Forever Knight

They're Killing The Vampires

"Milos, give me another one.  This time make it a double."  Preston Widgett slid his glass across the bar.  "On second thought, just leave the bottle."

He and several of the Vampire Community of Los Angeles were at the After Sunset Restaurant to congratulate him on his upcoming appearance on the Tonight show.  He was to be the Featured Guest in connection with the publicity campaign for Preston's new TV show, 'Love Bites'.

"I think you've had enough."  Clarissa La Pont, the owner of the restaurant said.  "That's your fourth bottle of bloodwine ... and I'm not counting the three cans of Red Deer Wild that you guzzled as chasers."

"I guess you're right."  The vampire comedian said.  "It's just that I'm nervous about tomorrow.  I mean, wouldn't you be scared if you knew you were going to make an ass of yourself in front of three or four million people?"

"Come on, Pres ... "  Roland Henley, his manager said, putting his arm on his client and friend's shoulder.  "You've worked tougher audiences before.  After all, you were the Court Jester to Edward the Third.   At least if you're not funny, NBC won't hang you."

Preston thought for a moment.  "I guess you're right there."

"Just don't do your Henry the Eighth routine."

"But it's one of my best ones.  I've already scheduled it."

"Why not do the President instead?"

"But Henry's a lot funnier than Dubya."

"You can always do Henry and substitute Bill Clinton."  Clarissa suggested.  "The punch lines will still be the same."

"You know, you've got a point there.  Want to join my writing staff?"  Preston winked at the lovely owner.

"Oh, and another thing."  Roland cautioned.  "Don't do the Nightcrawler."

"Rolly!"  Preston objected.  "You're gutting my whole routine."

"It's just that I doubt anyone outside the Community will know what you're talking about."

"But he's syndicated.  Everyone knows the Nightcrawler."  Preston launched into a surprisingly accurate Lucien LaCroix.  "Greetings, my children of the night, I am the Nightcrawler.  I am with you always."

"Just do not do it."  A voice behind him said ... or rather hissed.

Preston looked into the scowling face of Lucien LaCroix.  He swallowed.  Hard.  "All right.  You win.  I won't do it.  As a matter of fact, I am thinking about pulling out all together."

"You can't do that. You know how much this means to the Community."  Nick Knight said.  "Think of the audience in their underwear.  I heard that works."

"I tried that.  It's not funny."

"How about picturing everybody wearing boxer shorts."  Jeb Puckett commented.  "You know, large floppy boxer shorts.  With lots of big red hearts all over them."

Preston grinned at the thought of Jay Leno dressed only in boxers with hearts on them.

"That's much better."  Clarissa said, putting her arm around the funnyman.  "Just hold that thought."

**********

The limousine pulled up to Preston's building at 2. Although the Tonight Show aired at 11:30 PM, the taping took place starting at 4:30.  The limo was as he requested.  The windows were severely darkened.  He quickly ran from the apartment entrance to the car, thankful that the driver was holding the door.  He settled into the back seat and the car took off to the station.  He checked in the mirror mounted on the overhead in the back of the driver's seat.  Even though he was in the sun for less than a minute, his face and hands were red, and small blisters were on his cheeks.  He had fed well before leaving, and by the time they reached the studio, most of the effects would be gone.

"So."  He asked the driver.  "What's Jay Leno like to work for?"

"How should I know?"  The driver said as he turned onto the Hollywood Freeway.  "I'm hired by the studio to drive the guests.  The bigwigs all have their own drivers.  Ask me about Big Bad Daddy."  The driver rolled his eyes.  "The stories I could tell.  He's a real character, he is.  I remember the time he and his girlfriend did it in the back seat.  At a red light, yet.  They were done before it turned green.  Talk about a quickie.

Then there was the time ... "

Preston tuned him out.  It was one of the more useful abilities that comes with being a vampire.

**********

"Phone call, Toni." Jenkins, the computerized voice of the smart house said.  "It's Mike Taylor."

"Thangs, Jengins.  I'll tage id here."  Toni Knight said from the bedroom. " Heddo Bike."

"You don't sound so good."  Mike said.

"I gob de fwew.  Whad's ub?"

"That's why I'm calling. So does half the precinct.  It hit the day shift really bad.  Only three of them showed up.  Ganlon's mobilizing everybody that is still vertical to fill in the gaps."

"That leds Nick out.  Hed's horizondal.  Dead to da worlbd.  Libterally."

Well, resurrect him."

"Nick."  Toni called, shaking her husband gently. No response.  He was laying in a modified fetal position with his right arm flung across the pillow. "N-i-i-ck ... "   She kissed him lightly.  He murmured something and gripped the pillow more tightly.   "Nicky, honey.  Wake up."  She cooed, running her index finger along the path of his jugular vein.

"Oh! Oui!  Oui!  Faites encore cela`! (Oh!  Yes! Yes!  Do that again!)" He moaned.  Toni ran her tongue around his ear and then gently blew on the wet surface.  His eyes were tightly closed and his fangs were fully distended.  With a low growl, he sank them into the pillow.

His eyes snapped open.  They were gold.  "Y-E-E-C-H!"  He shouted as he spat out a clump of polyfill.  There were twin holes in the pillow where he had dug in his fangs.

"Mige's on de vone."  She said, handing the receiver to him.

"Nick.  You okay?"  Mike asked as Nick took the phone.

"Yeah.  I just found out that a pillow doesn't taste very good.  Don't ask stupid questions."  He said, still pulling strands of fiber from his mouth. 

"Why were you eating the pillow?"

"Didn't I tell you not to ask stupid questions?   Haven't you ever acted out an erotic dream?"

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds.  "Oh yeah.  Tracy told me about vampire sex.  Why didn't you bite Toni?"

"She wasn't there."

"Well, the reason I called was that the flu hit day shift with a vengeance.  Mids covered half the shift and Evenings gets to cover the rest. Ganlon wants everyone in ASAP."

Nick looked at the clock.  "It's only two thirty.  You know I can't leave until almost twilight.  That's at least six hours away."

"You know that, and I know that, but I don't think Ganlon is going to accept the excuse that you're a vampire.  He says you'll be in if they have to bring you in packed in an airtight drum.  Tell you what.  I'll swing by the house and I'll drive the Caddy.  You can ride in the trunk."

"Better yet, I'll meet you at the station."

"How are you gonna do that?"

"You'll see."

"You better be there or Ganlon's gonna ream both our asses with a red hot poker."

"Aye. Aye. Sir."  Nick gave a mock salute as he hung up the phone.  "There's only one more problem."  He pointed to the prominent tenting of his pajama bottoms.  "You did it.  Now you get to take care of it."

"I'll start a gold zhower and gwab you a bottle.  That should tage care of it until you geb home."

"Ah!  But when I get home ... "  He nibbled at the base of her neck.  "You're gonna get it."

"Y-e-a-a-h!"

**********

Mike pulled into the Precinct parking lot.  Seconds later, he saw the green Caddy pull in.  His eyes went large.  There, behind the wheel was Nick.  He double checked.  It was definitely Nick.  He checked his watch.  It was 3:18

"Nick!  You're out in the daylight!  How's that possible?"  Mike said as he approached.

"Meet Nick2."  The driver said extending his hand. 

"Nick2?"

"I'm in the trunk.  Nick2 is an animatronic robot.  I control him with a virtual remote.  I'll explain the details later, just suffice it to say that through him, I can drive the car from back here.  Get in and I'll show you."

"That's astounding.  If you hadn't said anything, I'd never have guessed. A real android.  Amazing."

"Not exactly.  I can only control his upper body.  His legs are just for show.  He can't leave the car and he can't act on his own."

"Still ... "

"2 Tango 25 ... 2 Tango 25."  The police radio sounded.

"You're going to have to answer that."  Nick said.  "He doesn't have quite that much manual dexterity ... yet."

"2 Tango 25."  Mike replied.

"2 Tango 25. Report to the NBC studios.  3000 West Alameda.  Possible car bombing."

"Copy dispatch.  2 Tango 25 out."  Mike replaced the microphone on its holder.  "Got that, Nick?  Can you drive there, or do you want me to do the honors?"

"I probably could handle it, but I think we'll make better time if you do the driving.  Just fold Nick2 into the duffel bag on the back seat."  Nick said through Nick2.

**********

As they pulled onto the guest parking lot of the NBC studios, Mike could see that there were numerous emergency vehicles clustered around a gray limousine near the entrance portico.  A fire engine was pouring water into the rear seat area of the car.  The acrid smell of smoke and burnt flesh hung heavy in the air.  Several EMT technicians were treating the driver of the limo and a few others for burns and miscellaneous injuries.  The coroner's van sat over to one side of the scene.

"Nick."  Mike said into the almost microscopic microphone in his earpiece.  "The sun's too bright and there's too much humanity for me to let you out here.  I'm going to pull up to the entrance.  There's an overhang there.  You can use that to scoot inside.  After I check what's going on here, I'll send the witnesses into the lobby for you to interview."

"Sounds good to me."  Nick replied.

Ten minutes later, Mike came to the improvised interrogation room that Nick had set up in the lobby of the studio.  One of the managers had let him use an empty office to interview the witnesses and other appropriate people.  "Forensics is almost positive that it had to be an incendiary device of some kind.  As near as we can tell, only one victim.  According to the driver, his name was Preston Widgett."

Nick blanched visibly at the name, turning even paler than usual.

"You know him?"  Mike asked.

**********

Hogelsworth, England 1343

Nicholas, Janette and LaCroix sat at the rear of the Silent Woman tavern.  There was enough diversion that no one seemed to notice that they weren't eating or drinking.  Although each had full goblets in front of them, they were filled with a beverage that was not from the wine cellar.

"Ah!"  LaCroix said, a satisfied smile on his face.  "I do like it when I have a variety to choose from.  Which of these lucky patrons shall be our evening repast?"

"I am rather partial to the young lad over there.  The one with the feather in his cap."  Janette said, pointing to a scholarly looking young man seated at one of the tables.

"You would be."  Nicholas said.  "Personally, I think that the serving maid looks to be a very tasty meal.  I wouldn't mind feasting on her."

"Nicholah!"  Janette admonished.  "Must you always think with your groin?"  She gave him a playful swat across the shoulder.

"And you're choice was purely platonic?"  He teased back.

Across the room, the tavern owner was facing down one of the patrons.

" ... A moment, Kind Sir."  The patron said.  "I seem to be a little short of ready cash for my meal."

The owner roughly pulled him to his feet by his collar.

"Ulp!"  The patron swallowed hard.  He reached into a large canvas bag at his feet and pulled out a lute.  "If you will give me but a few moments, Gracious Sir, I shall surely have the necessary funds." 

The song and dance routine that followed was well received by the other customers and they showed their appreciation accordingly.  At its end, the patron had accumulated enough coins not only to pay this bill, but also to see him for a few more meals.

As he finished settling with the owner, three armed and angry looking warders barged through the front door.  The hapless patron started for the back exit just as two more warders entered there.

He looked around quickly.  Apparently, the guards had not spotted him ... yet. 

"Gracious Lady.  Kind Sirs.  By your leave."  He hurriedly ducked under the table where the three vampires were seated.

"Well."  LaCroix said, a sinister twinkle in his eye.  "It appears that our dinner has, indeed, been served."

"Where is he?"  The apparent leader of the warders announced loudly.

"Where is who?"  The innkeeper asked.

"That slimy weasel of a Jester.  We know he is somewhere in this area and we are searching every pub and inn until we find him."  He growled.

"And what do you intend to do when you find him?"  Janette asked timidly.

The chief warder came to the table. He bowed ever so slightly to the obviously noble trio. Janette shifted slightly so that her voluminous skirts were covering the quaking comedian.

"That, Milady, is not for you to concern yourself, but if you must know, we will separate his mangy head from the rest of his scrawny body."

"Why, pray tell?"

"He has dared to make advances to the wife of Lord Osterwand.  That's why."

"The daughter in law of The Earl of Hogelsworth?"  LaCroix asked.  "He dared to proposition her?"

"The very same.  His Lordship has ordered him punished for such an adulterous act."

"Well, as you can plainly see, he is not here."  Nicholas added.  He stood, placed his hand on the warder's shoulder and gazed hypnotically into his eyes.  "Perhaps you will have better luck at the Blue Dragon Inn."

"Not here."  The warder repeated.  "Try the Blue Dragon."  Slowly he turned and motioned his men to follow him out the door. 

**********

Los Angeles

Nick only nodded numbly.  "A friend."  He said flatly.

"Oh."  He paused.  "You want to continue or do you want me to ask for another interrogating officer?"

"It's okay."  Nick said, pulling his mask of calm back in place.  "I think I had better take this one.  He is ... or rather he was ... one of the ... Community."

"Are you sure you can handle it?"

Nick nodded.  The color, what little there was, had started returning to his face.

"Okay then.  That is Joseph Mulberry, the driver of the limo."  He indicated a smallish black man standing in the lobby.  The sleeves of the man's jacket were singed and his hands were heavily bandaged.

"When I pulled up to the entrance, someone ran out of the lobby."  The driver began after he had taken a seat at the table.  "I thought it was one of the studio staff.  He knocked on the limo window.  When I rolled it down, he reached in and I don't know ... I felt a sting on my neck and the next thing I know, the car doors were locked and Widgett was enveloped in a ball of flames.  That's when these guys from N'Syncop, you know, the singing group, came over.  One of them busted out the window and pulled me out of the car.  I was too groggy to get out on my own.  Me and some of the guys from N'Syncop tried to put the flames out, but it was too much for us.  Both Jason Timberstream and me got second degree burns.  That other guy got a cut hand from breaking the window.  At least we were luckier than Widgett.  There wasn't much left of him.  Just some ashes and bone fragments."

"Can you describe the man who did this?"

The driver thought for a long moment and then shook his head slowly.  "I'm sorry, Detective.  It happened too quick.  All I remember was that he was a white man.  I can't even describe him real good."

"Could I talk with the N'Syncop group."  Nick asked Mike after the driver had left.

Several minutes later, a dark haired young man come into the lobby.  He was pasty faced and shaking and seemed to be even paler than Nick. 

"Hello Detective Knight."  He said extending his hand.  "I'm J.C. Chavez.  Detective Taylor said you wanted to talk to N'Syncop."  He said hesitantly.  "The others sort of elected me to be their spokesman.  If that's all right with you."

"That's fine.  At least for now."  Nick said taking the young man's hand.  J.C.'s palm was sweaty and cool.  He appeared to be on the edge of shock.  "If we need to talk to any of the others, we'll call them in."  He motioned to a chair.  "Have a seat.  You don't mind if I record this, do you?"

J.C. nodded assent.   He played nervously with the edge of his shirt as Nick turned on a small tape recorder.  "Okay, but you're gonna have to have a lot of patience with me.  I'm still all shook up over this.  It was one of the most bizarre things I've ever seen.  We ... That is the guys in N'Syncop ... we got here at about 2:45.  When we pulled in, Jason and Chris ... Jason Timberstream and Chris Fitzpatrick, that is ... seen flames and smoke coming out of the limo over there.  So they got out and ran over to it.  According to them, the doors to the limo were locked.  Chris busted out the window and then he and Jason got the driver out.  They tried to get Widgett out too, but the smoke and the heat was too much for them.  Chris yelled for the rest of us to come and help them.  By that time, the flames were starting to die down. 

Then Lanny ... Bassett ... and Jimmy Fatelli ... ran to the car.  I didn't go.  I got this here weak stomach, you see.  When he looked in, Lannny backed away and then he started to throw up all over the place.  I guess he has a weak stomach, too.  According to Chris and Jason, all that was left of this Preston Widgett guy was not much more than this pile of ashes.  They said that it was really freaky.  Nothing left but ashes.  I hope they find out who did this soon.  I'd hate to think there's some sicko out there wasting stars.  Weird.  Something really weird is going on.  That's what happened.  That's all I know."

"Did you see anyone around the limo?"

"No.  Just the driver."

"Thank you, Mr. Chavez.  I don't think there's anything more that I need to know right now."

J.C. rose, rather unsteadily.  Just as he opened the door to leave, a flash popped in his face.  "Edger Rathman, National Peeper."  The ferret faced reporter said as he snapped another picture.  "Do you have a statement?"  He held a microcassette recorder in J.C.'s face.

"No way, man."  J.C. said as he pushed the man aside. 

Rathman walked into the room and shut the door behind him.  He shoved the recorder into Nick's face.  "And what about you, Detec ... "  He winced as he realized who was sitting at the table.  "Oh. Hello, Sergeant Knight."  He squeaked.

Nick looked squarely into the beady eyes of the tabloid reporter.  He concentrated on his heartbeat.  "There is no story here."  He said softly.  "Go home."

"No story ... Go home. "  Rathman repeated.

"Hey, Nick, I just heard that Ratface was in the ... Oops."  Mike said as he opened the door to the makeshift office.

With that, Nick's concentration was broken.

"No story, eh?"  Rathman said.  "What do you mean no story?  The star of one of the hottest new shows of the season has been burned alive in broad daylight and you say there's no story?  What kind of idiot do you think I am?"  He turned off his recorder and stuck it in his pocket.

Nick fought to suppress the smile that was threatening to erupt.  He was sorely tempted to answer that question.  He stole a look at Mike.  From the expression on his partner's face, he knew he was thinking the same thing.

"If you cops want to go sticking your head in the sand, go right ahead."  Rathman continued.  "Me, I'm gonna interview everyone from the CEO right on down to the cleaning lady until I get to the bottom of this.  I can just see next week's headline.  'COPS DENY ANY WRONGDOING IN COMEDIAN'S DEATH'."  With that, he turned and left.

"I'm sorry.  I didn't know he was in the room."  Mike said.

"That's all right."  Nick answered.  "He'll get his story sooner or later.  I was just trying to delay the inevitable.  I know that the legitimate media have been on the scene from the first.  That's okay with me, but crud like Ratface and his rag mag toadies make my skin crawl."

"The only bad thing about this is that Ganlon is going to have a cat with a wire tail when the Peeper hits the stands."

"Doesn't he always?"  Nick said with a half smile.  "Now, who's next on the list of witnesses?"

The others from Syncop told basically the same story as J.C.

It was well after sunset when they finished interviewing all the witnesses and others who had wanted to make a statement.  Unfortunately, they had not learned anything that they did not already know.  None of the staff seemed to know who had gone to the limo. Although several had seen the man, no one was able to give an accurate description.  Everyone generally agreed that he was Caucasian, possibly Hispanic, about 30 to 35, with black hair, and medium height and build.  No one could give any specific details.

The regular greeter, Carlos Montoyez, swore that he wasn't anywhere near the car and he had three witnesses who were in the men's room with him at the time.  Without a better description of the suspected arsonist, it was impossible to follow up.

**********

Lucien LaCroix paced nervously, his cool calm mask of indifference shattered by the vibrations he was feeling.  He had an ill-defined feeling of dread since he awakened, but it had grown geometrically in the past hour.  Something was wrong, horribly wrong.  He gently cast his mind to his children.  Clarisse was upset, as was Nicholas, but they were not the cause of these feelings. He reached for Robyn.  She too, was all right.  Toni and the kids were okay as well.  Even Jeb was safe.  Something else.  He had the vague feeling it had something to do with family.  He didn't like it. 

He could have probed Nicholas and Clarisse further, but he was reluctant to do that.  Several years ago, he would have done it without a second's hesitation, but now, he respected their privacy too much to intrude.  If there were any danger, they would let him know.  One way or another.

The phone ringing nearly caused him to jump out of his skin.  It was Nicholas.

"I called to let you know there's been a horrible killing.  It was one of us.  I thought I had better tell you before you hear it from anyone else.  Preston Widgett has been murdered."

LaCroix let a small sigh of relief.  Perhaps that was what he had been feeling.  After all, Preston was one of the most liked members of the Community, and in a sense, was family.  Maybe he was feeling Nicholas's anxieties about this.  Something in the back of his mind told him that this was not the case.

**********

Hogelsworth

"They have gone."  Janette whispered.

"Thank you, Gracious Lady."  The man said as he crawled out from under the table.  "You have the eternal gratitude of Preston of Carder.  Poet, Minstrel, and Jester to the court of our gracious King Edward."  He made a sweeping bow before them.

"If I may."  LaCroix said with a hint of irritation.  "Why was one of your status attempting to seduce the Lady Gertrude?"

"Surely you jest, Milord.  Have you seen the Lady Osterwand?  She has a countenance that would stop a plow horse in its tracks, and a figure that requires the services of the tentmaker to clothe.  Rumor is that the Lord makes her wear a sack on her head before intimate relations.  The only reason Lord Denis married her in the first place was because it was to his advantage.  Sir Chester of Parmian has no male heirs, so when he dies, his more than adequate holdings will go to the Lady Gertrude, but only if she is married.  That, and the fact that she came with a most extravagant dowry went a long way to make up what she lacks in appearance."

"Then why would Lord Denis think you were paying attention to his wife."

"He came at a most inopportune time.  I was merely attempting to remove a speck of soot from her eye.  Before I could explain, he started yelling and threatening me.  He is a most cruel and hateful man.  He jealously guards all his possessions, and he treats the Lady as though she were one of them.  In fear of my life, I ran.  It was he who set the guards on me.  I assure you Milords, I had no intentions toward the Lady.  I may be a jester, but I'm no fool."

"What shall you do now?"  Janette asked.

"I do not know, Milady.  I cannot return to the manor.  My Liege has already departed for London.  I was to follow him later today.  If I do that, the warders will only find me and drag me back here.  I guess I shall spend the night in the public stables.  I do not believe they will think to look for me there.  With the morrow, I shall attempt to make my way to the coast.  If I can find passage to the mainland, I have some friends in the Baltic lands that will take me in."

**********

Los Angeles

The Tonight Show producers had decided to go ahead and tape the show as a tribute to Preston Widgett, and Nick and Mike were interviewed as part of the show.

"You seem very quiet, Nick."  Mike observed as they rode back to the station.

"I was thinking about Preston.  He was a fine comedian and a really great guy.  You know, he was really looking forward to this year.  This show, 'Love Bites, was to be a sort of coming out party for us.  It was to test the waters, so to speak.  The Council hoped that it would do the same thing for vampires that 'Bewitched' did for witches.  Now, I guess the powers that be will have to pull the show.  It's hard to do a series without a star."  

"Can't they get somebody else to play the role?"

"The High Council is fronting most of the money for the production ... through dummy organizations, of course. They want one of us to play the lead.  Unfortunately, at this point, Preston was the only one who had the necessary qualifications.  Even so, it would take major reworking to cast a newcomer.  Seven episodes have already been completed.  Unfortunately, that's not enough for this season.  They would have to be reshot.  That almost guarantees that it would be at least next season before it could even air.  Then you have the networks, producers, sponsors, other actors, legalities, and a thousand more things to consider."

"I didn't think it would be that complicated."

"Neither did I until Toni started working on the project."

*********

He pulled into the police auto impound lot.  "Good evening Officer ... O'Riley."  Nick read the name from the plate.  "I want to examine the limousine that was brought in from the NBC lot."  Nick told him.  The officer handed him a clipboard to sign and took a key from the rack behind him.

"Has anything been touched on this vehicle?"  Mike asked the officer.

"Detectives!"  Officer O'Riley answered indignantly.  "You know better than that.  Until Forensics gets through with it, no one ... repeat, no one touches it without express written permission.  Not even me.  That includes you two."  He stood between Nick and Mike and the car.

"That's all right, O'Riley."  Nick said.  "I've already seen what I need to see."  He turned and headed out of the lot.

"Well?"  Mike asked as they pulled back onto the roadway.

"It wasn't arson."

"You're sure."

Nick nodded.

"Well then, what was it?"

"There didn't seem to be any of the usual signs of an incendiary device.  Only the area around where Preston was sitting is burned, and the front seat is scorched but not burned excessively.  If it had been a bomb, there wouldn't have been much of the interior, or the car itself, that was still intact.  Also, the sunroof was open and from what the driver said, the doors were locked.  Preston was trapped inside.  Somebody knew what he was and what would kill him.  I think we may be dealing with a hunter."

"A hunter?  You're positive?"

"It all fits.  That's the only conclusion I can come to.  Just to be on the safe side, I'm going to contact Liam O'Neil and find out whether he knows of any hunters in this area."

"But Liam's in Ireland."

"True, but since he helped Nattie with her heart condition, he's built a network to identify and track hunters.  Not only for their good, but for the vampires as well."

**********

Dave Parklance sat in his office at the Weekly Browser.  He checked the copy on his terminal.  'How To Tell If There Really Are Vampires'.  In place of the typical Dracula type figure with glowing eyes and long bloody fangs, there was a picture of an average man.  The questions weren't the usual scary ones most tabloids were famous for either.  Instead they were positive and upbeat.  He nodded, satisfied.  Yes, the Council would approve.  He hit the save key and wrote the article to a floppy.  He removed it and stuck it in his desk drawer.  The article wasn't quite ready to go to press yet.  He wanted to run it by some of the elders of the Community before publishing it.  He pulled up the front page for this week's edition.  It still needed some fine tuning before it was put to bed.

In the lobby of the Browser, the guard leaned back in his chair and put his feet on the desk.  Except for Parklance and the cleaning crew, the building was deserted.  It seemed that the editor was the only one of the staff that worked late every evening.  If he followed his normal pattern, he wouldn't leave until sometime after 3 AM.  He glanced at his watch.  11:30.  He could get in a really good nap.  He felt a sharp pain at the base of his neck, almost like an animal bite of some kind.  Then the world faded to black.

**********

The officers thronged in the lobby parted as Mike and Nick entered.   "Name's Everett Clasterman. 64.  Male.  Caucasian.  Guard for the Browser.  TOD about two to three hours ago.  At least that's what Dr. McCoy says."  Officer York said as he showed the body bag that held the corpse of the guard to the two detectives.  "According to the coroner, death was caused by some kind of animal attack."  He handed the detectives a stack of notepapers and unzipped the area around the head.  The guard's neck had been torn away and the area was covered in blood.  "McCoy's upstairs with the other victim."

**********

In the Editor's office, Mike turned away from the headless body.  He looked positively green around the gills.  Nick only stared, but he didn't seem to be in any better shape than his partner. 

Dr. Quincy McCoy was at the desk examining the remains of the late editor of the Browser. "David Parklance.  Age 39.  Male.  Caucasian.  Definitely death by decapitation."  He said.  "There doesn't appear to be any signs of a struggle, but it's hard to tell with all the clutter.  I'll know better once I've autopsied him.  I'm not a forensics expert, but it looks as if he was killed first and then someone ransacked the place looking for something.  From the looks of things, I don't think they found it."  Drawers and cabinets were opened, and the office was overflowing with papers

Out of the corner of his eye, Nick saw a familiar figure standing in the shadows.  He excused himself and walked toward the doorway.

"Meet me at your car."  Natalie Lambert whispered as she slowly dematerialized.

Nick found her sitting in the passenger seat. "Get in."  She ordered.

"Start writing."  She said as he settled in the driver's seat. Nick took out his notebook and a pencil.  In a matter of minutes, she had dictated a complete autopsy summery for David Parklance and for Everett Clasterman.  "I'm sure you know what to do with that."

"I think so.  After all, Parklance was a vampire, and if my suspicions are correct, Clasterman was killed by one."  Natalie nodded affirmative.   "If Dr. McCoy opens them, especially Parklance, there'll be more questions than there are answers." He commented.  "And if he waits too long to get to Parklance, there won't be anything to autopsy.  I was wondering how I was going to get around that little point.  One nice thing though, McCoy is not a resistor."

"Unfortunately, you can't say that about all the Coroners you've met."  Nat chided.

"And I'm thankful for that."  Nick said kissing her lightly on the cheek.  "Now you had better go before someone spots us and wonders why I'm slobbering over thin air."

Natalie began to fade.

"And thanks for this."  He stage whispered, holding up the notes.

"You're welcome."  The disembodied voice replied.

**********

" ... And here are your autopsy findings on David Parklance and Everett Clasterman."  Nick said to the Coroner. He had come to the morgue on the pretext of 'getting' the reports.  A few suggestions, and the man was in a deep trance.  He handed him the notes that Natalie had dictated. Strangely, the handwriting had transformed into Quincy McCoy's.  They showed that Dave Parklance was a reasonably healthy thirty eight year old that had been decapitated. There were no other abnormalities.  Also according to the notes, his 'brother', Robert Parklance, had claimed the body when McCoy was finished with it.  He intended to have it cremated.

A large animal, possibly an attack dog, had killed Everett Clasterman, according to Natalie's notes.  She left the other details to be filled in by McCoy's autopsy of the body. 

As he was doing this, a team of vampires were removing the editor's body.  Although it had been only a few hours, it was already in a state of advanced decomposition. 

"You had better dictate your notes as soon as possible, while you still remember them."  He said, handing the Coroner a microcassette.  "Why don't you start with Parklance, since you're finished with him?"

"Autopsy findings for case number C1205837H34195, David Parklance ... " The McCoy began.

**********

"Penny for your thoughts."  Toni said as she ruffled her husband's hair.

"They aren't worth a penny.  In fact, they're not even worth the trouble to think them."  He sat at the kitchen table, his hands cupped over his chin.  He had been there most of the day, lost in thought, unable to sleep.

"It's Preston and David, isn't it?"  She said, gently massaging his back.  She could feel knots as large as walnuts at the base of his neck. "I understand you didn't know David very well, but I know that you and Preston were good friends.  This can't be an easy time for you."

He nodded slowly.  "That's a hell of a way to go."  He said softly.  "Both were killed in the worst way possible for a vampire.  I'm reasonably sure it wasn't a hunter.  Liam e-mailed me just before I left work.  As best as he could determine, there aren't any hunters anywhere near here.  In fact, according to him, the hunter community has more or less declared a moratorium until the Symposium Initiatives have had a chance to bear fruit."

"Then who would want to hurt either one of them?  They both were among the staunchest supporters of the new Code."

"I know.  That's what makes it so bizarre.  Something isn't right.  I felt it at the NBC site and again at the Browser.  I know that whoever killed Preston is mortal.  I think that the same person probably killed the guard and or Parklance, but I can't be sure.  Whatever these vibes are, they're almost familiar, but it's like they're just out of reach."

The massaging was having the desired effect.  Nick's muscles were beginning to relax and his eyes were starting to droop.

"You can work on it later.  Right now, I think it's time a certain vampire I know went beddy-bye."  Toni said, planting a kiss on the top of his head.

"Only if I can sleep with my favorite cuddle toy."

"And what, pray tell, would that be?"

"You."

"Are you insinuating that I'm just a toy for you?"  She said, playfully cuffing his shoulder.

"No way, my love.  You are the most beautiful, the sexiest, the most desirable woman I know.  And I'm head over heels in love with you."  He reached up and pulled her to him in a passionate embrace.

"And don't you forget it."  She returned his kisses.

"How can I, when I fall on love with you all over again every time I look at you."  He gave her his patented innocent-little-boy look.  His thoughts, however, were anything but innocent.

"I'm supposed to be working on a layout for Skin Pretty, but I guess I can take an extended break.  You know, that studio we put in the room off the den was the best thing we ever thought of.  Now I can work at home whenever I'm not feeling well, although I am feeling a lot better than I did yesterday."

"I'm glad to hear that.  With the crazy schedules we work, building that studio was the only way I was ever going to get to see you."  He said, as he led her to the bedroom.  "Now then, about the cuddling part.  I think you owe me something from yesterday.  And I'm ready to collect."  He nuzzled the base of her neck.  Gold flecks dotted his eyes

"I was wondering when you were going to get around to that."  Toni whispered in his ear as she wrapped her arm around his waist.  With her other hand, she fondled his tush.  It was only right, as he was doing the same to hers.  

**********

Hogelsworth

"You don't have to do this, Milady."  Preston said as he followed the vampires to their rooms.  "I can easily stay in the stables."

"Oh, but I do."  Janette said.  "You have such an extraordinary talent, and I would hate to see it snuffed out over a simple misunderstanding.  Besides, these accommodations are much more comfortable here than a stall.  I know that Nicholah and LaCroix won't mind sharing a room for a few days until this is all straightened out." 

Both Nicholas and LaCroix shot her withering stares. 

"Milord LaCroix here has business with the Earl of Hogelsworth tomorrow evening."  She continued.   "I am certain he will be more than willing to persuade the Earl to intervene with his son."

< I will not! >  LaCroix sent to his daughter.

< Yes you will! >  Janette sent back.  < For me .>  She looked at him plaintively.

LaCroix sighted heavily.  < For you. >  He could deny her nothing and she knew it.

**********

LaCroix returned to the rooms and threw his cloak heavily on the table.  In the living area, Janette, Nicholas, and Preston were dissolved in laughter.

"LaCroix!"  Janette said as the master vampire approached.  "You must sit with us and listen to some of the tales that Preston has to tell.  He has all the latest gossip from court."

"He does, does he?"  LaCroix said flatly.  "I have done as you asked.  The Earl of Hogelsworth has agreed to withdraw all the charges against you, Preston.  You are free to go."  He walked to the door and held it open.

"How can I ever repay your kindness on my behalf.  Gentle Lady."  The Jester placed a lingering kiss on the back of Janette's hand.  "Good Sirs."  He bowed low to the others as he exited.

"By never darkening our doors again."  LaCroix hissed sullenly at the retreating figure.

"LaCroix!"  Janette chided.  "How can you even think that?  He is one of the most charming men I have ever met."

"He is a MORTAL!"  LaCroix spat.  "And instead of having him for dinner, I have just spent two hours persuading the Earl to spare his wretched, pathetic little life.  If you don't mind, I am tired and I am hungry.  I shall be back ... Eventually."  He picked up his cloak and slammed the door after him.

**********

Los Angeles

"Don't get too settled in."  Mike said as Nick approached his desk.  "We've got another weird one over in Santa Monica. The underpass from I10 to Ocean."  He lowered his voice to a whisper.  " I think it may be another of your people.  According to the officers on the site, he was staked.  Right in the heart."

Nick blanched, if that were possible.  "Then what are we doing here.  Let's get to Ocean Ave."  He was out the door before Mike could stand up.

**********

As usual, there were multitudes of police and emergency vehicles at the scene, along with the usual bystanders and, of course, the media.  Mike and Nick had to practically plow their way through the crowd, using their badges as a symbolic bludgeon at times.

Quincy McCoy was just finishing the preliminary exam when they approached.  "Jaime Veraldez.  Male.  Hispanic.  Age 37. Death was caused by this."  He pointed to a wooden plant stake sticking out of the man's chest.

The area around the spike was saturated with blood, as was the ground.  Nick turned away just as his fangs started to descend.  He closed his eyes tightly, certain that they were gold. 

"Time of death was approximately an hour ago."  The coroner continued. "Those three boys over there ... "  He pointed to three youths talking to one of the officers.  " ... heard screams and ran into the underpass.  They didn't see anyone except the deceased.  According to their testimony, he died in their arms." 

He noticed that Nick was not observing the scene.  His back was turned and he had his hands over his face.  He seemed to be fighting something, possibly an upset stomach.  The coroner had seen this before at a particularly gruesome murder scene, but rarely in an officer as seasoned as Nick.  "You okay, Knight?"  He asked.  "Want me to get you something for that?"

"No, thanks."  Nick replied.  He pushed the vampire back and faced McCoy.  His fangs had retracted and his eyes were once again blue.  "Just something I ate coming back to haunt me.   Somehow, sauerkraut and pork and the sight of blood don't exactly go together."  He lied. "I'm all right now." 

McCoy seemed to buy that.  "Okay.  But if you need it, I have a supply of antacids, as well as several other things in the van to combat the queasiness.  In the meantime, why don't you sit this one out?  There's enough people here to take care of business.  No use you tossing your cookies all over the crime scene."

"I think I will."  Nick went back to the Caddy, grateful for the respite.

A few minutes later, Mike came to him.  "McCoy told me what happened.  I know it isn't easy seeing three of your people die in three days.  If you want, I'll take you back to the station or to your place.  I think I know enough doublespeak to cover any irregularities that might pop up here."

"That won't be necessary.  You won't have to cover anything.  Veraldez was mortal."

"You're sure?  Then why the stake through the heart?"

"Yes, I'm positive he was mortal.  And no, I have no idea why he was staked, unless someone wanted make it look like he was a vampire."

"A copycat?  Who would want to do that?  And why?"

"I have several ideas, but let's not discuss them here.  Too many uninitiated ears that might hear something they're not supposed to hear.  I don't think I could whammy the entire precinct into forgetting a misplaced comment."   Nick handed Mike the police microphone.  "You'd better call in and tell Davies that I'm sick and you're taking me home.  Thank goodness McCoy has already laid the groundwork for that."

**********

Mike pulled the Caddy to a stop in a deserted part of a nearby shopping mall.  "Okay, partner.  This seems to be a secure location.  What are your theories?"

"I know this is going to sound crazy, but I think that somebody is trying to attract attention."

"By killing people?"

Nick nodded.  "Stay with me, bizarre as it sounds.   I think that whoever is doing this intended to kill vampires.  I also have a gut feeling that Veraldez is the one who killed Preston and possibly Parklance and the guard.   I don't think he was acting on his own, though.  Then, whoever was controlling him killed him vampire style, possibly to shut him up."

Are you sure?"

Nick nodded.  ""I felt something strange at all the sites.  Almost like a vampire signature, but not quite.  It was as if the vampire was trying to mask himself.  I felt it again here, but this time it was much clearer."

"Sounds like you have an idea who did it."

"I do.  Franz."

"FRANZ?"

"It fits.  Both Widgett and Parklance were outspoken supporters of the Symposium Initiatives and the new Code.  'Love Bites' was going to be the first step out of the closet for us.  The Browser has been running a series of articles at various intervals putting vampires in a positive light.  Without the two of them, the movement is set back several years, possibly decades.  Franz and his supporters have vowed to do everything in their power to undermine the new Code.  We both know he is not above killing to achieve his goal."

"What about the Enforcers?  Can't they stop him?"

"I doubt it.  After he walked out of the Symposium, he went into deep hiding.  Every attempt to flush him out only drives him that much deeper.  In addition, he has quite a few former Enforcers in his camp.  Most Enforcers think of it as a job, and are willing to listen to reason.  Unfortunately, the ones with Franz really do enjoy torturing and killing, and to many of them, it doesn't really matter who or why.  If my sources are correct, these, and some radicals may be the only ones left in Franz's camp.  Most of the more reasonable vampires have deserted him long ago."

"I remember Franz, all right.  After what he did to you guys in Toronto, I've got a stake with his name on it."

"Get in line."  Nick's eyes were feral and his voice was husky.

"Cheez, Nick.  Don't Do That!  You almost made me do something that you'd have to get a new set of seatcovers to fix."

**********

" ... So, my children, what is there in your life that is so disconcerting?"  Lucien LaCroix's deep silky voice exuded over the airwaves.  "Are you faced with puzzlement?   A conundrum?  Do certain events make absolutely no sense to you, but at the same time seem perfectly logical?  Is this turn of events worrying you and causing you not a small bit of uneasiness?

The lines are open.  Tell me your worries.  I am, after all, the Nightcrawler.  I am here for you."  He opened the telephone connection and waited.  Within a few seconds, the callboard lit up.  He flicked the first line.

"It's my girlfriend."  The caller stated.  "She is nothing but a walking contradiction.  One minute she says something that leads me to think that we were meant to be together, then when I act on it, she practically throws me out of her life."

"And you are totally bewildered about what you did or did not do?"

"Uh huh."

"Is this your first serious relationship?"

"Well, sort of."

"How old are you?"

"Nineteen."

"Well, my young friend, welcome to the world of male-female relationships.  If I knew the answer to your predicament, I would have the undying gratitude of every man throughout history, single or married.  My only advice is to grin and bear it. The best thing you can do is to do nothing.  It is also the hardest.  Just let her know you are there for her.  That, and be thankful for the fact that she is a woman and you are a man."

He broke the connection. A smile crossed his lips for a fraction of a second.  He knew exactly how the youth felt.  Robyn.  She could lead him to distraction with practiced ease.  One minute, he thought he knew her completely.  The next, he was certain that the exquisitely captivating creature was a total stranger.  And he got the feeling that somehow he was to blame for whatever caused the change, though he did not have the slightest clue as to what he had … or had not done.

If he waited a few hours or a few days, things would be back to normal, whatever normal was in this ever changing relationship.  That was the most difficult lesson to learn.  To do nothing and let his volatile companion work things out in her own way and in her own time. 

As he was about to take another call, he felt something slamming into his subconscious.  It was Nicholas.  His anger and frustration were almost palpable.  There was a name to what he was feeling ...

FRANZ! 

LaCroix's mind reeled as memories of past encounters with the rebel vampire flooded over him. 

He queued a long playing album and strode out of the broadcast booth.  "If I am not back by the time that ends."  He told the sound engineer.  "Play the backup tape."

"What about this?"  The engineer said pointing to the numerous lights blinking on the callboard.  "These people are looking for answers."

"Answer them yourself."  He growled.

The engineer started to say something to the master vampire, but he found himself talking to an empty room.

**********

"Look Nick.  I didn't mean to tick you off.  I forgot you have first dibbies on that snake."  Mike said to his partner.

"He does not have ... as you say ... first dibbies ... I DO."  LaCroix growled.  His countenance was positively feral.

Mike yelled in surprise. Neither he nor Nick had heard the General approach the Caddy. Then, red faced, he turned to Nick.  "I'll pay for the new covers."  He whispered.

Nick sniffed loudly.  There was a pungent odor permeating the Cadillac.  "Damn straight you will."  He whispered back as reached for the controls to lower the top.

"Well, are we going to decide what to do about this ... thorn ... in our side?"  LaCroix demanded.

Nick opened the door.  "Perhaps we would be more comfortable back at the house.  Less of a chance of being spotted."

"I cannot go at this time.  I left in the middle of my broadcast.  If I do not return promptly, there is no telling what mischief the staff will get into.  As the saying goes, when the cat's away ... "

"I know you didn't arrive here in the normal way."  Nick said.  "Can I give you a lift back to the studio?"

"That is an excellent idea."  LaCroix started to enter the car, but took a deep breath and stood back up.  "On second thought, I shall return the way I came."  With a whoosh of air he was gone.

Mike shook his head slowly.  "Like father, like son."

**********

Jeb Puckett ambled into the garage at the raceway.  As was his custom, he wanted to inspect his car one last time before taking it out on the track.  Tomorrow morning was going to be the biggest day of his recent life.  ILM had completed the sunblocking mask, and he was going to wear it.  With a little bit of luck, and a lot of skilled driving, he was going to win his first race.  The thought made him a little giddy.  No more Second Place Puckett!

He heard a noise, indiscernible to mortal ears, but loud and clear to his enhanced vampire hearing.  It was from his car.  Someone was at it.  He knew that the mechanics had gone home long ago.  Carefully, he set his can of Red Deer down and levitated ever so slightly from the floor.  He didn't want to make any sounds that would frighten the intruder away.

As he glided around the side of the auto, he spotted the figure leaning over the open hood.  Carefully, he negotiated the few feet until he was behind him.  Then, he tapped the interloper on the shoulder.  Immediately, the man turned to face him.  His eyes were red and his long fangs were fully bared.

"Oh shit!"  Jeb swore as he backed a few steps away.  Suddenly, he felt, no, he knew, that this wasn't just an ordinary vampire, this was an Enforcer.  

Without a sound, the Enforcer sprang at Jeb.  Jeb easily sidestepped.  Although he was much more powerful than the hillbilly vampire, the Enforcer was accustomed to using brute strength and fear to subdue his opponents.  Jeb, on the other hand relied on quickness and good ol' boy tactics. 

"Look here."  Jeb said as he sidestepped another attempted attack.  "I ain't done nothing to break the Code."  The Enforcer swung again.  Jeb ducked.  "Can't you at least tell me what this is all about?"

The Enforcer only growled menacingly and dove for Jeb's midsection.  This time, Jeb wasn't quite fast enough and he connected.  Jeb felt several ribs snap as the Enforcer slammed him against his car.  Grimacing in pain, Jeb grabbed the Enforcer around the waist and rolled with the momentum.  He and his opponent sailed over the hood and landed on the cement floor.  This time the fracturing bones were in the Enforcer's body.

"Can't we discuss this like reasonable men?"  Jeb said, backpedaling furiously.  "I'm sure we can come to some kind of understandin'."   He jerked as a wrench whizzed past his right ear.

"If that's the way you're gonna play."  Jeb picked up a length of exhaust pipe from the equipment rack and hefted it.  It was just the right length and feel.  As the next object came hurtling toward him, he positioned himself and swung.  There was a clink as the pipe met the ball joint and a thunk as it connected with the startled Enforcer's skull.

"Line drive."  Jeb said aloud.  "Score one for the Ridge Runners."  He said as he approached the fallen vampire.  "You wanna play dirty, do you?"  He swung the pipe into the Enforcer's midsection.  More broken bones.  "You done picked on the wr-o-o-ng vampire.  I ain't even got started yet."

**********

"... We'll be there in a few minutes."  Nick said as he clicked his cell phone off.  "That was Jeb."  He said to Mike.  "Apparently there's been some kind of attack at the raceway.  From that he said, vampires, probably Enforcers are involved."

"Why don't you fly ahead?"  Mike replied.  "I'll take care of this ... " He pointed to the stained seat.  "And get a change of clothes and meet you there."

Nick was already out of the Caddy and into the air.

"I'll never get used to that."  Mike said as he watched his partner disappear into the atmosphere.  Thankfully, there were no observers nearby.

**********

Nick landed a short distance from the garage and cast out his senses.  He identified Jeb and another very powerful vampire in the garage.  Cautiously, he approached.  As he slid open the door, his mouth dropped. 

Jeb was sitting on an overturned wastebasket, sipping his can of Red Deer.  Across from him, a bruised and bloodied figure hung by the ankles from the hook of an engine hoist.  His hands and feet were bound with duct tape and a piece covered his mouth.  Jeb's T-shirt was bloodied and torn and there were streaks of dried blood on his face and neck.  He smiled as he saw Nick approach.  "Got one for ya."  He boasted.  "All strung up like a Thanksgiving turkey."  He pointed to the writhing figure.

"M-m-p-p-r-g-g-h" Muffled screams came from the makeshift gallows.

Nick started to remove the tape over the vampire's mouth.

"I wouldn't do that if'n I were you."  Jeb cautioned.  "He screeches pretty loud.  It was hurtin' my sensitive ears.  I had the devil's own time gettin' that stuff on him.  I finally had to whap him a couple a times to keep him still."  He held up the severely dented tailpipe.

"I just want to ask him some questions."  Nick replied.

"You can ask me. I wanted to see exactly who he was and why he attacked me.  So I bit him after it was all over.  Seems he ain't no Enforcer after all.  He was once, but he decided to follow that rebel Franz.  Franz is the one who sent him after me.  I have a funny feeling he's behind them other killings, too. You know, Widgett and Parklance."

"Jeb."  Nick said, a certain amount of pride in his voice. "You'd make a great detective.  Why don't you think about joining the force?"

Jeb hung his head and scratched his scalp.  "I don't think so.  While I ain't no criminal or nothin, I ain't exactly over fond of John Law, if you get my drift."  

"I have every reason to believe that Franz is behind this, too."  Nick told Jeb.  "Don't worry.  We'll get him.  This time I guarantee it."

"If you don't have any objections, I'd like to be in on that."  He pointed to his car.  There was a huge dent in the hood where he and the rogue enforcer had landed on it.  "It's gonna take me the rest of the night to fix that and the race starts at eleven.  I ain't gonna get no sleep, and you know how cranky I can get when I ain't had my beauty rest."  He said, smiling at his vampire 'uncle'.

 Nick returned the smile.  "Of course you can be in on it.  The more help we have, the better."

"What about him?"  Jeb said pointing to the strung up figure.

"We will handle it."  A voice said from behind him.   They both turned to face two men dressed in black.  There was no doubt they were Enforcers.  One of them, a black man, walked to the upside down figure and reached inside his jacket.  He pulled out a stake and with one swift motion drove it into the rogue's heart.  Throughout this, his expressionless features never changed. For all the difference it made, he could have been skewering a side of beef.   The other Enforcer turned to Nick.  It was as though he were waiting for instructions.

"Put him on the roof and let nature take its course."  Nick said.

The black Enforcer reached up and released the tow chain that held the corpse to the hoist.  He slung the end of the chain over his shoulder and dragged the body to the door.  The other one followed closely behind.

**********

Hogelsworth

Janette heard it first.  An incessant pounding.  From the sound of the heartbeat on the other side of the door, whoever was knocking was desperate.  She got up groggily and drew her dressing gown around her.  By this time, both Nicholas and LaCroix were awake as well. 

"Who dares disturb our sleep at this gods forsaken hour?"  The elder vampire snarled.  "They will pay dearly for it.  The sun is still up."

Janette opened the door slightly.  Preston of Carder burst through the opening, nearly flattening Nicholas in the process. LaCroix sidestepped quickly to avoid the sunlight streaming through the opening.  Janette hurriedly shut the door.

Preston fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around the Roman General's legs.  "Help me!  Gracious Sirs!  Good Lady!  I beg you!"  He pleaded in a high, terrified voice.  "They are after me!"

"Do not tell me you were foolish enough to go after the Lady Gertrude again."  LaCroix said as he pulled the trembling Jester to his feet.

"Nothing quite so mundane, Milord.  His Graciousness the Earl is dead.  Murdered in his sleep.  They think I did it."

"And ... " LaCroix prompted.

"And I swear to you on my grandmother's grave ... May she rest in peace ... That I had nothing to do with his death.  I could only kill him if he were a mean, cruel tyrant.  He is  ... he was ... one of the kindest, gentlest, most benevolent men I have ever met.  With the exception of my Liege the King, of course."  Preston stopped shaking slightly.  "His eldest son, Lord Osterwand, is another story altogether.  He is as ruthless and black hearted as his sire is good.  Him, I could kill without a second thought.  I do wish that the younger son, Sir Martin would inherit.  He is so much like his father. Unfortunately, he is furthering his education in the Florentine States."

"Why would they think that you killed the Earl?"  Nicholas asked.

"Because it was my dagger the manservant found imbedded in the Earl's chest."

"But you did not do it."  Janette said.

"I have already stated so.  I lost the dagger three days ago.  The same night that Lord Denis accused me of propositioning his wife."

"I believe him."  Janette said.  < I have been monitoring his heartbeat and it is steady.  He has not lied to us. >  She sent to her father.

And what would you have me do with him?"  LaCroix asked his daughter.

"Help him."

LaCroix permitted a sinister smile to spread across his face.  "Help him?  Why should I?  I have been negotiating with the Earl of Hogelsworth for a parcel of land on which to build a safe haven in this area.  Now, I must begin again with the new Earl.  If he is as hard as this wretch says he is, the negotiations will not be easy.  I have already angered him by intervening with the old Earl for this pathetic creature's life.  It would make my negotiations that much easier if I just handed him over. "

"But he is innocent."

"That is irrelevant.  I cannot aid everyone who is wrongly accused.  He is not my concern.  My negotiations for the house are."  LaCroix strode into his room and slammed the door after him.  "That is my final word on the subject."  He yelled through the closed door.

"It may be his final word."  Janette told the Jester.  "But it is not mine.  As soon as it is dark, we will see what we can find to clear your name."

"WE?"  Nicholas asked.

"Of course, Nicholah.  You don't think I'm going to be able to do this alone.  As much as I hate to admit it, there are still some things that a lady simply cannot to."

Nicholas rolled his eyes at his strong willed sister and went back to his room.

"You can take the couch."  Janette told Preston as she headed to her quarters. 

**********

Los Angeles

Jeb Puckett took a bag from the cooler beside him and opened his locker.  Taped to the door was a picture of Dale Earnhardt and Jeb, which had been taken several years before.  He carefully cut one of the tubes from the top of the bag and poured the contents into a travel mug.  "Well, Dale."  He said as he lifted the mug in salute to the picture.  "I told you that you'd be here when I won my first race, and in a very real sense, you will be there.  This here is a unit of blood that you donated at your last blood drive.  I pulled in a few favors and got a hold of it."  He took a sip.  "Wish me luck, Dale.  This one's for you."  He saluted the picture once more and then drained the mug. He pulled the sunblock mask on and then adjusted his helmet.  He zipped his Kevlar suit, and with a purposeful stride, he walked into the sunlight.

***********

Lucien LaCroix stood imperiously at the end of the After Sunset bar.  The waves of rage and frustration emanating from the master vampire were almost visible.  No one was sitting on at least three stools in either direction from him and the two tables nearest to the angry Roman were empty.

"If you don't calm down."  Clarissa LaPont hissed at him.  "I'm going to chain you in the cellar.  You're making me nervous, and you've driven off at least two customers just by glaring at them.  Now, SIT!"  She pointed forcefully to the barstool.  LaCroix sat.  "STAY !  Good vampire."  She patted him on the head.  LaCroix gave her a menacing look, but did not move.  "Now tell me what's got you so riled up."

"The situation has me concerned."  The master vampire took a deep drink from the glass of his private vintagel that Milos sat in front of him.  "I cannot help it.  Franz is behind the vampire killings, and he is completely out of control.  He's sloppy, leaving his kills where people can easily find them.  This could reveal us to the mortal world, but in a very detrimental way.  It could set the Initiatives back decades, if not destroy them completely.  Of course, that is exactly what Franz hopes to accomplish.

If we only knew where he is, we could stop him, but the Enforcers destroyed our only lead.  Jebediah took of his blood, but he did not have the foresight or the ability to probe for minute details."  Seeing Clarissa's face as he talked about her 'son', LaCroix hastily added.  "Not that I'm putting him down, mind you.  He is still very young.  I have every reason to believe that he will mature into a formidable vampire.  He was able to confirm that Franz was implicated, but not that he actually had any direct involvement."

**********

Tom Nichols sat at his desk in the conference room of his clinic.  It had been a busy day, although nothing out of the ordinary for the general practitioner.  There was the usual quota of cold and flu patients.  Two children needed stitches.  One had fallen off a fence that he had been walking and gouged his leg.  The other had shut a car door on her hand.  No broken bones there, but a nasty cut in the carpal area between the long and the ring finger.  He had given Ed Walling his annual physical and had listened to Marge Perkins pour out her life story before renewing her prescription for insulin.  He could have done it over the phone, but the dear lady was seventy three years old and alone in the world.  She needed someone to talk to as much as she needed the medication.  He made two trips to the emergency room.  One to treat a patient that had been in a minor traffic accident, and Del Barker had suffered a heart attack.  This was his second one in five years.  In another trip, three new citizens had made their way into the world.   The Richards triplets.  Two boys and a girl.

The sun had finally set.  Now his 'other patients' would be filtering in.  Most of them needed an occasional stake or other object removed and many, particularly in the early evening and just before dawn, needed treatment for severe burns when they ventured out too soon or stayed out too late.  A few just came in for a quick sip of the 'good stuff ' that he kept in his supply refrigerator.  One or two arrived just to talk.

He reached into his desk and pulled out a gunbelt and strapped it to his waist.  Instead of a gun, the holster held a tranquilizer pistol.  It was the type that was usually used to subdue large animals, but this one was loaded with curare.  He never knew what an angry or injured vampire might do and Tom found it wisest to be prepared for any problem.

Rico Valentz, his evening assistant, and a vampire himself, came into the office.  "Not too many tonight, boss."  He said.  "But then again, the night's still young.  The first one's in room one.  He's complaining of a queasy stomach.  I'm no doctor, but I think he's been into some of Tino's not-quite-ripe bloodshine."

"Thanks."  Tom said as he started toward Exam Room 1.  To the uninitiated, they looked like any other of the doctor's offices and clinics in the area.  However, Dr. Nichols's patient rooms were constructed of metal reinforced concrete and the equipment in them was made of case hardened titanium.  The doors were of wood veneer over safe quality steel.  Even the most powerful of vampires would have a difficult time destroying that.

As he walked to the examining room, there was a loud crash as the door from the waiting room to the exam rooms burst into a thousand pieces.

The vampire that came through the opening was one of the most fear-inspiring ones that Tom Nichols had ever seen.

**********

Hogelsworth

Nicholas and Janette landed silently in a small grove of trees outside Hogelsworth Manor.  Carefully, they crossed the lawn and levitated to the upper floor. They moved to one of the lighted windows.  There they hovered.  Inside, they could hear two men talking.

"Tell me again what we are doing here."  Nicholas whispered to his female companion.

< We are gathering evidence to prove that Preston did not kill the Earl. >  She mentally told her 'brother'.

"So, Milord."  One of the men in the room was saying.  "What shall you do now that your father is no longer among the living?"

"What shall I do, Beoward?"  The other, obviously Lord Denis, replied.  "What I have planned to do all along.  As the eldest son, I shall assume the title of Earl of Hoglesworth.  That, and the lands that my dear wife shall inherit upon the upcoming death of Sir Chester, shall make me the wealthiest man in the shire.  Then, I shall petition His Majesty to declare this area a Dukedom, with me, of course, as the Duke of Hogelsworth.  After all, a Duke commands more than an Earl."

"How will you accomplish that, Milord?  After that scandalous Peabody affair, the Earl virtually cut you out of his will.  He has designated Sir Martin to succeed him as Earl.  He will surely challenge you upon his return from Florence."

"My dearest brother has been gone for over two years now." Lord Denis sneered.  He held up a roll of parchment. " Since this document was only drafted six weeks ago, there is little or no chance he even knows about it.  And even if he does ..."  He tossed the paper into the fireplace and watched as it burned.  "I saw no will.  Did you?"

"I, Milord?  I saw nothing."  Beoward said with a definite note of fear in his voice.  "And what of the Lady Gertrude?  How will she react when she learns of your part in all of this?"

"Oh yes, my darling wife.  After I have disposed of her meddlesome father and claimed his lands, I shall have no further use for her."

"Then you will set her aside?"

"That is much too difficult and time consuming, given the civil laws and the church.  I would have to have proof of her infidelity.  Unfortunately, all the straying has been from my side.  I was fortunate to catch that fool of a Jester in a compromising position, but before I could establish a case, he managed to convince my father that it was all a mistake.  Thankfully, I was able to get his dagger and use it to kill my ... loving father.  At least he will take the blame for that. 

No, I think a generous amount of cyanide in her dessert pastries would be a much more efficient way to eliminate my dear wife."  He pouted in mock sympathy.   "The poor girl simply passed away with grief over the untimely deaths of her father-in-law and her father.  After an appropriate interval of morning on my part, I shall then take a much more suitable bride."  An evil smirk crossed his face.  "I think the Lady Janette would be a perfect companion."

Outside the window, Janette's eyes glowed yellow. "  Cet batard! (That bastard!)"  She hissed through the tips of her fangs.  "What makes him think I would even condescend to give him the time of day?  I've seen enough!"  She snarled as she quickly lowered herself to the ground.

Right on top of Preston of Carder.

**********

Los Angeles

LaCroix and Nick arrived at the clinic at the same time.   Tom Nichols was sitting in the ruins of his office.  Most of the furniture was broken and what was not demolished was overturned.  Medicines and supplies were strewn on the floor.  Blood and other liquids were spattered on the walls.  Rico was winding an ACE bandage around the doctor's rib cage.  There were a multitude of gashes and bruises on his face and upper body.

"Where is he?"  LaCroix hissed.

"Room three."  Rico said.  "He knocked me aside as though I were a piece of paper.  Then I heard him break down the door in here.  When I managed to get through, I saw that he was going after Dr. Tom.  Doc put up a beautiful fight, though.  It's a wonder he wasn't killed."

"You don't treat vampires as long as I have and not learn a few tricks."  Tom said rather proudly.  "He managed to destroy my gun before I had a chance to get a round off."  He held up his pistol.  The barrel was bent nearly in half.  "Rico finally found the spare trank gun and started firing darts into him. It took three before he even began feeling the effects.  Eight before he was out. Then Rico and I managed to get him into room three where he's sleeping it off." 

The three vampires started down the hall.  Tom followed.   LaCroix motioned him to stay behind.  "Just in case."  As they reached the door, Nick motioned for Rico to remain outside.  "As a backup."  He told the Hispanic vampire.

The vampire inside glared sullenly at the two.  He was bound to the exam table with surgical tape and a wreath of garlic cloves hung around his neck.  "What do you two *@%+@&#% want?"  He sneered groggily.

"Just some answers."  LaCroix replied He dropped his barriers slightly and let a little of his age and powers permeate the room. "We can either get them the easy way or the hard way.  The choice is yours."

"Are you &^**#@% Enforcers?"

"No. We are not Enforcers."  LaCroix replied.  He dug his fingernails into the palms of his hands for control.

"Then #*&% off!" 

"Is that a yes or a no?"

The vampire spat at the elder vampire.

"I do believe that is a no."  LaCroix said as he gingerly removed the garlic from the man's neck.  He roughly jerked his head to the side.

"#*&% you!"  The man hissed.

"It is a waste to give immortality to a potty mouth such as you.  Didn't your master teach you any manners?"  He said as he sank his fangs into the vampire's neck.  After he drank, he motioned the hapless prisoner for Nick.  "Your turn."  He said as he spat out the last of the blood.  He opened the cabinet and took out a specimen jar.  He filled it with water from the doctor's sink and rinsed his mouth.  "His kind always leaves a foul taste in my mouth.  I think a specimen would have tasted better."

Nick left the dead hulk of the vampire on the exam table.  He too, washed his mouth with water.  "At least now we know for certain that Franz is behind this."  He said to his sire.  " ... And that he is in Los Angeles.  Shall we pay a call on him and end this nightmare before anyone else falls victim to his madness?"

LaCroix shook his head.  "Have you learned nothing from the past encounters with Franz?  This time our ... friend ... has gone over the edge.  He will be more dangerous than ever before.  We must plan our moves carefully and with battlefield efficiency.  We cannot make a single mistake or he will elude us once again."

"You're the general."  Nick said giving his father a small bow.  "And that is your strong suit.  Shall we start planning?"

"Not without me."  Tom said from the doorway.  "If this ... battle is going to be as bloody as I think it's going to be, you'll need expert medical support.  That's me."

"And he'll need an assistant."  Rico added.

"Meet me at the After Sunset in an hour."  LaCroix stated.

**********

The meeting room at the After Sunset was packed.  In addition to LaCroix and Nick, nearly every one of the  'regular' customers of the restaurant and at least a dozen vampires that they only had a nodding acquaintance with were crowded into the small room.  More were coming every minute. Jeb waved to Nick as he entered.  He held up a trophy and grinned from ear to ear.

"Where did they all come from?"  LaCroix asked.

One of the vampires, George, replied for the group.  "Some of us overheard the phone call you made to Miss Clarissa.  Most of us support the Symposium Initiatives.  We're tired of living in the shadows ... pun intended ... and we're not going to let pond scum like Franz push us back into hiding. We want to help in any we can.  We all loved Widgett, and The Browser was the only paper that treated us decent."

"I'm going to close the bar."  Clarissa said.  "I think we'll need all the room we can get.  Besides, I doubt that I'll do much business tonight.  Most of my customers are in here."

"And so are we."  Toni said from the doorway.  Robyn was right behind her.

"What are you doing here?"  LaCroix said angrily.

"Do you two think that the link between us is so weak that we don't know what you are planning to do?"  Robyn said defiantly.  "We've come to help."

"I will NOT have you placing your lives in jeopardy."  LaCroix folded his arms across his chest.  "I have made arrangements for you and the children to visit Sheryl in Munks Corner until this is over.  There is a chartered plane waiting for you at LAX.  It leaves in an hour."

"And if you think we're going to roll over and play dead while you put your sorry butts in the line of fire, THINK AGAIN!"  Robyn glared at the master vampire.

"IS THAT SO!"  The elder's eyes were beginning to fleck.

"In case it has slipped YOUR supposedly perfect memory, WHO was it that pulled your fangs out of the last two attacks by Franz?"  Robyn emphasized her argument by poking the General in the chest with her index finger.

Any vampire that had even half a brain scurried for cover.  Nick crouched beneath a portable bar.  He knew enough of his father and his mother in law to know that there was the distinct potential for fireworks.  He was nearly knocked over when Jeb joined him.  Without exposing his head, he quickly snaked his hand to the top of the bar and pulled it down with a can of Red Deer in it.

" ... And THIS is going to make THOSE encounters look like a Sunday School picnic!"  The ancient Roman continued.  "I WILL NOT have you and Atonia at risk.  Not to mention the children!  I FORBID YOU to take part in it!"

"FORBID ???  ME???"  Robyn shouted.  "Who the HELL do you think YOU are to forbid me ANYTHING?"

"I AM LUCIEN LACROIX.  That's who I am, and you WILL obey!"  His eyes had ringed with gold and his fangs showed beneath his lips.

"Children."  A soft voice said from the back of the room.  "That is quite enough."

As a person, they turned to face Lady Zera.  Beside her were her ever-present bodyguards.

LaCroix bowed before the Ancient, and most of the other vampires followed suit.  Robyn nodded deeply toward the elderly lady before them.  Toni did the same.

"I know not what this disagreement is about."  Lady Zera said softly. "But it will not do for us to be fighting among ourselves.  We have far more important things to discuss."  She walked to the front of the room and seated herself gracefully in an executive chair that was quickly procured from somewhere, probably from Clarissa's office.  Her bodyguards flanked her, one on each side, slightly behind her.

"I ask you to send them home, Lady Zera."  LaCroix said, pointing to Toni and Robyn.  "They have no right to be here."

"Lady Zera."  Robyn came forward.  "We have every right to be here.  This affects our family too.  We want to be a part of this just as much as the others do.  Franz has threatened us repeatedly.  He has nearly killed Lucien and Nick.  I care deeply for them both.  And he has injured me as well."  She gently massaged her right shoulder. "I owe him for that.  Big time."

"I am aware of the things Franz has done, Mrs. Parker, but there are other considerations here."

"I know that, Lady Zera.  And I would appreciate if you could call me Robyn.  Mrs. Parker was my mother in law."

Lady Zera smiled sympathetically.  She looked more like someone's kindly grandmother than the over 4000 year old head of the worldwide Vampire Community.  "Very well ... I shall call you Robyn.  You must put the children's safety ahead of your cravings for revenge.  They need protection, and I believe that they can best receive that from you and Atonia."

Robyn noticed as LaCroix let a self-satisfied smirk cross his features.  Lady Zera did too.

"Perhaps Lucius, here, would like to personally provide an extra level of security for his mortal family."  She mused.  "It could be arranged."

The smile immediately disappeared.

The Ancient turned to the two mortal women.  "You may stay for the planning and preparations.  I feel that your input will be greatly appreciated."  She shot a withering glare at LaCroix, who managed to be looking somewhere else.  "But when we go into battle, I expect that you will take the children and yourself to a safe haven.  Munks Corner seems to be such a place.  Do you not agree, Lucius?"

LaCroix nodded, driving his fangs into his lower lip to keep the I-told-you-so look from his face.

**********

Hogelsworth

Preston cried out as Janette landed on top of him.  "Who ... What ... Are you?"  He stammered.

Janette took the frightened Jester by the shoulders and stared deeply into his eyes.  She concentrated on the tha-thub of his wildly beating heart.  "This did not happen.  We were standing on the ground when you ran around the corner and bumped into me."  She said softly and huskily.

"Did not happen ... "  Preston repeated.  Slowly he shook his head.  "But it did happen, Milady.  You and Sir Nicholas were floating at the second story window."

< Oh great! >  Janette rolled her eyes.  < A resister.  If LaCroix does not kill us, the Enforcers definitely will. >

"I ask again."  Preston said, this time much more controlled than he had been the first time.  "Who or what are you?"

"You are not afraid of us?"  Nicholas asked.

"No, Milord.  More like curious.  If you will not tell me more, I shall only have to assume that you are magicians, or mayhap ... angels."

"Angels!"  Nicholas laughed.  "We certainly are not angels. We are vampires."  He let his fangs drop.  "Bloodsucking creatures of the night.  Evil incarnate.  We can only bring you trouble and death.  It is best it you forget that you ever met us."

"NICHOLAH!"  Janette reproached.

"He has seen us.  It is better if he knows everything.  That way, he will be less likely to reveal our secret."  Nicholas explained.

"You are right."  Janette agreed.

"But I cannot believe you are evil.  You have saved my life on two occasions.  If you were not aligned with the forces of good, you could not have done that." 

**********

Los Angeles

The meeting lasted until the dawn sky started to appear.  They had accomplished much.  They had a rough battle plan and several of the vampires had volunteered to keep a stakeout for any signs of suspicious activity in their respective areas that might reveal the whereabouts of Franz's headquarters.  One by one, the vampires either returned to their homes or took advantage of Clarissa's offer to use the rooms in the basement of the restaurant.  Lady Zera left as mysteriously as she came.  To where, no one knew.

Two days later, they got their first break.  Tino had spotted one of the more outspoken defenders of the Old Code going into an abandoned building by the railroad yards.  Although he had been cautioned not to give himself away, he discretely followed them.

He moved silently to one of the greasy windows.  Inside, he could see, as well as feel, several vampires.  He was able to identify a few of them as having been with Franz when he walked out of the Symposium.

"So."  One of the vampires said, passing around a gallon bottle of red liquid.  Even from his perch outside the building, Tino could tell it was fresh.  He knew that it didn't come from the After Sunset.  "What news from Franz."

One of the others smiled as he took a long swallow.  "He is pleased with our work here.  We have proven that the Council is ineffective.  He feels that the deaths of Widgett and Parklance will cause many of the vampires to return to the true way, either because they believe that the New Code is wrong, or they are afraid that it cannot protect them.  Just as it could not protect those two."

"I'm just sorry that our efforts so far have cost the lives of Ernst and Virgil.  They were two of our best men."  The first vampire said.

"Don't worry." One of the others said.  "Soon we will have the opportunity to revenge them.  The hillbilly and the mortal doctor will not live for long."  He bared his fangs.

"Did he say what our next assignment would be?"

"Only that it was big, and when it was over there would be whole lot less Council members to worry about."

Tino inched closer to get a better view.  The box he was standing on gave way beneath him, and he scrambled to lift into the sky before it fell.  From a safe distance, he watched as several members came running out in full vamp mode.  At that moment, a large gray and white spotted cat came from behind one of the other crates and ambled past them.  Satisfied that the feline was the one who had knocked over the container, the vampires went back inside.

As the last of them disappeared into the store, Tino forced himself to breathe again.  The cat turned and looked directly at the black vampire and meowed loudly, then slowly sauntered away. 

Tino was positive he had seen the animal before, but he could not remember where.  He was just lucky that it happened to be in the area.  He offered a quick prayer of thanks to whatever gods watched over foolhardy vampires and decided not to tempt fate.  He quickly turned in the direction of the After Sunset.

**********

Another break came a few days later from a most unexpected source.  Two youths spotted someone breaking into a boarded up storeroom and reported it to the police.  Nick just happened to pick up the call on his radio.  It was for 1 Adam 12, but since he was in the immediate area, he asked dispatch if he couldn't take the call even if it wasn't a homicide.  To his surprise, dispatch agreed.

"Hey, Nick, you know something I don't?"  Mike asked.  "I mean isn't Patrol supposed to handle the initial call on a possible B&E?"

"Yeah."  Nick said absently.  "But since the Cruiser Division is still hard hit with the flu, and since we're filling in for them already ..."  He turned the Caddy in the direction of the abandoned storeroom

They rolled to a stop in front of the one time convenience store and approached with guns drawn. 

"I'll take the back."  Nick whispered.

"No deal.  You always get the back."

"Okay.  Then you take the front and I'll go around to the rear."  Nick said as he disappeared around the side of the building.

"That's more like it, partner." He headed for the front of the store.  It took a few moments before Mike realized he had been snookered.  "I'll get you for that."  He whispered under his breath.

"I heard that."  Nick whispered to his colleague. 

It took all Mike's self control not to scream.  He hadn't heard his partner return, but if Nick didn't want to be heard, no one would hear him. It wouldn't have mattered whether he screamed of not, since Nick had his hand over Mike's mouth and was practically dragging him to the Caddy.

"What ... was that for?"  Mike demanded as Nick deposited him in the front seat.

"Vampires."  Nick said as he strapped his partner in.  "There are at least a dozen or more in there."

"Franz?"

Nick nodded.

Mike undid the seatbelt.  "Then I'm coming with you.  I've got a score to settle with that sonofabitch."

"NO!  We'll get him, but not now."  Nick whispered.  "I've got some reconnoitering to do."

"You make it sound like it's some kind of a military thing."

"It is."

Nick blended with the shadows just outside what had been the sales floor.  It was fairly easy to mask his signature.  There were enough vampires that it would have been nearly impossible to detect one more vibe. That was one of the advantages of age, and lately, LaCroix had been teaching him to cloak himself very well.  Nick doubted that even Franz would be skilled enough to find him.  LaCroix or Zera ... maybe ... but not Franz.

"Everything is set."  Franz was telling his chieftains.  "In a few more days, our forces will be in place in every major Community.  Then, at a signal from this command post, they will strike as one.  The effect should be disastrous.  Within the week, the rightful faction will once again be in control."  The rebel licked his lips at the thought.

"You're sure."  One of the others said.  For his question, he received a resounding clout across the face.  There was the sound of bones breaking.

"Do not ever make the mistake of doubting me."  Franz seethed.  He slammed the hapless vampire against the wall.  More broken bones.  "I have not let this Community down and I will not do so now.  The troops I have in the field are well trained and ruthless.  The majority of them were Enforcers before they saw the folly of the new Code.  They will do their job efficiently and completely.  We will be victorious.  I guarantee it.  Now, let's review what will be happening here."  He handed a stack of booklets to one of the vampires who passed them to the others.  "Take these to your groups and study them carefully.  I don't want any slipups."

Nick was amazed when the vampire handed him a booklet.  He stared at it for a long second, and then slowly inched his way to the back door.  Apparently, no one saw him.  In an instant, he had exited and was in the Caddy.

**********

Hogelsworth

Lord Denis smiled as he escorted his visitor to the courtyard.  These negotiations were going to be most profitable indeed.  The gentleman had been dickering with his father, but, wimp that his sire was, he had almost agreed on a sum that was far too low for the land.  It was, after all, a twenty five acre site on the main road, complete with a spring and a small woods.  If his suspicions were correct, and when it came to money Lord Denis was rarely wrong, the buyer had more than enough to buy and sell the entire shire five times over.  He could easily afford triple the price that he had been offered.

"I shall look forward to our next meeting."  Lucien LaCroix said, extending his hand to the new Earl.  "I feel we have made great progress toward resolving this matter."  < The jester is right. >  He thought, the smile never leaving his face. < He is asking ten times more than that soggy piece of bottom land will ever be worth.  He is going to be a hard one to deal with. >

He barely noticed the man edging through the deep shadows toward the manor house.  He did take notice of the two who were following him.  He pulled both Janette and Nicholas into the darkness.

"What are you doing here?"  He growled at his children.

"Providing moral support for Preston as he confronts Lord Denis."  Janette replied boldly.

"And how did he find out about the Earl?"  LaCroix asked.

"We told him what we overheard."  Janette said.

"I thought I made it clear that we weren't going to take any action in this matter."  Their sire said firmly.  "Why did you go against my wishes?"

"I am not going against your wishes.   You said YOU weren't going to take action.  I never agreed.  In fact, I intend to see this matter settled."  Her eyes were flecked with gold.

"And what do you say about this, Nicholas ... Nicholas?"  Nicholas was nowhere in sight.  "If that whelp has gotten himself into any trouble ... "  LaCroix mumbled as he started back to their rooms.

**********

Los Angeles

Lady Zera thumbed through the documents before her.  "You have done well."  She said to Nick and Mike.  They had driven straight from the storeroom to the After Sunset.  It had become the makeshift headquarters for the Council.  "This, and the information brought in by Tobias and the others gives us a very nearly perfect picture of Franz's activities and his plans.  We can now begin to take the necessary steps to counteract him."  She held up the booklet that Nick had been inadvertently given.  "Thanks to the two of you, he no longer has the element of surprise."

She walked to a map of greater Los Angeles that was taped to the wall of the meeting room.  She took several pushpins and fastened them in various locations.

"What's our next step?"  Mike asked.

Her vampire guards took an imperceptible step toward the brash mortal, and Nick mentally winced.  Even vampires did not speak to the Head of the High Council without permission.  For a mortal to do so ...

Lady Zera gazed at Mike with a look of surprise and humor.  Upon her undetectable nod, the guards returned to their stations.  "OUR next step will be to finalize the plans.  Yours will be to return to your mortal matters.  The next phase will be extremely dangerous.  You can best help by protecting your wife and the other mortals involved."

"Begging your indulgence, Lady Zera."  Mike said.  The guards stepped forward once again.  "I know that people don't usually contradict you, but in this case, I must say something.  Tracy, as you know, has very strong powers that can be used in this campaign.  While I'm not a psychic like my wife or a vampire like my partner, I can contribute significantly.  You're going to need someone to go where vampires can't go.  And that's me and Tracy."

The silence hung like a shroud.

Finally, Lady Zera spoke.  "Perhaps you are correct.  Tracy does have powers that could prove most helpful.  And you have had much more experience dealing with vampires than most mortals have.  That, and the fact that you have faced danger before may be quite useful."   She motioned to one of her guards.  "Summon the others.  We have plans to make."

**********

Toni breathed in sharply as she stared at the monitor.  Jenkins had been placed in surveillance mode since they first suspected that Franz was active in the area.  The smart house computer reported that there was a stranger at the front door and had displayed his image on the screen.  Although Toni did not know him by name, there was no doubt in her mind that he was an Enforcer.

"It's time."  He said as she ushered him into the living room. 

Toni knew what he meant.  She had been expecting someone ever since Nick told her that they had discovered Franz's lair.  As she was getting the suitcases from the closet, another two Enforcers arrived with the children in tow.  Toni looked outside cautiously to make sure no one had spotted them, but there didn't seem to be anyone around.

"We would not be that foolish."  One of the new arrivals said as he ushered the children into the house. He had evidently read her mind.

"It was fun!"  Natty said.  "They flew us ... "

" ... Just like Daddy does."  Joey finished his sister's sentence.  The twins were doing that more and more these days.

"Fun!"  Donny echoed.

Quickly, Toni guided them to the garage and into the Mazda.  One of the Enforcers sat beside Toni, holding Donny.  The other two sat in the back seat, each of them holding a twin in his lap.  Somehow, the scenario of Enforcers as babysitters made Toni smile.    

**********

LaCroix studied the sheaf of papers.  A hint of a smile creased his face.  "Yes."  He finally said, nodding his head approvingly.  "This will work very well. Everyone has carried out their assignments adeptly.  I must caution you not to get too cocky.  As we have discovered in the past, even the slightest mistake or inattention to detail can be disastrous."

"I agree."  The voice on the speakerphone said.  "Here in Atlanta, we have had Franz's forces slip through our fingers like quicksand on several occasions.  We will not make any mistakes this time."

"Nor will there be any slipups here."  Another voice piped in.  "Columbus is more than ready."

"Toronto as well."  Miklos added.

Quite a few more voices gave their agreement.  London, Paris, Barcelona and Cairo were ready.  Japan, New York and Singapore were on red alert.  Other areas were prepared, too

"Then it is agreed."  Lady Zera said.  "According to our information, Franz plans his attacks for the day ... after ... tomorrow.  Therefore, our strikes will be at one hour after sunset ... tomorrow.  That gives us at least twenty four hours to get everything in place.  Synchronize your watches.  It is 4 PM here in Los Angeles.  That's 2400 Greenwich Mean Time.  I'll be in touch periodically until it is time."  She hung up the phone.

"If Columbus is on the list of areas to be hit, why are you sending Robyn and the others there?"  LaCroix demanded.

Lady Zera smiled softly.  "They will not be there.  They and the other important civilians, including the Gramwoods and the Schankes, will be taken to an impregnable safe haven.  After all, General, you are not the only one with extensive military experience."  The Ancient let a grin spread over her face for a fraction of a second.  "Do you not recall that the Amazons were formidable warriors?"

LaCroix inwardly breathed a sigh of relief as he managed to look suitably humble.  "Very well.  Then let us begin."  He spread the sheets on the table.  "Nicholas, you and your forces will be responsible for this area outlined in green.  Tino, you have the yellow area.  Clarisse, yours is the blue ...  Doctor, you will set up your aid stations here ... here ... and here ... "  He began laying out the plans for the commanders.

**********

Toni pulled up to the Executive Jet terminal.  A plane was ready on the tarmac.  Several people were gathered around the entrance and she could see several more inside, including Milos.  A disturbance to her left caught her attention.

"Let me go, you baboons."  Robyn Parker was yelling at two large Enforcers who held her fast by the arms.  "I'm not going to run away or anything.  I just want to see my daughter and my grandchildren"

At a nod from the Enforcers who were with Toni, Robyn's Enforcers released her. 

She rubbed her arm gingerly.  "I'll have a bruise for a week."  She mumbled as she went to Toni and the kids.  "It better not show."  She snarled at the Enforcers.

"Where are we going?"  She asked her daughter.  "They ordered me to pack enough for a week.  When I told them I already had clothes in Munks Corner, they said that was not to be our final destination.  From the others on the plane, I believe them.  There's no way Sherry could handle all of them."

Toni only shrugged her shoulders.  "Somehow, I think this battle is going to be bigger than we thought.  From the bits and pieces Nick has let slip, It may even be world wide."  She took Robyn's hand and held it tight.

With that, the Enforcers herded their charges onto the plane.

**********

Hogelsworth

Janette strode purposefully into the great room of the manor.

"Ah. The lovely Lady Janette."  Lord Osterwand said with a pasted on smile.  "To what do I owe this honor?"  He took her hand in his and kissed the back.  Janette's flesh crawled where he had placed his lips. 

"I have come as soon as I heard about your father.  You have my condolences."  She said as innocently as she could muster.  "He was a truly good man."  < Unlike you >  "I wish to inquire what is being done to find his killer."

"It is not to concern you, fair lady." Lord Denis said with an oily leer.  "However, since you asked, we already have the murderer in custody.  He not only murdered my beloved father in cold blood, he was attempting to kill me as well.  My guards apprehended him a few moments ago outside this very room.  Although he has denied it, I fear he may be part of a conspiracy plotted by my brother Martin to establish himself as the Earl."

"And who is this detestable scoundrel?"  Janette feigned.

"The King's Jester, Preston of Carder.  As we speak, he languishes in the dungeon.  Tomorrow morning he will stand trial before me as Magistrate.  Immediately thereafter, he will be swinging from the gallows."  He placed his hand on the female vampire's cheek and brushed it lightly.

"And what makes you believe there is a conspiracy by Martin?"

"It is only logical, Milady. As things stand now, he only has a minor title and little else.  As second son, he has a bleak and impoverished future.  However, with both our father and myself dead, he is the next in line for inheritance.  As Earl of Hogelsworth, he would be one of the richest men in the shire."  Lord Denis smiled.  Although he had not planned it this way, his words would go far to discredit any claim that his younger brother might have on the lands. "Enough of this dreary conversation, though.  Let us talk of more pleasant things, shall we, Milady."  He said, brushing his hand across her shoulder.

It was all Janette could do not to sink her teeth into his neck.

**********

Los Angeles

Tracy put her hand against Mike's chest.  "Over there."  She whispered, pointing to the ground.  "It's another tripwire."

Mike carefully followed the invisible string  to the edge of the building.  There it went through a pin and up the wall before curving into a broken window.  Inside, it connected to several crossbows loaded with wooden bolts.  They were pointed directly at the door of the abandoned store.  Working very carefully, he disconnected the string from the nocks.  He let out a breath that he didn't even know he was holding.

"How many was that?"  His wife asked as he returned to crouch behind the empty dumpster they were using as a base.  "And couldn't you find something more ... convenient than ... this for a hideout?"  She held her nose and made a face.

"No. This is perfect, if you ignore the smell."  He replied.  "From here, we've got a complete view of the store, and who would suspect a dumpster as a lookout base.  Certainly not those two sorry excuses for mortal guards that Franz has watching the place.  I've been able to come and go right under their noses.  And in answer to your first question, we've removed nine booby traps, if you count the three crosses as one.  We've also documented seven that we couldn't take out without causing suspicion."

"Oh. Oh."  Tracy said softly.  "I think there is going to be another one that we won't be able to get rid of."  Staying in the shadow of the building, she stooped down and ran her fingers in the grass near the doorway.  Then she put her fingers to her lips.  "Garlic powder.  And there's too much of it to be disposed of manually."

Mike looked around and then his eyes landed on the solution.  "I've got an idea.  Come with me."  He called as he started down the street.  A few minutes later, they were standing beside a Lawn Doctor truck parked at the side of a greasy spoon restaurant.  The occupants must be taking a quick break inside.  He threw a lab coat to Tracy from the front seat. "While lawn spray won't be as effective as plain water, it should wash off most of it."  He said as he donned his coat.

Minutes later, two 'Lawn Doctors' began spraying the area around the door with the hose from the truck.  In only a few moments, one of the guards came out.  "What are you doing here?"  He asked gruffly.

"We're makin' chicken soup."  Tracy said in a fake Bronx accent. "What'cha think we're doin'?"  She pushed her tongue against the side of her cheek as though she had a wad of gum.  "When you're lawn is sick, call the Lawn Doctor."  She pointed to the ad emblazoned on the side of the truck.

"We're giving your lawn its monthly weed and feed treatment."  Mike clarified, turning the pressure in the hose up full force.

"We didn't order any treatments."

"You didn't?"  Tracy said, snapping her 'gum'.  "Larry, gimmee that work order."

Mike pulled a clipboard from the truck and handed it to Tracy.  "Here you go, Rosie honey."  He said.

She studied it a few minutes.  The papers on it were complete gobbledygook.  "Larry, you dope!"  Tracy said as she slapped Mike across the shoulder.  "This is the last time I let you drive."  She handed him the clipboard.  "This is SOUTH Longwood Ave.  The house we are supposed to do is on NORTH Longwood.  Really! ... And don't call me honey."

"Sorry."  He said as he began packing the equipment into the truck.  "Please accept our apologies and the treatment is on the house."

"On the house my ass! "  Tracy yelled at him as she climbed in the front seat. "It's coming out of your paycheck, you dipstick!"  Minutes later, Mike joined her.  'Rosie' was still griping at 'Larry' as they drove off.

As they rounded the corner, Tracy let out a heavy sigh.  "That was close."

Mike nodded. "I think we got enough garlic off the lawn though, that it will be only an annoyance, not a deterrent."

"I managed to do a little mind reading between yelling at you."  Tracy continued.  "Our act made him lower his defenses and I was able to slip in without him even noticing."  She shuddered.  She hated to enter another's mind without consent, but this was a special case.  "That guard was like an open book.  If what I read is right, we've accounted for all the booby traps."

Mike pulled a cell phone from his belt holder.  "I'll call Nick and tell him this one is okay.  What's our next place?"

Tracy opened a notebook.  "1215 East Verona.  According to Tino, that's where the next so called safe house is."

The parked the truck back in the diner's parking lot and headed for their car.

**********

Nick crouched in the empty storeroom. With the help of several of Tino's 'bros in the hood', his team had taken possession of the buildings on either side of Franz's headquarters.  His cell phone vibrated against his chest, creating a rather pleasurable tingling.  He and the others were using them to maintain contact.  All the phones had been set to vibrate instead of ring so that there would be little chance of any of the rebel vampires picking up on it.  The sky was a deep blue gray as the last vestiges of the sun disappeared over the horizon.  One more hour until they would strike en masse against Franz and his allies worldwide.

"Knight here."  He whispered.

"I know that, Nicholas."  The voice on the other end whispered as well.  It was LaCroix.  "I just called to tell you that everything is in place and we are still set to go at 2100.  I will join your team shortly for the final assault."

< Everything okay? >  Nick sent to his team.  Everyone sent back affirmative.  From all they could tell, Franz and eight of his chieftains were inside.  There were at least eleven others as well.  Probably preparing for what they believed would be a surprise attack on the Council.

"We're ready here." He told his father.

Nick dialed the number for Jeb's group.  They were positioned at Tom's clinic. They were expecting heavy casualties.  Jeb balked at that assignment, saying that he wanted to be in the midst of the fighting, but Lady Zera had convinced him that he would see enough action guarding a valuable location like the clinic and any prisoners.  She carefully avoided mentioning how young and inexperienced he was.

"Everything's set here."  The red headed vampire said.  "I think Doctor Tom's got every pint of blood that's available in southern California, as well as everything that could be spared from the After Sunset, and he even raided the Red Deer reserves.  We also got plenty of bandages, curare, and tons of burn cream as well as nearly everything else needed to treat a wounded vampire.  Rico and me, we reinforced the exam rooms with an extra layer of concrete block.  Just to be on the safe side.

I still wish I was out there on the front lines with the rest of you, but like Lady Zera said, this is an extremely sensitive detail.  If the clinic falls, we'd be in a world of hurtin'."  He laughed softly at the pun.

Lady Zera was good.  Very good.

Tino's detail reported that they had the East LA area secured.  They had teams monitoring all known hideouts detailed in the plans, as well as several other places where the rebels had been spotted.  As far as they could tell, everyone was accounted for.  All they needed was the signal.

Roland Henley and his cohorts had taken their positions in the north and were awaiting the signal as well.

All was ready.  Nick swallowed and said a desperate prayer to God and to any saints that might be listening to a vampire's ramblings.  He felt a hand on his shoulder.  He turned to see Natalie Lambert standing beside him.

"I came to let you know that your prayers have been heard."  She said, putting her arms around him and holding him tightly.  At times like this, it was difficult to remember that she was a ghost.  "Although He cannot actively intervene, He wants you to know that your efforts will not be in vain.  We will aid you in whatever way we can."  She kissed him lightly.  "I would like to stay with you, but I will be with Tom and his team.  That's where I can do the most good."  She slowly grew transparent and then disappeared entirely.

Nick smiled and rubbed his cheek where Nat had kissed him.  For the first time since this whole thing had begun, he was optimistic about the outcome.

He checked his watch, although because of his enhanced vampire senses, he really did not have to.  It was something to do to pass the time.  Thirty minutes to go.  He sensed LaCroix enter the building. 

Wordlessly, they and the other members of the team rechecked their equipment.  Stakes, garlic tipped wooden bullets, crossbows, and swords were in abundance. There were also conventional weapons, Uzis, smoke bombs, concussion grenades and two mini mortars.   Along with these were boxes and crates of ammunition.  Although they would not necessarily kill a vampire, they would cause considerable confusion and distractions.   Nick did not ask, nor did he want to know where they came from, but many of them had USMC stenciled on the sides.  Several of the team even sported holy water filled super soakers. 

Nick looked at his watch again.

"Nicholas!"  His father said softly, but with the force of an order.  "It is only three minutes since you last checked.  Relax."  LaCroix's calm voice did not betray his inner turmoil.  He was just as nervous as his vampire son, but he did not dare let it show.  After spending his entire mortal life in the military, he knew that any sign of weakness of the part of the leader could doom a campaign from the beginning.  There was too much riding on this to sabotage it now.  "I am in contact with Lady Zera now.  Everything is a go."

After an eternity, the watch finally showed 9 PM.  In an instant, the vampire team was out the door and, following Tracy's diagrams, made it across the yard to the store without falling into any of the traps.  It was easy work to dispatch the vampires who guarded Franz's lair.  From there, they proceeded to the stairs that led to the basement area where, according to Nick and Tracy's reports, the vampires were gathered, preparing to rest for their planned assault.

< Strange. >  Nick sent.  < We've gotten this far without meeting any resistance.  You don't think this could be some elaborate trap, do you? >

As if in answer to his unsaid words, three vampires appeared from behind a stack of crates. Two more joined them from a doorway to the cellar.  The battle had begun. 

One of the vampires lunged for Nick, but a backhand to his head from the 800 year old crusader sent him flying, almost literally, across the room.  He hit the wall with a sickening thud.  If he had been mortal, he would have been dead.  Nick waited for his adversary to come at him again, but there was no movement from him.  Then, Nick saw Jules, one of the After Sunset patrons, brandishing the bloody stake that he had pulled from Nick's attacker.  The slender vampire smiled and gave two thumbs up to his team leader.

From the corner of his eye, Nick watched as LaCroix fended off two assailants.  There was the sound of breaking bones as one of them went down.  His head, bent at an odd angle, was facing his back.  His life's fluids seeped from his mouth and nose.  The other joined him as blood poured from the huge gash across his throat. 

LaCroix licked the remains of the vampire's blood from his fingers.  "Such a pity to waste good blood like this, but we came to fight, not to dine."

Nick meanwhile, saw Jules attempt to subdue a huge vampire that had attacked him.  The lanky vampire howled as a stake sliced into his side.  Fortunately, it was far enough from the heart and any other vital organs that all it did was hurt.  It was enough to bring him to the edge of consciousness.  Nick rushed in and yanked the behemoth's arm just as he was preparing to drive the stake into Jules's heart.  There was the sound of tearing flesh and bones as the Crusader pulled the arm from its socket.  With a roar, he turned on Nick.  Although he was heavier and taller than his opponent, with only one functioning arm the giant was no match.  Within minutes, he was laying on the floor, the stake through his own heart.

< Anyone seen Franz? >  LaCroix sent.

< I am waiting for you, Grandfather. >  Came the reply.  It was Franz sending.  < And when I find you, I will kill you. >

"The basement."  LaCroix said as he and Nick headed for the door to the cellar.  Several of the vampires started after them, but LaCroix motioned them back.  "He is mine!"  He snarled.  The others knew better than to disobey the General.

**********

Tino approached the barricaded building that was the headquarters for this faction of the rebels.  They had fortified it well.  Even before they had entered the building, two members of his team were down from crossbows.   There was a steady rat-a-tat from Uzi type guns as a constant stream of fire pinned the assault team to the ground.  Tino could smell the distinctive odor of garlic. Tracy and Mike had neutralized several traps, but these were manually operated.  He ducked as another of the bolts narrowly missed his left arm.  This one was not going to be easy to take out.  They had heavy casualties from the crossbows and garlic bullets even before they were inside the door.  A blast from the flame thrower that one of the assault team carried soon put an end to the snipers.   It also made it difficult for the team to get through the flames as well.

"Over here!"  One of the members called.  In a corner of the room, three vampires sat huddled against each other.  They were obviously in some sort of a trance.  As they approached, six more vampires brandishing stakes and spears sprang from a door and landed on the group. It was a bloody fight, but it was over almost before it began.  Tino's team was composed of many street wise vampires and they used their skills to best advantage.  In less than a half hour, the vampires in this house were defeated. 

One of the team grabbed one of the dying vampires and bared the man's throat.  His eyes glowed yellow and his fangs showed prominently.  Just as he was about to sink them into his opponent's neck, his head was painfully jerked back.

"Hey, Tino!"  The vampire growled.  "What'd you do that for?"

"No feeding."

"That may be all right for you, but I'm hurt and I need the blood.  He ain't going to be using it much longer and it's a shame to waste it.  Come to think of it, you could use some too."

Tino became aware of the liquid flowing freely from a huge hole in his right side.  Suddenly, the room began to weave and roll beneath him.  As if he were watching some slow motion picture, the floor rose up to meet him.

**********

Slowly, LaCroix and Nick made their way into the cellar.  Suddenly, LaCroix placed his hand on his son's chest.   < I cannot sense him anymore. >  Carefully, he approached the door that secured a walk in refrigerator, and forcefully threw it open.  Both of the vampires were fully vamped, expecting the worst. 

There was only a solitary table sitting in the middle of the room.  On the table was a tape recorder.  Gingerly, Nick pressed the play button.

"So sorry to miss you, grandfather."  The tape began.  "Regretfully, I have other things much more important to attend to.  Do not feel slighted, though.  When I am finished, I will return for you."

The heavy door to the refrigerator quickly slammed shut. 

"Do not attempt to try to escape."  Franz's voice continued.  "The door has been reinforced with armored steel, as have the walls and roof.  Oh, by the way, the room is soundproof as well, thanks to all that extra insulation. Gute nacht, Grosvater.  (Good night, Grandfather)"

Nick rushed against the door and slammed into it with all his might.  The result was only a large dent in the plating and a very sore shoulder.  "Now what?"  He said, rubbing his wounded arm.

"Oh, Nicholas, have you learned nothing?  We send for help, of course."  The master vampire closed his eyes and concentrated on the link with either Clarissa or Jeb.

**********

Jeb Puckett tightened the kevlar straps on the stretcher and hoisted it onto the table. He and several of the others who wanted more action than swabbing the clinic floor had been dispatched to one of the aid stations.  There were several stations set up near the main areas of fighting. They had dubbed this one MASH UNIT 1.

This vampire was unconscious.  Many of the casualties that had been brought to the aid station were treated for minor injuries and released.  Some of them had been here several times.  The most serious were transported to the clinic.  This one was headed there.  She was from Tino's group.  She had serious burns over most of her body and had been staked at least once.  Rico quickly examined the woman and after flushing the dead skin and applying dressings, tagged her to go to the clinic as soon as the makeshift ambulance, a RV that had been fitted to hold the stretchers, arrived.  

The Latino vampire sighed and took a long sip from the cup that Jeb handed him.  "Too many like that."  He told him as he handed the cup back.

Jeb also took a long drink.  It was uncut human, but at this point, Jeb didn't care.  He needed the extra strength.  "Way too many." He confirmed.  They had been working virtually nonstop since they arrived some seven hours ago.

Two vampires arrived.  One was cradling another wounded vampire.  He was not more than a teenager, both in perceived years and in actual age.  A stake protruded from the boy's chest.  Carefully, the two laid their companion on an empty table.  Rico came to examine him.  After a few moments, the vampire slowly shook his head.  The stake had caught the heart squarely.  There were no vibrations at all emanating from the body lying before him.  The eyes stared unseeing into space.  Rico gently eased the lids shut and took a blanket from beneath the table.  He covered the body with the cloth.  With faces streaked red with tears, the two vampires took their compatriot from the table.  "He fought well."  The one said.  "We shall see to it that he is cared for properly."

"Too many of those, too."  Rico whispered.  Jeb only nodded.  In a sense, he was sorry Zera had not sent him into the front lines.  This was definitely the harder assignment.  It was much more difficult treating wounds than inflicting them.  "When I see things like that boy there, it makes me want to hurt somebody."  He drove his hand through one of the empty supply crates to emphasize his remark.

"Don't look now."  The other said.  "But you may get your chance.  I don't think they're wanting any aspirin."  He pointed to six vampires charging across the street toward the station. 

Jeb picked up a Super Soaker filled with holy water and aimed it at the lead rebel.  "Y-E-E-E-H-A-A-H!"  He yelled as he began pumping the water gun.  At that, Rico and several of the other Medics were lined up behind him.  They were armed with an assortment of weapons ranging from crossbows to trank pistols to improvised stakes.

Jeb spotted a vampire in a Confederate uniform among the ones in the fighting.  "That a real uniform?"  He asked.

The vampire nodded as he threw a punch to Jeb's midsection.

"What regiment?"  He asked as he sidestepped.

"78th Georgia."  The man answered as he threw a roundhouse right.

"My great granddaddy was in the 78th."  Jeb replied as he deftly ducked.   "What's your name?"

"Emmett Beaudry."

Jeb landed a sucker punch to the man's solar plexus.  "I'm a Puckett.  We Pucketts don't like the Beaudrys."  He said as he pushed a syringe full of curare into the man's throat.

Scant minutes later, the battle was over and the triage team was treating the same wounds they had just inflicted.

**********

Hogelsworth

Janette crouched out side the door to the dungeon of Hogelsworth manor.  It was nearly dawn.  In a few hours, Preston of Carder would give his life for a crime that Lord Denis had committed.  She could not allow that to happen.  Deftly, she turned the key in the massive door and pushed it open.  It was only a minor vexation to persuade the warder guarding this area to give her the keys before she drained him completely.  Quickly, she made her way to the cell where Preston was and opened the door.

The sight that was presented to her was chilling beyond her belief.  Preston lay huddled on the floor of the cell.  He was naked from the waist.  Even though he still wore his leggings, they had been ripped in many places and were little more than rags.  His back was crisscrossed with stripes from a cat-o-nine-tails, and his chest was not much better.  Both eyes were blackened and his nose was little more than two holes above his swollen and bloodied lips.

She put her ear to his mouth.  The Jester was still breathing, but it was shallow and ragged.  She could hear the gurgle of fluid, probably blood, in his lungs.  "My poor Jester."  She sobbed. "What have they done to you?"

"Lady ... Janette?"  Preston whispered.  It was obvious that he was struggling to speak.  'You should ... not have ... come."

"Do not talk.  I will get you out of here and to a physician."

"No time ... I am ... done ... The torturers ... are experts ... at what ... they do."

He is right."  Behind her, LaCroix stood with his arms across his chest.  "He will be dead in a matter on hours."

"He cannot die like this!  I WILL not let Lord Denis win.  We must save him!"  She cried, red tears streaking her cheeks.  "Bring him across!" Janette demanded.

"WHAT?"

"You heard me, BRING HIM ACROSS!"

"Why?"

"Because he makes me laugh."

"I gave you Nicholas.  Isn't that enough?  I cannot bring everyone across who pleases you, or there would be no males left on the European continent."

"BRING HIM ACROSS!"

"If you want him that badly, bring him across yourself!"  With that, LaCroix was gone.

**********

Los Angeles

Nick paced the confines of the cooler.  He could feel the claustrophobia closing in on him.  He and LaCroix had searched every inch of the small space, but the tape was right.  It was sealed tight.  At the same time, they had been sending help requests to everyone they could think of.  There must have been something dampening their efforts, for no one had even answered them.  He pounded on the door once more.  "Let us out!"  He shouted.

"Nicholas."  LaCroix said.  "You are only wasting your energy like this.  There is no one out there who can help us.  From what I can determine, no one even knows we are in here.  Come.  Sit.  Relax."  The master vampire patted the table where he was sitting.  He too, was distraught, but he dared not let his son know.

"I can't."  Nick said, panic in his voice.  "Ever since I was buried at Damnation Creek, you know I can't stand closed spaces."

"Come here, Nicholas."  The master vampire said softly as he pulled his collar from his neck.  "This should help you to relax and calm your fears."

Slowly, Nick approached his father.  His eyes began to glow and his fangs dropped.

LaCroix could feel his son relaxing as he drank from him.  Tenderly, he pulled Nick's collar from his neck and gently completed the circle.

**********

Tracy slowly approached the abandoned store.

"You're positive."  Mike asked.

Tracy nodded.  "I felt him as strong as I have ever felt anything.  Nick's in trouble."

"How bad?"

"I don't sense that he's seriously hurt, if that's what you mean, but I get the distinct impression that he and LaCroix are in here." Cautiously, she opened the door. 

Neither one was prepared for the sight that greeted them.  Although the bodies had been removed or had long disintegrated, blood and wreckage gave mute testimony to the battle that had been waged.  Broken and fire blackened equipment and furniture lay everywhere.  Nearly every wall had holes or other damage.  

"Down there."  Tracy pointed to the basement stairs.

Carefully, they picked their way to the cellar, stepping over discarded weapons and broken remnants of furniture that littered the staircase.

"Tracy."  Mike said.  "Are you sure they're here?  There's nothing down here except for a few piles of blackened ashes that might have been vampires at one time.  You don't think one of these ... "  He fought the nausea that was starting at the concept that his friend and partner ... he couldn't even finish the thought.

Tracy held her husband and shook her head.  "No.  They're still alive."  She said.  "I can feel them.  They're close."

"NICK!  LACROIX!"  Mike called.  There was no answer.

Tracy closed her eyes tightly  < Focus.  Focus. >  She repeated like a mantra.  "They're surrounded by steel ... A door ... Cold ... "

Mike scanned the room.  "Over there!"  He said, pointing to the heavy metal door to the walk in cooler.  "That has to be it!"  He ran to it and pulled on the handle.  It was locked.  He spotted a crowbar lying on the floor and wedged it behind the handle.  Both he and Tracy pulled with all their might.

**********

Hogelsworth

Lord Denis paced the Great Room, his fury seething. He had sent the executioners to retrieve the Jester for his trial, but they had said that he was nowhere to be found.  He knew that was impossible.  The torturers had told him that he was near death.  The only way he could have escaped was if someone had helped him.  But no one knew he was there.  No one except the Lady Janette. < No, she could not have done that.  Not to him ... >

His men had searched the countryside all day, but had not even found a trace of the troublesome Fool.  He had the leader of the search party flogged.  That would teach them to be more careful in their future endeavors.  It was now past sunset.  If there wasn't a trial soon, the other nobles might start asking questions.  Questions he didn't want asked.  He had to find Preston quickly.

The door to the Great Room flew open.  Lord Denis stood transfixed at the sight before him.  Preston of Carder!  It couldn't be!  The man standing in the doorway was alive and healthy …  and angry.  Very angry indeed.  "What ... do you want?"  He stammered as the Jester stalked toward him.  Lord Denis backed to the wall and stood transfixed as the Jester stopped within mere inches.

"You."  Preston growled.

"But ... I ... " The nobleman whined.  "GUARDS!  GUARDS!"  He bellowed.

"Your guards can do you no good, Lord Denis.  I have seen to it that they will not carry out your orders ever again.  Now, it is your time to face retribution for your deeds."  The Jester's eyes began to glow and his fangs showed prominently.  "You murdered your father and were going to blame it on me.  I would have gone to the gallows in your stead.  You are going to pay for your actions." He hungered, and Janette had promised him that Lord Denis would satisfy that First Hunger.

"Who ... What are you?"  Lord Denis stammered.  Fear was etched on his face as Preston grabbed him by the chin and roughly lifted him into the air.

"Justice!"  Preston growled as he sank his fangs into his neck.

**********

Los Angeles

Mike gave the crowbar one last tug, and the massive portal swung open.

Tracy flushed as she beheld the sight of the two vampires in what was obviously an intimate embrace.  "Oh my."  She said softly.

"You two want to get a motel?"  Mike asked, an idiotic smile on his face.

"How did you find us?"  Nick said, breaking the embrace.

"A certain Coroner told me to find you.  She said it was urgent."  Tracy said.

"That's my Nat for you."  Nick smiled.  "I told you we'd be found."

LaCroix smiled slightly.

"Franz?"  Mike asked.

"I fear he has slipped away again."  LaCroix said dejectedly. 

"Not necessarily."  Nick said.  "I think I know where he has gone.  Remember he said that there would be a lot less Council members when this was over."

"After Sunset!"  LaCroix shouted as he practically flew up the stairs.

**********

They practically burst through the door of the restaurant.  This place had fared no better than any of the others had.  Furniture and bottles lay scattered all over the place.  From behind the bar, Nick heard a slight moan.  It was Clarissa.  Quickly, he rushed to his sister's side.  She was still alive.  Barely ... 

"I'll tend to her."  He told LaCroix.  "You see to the others."  He tore at his wrist with his fangs and held it to Clarissa's mouth.

LaCroix stopped suddenly as he burst into the back room.  Lady Zera lay on the floor, her clothes bloody and torn.  LaCroix cast out his senses, but he could not detect the signature of the Council leader.   Franz was standing over her.  Her two bodyguards lay on either side of the Ancient, stakes protruding through their chests.  The rebel leader smiled broadly as he saw the master vampire come in the room.  Almost immediately, LaCroix was pinned by two very large ex Enforcers.

"Welcome, Grandfather."  Franz said sarcastically.  "I see you couldn't wait for our reunion.  No problem.  That just saves me the trouble of going to you." 

LaCroix managed to wrest himself from the grip of one of the vampires, only to be pounded across the kidneys by the other.  He doubled in agony.

"Ah! Ah! Ah!  That's no way to behave."  Franz touted.

"You won't get away with this!"  LaCroix growled, showing his fangs.  His eyes were gold and rimmed with red.

"And who's going to stop me?  You?  You've been fighting all night and you've been injured. You are weak and tired."  He fingered the cut and bloodied clothes that the Roman General wore. 

LaCroix had been injured several times, but they were relatively minor, and they had healed quickly.  He would have appreciated a pint or two and several hours rest, but there was no time for that.  Especially now.   

"I, on the other hand, have rested and I have just fed well."  Franz continued.  He pointed to the figure lying on the floor before them.

"You didn't!"  LaCroix shouted as he struggled against the grip of the thugs.  "How could you drink from Lady Zera!"

"That's exactly what I did!  And it was ... Good!"  He picked up a crossbow and trained it at LaCroix's chest.  "And when I have killed you, I shall drink of you as well."  He pulled the bow tight and took aim.  "I have waited patiently for so long for this moment.  At last my master will be avenged."

"I was not the one who killed your LaCroix."  The Elder said.  He struggled to break free, but the two that held him had an iron grip.

 "You didn't drive the stake, but you killed him just the same!"  Franz screamed.  His eyes were wild and glassy.  "YOU created him!  YOU should have loved him and nourished him!  Instead, YOU turned him loose to his own devices so you could embrace that sniveling De Brabant!  YOU are responsible for him, therefore YOU must DIE!"   The shot went wild, catching the General in the flesh of his side.  Spurred by the pain, he yanked himself free of his captors.  He pulled the dart out with a sinister growl and advanced on his opponent.  His eyes were feral. 

In horror, Franz looked down at the tip of the stake sticking out of his chest just below the shirt pocket.  Slowly, he sank to his knees.  Behind him, Lady Zera gave the stake one last shove.

At the same instant, Nick and Clarissa came through the door brandishing more stakes.  The two who had been holding LaCroix turned on them, but it was not long before they joined their leader on the floor.

Franz looked at LaCroix with shock and confusion in his eyes.  " Grosvater. Helfen Sie mir! Ich will nicht sterben!  (Grandfather.  Help me.  I don't want to die!)."

Nick handed his father a sword that someone had dropped.  In one motion, the elder vampire brought it up and neatly severed the rogue's head.

"And so it is done."  The Ancient said. 

"But you ... you  ... I could not find a vibration."  LaCroix stuttered, dumbfounded at seeing the venerable woman standing before him.  Her head was bleeding copiously and her left arm was hanging loosely.

"I am not killed that easily, Lucius."  She said, a small smile showing.   "You of all people should know the advantages of nearly infinite age."

In a flash, the three vampires surrounded her as she started to falter.  Lucius opened his sleeve and held his arm to the Ancient.

"But you are wounded.  You will need all your strength. "  She said, pointing to his side.

"It is of no consequence."  LaCroix said.  "Drink."

Her fangs dropped and she drank hungrily from him.

**********

Jeb placed a strip of adhesive on the bandage that covered the wounded vampire's leg and pressed it tight.  "Stay off that for a few hours and it will be as good as new."  He told the slight woman sitting on the table.  Her name was Eileen, and she lived a few miles from him.  Even though he was seeing her in the worst possible circumstances, there was something about her that attracted the Georgia vampire.  "Maybe I could, you know, come by and check up on you sometime later tonight?"

"I think I'd like that."  Eileen smiled bashfully.

He wrapped his arms around her and gently eased her from the table.  He held her a little tighter and a little longer than necessary, but it felt good.  It felt right. He watched, fascinated as she left the room.  He cleaned up the area and moved to the next patient.  He gasped and what little color he still had drained from his face.

Tino.

"Hey there, bro'."  Tino wheezed, his face a pasty gray.  He sucked on a blood pack in his right hand and another pack was suspended above the table, the tube inserted into the vein in his left arm.  "I'm runnin' about a quart low and they sent me over here for a refill."  He managed a smile for a second before grimacing in pain.   

"Let me see what I can do."  He said as he carefully removed the black vampire's jacket.   Jeb had shown a real skill for tending the wounded, and Rico had suggested that he might want to train as Dr. Tom's assistant.  Jeb thanked him politely and mused that he liked fast cars much better.

He let out an involuntary gasp as he carefully eased the temporary bandage from his friend's side.  There was a 6 centimeter hole in his right abdominal wall and blood was still freely flowing from the wound.  Jeb could see splinter fragments still embedded in the sides of the wound.

"There's the problem."  He said, trying to hide the anxiety.  "You're leaking like a seive.  We'll have you fixed up in no time flat."  He wisecracked.  He shook his head slightly.  Once the splinters were out, his friend would heal, unless he bled to death first. It would take more than his skills to save the former slave.  He needed to go to the clinic.  Fast.

Rico came over.  "Would you like to accompany him to the clinic?"  He asked.  "Things are winding down here.  I can handle it myself for a while."

**********

Lady Zera slowly withdrew her fangs from the Elder's wrist.  She looked much better than she had a few moments before.  While she wasn't exactly rosy cheeked, there was a slight touch of color in her face, and she appeared to be much stronger.  The wounds on her head were closed and her arm was beginning to knit.  By tomorrow, she would show no signs of her injuries.  "Thank you, Lucius."  She whispered giving a slight curtsy.

"You are most welcome, my Lady."  He said, bowing.  His side had nearly healed as well.

The phone board that Lucien had 'persuaded' his station to let him 'borrow' to monitor the conflict began to light up like a Christmas tree.

All the commands were reporting the same thing.  The fighting came to a rather abrupt halt once word had spread that Franz was dead.  The momentum just seemed to go out of the battle. Unfortunately before that happened, there were heavy casualties on both sides.  According to the preliminary estimates about a third of the vampire Community had perished and hundreds more were unaccounted for.  Many of the rebel vampires had surrendered when they heard that their leader was defeated, and the rest merely vanished into the night.

Lady Zera wished that the past ten hours could just vanish into the night as well.  So many had died, on both sides.  So many had caused pain and suffering, on both sides.  She wondered if the rifts opened on this evening would ever be healed.

"Pass the word to everyone."  She told the commanders.  "Amnesty will be given to any and all who come forward for it."  It was worth a try.  She could not let this travesty come between the survivors.  Perhaps that would be a start.  The Ancient hoped so.

"Amnesty?"  LaCroix said in disbelief.  "How can you think of pardoning them for the horrors they did to us?"

"Lucien."  Lady Zera said softly.  "They were fighting for what they believed in, just as we were.  Now that it is over, there is no us and no them.  Only we.  As for the atrocities, it was only Franz and a few diehard extremists that caused the majority of the pain and suffering.  If what the reports say is true, they are all dead.  I do not believe that the majority should be punished for the acts of a few."  

"You know that this will not be accepted by many of the Community."

Lady Zera nodded.  "I realize that. The rebels will not get off entirely free.  They will be penalized for their transgressions.  I will see to it that they are closely watched and monitored until I am positive that they will do no more harm.  Then, and only then will they be reintegrated into the Community."

< I will reserve judgement until I see the results of your actions. >  LaCroix thought.

< As will I, Lucius. > The Ancient sent to him

For a second, La Croix's face betrayed the fact that he was startled at Lady Zera's remarks.  He had not been sending.

"You did not know I could read minds?"  She said in a whisper that only he could detect.

**********

Hogelsworth

"Well, LaCroix."  Janette said.  "All has been taken care of and we are ready to leave."

It had been several weeks since the 'animal attack' on Lord Denis.  Martin had returned from Florence and had assumed his place as the Earl of Hogelsworth.  He had seen to it that the Lady Gertrude would be provided for in a manner suitable for a widow of the manor.  LaCroix's negotiations for the land were concluded quickly when Lord Martin agreed on the price that the previous Earl had offered.  He would make a fit and capable noble.

"What about ... Him?"  LaCroix said, pointing to Preston who sat at the table with Nicholas.

"He will join us, of course."  Janette replied.  "He needs your expert help to adjust to his new circumstances."

"I have much business to attend.  I do not have the time or patience to train a fledgling.  He is your responsibility.  You brought him across against my wishes.  You will be responsible for his education."

"Do I get a say in this?"  Preston asked.

"NO!"  LaCroix growled.

"Yes."  Janette said.

"I appreciate what you have done for me."  Preston said in his defense.  "Without the help of the Lady Janette, I would have surely died in the dungeon ... or on the gallows.   I know you do not approve of me, Sir Lucien.  I do not wish to be the cause of dissent between you and the Lady Janette.  If it is agreeable to you, I will remain here and become the Jester to the Earl.  He will need someone to guide him through the rough spots.  That is the purpose of the jester after all.  To make life more bearable through humor."

"And I sill stay with him to train him in what he needs to know to survive."  Janette added.  "When he is properly trained, I will rejoin you and Nicholas."

"Very well.  It is agreeable with me."  LaCroix conceded.

"Thank you, Kind Sir.  Thank you!"  Preston pumped the elder vampire's arm mightily.

"Do not test your luck, Jester."  He growled.  The very slightest smile betrayed his gruff exterior.  < Yes, this one will make a valuable addition to the Community. >

**********

Los Angeles

Tom came out of the examining room.  Jeb was at his side in an instant.

"He'll be all right."  The doctor smiled.  "He had enough wood in him to start a bonfire, but I got it all out and he's resting right now.  You can go in to see him in a few minutes if you'd like."

"Thanks, Doc."  Jeb said, shaking the doctor's hand vigorously.  "I don't know what I'd've done if he hadn't'a made it."

"You helped quite a bit.  If you hadn't flown him here, it would have been a lot worse.  You're a hero.  Rico told me all the things you did at the aid station.  Because of you, a lot of vampires survived that might not have made it."

"Aw, Shucks."  Jeb hung his head.  "Twarnt nothin'."  He would have blushed if he could have, but his cheeks did turn a deep pink.

**********

Donny came running across the tarmac toward his father.  Joey and Nattie were only steps behind him.  They had been the first off the chartered plane.

This day had been the longest that Nick could remember for centuries.  As soon as the battle was over, he had wanted to join his family, but the daylight made that impossible.  Instead he had spent the time pacing and waiting. 

"Daddy!  Daddy!"  Donny cried as Nick swept the three of them into his arms.  "We had the mostest goodest time!"

"We lived inside a mountain for three days!"   Joey added.  "It used ta be the home of the President in case of an attack."

"They even had a swimming pool and tennis courts in there." Nattie

"And the biggest bestest RPG game room I ever seen."  Joey finished.  "They called it the war room.  It was really neat."

"We gotsta go back there sometime again."  Donny implored.  "Can we?  Huh? Huh? Huh?"

"We'll see."  Nick said as the put the children on the ground.  He needed his arms to embrace his wife.

"It's over."  She half asked, half stated.

 Nick nodded.  "He's dead."  He picked up their bags and started for the parking lot.  "I'll tell you everything on the way home."

From the corner of his eye, He could see Robyn and Lucien embracing like the lovers that Nick knew they were.

"I wanna go see Grandfather."  Donny said.

"Not now."  Joey whispered to his little brother.  

"I think they want to have funs."  Nattie added.

"Yeah."  Joey took Donny's hand.  "We'd better hurry.  I think Mommy and Daddy want to have some funs too."

"Why?"

"Because!"

"'Cause why?"

"Just because."

"Oh."

**********

The End

Or is it a new

Beginning?