We made it to Tybee Light, landing on the observation deck, without 
Bart following through on his playful threat. I was glad of that. 
Bart's style of flirting was very similar to Derik's...playfully 
teasing with just enough dangerousness thrown in to make it exciting. 
I didn't need to be distracted right now.  A few hundred yards away 
stood the "Batteries," where the then new rifled cannons had been 
mounted that had breached Fort Pulaski's defenses during the Civil 
War. I gazed out over the waterways towards Cockspur Island 
and wished I had a pair of night-vision binoculars. No lights were 
visible to mark the fort's location. Cockspur Light, a river channel 
lighthouse only a couple of stories high, had been decommissioned 
long ago, no longer necessary due to GPS systems.


"Can *you* see the fort from here?" I asked Bart.  "Yes, but there's 
no sign of movement," he answered. "They may be inside, though."
"No," I mused. "I don't think they're in the fort at all, except 
maybe a few lesser minions for appearances."  "What makes you say 
*that*, darlin'?" Bart seemed puzzled by my statement.  "I'm betting 
that they weren't figuring on us making it to them at all tonight," I 
explained. "That means they'd want someplace that can be secured 
for daytime. Unless my memory fails me, there isn't a single room in 
the fort that sunlight can't reach. I don't think they'd use the 
bunkers on the demilune, either. Too many tourists and their kids 
like to poke around in those."


"Well, they wouldn't be in Cockspur Light for the same reason as the 
fort, sunlight," Bart said. "And they damn sure wouldn't be holed up 
at the Coast Guard station on the other end of the island."  "I think 
I know where they are," I said.  Bart looked at me expectantly. We'd 
just named every place on the island, or so he apparently thought. I 
smiled a big Cheshire-cat grin. I knew of one other possibility.
"There is one other bunker on the island," I said. "Even though the 
rangers keep them up, tourists rarely use the nature trails in the 
woods. On the north shore of the island, there's the rotted out 
remains of a pier and landing that used to be used for supplying the 
fort before the bridge was built. The bunker is by the landing. 
Anyone who discovered it locked up wouldn't question it. It's not 
visible from the fort, and they'd probably think it was being used 
for storage...That's where they're at. *Has* to be.  There's nowhere 
else on the island to hide from the sun."


Bart mulled this over a bit.  "I didn't know about that one," he said 
finally. "Of course, it's been over a century since I've been out 
this way."  "Well, don't quote me on this, 'cause it's been a *few* 
years since I've been out here, too, but I *think* this bunker was 
built during World War II as a naval observation post to watch the 
sea approaches to Savannah," I said.  "I'm not sure on that, but the 
bunker did seem more modern than the fort.  It's not big, though. 
Only a couple of rooms, if I remember right."  "It sounds like the 
most likely place for them to be, all right," Bart agreed. "But 
they're gonna be expecting an attack on the fort itself. I'm 
sending some of my people to do just that and make a good show of it. 
It'll draw attention in that direction, and we can make an approach 
flying close to the water and following the channel to that part of 
the island."


"I can't ask you to risk your people like that for a diversion, 
Bart," I protested.  "It won't be just a diversion, darlin'," he 
stated. "I'm making this my territory. A show of force is necessary 
to send that message."  I nodded understanding.  Bart surprised me by 
fishing a tiny cell phone out of his pocket. He flipped it open, 
punched a quick sequence of numbers, then returned it to his pocket.
"The word has been given. We'll give my people a half hour to get 
into position and begin their offensive," he told me.  "That quick?" 
I asked.  "I've been keeping people planted here and there in 
Gracie's territory for a few decades now," he explained. "The little 
bitch always was greedy, and I knew she'd wanted to expand into my 
territory. So, I've been keeping tabs on her."


"My, my, my, aren't *you* prepared," I observed.  "Always, darlin', 
always," Bart grinned. "Meanwhile, we've got a half hour to kill." 
His grin definitely started looking a bit more like a leer as he let 
his hunger creep into his gaze.  I took a few steps back, holding 
both hands in front of me. "Don't *even* go there, Bart," I 
warned. "A husband and one master vamp are quite enough for me to 
handle. I don't need any more complications in my life, thank you 
very much."  "Hey, you can't blame me for trying," he laughed.


Actually, yes I could, but I wasn't gonna pursue that line. He *was* 
helping me rescue Derik. I decided to change the subject.  "Will 
there be any backup going with us on the *real* attack?" I asked.
"No, it'll just be the two of us. Less chance of discovery that way. 
It should be just the three you mentioned there with him. Spice is 
the only master out of the three, and she's not that strong yet."
"Yeah, I kinda figured she was a master, just the way she treated the 
other two," I agreed. "But don't think you'll have to fight them by 
yourself. I've got a few things in mind for them myself."  "Oh, I was 
counting on it, darlin'" he said.  


I wandered around to the other side of the observation deck and 
leaned against the railing, staring out over the ocean. The 
lighthouse beacon swept out over the waves, causing the breakers to 
glow pale as they marched to shore on this moonless night. Lights of 
approaching and departing container ships twinkled on the horizon.
I was struck with a bout of melancholia. I was worried for Derik. 
Hating that he was having to face this kind of shit so soon after his 
return to the "real" world. I was also wishing that Asher was here 
with me. Right at that moment, I felt so alone.  'I am with you, ma 
rose d'acier,' Asher's voice rang warm and comforting in my mind. I 
wrapped that warmth around my being, wishing that it was his arms 
around my body. I closed my eyes with a sigh.  I could almost feel 
Asher's arms around me, pulling me back to cradle against his chest. 


Coppery-minty breath brushed my face, and soft lips brushed my cheek. 
I gave a soft moan as the lips moved to my throat. The arms tightened 
just as fangs sank into my neck.  My eyes flew open. This wasn't one 
of Asher's waking dreams he sent from time to time. This was *real*, 
and it *wasn't* Asher. Just before panic could take me, my master's 
presence flooded my being. Another vampire's presence joined and 
mingled with us, drawn by a power I was only just learning about. I 
recognized the mental voice accompanying this second presence as 
Bart's. He was louder this time, the temporary bond strengthened 
by my blood.


'Relax, darlin', this won't take long,' Bart whispered in my head.
'What is going on? Why are you doing this to me?' I asked them both, 
a tear sliding down my face. I knew Asher was holding my mind, 
keeping me from struggling against Bart. We didn't have *time* for 
these games. I had to go save *Derik*.  'Power and blood have been 
exchanged. The treaty is sealed,' both vampires said in unison.
A surge of power ran through me between Bart and Asher. Bart released 
my throat and clamped a hand over my mouth. He held me tight as I 
screamed and bucked against the power ripping at my mind.  The surge 
ebbed, and I felt Asher draw away from me gently, without offering 
any explanations. Bart had lifted me up, clutching me to him at 
some point. I was quietly sobbing and shaking all over in the 
aftershock.


Finally, the tremors subsided. Amazingly, once it was all over, I 
felt refreshed and energized.  Bart lightly kissed my forehead. "It's 
time to go now," he whispered.  Shortly, we were skimming along about 
a foot above the water, heading towards our target.  As we neared the 
rotted pier, Bart drew his power back into himself. I took the cue 
and banked my own power. Didn't want to broadcast our approach.  We 
landed on the top of the earthen mound covering the bunker. Through 
the woods came the muffled sounds of struggles. The attack on the 
fort was under way. One of the doors of the bunker swung in, spilling 
light across the small courtyard. A hulking shadow soon eclipsed the 
light as the giant, Indigo, stepped out the door, looking towards the 
fort.


Too quick to see, Bart grabbed Indigo by the neck and snatched him up 
to the top of the mound. In a violent motion, he ripped the giant's 
throat out, then whispered something in his ear, too low for me to 
hear.  "Indigo? What's going on out there?" Spice called from inside 
the bunker.  Bart flung Indigo's form off the mound to the courtyard. 
The giant lay in the spill of light, blood pooling beneath him. I 
could see the throat tissue reforming, but very slowly. He'd be out 
of the fight for a while.  "Spice, get your ass out here...NOW," Bart 
commanded.  The other master vamp flew out the door, stopping in the 
shadows just beyond the courtyard. Her fangs were bared, and she had 
drawn down power, preparing to fight. Bart stood at the crest of the 
mound, starting to glow with his own power, but still looking human. 


I crouched low to the ground, more to stay out of the line of any 
attacks than anything else.  "Gracie has been defeated. *I* am the 
Master of the City of Savannah now," Bart informed her, the power 
flowing in his voice.  "Like hell you are," Spice spat at him. "If 
she's out of the picture, then Savannah is MINE!"  "Is that a 
challenge?" Bart's voice was low and deadly.  "Yes!" she hissed.
Bart let his *full* power show. So soon after the extra boost my 
blood had given him, it was even more impressive than during the 
battle with Gracie. If Spice was smart, she would back down in the 
face of that power.  She snarled and launched herself at him. He rose 
from the ground to meet her, and the battle was on. Guess she wasn't 
smart.


A male voice screaming inside the bunker drew my attention away from 
the fight. Derik!  Quickly, I dropped down to the doorway and stepped 
inside the bunker.  Derik sat handcuffed to a metal chair. I saw his 
ankles were chained to the chair legs as well. A shallow cut ran the 
length of his forearm. The brunette vamp I had blinded earlier knelt 
in front of him. She held a bloody knife in one hand and was licking 
the wound she'd given him. Derik's face was a mask of fear, 
revulsion, pain, and blind anger. I could see that the vamp's eyes 
had reformed, but her cheeks still bore the marks of my psychic 
attack.  Like lightning, I snatched the blade from her and flung it 
out into the night. She snarled up at me, then recognition registered 
in her eyes.


"Hello, Cherise," I smiled, doing my best Hannibal Lechter voice. 
Hey, "Cherise" sounded close enough to "Clarice" to pull it off.  She 
scuttled back against the wall in a crab-like fashion. Here eyes 
were wild with the memory of what I'd done to her before. She looked 
like a trapped animal but more dangerous. I realized I was standing 
between her and the door. I stepped to the side, silently offering 
her the choice of facing me or fleeing. She saw the opening and took 
it, flying out the door. I let her go.  A quick glance around didn't 
reveal the handcuff key. Luckily, the cuffs were loose enough for me 
to slip a couple of fingers between them and Derik's wrists. Drawing 
on my marks with Asher, I snapped the cuffs then the chains on his 
legs.


Once free of his bonds, Derik embraced me, crushing me to him. I 
returned the hug, being careful not to squeeze *too* hard.  "Pookie, 
are you okay? How did you get away from them?" he asked.  "I'm 
*fine*," I told him. "They didn't take *me*, just you. All they 
did to me was drug me and leave me behind. I see you've been cut. Did 
any of them *bite* you?"  "No, that redhead wouldn't let them touch 
me," he said. "Once she left was when the other one cut me."  Just 
then, Bart stuck his head in the door. "Spice had the key to some 
handcuffs on her. Though you might need 'em," he offered. His gaze 
traveled to the snapped handcuffs and chain on the floor. "Or not."


We all moved out of the bunker. Once outside, another vamp showed up 
and bowed to Bart.  "Master, the fort has been taken,' the new vamp 
reported.  "Good work, Marius. I'm trusting you to take care of the 
cleaning," Bart told him. "No sign that anyone was here is to remain. 
Be quick about it. Sunrise is in two hours."  "As you wish, master." 
Marius bowed again and disappeared in the direction of the fort.
"Fort?" Derik asked. "Just where are we? I woke up in that chair."
"Bart's people just took Fort Pulaski," I grinned at him. He'd had a 
fascination with the place for years, wanting to use it as the 
setting for a terrorist/thriller novel ever since the events at Waco 
and Ruby Ridge.  "Just what all has been going on? Why has this been 
done to us?" he asked.  "It's a complicated story," I said. "I'll 
tell you about it on the way back to your Mom's. 


Bart, have any of your people spotted Vladimir anywhere around here?"
"No, my watchers confirmed that he headed on to Jacksonville before 
we got to Savannah," Bart answered. "You think he had something to do 
with this?"  "It wouldn't surprise me. He deliberately misled Gracie, 
causing her to initiate this attack," I told him. "As a result, a 
territory once controlled by the line of Morte d'Amour is now in the 
hands of one from Belle Morte's line...his mistress. He *is* here as 
her representative."  "Damn, girl, you *think* like a vampire, and 
you've only been around out kind for a few months!" Bart exclaimed.
"Yeah, I really scare myself sometimes," I grumbled. "But, since he's 
not around to see, it should be safe to reveal a little secret now." 


I moved to stand in front of Derik with my back to him.  "What?" 
Derik was puzzled by my behavior.  "Climb on my back like for a 
piggyback ride," I instructed.  "I can walk, Tammy," he was indignant.
"We're not *walking* back to Statesboro; we're flying," I stated.
Bart spoke up, "Whoa, darlin'. I can carry one of ya but not *both* 
of ya. Let me get one of my people to help."  "That won't be 
necessary, Bart," I said. "You don't have to carry either of us. 
*I'm* carrying my husband back."  "Are you saying that YOU can 
*fly*?" Derik was incredulous. In response, I flew straight up about 
five feet and hovered there. Derik's jaw dropped in amazement. Bart 
stood there with an expressionless face and blinked at me once.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the flight back, I filled Derik in on everything that had happened 
since his abduction, omitting some of the details of my dream 
conversation with Asher while I was drugged and the sealing of the 
treaty between him and Bart. He seemed to accept everything well 
enough. Secretly I breathed a sigh of relief. It was bad enough that 
I was scaring myself. I don't think I could've handled it if Derik 
had begun to fear me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On our way back into Orlando, I spotted a billboard advertising the 
Black Bear Insurance Agency in Longwood, a small town that was part 
of the metro-Orlando area. I was betting that Evie or some of her 
sleuth had their paws in *that* venture. I made a mental note to 
check into it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, I was back at work at Dark Mirror. I'd just finished 
checking some invoices and looked over the sales figures. The place 
was finally starting to show a profit. I was impressed. Usually took 
at least a year or more for a new business to start flourishing.
I headed down one of the back corridors on my way to the parking lot. 


Kimmy stepped out of the room Asher had given her for her shadow 
theater props and production shop. I caught a brief glimpse of some 
brightly colored toys and what looked like pink fake fur, before she 
spotted me and quickly closed the door. She wore her best Disney-
smile, bright as a klieg light and meaning absolutely nothing. I also 
noticed that the door was of heavy oak bound in silver. *That* was 
new.


"Hi, Kimmy, what's up? Watcha got in there?" I greeted her.
"Nothing," she claimed. She was *really* overdoing the innocent 
blue-eyes routine.  'Uh-huh. We believe you,' I thought. 'Of course 
we do.'