnotized anyone before?"

 

"Never did it to no police before.  And to think I could've gotten out of all 'em traffic tickets just like that."

 

**********

 

" ... And on the barracks wall, the archeologists will find some graffiti.  It says, if my memory serves right ... 'Lucius assus est'.  It is accompanied by a rather unflattering caricature of me."

 

"Loosely translated that means 'Lucius is a jerk'."

 

"Correctly translated it means 'Lucius is an ass'.  They were correct.  I was, and I still am, a first class asshole when I want to be."

 

"I'll bet the soldier who wrote that was cleaning latrines until Vesuvius erupted."

 

"No.  He was unable to do that.  In fact, he was unable to do much of anything.  You see, I made sure that he never wrote graffiti again.  I had his hands chopped off."

 

"Lucien!  You didn't!  How could you ... ?"

 

"You must remember, those were very different times and I was very different than I am now.  Back then, that was an accepted form of punishment."

 

Suddenly he pushed her away and tilted his head and closed his eyes tightly.  "GO!"  he commanded.  "Go to the other side of the room and stay there!"

 

"Why?"

 

"DO IT !"

 

"But ..."

 

"I told you earlier that I had considerable control ... but even that has its limits.  I need blood ... I need it badly .. and ... you are the closest source."

 

"I told you that you could take my blood if you wanted it."  She said as she crawled for the wall opposite him.

 

"That's part of the problem ... I do want your blood ... I need your blood ...  I desire your blood.  Unfortunately ... at this point you could not spare ... the amount that it would take ... to satisfy me.  There is, however a source of blood ... on the opposite side of that door."

 

"I don't understand."

 

"You will.  Now be quiet."  He gingerly rolled over and crawled to the door.  Taking care not to get too close to the crucifix, he pulled himself to a standing position.  He leaned against the wall.  "Now.  Make a racket."

 

"But you said ... "

 

"I know what I said.  Now I am telling you to make noise."

 

Robyn began screaming at the top of her lungs.

 

"What's going on in here?"  Their captor said as he opened the door.  He held his crossbow at the ready.  He was alone.  "Why are you making all that fuss?"  He asked Robyn.  "And where is the other one?"

 

"Behind you."  LaCroix said as he pulled his prey's neck to the side.  The vampire gave a pathetic cry as the elder unceremoniously sank his fangs into his neck.  Slowly his eyes glassed and he went limp as LaCroix drained him.  LaCroix withdrew his fangs and twisted the unconscious vampire's neck hard.  There were several popping sounds as bones broke.  He wiped a trickle of blood from his chin.  "While that will not sate the hunger as well as feeding from family, it will nourish me ... for now"  He picked up the crossbow and fired several arrows into the unconscious vampire's heart.  "That is so he cannot come back."  LaCroix explained.  "And as an added bonus, we now have a weapon."

 

**********

 

"Okay, Mike, we'll be waiting there ... Yes, I'm positive that's where they're holding LaCroix and Robyn. The bond is very strong."  He clicked off his cell phone and Nick motioned for the other vampires to set down.  They were in a secluded cul-de-sac formed by the off ramps of the

freeway.  From their vantage point, they could make out the sole structure on Fourth St.

 

"Won't they be able to detect us?"  One of the vampires asked.

 

"No.  If they could detect us, we would be able to detect them as well.  Gently reach out.  Not too far.  Do you sense anything?"

 

Several shook their heads no.

 

"So, if we can't detect them, how do you know they're in there?"

 

"They're there.  Trust me."

 

"Now what?"  One of the other vampires asked.

 

"Now we need our diversion."  As he spoke, Mike and Tracy pulled up beside them. 

 

After quickly explaining what had to be done, Nick, Clarissa, Jeb and several of the other vampires took to the air.

 

********** 

 

Tracy slowly coasted down the street toward the so-called abandoned building.  Mike, crouched below the door of the little sports car, walked beside her on the side facing away from the building.  He cradled the super soaker in his arms and several of the stakes were pushed in the top of his trousers.  Stopping in plain sight of the boarded up door, she got out, opened the hood, and leaned over the engine.

 

Within seconds, the door opened and two men ...vampires ... came out of the supposedly empty structure.  "You better move on."  One of them said.  "It's not safe here."

 

"I just don't know what's the matter."  Tracy said in a breathless Marilyn Monroe voice.  "It suddenly stopped running.  Can I at least use your phone to call for help?"  She raised up and batted her heavily mascaraed eyelashes at them.

 

"We ain't got a phone here."  The other growled at her.

 

"Then maybe one of you nice gentlemen could help me." 

 

They both started toward the car.

 

As soon as they cleared the building, Nick and Jeb landed silently behind them.  Jeb tapped the vampire in front of him on the shoulder.  He turned around and was greeted with a roundhouse left hook that shattered his jaw.  At the same moment, Nick grabbed the other one by the collar and pinched the nerve that runs behind the ear tightly between his thumb and index finger. The man fell like a sack of potatoes.  "Well, I'll be ... "  He whispered.  "Toni was right.  The Vulcan Nerve Pinch really does work."

 

Mike sprayed the fallen guards with a generous amount of holy water and then the three of them dragged the bodies behind a nearby discarded refrigerator.

 

"Thanks for all your help."  Nick said to him.  "Now, you and Tracy can return to the complex.  We'll call you when everything's done.

 

"No way, Jose."  Tracy said.  She had used the time while the men were taking care of the guards to change into a T-shirt and jeans.  She also exchanged the heels for running shoes. "We are in this to the end."  She picked up the bag containing the anti-vampire kit and slung it over her shoulder.

 

Nick looked at Mike, who just shrugged his arms in resignation.

 

**********

 

LaCroix stiffened slightly.  "They're here."  He whispered as he braced himself against the door, the loaded crossbow at the ready.

 

Robyn understood.  She crawled into the corner as far as she could and tried to make herself as small as possible.  Whatever ensued, she knew that she could be in grave danger.

 

**********

 

"Daddy and Aunt Clarissa are going to rescue Grandma and Grandfather from the bad vampires, aren't they?"  Joey asked his mother. 

 

"They're going to be all right, Mommy."  Nattie added, patting her mother.  "Don't worry."

 

"What are you kids talking about?  The only reason we're here is because Daddy's on a dangerous case and he doesn't want us to worry."  Toni said, repeating the cover story they had agreed on.  It was much easier than telling the Feldmans that Robyn and LaCroix were being held by a group

of rebel vampires and that Nick and many of the vampire community had gone to rescue them.

 

"It's okay, Mommy."  Nattie said.  "We know the truth."

 

"We won't say nothing, 'cause we understand that Aunt Miriam and Uncle Morris don't believe in vampires."

 

"Nattie, you said that they were all right.  How do you know that?  Even Daddy is worried."

 

"We just know."  Joey said matter of factly.

 

"We could feel it from Grandfather."  Nattie stated.

 

The twins' powers had been increasing almost geometrically in the last few years.  Even LaCroix was surprised at the abilities that his grandchildren possessed.

 

"Now, you two say your prayers and get into bed."

 

"God bless Daddy,  God bless Mommy ... "  The twins began.  They had blessed everybody, including Charlie and Hoiman.  "Oh, and God ... Please let Grandfather and Grandma come home to us safe and sound  ... Amen"

 

"Do you think they'll mind that we said a prayer for God to keep them all safe?"  Joey asked.

 

"If you're so sure they are all right, why say a prayer for them?"  Toni said. 

 

"It never hurts to go to the top.  At least that's what Sister Agnes, our Sunday School teacher says."   Joey said. 

 

"I think they'd like that a lot."  She kissed her two oldest children, who were six going on forty, on their foreheads and tucked them into the bed in Feldman's guest room.  Donny had fallen asleep earlier and was on the couch with a chair pushed against it for a railing.

 

Miriam Feldman was waiting as Toni came out of the room.  "That ... dangerous case ... Nick's on ... LaCroix and Robyn have been kidnapped, haven't they?"

 

"How much did you hear?"

 

"Just the children's prayers.  But from the way you've been jumping and fidgeting, I knew it was more than a case.  It was something personal.  After their prayers, I was able to put two and two together and come up with that.  Why didn't you just come out and tell us in the first place?"

 

"We didn't want to worry you and Morris."

 

"Don't you know we'd be worried just the same?  After all, what are friends for if not to worry with you?"  Miriam put her arm around Toni and led her to the kitchen.  "I just finished baking a loaf of Hallah.  I've got a pot of coffee and a stick of butter, and I need a taste tester.  We can talk."

 

**********

 

Nick, Jeb and Clarisse flattened themselves against the door.  On the other side they could sense several vampires.  With a practiced ease, Nick kicked the door open.  There was a momentary shock on the assembled vampires.  Apparently they had not felt Nick and his band before this, or if they had, they assumed that they were their companions.  Whatever the reason, Nick and Jeb took advantage of it.  In one movement, they brought down the two nearest to them. 

 

Clarisse, in the meantime, had a strangle hold on a third one.  "Where are they?"  She punctuated her question by twisting his neck just enough for him to feel the pain.

 

"I ... I don't know wh ...  what you're talking about."  He gasped.

 

"I think you do,"  Jeb said, driving his fist into the man's solar plexus.  He groaned and tried to double over.  With Clarissa's strangle hold, that was impossible.  "Y'all can tell us .. "  He brought his face to the man's neck.  "...Or maybe we all can read it in your blood.  The choice is all yours.'" 

He let his fangs drop.

 

The man swallowed, at least as much of a swallow as he could with Clarissa's forearm against his adams apple.  "I ... I ... "  She tightened her grip.  "Second door... on the left."  He gasped.  "The sacristy."

 

Clarissa's judo chop sent him to the floor.

 

"I'm sure glad he decided to cooperate."  Jeb said.  "I don't rightly know if I could've taken his blood."

 

"You've taken mine."  Clarissa reminded him.

 

"That's different.  You're my Ma."

 

Tracy, Mike and a few of the others brought three vampires with them.  "Mike and I searched the church and the Sunday School rooms while the others stood guard.  There were too many sacred objects and they didn't comfortable going in with us."  Tracy said.  "We found these hiding in the bathroom.  From what they told us, many of the others fled when they sensed us in the building."

 

Rico, Tom and Lazar came up to the room.  They had several more vampires in tow.

 

"We found these in the Pastor's study."  Rico said.  "This one sang like a canary."  He pushed the vampire to the front.

 

"My name is Rolf."  The vampire began  "Franz is my friend.  At least I thought he was.  While I wasn't exactly thrilled with the changes to the Code, I felt that I could live with them and I was willing to give them a try.  Franz, on the other hand, was vehemently opposed to any change. His arguments were compelling, to say the least.  He said that it would tear the Community apart.  I guess in that sense, he was right.

 

When he broke away, I went with him more out of habit than anything else.  At first, he was content just to try and convince the other vampires to his point of view.  That is, until we hit Los Angeles.  Then, I don't know what happened.  He became obsessed.  He started talking about killing those who opposed us and things like that.  After I saw what he did to the General and the mortal, I couldn't go along with him any more.  I told him so and he threatened to kill me as well as anyone else who opposed him."

 

"Where is he now?"

 

"I don't know.  When he sensed what was coming down, he ordered Crowley, his chief henchman to kill LaCroix and the woman and then he split."

 

< LACROIX!!! >  Nick sent.

 

< I am here. >  LaCroix responded.  It was very weak, and not too steady.

 

**********

 

LaCroix braced himself against the wall, the crossbow at the ready.  With the tip of the crossbow, he pulled the crucifix off the door and sent it skittering to the opposite side of the room.  There were many vampires coming this way.  Although he could make out the characteristic signatures of Nicholas and Clarisse, and to a lesser extent, Jebediah, there was no way he could tell whether they were captors or captives.  He calculated that he had just enough strength for one assault.  Then, if he was going to die, he would at least die a Roman soldier's death.

 

The door opened.  Gathering up the one last ounce of strength he had, Lucien LaCroix wheeled and pointed the crossbow at the person standing before him.  As his finger tightened around the trigger, he realized who he was pointing at ... Nicholas.

 

With lightning speed, Nick jumped aside as the arrow imbedded itself at chest level in the wall behind him.

 

LaCroix lowered the crossbow.  Although it would not seem possible, his face went even more ashen as he realized that he had nearly almost killed his son.  Then, as he began to understand that their ordeal was over, his body responded.  The last bit of willpower that he had summoned from thin air left him.  His knees began to buckle.  At the same moment, he keenly felt the effects of the tremendous loss of blood.  His eyes rolled upward.  Unable to maintain his balance on the rapidly buckling floor, he pitched forward.  

 

Only the arms of his son and daughter kept him from ramming into the floor.  Gently they lowered him.

 

Tom and the others were there in a moment.

 

"I have the feeling that this... "  Jeb pointed to the dead vampire.  " ... is Crowley."

 

Nick nodded agreement as he and Clarisse checked their vampire father.  His clothes were torn and covered with blood.  There was still a jagged hole in his abdomen and a matching one in his back.  Rivulets of blood seeped from around splinters poking out of his skull.  Nick desperately searched for the elder vampire's life signs.  When he finally found them, they were weak and irregular.  "He's fading fast."  Nick whispered to Clarisse.  "I can hardly feel him."

 

"Neither can I.  From the looks of this room, I'm surprised he's held out this long.  There can't be much blood left.  If he doesn't get massive transfusions soon ... "  She wiped a tear as her voice cracked.

 

"Here, use this."  Tom said, handing her a unit of blood. "It's type O negative.  Universal donor."

 

Nick looked toward Robyn.  She was lying in a fetal crouch, nearly comatose, in the corner.  He reached for her heartbeat.  It was stringy and erratic.  "No."  He said grimly.  "Give that to Robyn.  She needs it as much as, if not more than he does."

 

Jeb brought a bottle from the cooler that came from the After Sunset.  Nick pulled the cork and held it to the dying vampire's lips.  The life giving liquid only spilled out of the sides. 

 

"We're going to have to do this the hard way."  Clarissa said.  She bit into her wrist and held it over the gaping hole in his stomach.  She watched in fascination as her essence flowed into his wound.  Nick handed her the bottle.  "Here.  You'll need all the strength you can get."  He said. She drained it in one motion. 

 

After what seemed like an eternity, Nick smiled slightly.  "I think it's working."  He said to Clarissa.  "His vibes are getting stronger, but not by much." 

 

Clarissa wavered slightly as the blood loss began to make itself felt.

 

"My turn."  Nick said as he gently moved his vampire sister aside and took her place.  He took a small pocketknife and jabbed it into his forearm.  He held his bleeding arm over the wound.  Although he did not open his eyes, LaCroix's hand grasped Nick's arm and instinctively guided it to his lips.  He sucked hungrily.  After a few minutes, Nick, too began to feel lightheaded. 

 

"Now me."  Jeb knelt beside the elder Roman.  With Nick's knife he slit a large deep gash in his arm and held it to the elder's mouth.  He grasped it like the dying man he was, and continued to suckle as hard as he could.

 

Tom Nichols meanwhile, had started to work on Robyn.  Carefully, he removed her blood-covered jacket and gently cut away the blouse.  Then, using the items from his bag, he began a fast drip IV of whole blood into her left arm.  Once that was done, he handed the bag to Tracy to hold over her and began to carefully clean and examine the wound.  Gingerly, he rolled her over.  There was no exit wound.  That meant that the bullet was still in her shoulder, or chest, or both.  He listened carefully to her breathing.  He could not hear any rattling noises.  He breathed a small sigh of relief.  There was a good chance that it had not ruptured the lung.  Her pulse was weak but steady.  Considering the amount of blood she had lost, that, too was an encouraging sign.  Right now, with two critically injured patients, the doctor needed all the encouragement he could get.  Taking a syringe, he filled it first with a painkiller and after injecting that, he refilled it with a broad-spectrum antibiotic.  He placed a compression bandage over the wound and taped it in place. 

Until he could get to a medical facility, that was all he could do.

 

"I think this one is empty."  Tracy said, holding the depleted blood bag to him.  He stopped and retrieved another one from his bag and hooked it to the IV tube.

 

"I'm going to call for an ambulance."  Tom said, pulling out his cell phone.  "It's urgent in Robyn's case, and LaCroix needs far more help than I can give him here as well."

 

"There's a free clinic over by the warehouses that's open all night."  One of the vampires said.  "Only thing is, if I were a mortal, I wouldn't even let them cut my toenails."

 

"That bad?"

 

"No, that good."

 

"What about the Maison?"  Nick said. "By the time an ambulance gets here, we could have them there."

 

"I would like that better.  That way, there wouldn’t be any awkward questions or embarrassing forms to mess with."

 

"Good.  Let's get going."

 

"We'll stay here and clean up."  Lazar said.  He grasped Nick by the forearm, as was common in earlier centuries.  "Godspeed."

 

Nick pulled off his jacket and gently wrapped it around Robyn's torso.  Carefully lifting her so not to disturb the shoulder any more than necessary, he held her to his chest

 

Clarissa and Jeb followed with the unconscious LaCroix cradled between their entwined arms, in a sort of fireman's chair.

 

"Do you think you can fly like that?"  Mike asked.  "Maybe it would be better if we took him in the Caddy."

 

"It may take a bit of coordinating, but it can be done.  If necessary, one of us can carry him alone, but this is easier for him."  Clarissa said.

 

"We'll be right behind you.  Tom ... coming with us?"

 

"Actually, I was hoping I could hitch a ride with Rico.  I think it would be best if I arrive  at the same time they get there."

 

"What about your acrophobia?"  Jeb asked.

 

"I just won't look down."

 

**********

 

The phone rang.  Toni nearly jumped out of her skin.  Miriam laid a calming hand on her former neighbor and friend.  "Relax, boobela.  Maybe it isn't nothing."

 

"At one in the morning?  It's something."  Toni said.

 

Miriam picked up the handset.  " ... Yes ... That's wonderful news ... She's here ... Yes, you can talk to her ... "  She handed it to Toni.  "It's Tracy.  They've got them."

 

"TRACY!"  Toni shouted into the mouthpiece.  "Is it true?  Are they all right?  Where's Nick?  Is he all right?"

 

"Whoa!"  Tracy said.  "Slow down before you bust a gusset.  Nick and the rest of us are okay.  LaCroix and Robyn were pretty badly hurt, though.  Tom's taken them to the Maison where he can tend them properly.  Mike and I are heading there now.  See you there."

 

Toni looked at Miriam.

 

"Go.  She said without being asked.  "We're happy to take care of these little angels.  I'll see that they're at school and daycare in the morning.  NOW! GO."  She handed Toni her purse and coat.

 

**********

 

Thirty-seven minutes later, Toni pulled up her Mazda onto the driveway at the Maison de Mer.  Milos was waiting for her at the door.  < Doesn't that man ever sleep? >  She thought.

 

"Tom and Rico have Robyn in surgery."  Tracy told Toni as she came into the waiting room of the dispensary.  "According to Tom, she has a very good chance.  Nick, Jeb, and Clarissa are with LaCroix."  She shook her head.  "It doesn't look good.  I don't know that much about vampire physiology, but from what they tell me, he nearly bought the farm."

 

Nick came out of the treatment room.  He was dressed in surgical scrubs. "I thought I felt you here."  He said embracing her tightly.  His face showed every one of his 800 plus years. 

 

A few seconds later, Clarissa and Jeb came out.

 

"Natalie showed up and between the two of us, we managed to patch him together ... somehow.  She's in there now, keeping a watch over him."  Nick said wearily.  "He'll live, but he'll be a long time recovering from this."

 

Natalie Lambert came out of the treatment room.  She still had scrubs on too.  "He's out of danger but he's still unconscious."  She told them as she peeled the gloves and cap off.  "Whatever they hit him with must have been old and rotted.  We took enough splinters out of his head to start a moderate bonfire.  Some of them were embedded in his skull.  It was fractured as well.  It's a miracle he was able to think with all the pain.  The arrow did its share, too.  The barbs tore him up inside and the garlic and holy water did unspeakable damage to his internal organs. He lost most of his blood as well.  It took another six bottles of blood in addition to what they gave him at the scene.  I don't think I will be needed any more tonight, but I'll be nearby.  Just in case."  The ghost doctor slowly dematerialized.

 

"I don't rightly think I'll ever get used to that."  Jeb remarked softly.

 

"With a little bit of luck, his injuries will only be physical this time."  Clarissa said.

 

"What do you mean ... this time?"   Nick asked.

 

"You couldn't have forgotten.  It wasn't that many years ago.  You ran him through with a flaming stake.  The Council sent him to the Maison to recover.  He was a different person then.  Bitter and vengeful. His physical injuries were bad enough, but the thought that you could do something like that to him was enough to drive him over the edge.  It took everything Jerosz Kirinskow, Lady Zera and I could muster to bring him back.  Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, he doesn't remember too much of that year and a half."

 

Tom came out of the surgical room.  His face was wan. 

 

Toni was at him in a flash. 

 

"How ... "  She asked hesitantly.

 

"She's going to be all right."  Tom said.

 

Toni let out the breath she did not realize she was holding.

 

"Fortunately, the bullet did not hit the lung, though it came very close.  It did cause considerable muscle and nerve damage and lodged in the trapezius.  I repaired as much as possible.  Only time will tell if there is any permanent damage, although I'm betting there won't be.  You see, when I typed and cross matched her blood, I discovered a small but definite vampire factor there.  There were also several small puncture scars at the base of her neck.  I suspect she's been getting regular infusions of vampire blood."

 

"But how could she get ... "  Nick said.

 

"You of all people should know about that.  If I have to explain that to you, you flunked vampire biology 101."  The doctor said with a smile.

 

"I think I'll have to have a long talk with your father in law."  Nick said to Toni. "And maybe dust Robyn for fingerprints."  He wavered slightly.  The events of the past day were catching up with him rapidly.  He could feel the song of the sunrise.  He slowly realized that he had not rested but a few hours in the past several days.

 

Clarissa saw it too.  "There's nothing more we can do here."  She said.  "Why don't you and Toni go and ask Milos to have a suite prepared for you?"

 

"I think you should take your own advice."  Tom told Clarissa.  "You look almost as bad as your father.  In fact, I think we all could use a good sleep.  I'll have one of the technicians keep an eye on those two and then I'm going to conk out in one of the treatment rooms."

 

"I'll tell the others on my way upstairs."  Clarissa said.

 

"Others?"  Toni asked.

 

"Did you stop by the great room when you came in?"

 

"No.  I came straight here."

 

"If you had, you'd have seen that almost all of the Community, including Lady Zera is here.  When the word got out, they all came to help.  Many of them donated blood for Lucien."

 

**********

 

"DR. TOM !!!  DR. TOM !!!" Rico yelled as he ran out of the treatment room.

 

"What?"  Tom Nichols said as he came running to the door.

 

"It's LaCroix.  He ATTACKED me.  He's definitely vamped out!"

 

"Didn't you give him the blood that I left in the room?  After what he's been through, he's going to need a lot of blood."

 

"Of course.  But he downed that in one gulp and then three more.  And he's still hungry.  I've never seen this before except maybe in first hunger."

 

There was a shout from the room that sounded somewhere between a bellow and a roar.  There were words intermixed, but they were largely unintelligible

 

Tom started into the room, but Rico stopped him.  "If he's going after vampires, imagine what he'll do to you."

 

"Go get Nick and Clarissa.  They are family.  Maybe they can do something."

 

"That won't be necessary."  Nick said as he, Clarissa and Jeb came into the room.  Lady Zera and her bodyguards were only a few steps behind

 

The three vampires, accompanied by the bodyguards cautiously entered the room.  LaCroix lay on the bed, there was a sheen of cold sweat covering him. He turned to them and stared through glowing red eyes.  He tried to grab at the nearest person, but he was still too weak to exert much effort.  "Ni ... Nicholas?"  He said in a hoarse whisper.

 

"I'm here ... Father"  Nick answered as he took one of the elder vampire's hands.

 

Immediately, LaCroix tightened his grip and jerked it to his mouth.  He bit viciously into the wrist and suckled strongly.  Nick had to forcefully pull the arm from the hungry vampire.

 

"More!"  He demanded. 

 

Clarissa started toward him, but Lady Zera stopped her with a hand to the shoulder.  "If he is this bad, he will drain all of you.  My blood is much more powerful.  It will satisfy him in ways that yours cannot."

 

She allowed her fangs to elongate.  She bit gently into the throbbing artery beneath the skin of her wrist until it bled.  She held this to the hungry general's mouth.  LaCroix eagerly drew the ancient vampire's blood into him.  After a few seconds, the powerful blood began to have the desired effect.  His expression became calm and almost content.  The wildness and hunger was gone from his eyes and gradually, they returned to their transparent blue.  Slowly, he released the Ancient's arm.

 

"What ... What have you done to me?"  He asked.

 

"What do you mean?  We have done nothing to you."  Tom said from the doorway.  Although LaCroix appeared to be in control, the mortal doctor was taking no chances.

 

"You have done something.  I can sense all of you clearly."

 

"Of course you can, Lucius."  Zera said.  "Except for the doctor, we are all vampires.  We can all sense each other."

 

"No.  This is different.  I can sense your thoughts, your emotions.  It's almost like you were all family."

 

Lady Zera took his arm in her hand.   "May I?"  She asked, letting her fangs drop once again.  LaCroix nodded.  Gently she bit into his wrist and swirled the blood around her mouth for a few seconds.

 

"Well?"  Everyone in the room asked almost as one.

 

"It is most unusual."  Lady Zera said. "I cannot sense Divia, who should be his master.  I do sense, however, the marks of several entities there.  You, Nicholas, are one.  Clarisse is another.  Jebediah is also there.  I also sense Rico, Tino, myself, Lazar, and several others.  How can this be?"

 

"I don't know, but those that you mentioned are the ones who gave him blood."  Tom offered, taking several steps in to the room, but still keeping a respectable distance from LaCroix.  "Nick, Clarissa and Jeb fed him at the scene.  I used the donated blood from the others, including you, Lady Zera, yesterday and today.  Maybe it's something temporary from the transfusions."

 

"That is possible, but then, I would still be able to sense Divia, but her influence is nowhere to be found in his blood."

 

"I have a likely theory."  Nick said.  "We all agree that he was nearly drained from his wounds.  Is it possible that he was brought back across and that we all are responsible?"

 

"Divia was my master.  She is dead."  La Croix shouted.  "And I will thank you, Nicholas and Clarisse, to remember that you are my creations and not the other way around."

 

"That may be true, Lucius."  Lady Zera said.  "However, it is probable that you are also now their creation as well.  In a sense, you belong to all of us, too."

 

"LUCIEN LACROIX HAS NO MASTER!  I will not have it.  DOCTOR! Undo this ... this abomination that you have thrust upon me.  Undo it now!"

 

"I don't see how it can be undone."  Tom said shaking his head.

 

"Then re-drain me and transfuse me with the blood of only one vampire.  Make it one who is at least as powerful as I am."

 

"If I were to do that in your condition, it would probably kill you."

 

"I would rather be dead than have multiple masters.  I will not be beholden to a ... a committee."

 

"I do not think you will be beholden to anyone."  Lady Zera interrupted.  "If you would let me finish, I sensed many of us in your blood.  No one individual is dominant.  It is very conceivable that you still have no master, but that we are all equal."

 

"Well, at least some of us are equal."  LaCroix growled disdainfully.   

 

**********

 

Toni gently held her mother's hand so as not to disturb the IV tube that fed an array of liquids into her. Tracy stood on the other side of the bed with her hand on her friend's right hand.  Robyn's right shoulder and chest were covered with bandages.  A breathing tube snaked from her nose to an oxygen tank.  Another wire was connected to a heart monitor.  It beeped with reassuring regularity.

 

Slowly, the woman's eyelids fluttered and one eye lazily opened.  A few seconds later, the other eye followed suit.  She blinked to focus.  Then she smiled weakly at the sight of her daughter and her best friend standing there.

 

"Hi, Mom."  Toni said with a smile.  "Welcome back to the land of the living.  We've been worried."

 

"Thanks.  I was a little worried myself for a while."  Robyn whispered hoarsely.

 

"Don't try to talk now."  Tracy said softly.  "There'll be plenty of time for that later.  Just rest."

 

"Lucien ...?"

 

"Nick, Clarissa, and Jeb are with him now.  As soon as there is any word, we'll let you know."

 

Tom Nichols came into the room carrying a clipboard full of papers.  "I see that my favorite patient has regained consciousness.  Welcome back."  He took her left hand from Toni and placed his fingers on the pulse point.  He gazed at his wristwatch and counted the beats.  "Seventy six.  Right where it should be."  He said.  He put his stethoscope to her chest and listened.  "Strong and regular.  No sign of fluids in the lungs either. "  He checked her eyes, flashing a pocket flashlight into them.  "A gorgeous shade of blue and responding very well."  He put the flashlight back in his lab coat pocket and picked up the clipboard from the bedside table and made a few notes on it.  "In light of all of this, I  think I can officially pronounce you out of danger."  He said as he planted a small peck on her cheek.  Robyn blushed deeply.  "Ah!" The doctor said smiling broadly.  "Another good sign.  A healthy blood supply to the face and head."

 

Robyn blushed even more.  "Lucien ... ?"  Her voice was even a little stronger.

 

" ... Has also regained consciousness.  He's going to make it, too.  He's even back to being his cantankerous old self."

 

"Can I see him?"

 

"Not yet.  Maybe later tonight or tomorrow.  Right now, I want you to get plenty of sleep and get well."     

 

**********

 

"It has been an interesting few days."  LaCroix said to his son.  He had regained some of his strength and his wounds, at least on the surface, were nearly healed.  According to Dr. Nichols though, there was still much internal damage that would have to heal before he could pronounce the elder vampire recovered.

 

Nick and Toni had stayed at the Maison since their respective parents had been brought from the abandoned store on Fourth Street three days earlier.  Their children had really enjoyed their 'vacation' with 'Aunt' Miriam and 'Uncle' Morris and the Feldmans enjoyed spoiling the kids rotten. 

 

Many of the other vampires had also dropped in on occasion to check up on their newest 'child'.

 

"Yes, it has."  Nick replied.  "We've been getting reports from all over the Community.  When word got out about what Franz had done to you and Robyn, many of his supporters left him in disgust.  From what I've been told, I don't believe he has more than a dozen with him now.  Of course, these are the hard-core rebels.  I also understand they just disappeared from the face of the earth.  No one has seen or heard from them since they fled the Mitchell Building.  I've questioned Aristotle and Larry Merlin. They swear that they did not provide new identities for any of them.  It may not be easy to find them now."

 

"He will show up eventually."  LaCroix said.  "And when he does, I'll be waiting for him."

 

"WE will be waiting for him."  Nick corrected.  "After all, you are the one that always said that family takes care of family."

 

"Yes, I did, didn't I?."  He paused for a moment.  "Either I have been associating with you too much, and your philosophies are beginning to rub off on me, or old age is beginning to creep up on me.  I do not seem to mind having multiple masters as much as I thought I would.  In fact, it's rather ... unique ... And I always did think of myself as ... unique.  In addition, it gives me that many more people to harass." 

 

A huge grin spread across his face as he looked to the door.  There, in a wheelchair was Robyn.   She, too had a broad smile.

 

"She threatened to stake me if I didn't do this."  Rico lamely explained.  From the look on his face, though, it did not take much threatening to get him to comply.

 

Robyn tried to rise, but Rico gently restrained her.  He did push the chair until it was next to the bed.  LaCroix reached down and took her hand in his.  The electricity fairly crackled when their eyes met.

 

Nick looked at Toni and Rico.  He nodded and the trio silently left the room  Toni doubted that her mother and father in law even realized they were there or that they had left.

 

"I am definitely going to have a talk with LaCroix."  Nick whispered to Toni. 

 

"Yeah.  Ain't love grand?"  She reached over and kissed her husband gently on the cheek.

 

**********

 

Less than a week later, a black limousine pulled up to LaCroix's apartment. Behind it was the Caddy.  An attendant in an orderly's uniform got out of the front of the limo and took a wheelchair from the trunk.  He then opened the rear door and helped Robyn into the chair.  Nick, Clarissa and Toni got out of the Caddy and Nick and Clarissa put their arms around LaCroix's waist to steady him as he exited the car.      

 

"This is not really necessary."  Robyn protested as the attendant wheeled her to the door.

 

"Yes it is, my dear."  LaCroix said.  "Doctor Nichols said that you are not to exert yourself and he swore me to see that his orders are carried out."

 

"That's funny.  He told me the same thing about you.  I guess we will have to spend the next few weeks making sure that we keep each other relaxed."

 

"And I know many interesting ways to relax you."  He said as he slipped the key into the lock of his door.

 

"Now, now, kiddies."  Nick said with a twinkle in his eyes.  "Be good."

 

"Oh, we'll be good."  LaCroix answered, a very mischievous gleam in his eyes.  "We'll be very  good." 

 

"Very ... Very ... Good."  Robyn repeated.  The same gleam was in her eyes.

 

**********

 

In the deep shadows across the street, a dark figure watched the scene.  "This is not over, Lucien LaCroix.  You have not won.  You never will.  I will destroy you and all you hold dear."  Franz whispered to himself.

 

**********

The End

Not by a long shot.