Wendy had stepped into the bathroom to touch up the red-copper lipstick she’d applied earlier in the coffee café with Brian. “Always look the part, Red.” She winked at herself in the mirror and adjusted her tight sea green blouse just as she heard the front door open.

“Wendy?” Nicholas raised his voice in question.

“I am in the bathroom, just a quick second and I will join you.” She packed her make-up bag in her purse and took a deep breath before swaggering out to meet the police officer in his living room.

“You look amazing, Give me a moment.” Nick walked into his bedroom, pulled off his holster and placed his detective badge with his keys on an end table beside his bed. “I think I am going to take a quick shower and get the day off me.”

Leaning against the bedroom door frame, Wendy stuck out her bottom lip in a small pout. “Dinner will get cold and I have waited long enough today for you.” The reporter giggled and licked her front teeth seductively. “You have had me waiting here since I dropped off my cousin. I took the time to make dinner and now you want to waste time in the shower.”

“I smell like ass.” Nick laughed, grabbed Wendy by the waist and pulled her into a possessive hug. “Although…” He took a moment to smell Wendy’s luscious red curls, “…I could eat.”

Wendy purred lightly before nibbling on Nick’s ear, “Mmm…me or dinner?”

Unable to resist any longer, Nicholas slammed his lips into Wendy’s with such a fevered pace that he accidentally bit her lip. He pulled away quickly and saw the blood forming. “Damn.

Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Wendy purred intensely before squeezing the wound so more blood formed from the tiny bite. Throwing her arms around her lover, Wendy smeared her blood onto his mouth in a deeper embrace.

Nick matched Wendy’s kiss push for push, absorbing the little dribbles of blood so they trickled down his throat. He let out an impassioned anxious grunt then kissed his way to the reporter’s neck and nibbled in the same spots he’d done earlier in the day. “God you are irresistible.” Nick expressed heatedly.

Wendy wiggled free of the man’s arms and took a couple steps back then fluffed her hair. “Pace yourself, darling.” Licking the remaining blood from her lips, Wendy started slowly walking backwards to the kitchen. “I don’t want you passing out on me just yet.” She curled her finger indicating for Nick to follow.

“You…Minx. You are a giant tease.” Nick said and adjusted his pants quickly, then followed Wendy into the kitchen. He smiled as the reporter handed him a beer from the refrigerator. “Um..thanks? I would rather have you though.” Nick took a sip of the ale and put it on the table, trying to corner Wendy. “I have plenty of stamina, trust me.” He winked.

Slithering away from Nick’s hands, Wendy pulled a chair out for him to sit in. “We have all night, Nic..hol..as.” Wendy slowly and sensually said the man’s name. “We will have a good time very shortly, I assure you, sweetie.” Pointing at the wooden seat, Wendy laughed. “Sit. I made this and you promised me a nice dinner.”

“I promised you dinner. That doesn’t mean that you make me dinner.” Nick winked and sat down. “Alright, what are we having, Ma’am?”

“Calling me Ma’am, is just rude after I slaved over a hot stove for you, darling.” Wendy placed two plates covered in tin foil on the table. “These are unique with flavors, big man.” She tore away the foil on his to reveal a juicy cheeseburger and hand-made french fries.

Nick started laughing and shook his head in disbelief. “This is by far the most fancy dinner I have had in weeks.” He sniffed the burger, “Is that…coffee?”

Wendy pulled the aluminum foil from her own plate and sat down. “It is. I looked up the recipe on Pinterest of all things. It sounded like a fun thing so I made myself some coffee for later and used the grounds like it said in the patty.”

Nick raised his beer to Wendy, “Cheers.” He smiled and winked, “Thank you for the delightful meal.” He picked up the burger and took a healthy bite, swallowed it and munched on a few of the fries before speaking again. “I know you were telling me a little fib earlier, Wendy.” He took another bite of his burger, “Brian is not even close to being your cousin. I just didn’t press the issue at the time.” Nick picked up a couple more fries and ate them waiting for a response.

Taking a couple of her own fries and dipping them into ketchup slowly, Wendy laughed and replied, “What makes you think he isn’t my cousin?”

“You don’t have an aunt or uncle. Your mother and father were only children.” He took another bite of his burger and swallowed. “I did a little checking into your family.” He cleared his throat and took a sip of beer, coughing lightly.

Wendy silently ate the two fries she’d dipped and played with moments before, watching the older man across from her get more and more uncomfortable. Reaching once more for the aluminum foil, Wendy recovered her plate and then placed her elbows on the table and innocently laid her chin in her hands. “You checked into my family, did you? What did you find out?”

Nick cleared his throat again and used the beer to wash another piece of his cheeseburger down. “Er-hummm.” He cleared his throat once more. “I-I know you gr-graduated from college with a deg…” He let out another cough and pounded his chest. “..degree in mass communications. Served a few years in the Army but l-lleft…” He took a heavy breath and caught the glimpse of a bracelet on Wendy’s wrist. “W-w..” Nick gasped for another breath of air and jumped from his seat, pulling open his silverware drawer.

Smiling wickedly, Wendy finished his sentence, “...left with honorable distinction. It is how I came into the service of fourteen news. Good police work detective.”

Nick slammed the drawer shut and drew another painful and desperate breath, before reaching for Wendy’s bracelet. Horror washed over the man’s face as he recognized that it had his name engraved on it with the words in bold black, ‘Peanut Allergy’.

Reaching into her pocket, Wendy pulled out her iPhone and tapped a few buttons before the song “Sweet but Psycho” started playing its sweet little taunting tune. Unclasping the little silver warning from her wrist, the red-head dangled it in front of Nick’s wide eyes. “You know, this helps when it’s worn. It doesn’t do much good in the drawer, next to a broken watch.”

Nick ran over to the chair he sat in most nights and dug around in the side pocket of the recliner, then fell to his knees. “W-w….” He rasped, still fighting to keep breathing.

Picking up her phone, Wendy danced and lip synched to the quick beat of the song by Ava Max.

“You’re just like me, you’re out your mind

I know it’s strange, We’re both the crazy kind

You’re tellin’ me that I’m insane

Boy, don’t pretend that you don’t love the pain

Oh, she’s sweet but a psycho

A little bit psycho

At night. she’s screamin’

I’m-ma-ma-ma out my mind

Oh, she’s hot but a psycho

So left but she’s right, though

At night, she’s screamin’

I’m-ma-ma-ma out my mind

Grab a cop gun kinda crazy

She’s poison but tasty

Yeah, people say, Run - don’t walk away

‘Cause she’s sweet but a psycho A little bit psycho…”

“It has something to it, don’t you think Nick?” Wendy stated as she watched him fall to the floor and crawl slowly towards the bathroom.. “Are you looking for these?” Wendy asked triumphantly as she produced six epipens from her purse, dangling one in front of the dying man.

Fear and panic took over in Nick’s mind as he hastily crossed the floor towards the reporter.

“P-p..”

Wendy kelt down just out of his reach and swayed one of the little pens, “Nick, Nick.” She backed up as he crawled forward. “Tisk, tisk.” Wendy inched towards the man’s recliner. “You are getting way too close for comfort.” Getting far enough out of reach, Wendy sat down on the floor and crossed her legs. Gleefully she watched as Nick clawed and crawled his way closer to her. “You see, you are so close to figuring out who killed my camera crew and those lovely guys in the ambulance.”

“Cr-cr..Craz…” Nick gurgled and surged forward, digging his fingernails hard enough that they snapped and cracked with an echo on the wood floor.

“I prefer the term curious psychotic.” Wendy cackled, sprawled out on the floor and stayed out of reach. “I will give you a hint.” She whispered, “Tee-hee, it was me.” Wiggling her eyebrows, she feigned a shocked look on her face. “Oh, I know! Who’d think that a demure little red-head like myself, would kill four…I mean five people.” She bit her lip fast, “Eh, it’s still four. You aren’t dead.” Pausing to once more dangle the epipen in front of Nick, “Yet.”

Nick’s eyes rolled up and his head hit the floor. Wendy crawled forward and slapped his face hard enough that his head twisted lightly and he wearily opened his eyes. “Now, now. No giving up just yet.” She laughed and bounced the life saving pen on his forehead. “You don’t know how I did it!” She laughed and scooted back once more, resting her chin in her hands. “Genius, if I do say so, myself.” She beamed. “When I found your lovely bracelet..” Wendy clasped the medical chain on Nick’s wrist. “I just had to make a dinner you wouldn’t forget. French fries in peanut oil for starters.” She fluttered her eyes and laughed maniacally, “The burger? Yes, that too. I used your lovely coffee grinder and made peanut powder from about a cup of peanuts and the coffee grounds.” She leaned forward and kissed his bluing lips. “It worked like a champ! I am proud of it.” Standing up, Wendy brushed herself off. “You are my crowning achievement, Nick. You should feel the privilege of dying to me and not some blood sucker.”

Still singing, Wendy watched as Nick’s eyes slid shut for the final time. “Let’s see. Put these back where they belong.” She danced to the music as it kept playing from her phone and replaced five of the six epipens where she’d found them hours before. “Hummm. Let’s make this tragic, Nick.” Pulling Nick’s body so it faced his recliner, she placed the final pen in his hand and patted his balding head, “You won’t be needing your notes anymore.” Wendy grabbed the officer’s notebook and his phone. “Humm, should I let someone know that you are here rotting on the floor?” Shaking her head and packing up her plate, Wendy headed for the door. “No. Since you already smell like ass, let’s let the others enjoy it as well.” She paused at the front door, “I hate to kill and walk away, but I have a vampire to track down.”

Vivienne dashed from the roof down to the first floor and into an unused waiting room. Alerts toned throughout the hospital as she pulled out her phone and quickly dialed Casey’s number. Facing out of the window as nurses and paramedics rushed the back door, Vivienne sat quietly until Casey answered, “Vivienne, I have you on speaker.”

“Faye, mon amour.” She paused as more staff bolted down the hallway. “We have a little problem.”

Faye heard the alarms and code calls over the hospital PA system, “What happened? I thought we agreed to trickery.”

“Indeed we did, mon amour.” Vivienne stopped talking as the gurney with doctor Smith rolled by. “One could say I altered the plan a bit.” Vivienne walked out of the waiting room and began looking for the IT department. “The good news is that I got the card and his pin.” Vivienne started running through the hospital following the little signs. “The bad news is, I tossed him from the roof and now he’s in surgery.”

Casey and Faye groaned at the same time. “You called me reckless, Viv.” Casey added quickly.

“Allow me to take this opportunity and express in no uncertain terms that we can reflect on my terminology about your drunken actions later.” Vivienne stopped in front of the locked door leading into the hospital's server farm. “I found the place you wanted me to go, Faye. Shall I use the card, or is it too dangerous now that the man is unconscious?”

“We might only get one chance to use it before the card goes dead.” Faye commented flatly. “If we can use it from a terminal rather than just the door, that would be perfect. Just don’t break down the door, find another way in or wait until someone comes out.”

“I have an idea, Faye. Just tell me what to expect when I get in there.” Vivienne took a moment to listen closely. “I count ten distinct heartbeats from the other side of this door. Sounds like there are a couple air conditioning units as well.”

“Okay, that helps me quite a bit.” Fay looked down at the phone as another call popped on the screen. “Uh, Casey. I think your boyfriend is trying to talk to you.” She flipped her hand up and squinted, “What you are doing is more important, Faye. All he is going to do is complain about something.” She added, “Finish up with Viv.”

Faye nodded, “Okay, like I was saying. Most NOC’s…um network operation centers…have a number of people working at any time. There are people for backup, exchange, boundaries, security…”

“...Faye, I don’t need the complete list.” Vivienne cut off her partner and sighed. “Let me get in and control the area then I will call back.”

Vivienne didn’t wait for a response and hit the button to disconnect the call. Quickly feeling the edges of the door frame, she found a spot where there was a light breeze coming from the bottom of the heavy steel door. She closed her eyes and focused on the specific locations of all ten beating hearts. “I hope she can erase all of this.” Vivienne whispered to herself, before dissipating into a small black cloud and funneling under the door and into the room.

Entering the room, Vivienne’s gaseous inky cloud kept to the shadows and took in her surroundings. The layout was basic, with two long wooden desks in the shape of a half-moon that contained six seats each. The front of the operation center had six large screens with the various details on the status of the network, and one dedicated to the news and ongoing weather. Taking a slow lap around the room Vivienne spotted a secondary door in the back of the room and wafted her way below that door into a room filled with metal racks containing various circuit boards that Vivienne ignored in favor of the two steady heartbeats she heard in the far corner of the red lit room.

Reforming her body behind the two men, Vivienne drew a breath and blew her scented enchantment over both men, causing them to lean back in their chairs with a grin on their faces. Partly drained from using her gas form for so long, the ancient vampire drove her fangs into one of the men and fed on his pulsing life essence until he turned to dust. Vivienne breathed deep and licked her lips free of the sweet iron the man provided and focused on his companion. “Hello. When you awaken, you will just know that your friend here left without a word and never returned.” The charmed man nodded blissfully as Vivienne blew over his face once more.

Quickly dialing Casey back Vivienne sat in the seat that the other man occupied. “Faye. I am in some big room with lots of what looks to be metal racks everywhere.”

“Does it look like a bunch of motherboards?” Faye paused. “A bunch of circuit boards plugged into those metal racks up and down?”

“Yes. I should inform you that in this room there were two men. One is currently charmed and the other, I drained.” Vivienne paused to look at her charmed companion and then back to the phone. “The one I drained, the computer is unlocked and I can access whatever he could. Do we still need Smith’s card?”

“Perhaps. Let’s hold it in reserve for now.” Faye started speaking slow and clear, “I want to get remote access to the terminal you are currently using. Vivienne, is the other guy’s terminal open as well?”

Vivienne heard the shift in Faye’s tone and knew that her partner and progeny was in her element. “The other terminal is open, Indeed.” Vivienne whispered in the man’s ear. “Oh..my dear friend, what is your name?”

The guy slurred his speech in answering Vivienne, “Jackson.”

Vivienne smiled and kept her enchanting words whispering in his ear. “When the time comes Jackson, I will need your help. Will you kindly assist me?”

With a slobbering smile on his face, Jackson nodded. “So pretty…”

Vivienne smiled and spoke into the phone once more, “Jackson is with us if you need him, Faye.”

Faye walked her girlfriend through the process of opening remote access and sharing the screen so that she could work. “Perfect, Vivienne.”

“What exactly did we just do Faye?” Vivienne asked and walked around the rest of the room eying the cameras. “Mon amour, would you put cameras in the same place you are monitoring?”

Engrossed in her task, Faye barely heard the questions that Vivienne posed and took a few extra seconds to respond. “What? Sorry. What you did was give me the access from here. You saved me the time of having to figure out the firewalls and security, because I had you contact me and give me full access via remote.” Faye paused a moment, “Simple terms? We bypassed all of their security.”

“So we didn’t need to almost kill that other doctor?” Casey asked from the background.

“I didn’t want him hurt anyway, Casey.” Faye commented and kept working. “Vivienne. Yes. Putting cameras up isn’t anything new. The designer would want full coverage.”

Vivienne heard the keypad on the door start chiming. “We have company.” Placing the call on hold quickly, Vivienne stepped away from the well lit monitors and into a darker section of the red tinted room. A buzzing noise radiated through the room and a woman walked though, quickly closing the door behind her.

“Jackson. Do you have…” Vivienne cut off the woman’s question with a soft kiss to her neck. Leading the dizzy woman to the seat beside Jackson, Vivienne stood and looked at the pair. -Three missing people would be another mess.- Resolving to let the events play out, Vivienne resumed the call with Faye and Casey. “My apologies. I had to deal with another person.”

Faye stopped working from her location and looked at the phone. “Please tell me I don’t have more to erase, this is proving difficult as it is.”

“Faye, darling.” Vivienne expressed calm and lovingly, “No ma’am you do not. The intruder is safely dazed and sitting beside her companion, Jackson.” Vivienne took the time to feed lightly from the two workers, swirling the heavenly rust flavored blood on her tongue before swallowing. “Yummy.”

Faye worked her way through the levels of the network and eventually found what she was looking for. “Finally. That took way too long. I should have been able to figure this out much faster.” Faye finished her tasks and sent a final command to stop all the cameras from recording. “I must still have gaps in my memory.”

“I have complete confidence in your ability, mon amour.” Vivienne reassured Faye, “I am counting on you, Tigerlily.”

“Viv, I am trying to relax her now.” Casey added. “Faye, um…do you think you need to, well…”

“Casey.” Vivienne called over the phone sternly, “I know what you are thinking. If she tries that now, she might go into a frenzy. I am not overly concerned that you will be harmed, it is that she will want more and probably dash off before this task is complete.”

Faye spoke up for herself, “I am fine you two. You can say the word blood.” She paused for a breath, “Casey, no. I don’t need to feed, I am perfectly fine right now.” Giggling lightly as she kept working, Faye followed up, “I will hold you to that offer when Vivienne gets back.”

“I do not wish to stop the little moment you both are having, but we do have a rather time sensitive issue, mon amour.” Vivienne expressed playfully. “If more people come in here, it is going to be difficult to account for four people missing.”

“Keep your pants on…” Faye jokes, “...at least for now.” She waited and heard the delightful purr from the other side of the phone. “Let me focus. I am nearly done.” Faye closed the server window containing all of the hospital's backups, “Alright. I am going to disconnect. What I want you to do is log that other user out and use Smith’s card.”

“If everything is erased, what are you doing?” Vivienne forced herself to think about the task at hand and not the image Faye just conjured of her pants. “You, mon amour, are distracting.” “What goes around, comes around.” Faye laughed. “Alright you tease, back to business.”

Vivienne plugged the other access card into the reader and punched in Smith’s code. “Mon amour, would you like access once again?”

“Indeed.” Faye giggled and watched as she shared the screen and started working once more.

“I enjoy hearing you laugh, Faye.” Vivienne watched her partner open various windows and start typing what appeared to be gibberish. “By the way, that word is mine.” Vivienne joked and checked on her two charmed victims. “I confess to not knowing what you are doing, Faye. Please enlighten me.”

“Let me give you the short story.” Faye kept typing the code, “I am creating fake log files for the servers, under Smith’s account, I am also setting the server time clock back a few hours to match his last login.” She took a breath, “Then I am going to erase the remote session logs and make it look like the hospital records have all been exposed to a site in Russia.” Faye laughed and executed the code, “Truly amazing. It would have taken me days to do this before.” She added, “Now pull the card, and get out. Don’t worry about the cameras, they are all shut off.”

Vivienne disconnected the call and whispered instructions to the couple in the room. “I was never here, you two. Thank you, Jackson.” Vivienne blew her enchanting breath once more over the couple before shifting back into her black cloud and exited both rooms. Reforming outside the main IT door, Vivienne bolted back to Smith’s office and tossed the access card back on his desk. “Stars above, I love her.” Vivienne thought to herself after thinking how easily the loose ends were tidied up. “Truly amazing.” Vivienne made her way out of the hospital and fluidly changed into her raven form and flew home.

Sitting in one of seats on her room’s balcony, Wendy sipped a large cup of coffee and relaxed in the chilly breeze that came from the ocean. “Let’s see what you knew about, Nick.” Wendy laughed to herself and the memory of the helpless detective scraping the floor with his fingernails. -Felt good though.- a distant voice in her mind told her. “Yeah, it did.” She confidently affirmed out loud. Digging Gemelli’s notebook from her bag, Wendy started flipping the pages. -Lovely handwriting for a guy.- She snicker-snorted and read the entries, starting with his interview about her.

• Richard’s fingerprints on coffee cup near location of body removal. Interview Wendy Richards, review hotel footage. *Video footage clear, only shows crew leaving their room*
• Check when garbage is emptied at the pier location to get a general time of when discarded cup could have been onsite. *Can emptied every 12 hours, cannot confirm time cup was discarded.*
• Richards reconfirmed both her cameraman and driver (Jeff and Ted). Presence of scopolamine in both bodies. ‘Devil’s Breath’ - Allegedly causes loss of free will, and open to suggestion by a predator. Childlike obedience. Verify fact vs fiction with this drug. Powder typically added to tea. Overdose causes death quickly. *Subsequent search via warrant delivered to the hotel, revealed no drugs present in Ms Richard’s room. Follow up with a search of the news van at the earliest opportunity.*
• Richards cleared as a suspect.

Wendy smiled to herself and put the notebook down, and sipped more of her coffee. “No,

Nick. You just don’t know the earth will provide what you need if you have the right ability.” She calmly whispered to the wind and rubbed her dark rune mindlessly. “Only make what you need, Detective. I needed part of a borracho tree to make the powder.” She cackled and drew in an ice-salt breath admiring herself aloud. “Pulled it all the way from Columbia, it was such a great rush.” Wendy shook off the sensation and kept flipping the pages. She passed the small details on the ambulance crew and her swirling brown eyes widened with delight reading the next few entries.

• Missing person, Karen Collins. Released from Hospital by Cardiologist Vivienne Moreau.
• Contacted hospital administrator Dr. Christopher Smith, was told to get a warrant for the release order.
• Dr. Vivienne Moreau, 2121 Midnight Crescent Lane.

“There you are, blood sucker.” Wendy tore out the page with Vivienne’s address on it and tossed Nick’s book on the table. Outstretching her fingers, she focused for a few seconds on the embedded rune in her palm. Thin streaks of flame leapt out from her fingernails engulfing the tiny journal, turning it to ash within moments and leaving a small charcoal rune of fire behind. Wendy looked up at the moon, “Praise The Darla and the path.” A gust of wind blew the black rune away and Wendy smiled as she finished off the last of the coffee she’d made at Nick’s house.

Walking back inside and closing her balcony door, Wendy turned on the television to the news and settled on her bed. Opening her laptop, Wendy had just hit the power button when the sound of a heartbeat pulsed from her phone. Setting the computer to the side, she picked up the phone and saw the black heart app, pulsing. -The Darla.- A nervous knot quickly formed in her stomach, and she punched the black heart with her finger. “Richards.”

A dulcet and concerned voice funneled over the phone, “Wendy.”

“Yes, Loved one?” Wendy replied in a fearful tone.

“It would appear that you have been busy, dear.” The Darla stated factually. “I gave you instructions to observe and gather information.”

“I-I ha-have done that, Loved one.” Wendy defended herself.

“I expect you to explain your use of the earth and how it relates to the five dead bodies I am told you have produced.” The Darla’s voice went deep and insidious. “With nothing to show

for it.”

“Forgive me, Loved one.” Wendy pleaded and continued, “However, you are mistaken. I-I think I just found the one you are seeking.”

“Go on.” The Darla commanded.

Wendy felt a cold chill run the length of her spine as ‘The Darla’ spoke, “I believe the one’s name is Vivienne Moreau. Sh-S..She’s a doctor of some renown.”

The tone on the phone shifted, “Good dear. You are one of the most talented we have.” The

Darla calmly spoke, “It is why I trusted you with this mission. Do you know where to find Doctor Moreau?”

“I have an address, Loved one.” Wendy stated.

“Listen to what I am telling you.” The hollow voice of ‘The Darla’ echoed in Wendy’s room, “Infiltrate her home. Find anything you can that is useful, then come back to the farm. Use whatever tools you have at your disposal to get in and get out like you were taught. Do not engage…” The voice got low and dangerous, “...Or you will not like my next call. Is that clear, Dear?”

Wendy looked down at her shaking hands and balled them up quickly into fists. “How d-d-do I get into a vampire's home without them hearing my heart pounding?” She paused, “Can I use the darkrealm?”

“I said use what tools you have been taught. The living is fooled with slight shadow steps and silent movement. Nosferatu are much different, Use what you’ve been taught. Capture means your death.”

“I understand, Loved one.” Wendy smiled for the first time.

“Tell me about the five you have dispatched.” The Darla asked ominously.

“W-what makes you th-thin…” Wendy tried to lie and was cut off.

A low disapproving growl came through the phone before ‘The Darla’ spoke again, “I know your methods, Wendy!” Loud and compelling, the female voice continued, “Now, tell me why you did it, and do not try to lie to me again.”

Wendy felt the chill of death in her benefactors' words. “Forgive me, Loved one.” Wendy waited a long second before speaking, “There were complications that forced my hand. My crew were not awakened, and saw the footage you sent. The ambulance crew were a leak to the police and Detective Gemelli was in charge of the investigation. Removing them by accidental means removes any trace of our movements here, Loved one.”

“Sounds like you cleaned up the mess for the enemy.” The Darla commented flatly.

“N-No, Loved one. I felt it was necessary to keep the mission secret, and that started with my crew. I-It Just spiraled.” Wendy expressed quickly. “I should tell you that I have awakened someone.”

“What?!” The voice became stern once more. “Wendy, you are becoming a liability. You have broken every part of my directive to you.”

Gulping fearfully, Wendy croaked out a few words, “He, I, both.. the signs…” Panicked, Wendy jumped off her bed and went out on the balcony once more, looking around frantically. “I found him b-because of your information about Casey Rivers. H-he was born with the mark, Loved one.”

“Born with it?”

Wendy furled her eyebrows as the confused tone of the question hit her. “Yes, I saw it from a picture and made contact, since he is Casey’s boyfriend.” She paused, “I had the signs from the wind and leaves telling me to awaken him. I..I followed th-the path.”

“Very well, Wendy. I forgive you this time.” The Darla took an audibly loud breath, “Bring him to the farm with you after your mission. Do not expect mercy again.”

“Your love is generous. I will find something to use, I swear.”

“My love is forgiving as well, Wendy. I will see you at the farm soon, Dear.” The Darla disconnected the call.

-How the hell did she know about Gemelli?- Wendy wondered silently to herself, as she walked back inside and sat down on the small sofa in the room. “There’s no way she could…” She stopped herself and looked down at her phone. -Fuck.- She watched the little black icon beating softly. Wendy powered down the phone, picked up the iron provided by the hotel and started bashing the small device into metal chunks. Swinging the iron erratic and hard enough that her red locks sprawled wildly in her vision, she let her anger run its course. “Problem solved.” Placing the iron back where it belonged, Wendy slid back onto her bed and took a steady deep breath. “Now I will prove that spies aren’t necessary, Loved one.” Grabbing her laptop, she punched in Vivienne’s address and waited for the image to appear. When the image loaded, she zoomed in for a closer look at the circular house and the surrounding trees. “Well planned, Doctor. I think the beach approach is the easiest way in.” Touching the screen with her imprinted palm, Wendy focused her mind and pulled the image from the screen onto her hand. “Off we go.”

Vivienne gracefully glided through her back door and saw Faye cuddling Casey on the sofa while the two watched the news. “Well. Doesn’t this look cozy.” Vivienne laughed and headed downstairs.

Faye watched as her partner breezed past them both. “It isn’t cozy…”

“It’s not?” Casey quipped and laughed.

“...That isn’t fair, you are cozy.. but..” Faye twisted so she could see Casey’s face and started laughing as well. “Alright, you got me.” Faye redirected, “Vivienne. It isn’t like you think.”

“Pray tell me what I am witnessing then, Mon amour.” Vivienne returned with a bottle of chilled champagne.

Faye sighed and rolled her eyes. “I was doing testing.”

“Indeed, Faye. I was certainly not thinking that.” Vivienne retrieved three long stemmed champagne flutes and popped the cork on the dark bottle. “I thought Casey had fallen for your many charms, Miss Park, Of the Ocean Lily.” Vivienne winked and smiled as she poured the light bubbly. “Provide me with the information on this test and the results.” Vivienne swaggered over to the sofa and handed Faye the first glass.

Lost in thought with the way Vivienne’s hips swayed, Faye barely noticed when the raven haired beauty offered her the drink. “I-I, um..” Faye swallowed hard and sat up, dislodging Casey.

“Hey!” Casey complained while half-asleep. “Rude.” Casey huffed and sat up and shook off the dreamy look in her chocolate eyes.

Finally gaining enough control of herself, Faye stood up and took the glass from Vivienne.

“Testing, right. I successfully fed from Casey. Three times as a matter of fact.” Faye beamed, “I counted to five both times and just stopped.”

“Yeah she did.” Casey purred and smiled at Faye. “Feel free to keep testing.”

Vivienne handed Casey the second glass and raised her eyebrow. “Casey.” Vivienne smiled and got her own glass from the table. “I have come to the conclusion that you enjoy being bitten.”

“It is difficult to explain, Vivienne.” Casey spun the champagne glass in her hands, “I know what you both are doing, and I can only think about your tongues and my blood.” She paused and looked at the twin vampires, “I feel it all over, I tingle and almost..burn.” Laughing just after her ‘burn’ comment, Casey shook her head. “I just realized something. Both times you have fed from me Vivienne, I have attacked Brian afterwards.”

Vivienne pulled Faye to her feet and held her tightly. “Mon amour, you are simply amazing.”

She leaned in and kissed Faye lightly on her soft lips. “A small celebration is in order.”

Vivienne turned and faced Casey. “Would you mind adding some…flavor to our bubbly?”

Grinning wide and flipping her hair, Casey exposed her long neck to Vivienne. “With pleasure.” She purred and walked over.

Vivienne reached out for Casey’s hand and pulled her fingers straight. Quickly looking back to Faye, “With your permission, Mon amour. I did say my kisses are all yours now.”

Laughing, Faye shook her head. “This doesn’t count as a kiss.”

Vivienne willed her fangs down where they locked in place. She opened her mouth to bite Casey’s fingers and stopped and looked at the television for a second before actually biting into her ward’s tender flesh. Vivienne retracted her fangs and watched Casey’s blood drain into her glass, mixing with the champagne in little red wisps that popped the bubbles making the mixture hiss. Vivienne added just as many droplets of blood to Faye’s glass and licked Casey’s fingers closed. “Thank you, Miss Rivers.” She raised her glass. “I used to always celebrate a hunt, when I was younger. What we just accomplished is like that. Our first successful task together is complete. Thank you.” Vivienne winked at Faye and sipped from her glass.

Faye smiled, “First real team I have been on, I think.” She shrugged and took a small sip.

Vivienne winked at her partner and they both looked at Casey, “Delightful.”

“Here we go again.” Casey took a sip as well. “Didn’t we already have this conversation?”

Vivienne kissed Faye one more time and finished off her blood laden sparkling wine and set the flute down. “Stage one complete.” She paused and looked at the television and to the stairwell. “Interesting.”

Faye looked at Vivienne then to the television. “What is interesting there? It is just news, the guy is going over the weather.” She turned to Casey, “Mind if I enhance the rest of my drink here?”

“Sure.” Casey shook her head and held up her fingers again. “Under one condition, you stop calling my blood delightful.”

“Deal.” Faye gently suckled on Casey’s fingers for a moment, and clamped down with her fangs and felt the hot sanguine liquid squirt across her tongue, making her quickly flutter her eyes. She swallowed the two tiny streams that pulsed, before pulling Casey’s digits from her mouth and watching with delight as the beverage took on a pink undertone. “Mmm, Thank you, Casey.” Faye offered and licked the punctures.

Vivienne cautioned, “Casey doesn’t have an infinite supply, love.” She pulled out her phone, “Stage two.” She headed to the chair where she and Casey had the ‘ward’ conversation and sat down, regal. “First, we need to prepare for going to Petersburg.”

“You act like that is an undertaking.” Casey smiled and nibbled on the fingers that the couple had opened. “Can’t we just take one of the cars?”

Faye opened Vivienne’s laptop and quickly pulled up the website for the City of Petersburg,

“It is only about an hour and a half away.” Pointing her thumb behind her at that front door, Faye added, “We could just zip out there now.”

Vivienne frowned and held her hand up, “One does not just appear without arrival plans.” She pointed at the laptop, “Faye, I do believe that you had an issue with the clothing choices you have available to you in the wardrobe.”

Faye wiggled her eyebrows and laughed, “You called them leftovers. I don’t want to be reminded of your trophy meals.”

“Who is the comedian at this point, Mon amour?” Vivienne commented and didn’t wait for a response, “I have a solution to your attire issue as well, Faye.”

“Which is?” Faye inquired and hopped in Vivienne’s queen-like lap.

Taking a few seconds to pull her hair out of the bun she’d put it in to go hunting, Vivienne shook out her silky black hair and it fell across her chest. “I assume you know how to shop online, Tigerlily.”

“Yes, that I remember how to do.” Faye frowned and looked at Casey. “Does she do that to you?”

“Yep. Confuses me and doesn’t answer things in order.” Casey looked at the stairs and looked at Vivienne. “Did you smell that?”

“Indeed. Coffee.” Vivienne confirmed, and refocused on Faye. “There are a number of lovely stores that are local and will deliver within an hour.”

“You have to be kidding me, Vivienne. You need time to process the order and have it delivered. The delivery time alone can be an hour.” Faye retorted.

Vivienne pointed at the laptop, “Should you decide that you want to have clothing and items of your very own, I have places bookmarked that you can use. If you have any problems, tell me the store and I will call them personally. I assure you, once you login with the saved credentials, anything you order will be here in an hour.”

Giving Vivienne a kiss and a hug, Faye jumped up and hurried over to the small computer. “Do I have a spending limit?” Faye inquired.

“Don’t worry about it. Just buy what you want to.” Vivienne responded flatly, then looked up once more at the stairwell. “Casey, do me a favor and look around upstairs and see if anything seems out of place. I keep getting a strange feeling. I can’t quite understand why.” “On it.” Casey stretched and headed upstairs.

Faye turned to watch Casey dart upstairs and secretly wanted to as well. “You know, Viv, I am kind of bored.” She loaded a ‘cart’ with various things that appealed to her, “What do you do when it's … well this slow?”

Vivienne didn’t look up from her iPhone, “Go flying around and watch people as they go about their business. I watch and try to adapt to what I see.”

“Like what?” Faye countered and added more to her shopping list. “You know this is getting expensive.”

Vivienne looked up at her progeny and shrugged, “Well, I enjoy watching how people court each other.”

“No one calls it that, old lady.” Faye giggled and hit the checkout button. “Um, that was about three thousand dollars.” Faye looked at Vivienne worried, “Are you sure this is okay? That was a ton of money on a few things.”

“I said don’t worry about it.” Vivienne snapped her fingers. “Found it.” Vivienne looked up from her tiny screen, “Enlighten me then. What would you call it?”

“It’s called…say it with me… dating.”

Vivienne blinked her entrancing blue eyes, “Yes, I knew that.”

“Then stop sounding like you are from what, the 1800s?” Faye hopped to another site and started browsing, “Mind if I get things other than clothes?”

“Mon amour, do not concern yourself with the costs. Whatever you purchase can be brought along with us to Petersburg.” Vivienne held up her finger. “I have to make a quick call.”

Casey came down from upstairs with a look of slight embarrassment on her face, “Viv, nothing going on up there.” She shrugged and looked at Faye. “She completely ignored me.”

“Like you said before, she does that.” Faye looked away from her latest purchase and pointed it out to Casey. “What do you think?”

Casey bounced over to the back of the sofa and leaned over the fledgling vampire, “Faye, that’s a laptop.” Casey shrugged, “I guess it looks nice?” She hopped over and sat beside Faye and pointed to herself, “Marine biology. You want information on a shark, I’m your girl.” She poked at the screen and the image of a silver laptop, “That stuff never interested me much.” She put her hair up in a ponytail and noticed a text come in from Brian when her phone let out a light tone.

Faye looked up and to her side, “Going to have to face the music sometime.”

Casey opened the text and scanned it, “He’s just wondering where I am, since I am not at my mom’s.” She tossed the phone on the table and sat back, “It just means he called my mom and she told him I wasn’t there.” She smiled at Faye, “He did apologize though, so that’s something.” Casey pointed to Vivienne. “What is she doing?”

“I know you heard her.” Faye clicked another button then looked up at Casey. “I get the feeling I was never very good at small talk before.” Faye giggled and smiled, “I am getting toys.”

“Geek.” Casey muttered and scooted beside Faye, bored.

“Hasselberry Associates, How may I direct your call.” Vivienne put the phone on speaker, “Good evening. Whom am I speaking with, please?” Vivienne lightly asked.

“Laura Hasselberry. How can I assist you?”

Vivienne nodded to herself, “Please connect me with Alyssa Hasselberry, I am her biggest client.”

“Uh…um…” Laura stuttered, “Her biggest client? Give me just a moment please.”

Pleasant music started playing, and Vivienne looked at the two on the sofa, “Odd. I never had this problem before.”

“What problem, Vivienne?” Faye answered and looked at Casey, “What do you think?”

“Do it, that matches your hair.” Casey affirmed.

“This music, or being told to wait.” Vivienne huffed.

Faye and Casey looked at each other and then to Vivienne. “You’ve never been put on hold before?”

“No.” Turning so her glittering blue eyes shone for both of them, Vivienne added, “I find I am not a fan.”

Casey and Faye turned to each other and started giggling wildly. “Too funny.” Casey blurted.

Vivienne heard the music stop, “I-um. I have her accounts here, um…I have instructions to aa-ask for a code?”

“Finally.” Vivienne calmly replied. “1790VM.”

“O..oh my g-god. It’s true.” Laura gasped. “Mis-um-Doctor Moreau..I apologize.”

Vivienne heard the confusion in the woman’s voice. “I should tell you th-that Alyssa passed away a few years ago.” Laura gulped and continued, “I-I am handling the business now.”

“I am not familiar with Alyssa having a daughter named Laura, her daughter’s name was Miram. Kindly inform me as to who and why I should trust you.”

“M-Miram is my mother.” Laura expressed. “H-how can I help you?”

“I will require you to open the Manor.” Vivienne paused, “I can assume you have the instructions for opening Ravenstead Manor?”

“Yes Ma’am. According to this, it was closed by my grandmother sixty-eight years ago.” Laura added, “I will have the manor open as soon as possible.”

“Tomorrow night. My entourage will be arriving in the morning, I will be arriving about an hour after sunset.” Vivienne’s French accent coaxed the lady on the other end of the line.

Faye looked up with a shocked look in her green eyes, “Manor?”

Casey shook her head and giggled, “Entourage?”

Laura’s voice went higher, “M-D-Doctor Moreau. You are asking the…”

Vivienne cut the young woman off, “I will also need a PODS container, number 1478BB delivered and unpacked on the first floor display room. I will send you precise instructions on how to display them after this call.” Vivienne looked over and winked to the others, “You will also need to renovate the kitchen at this location and then close my beach house.” “I-I…” Laura’s voice sounded desperate.

“Calm down, Ms Hasselberry.” Vivienne spoke softer and calming to the woman. “Your grandmother and I discussed these things long ago, I recall that she wrote it all down.” Vivienne kept her tone even and elegant, “Compensation is only part of what you will receive when the list is complete, Laura.”

“I understand.” Laura’s panic seemed to wash away, “Ravenstead Manor will be ready when you arrive.”

Vivienne heard a tearing and the sound of paper being unfolded. “It would seem that you found my instructions, my friend.”

“I have them here, yes.” Laura got silent for a couple seconds, “This explains to have guards onsite, but not what kind. Do you require armed surveillance?”

“That would be ideal. When we arrive, coordinate with my personal assistant. Her name is Casey Rivers, I sent that update a few days ago.”

“Yes, Doctor.” Laura cleared her throat, “I apologize for putting you on hold earlier, I was confused. I never thought this would happen. Nana and mom made sure the main house stayed updated, but overall it is like how you left it.”

“I expect to meet you when I arrive, Laura Hasselberry.” Vivienne smoothly added. “I will see you tomorrow evening.”

“Yes, Doctor Moreau.” Laura added, “I have to get started, are there any other requests?”

“I believe that will be all until I arrive. Further instructions will be given at that time, Laura.” Vivienne disconnected the call and looked over at the two shocked faces glaring back at her. “What?”

Excited by the prospect of once more returning to the place her and her fellow infiltrators called ‘darkrealm’, Wendy pushed her news van nearly to its limit. Rarely did the newswoman have the pieces fall into place for an operation with such grace, Wendy marveled as she pulled into a dark corner of a small parking lot that was housing a speed-dating event in a black-box theater. Fate had intervened, Wendy had convinced herself. Light traffic where normally she’d have to weave aggressively through dense lines of cars, green lights paving her way over the stop-and-go annoyance at intersections and finally zero police presence to be wary of thanks to the myriad of events that had plagued the city.

Placing the van in park, Wendy heard nearby church bells start to toll deeply for the residents. “Hell's Bells, people. Hell's Bells.” She whispered to herself, quickly reminded of the AC/DC song. Tying her curly red hair into a knot, Wendy unbuckled her seat belt and hopped into the rear of the van. Noting that it took her longer to work with her red mane, Wendy looked down and noticed her hands trembling slightly. -You got this.- She reassured herself and took a deep breath, closing her swirling brown eyes. Focusing on her memory of darkrealm, Wendy knelt down and found comfort in her memory.

Visually, Wendy loved that darkrealm was a mirror of the world around her with the exception that it was doused in twilight and everything had an inky haze on its edges that seemed to float into nothingness. Recalling the peaceful silence of the realm, Wendy felt her nerves settle and her hands stop shaking. Letting the memory run its course, the lady infiltrator chuckled to herself thinking about how they all had to learn sign language so they could communicate effectively.

Whispering to herself, “It’s now or never.” She opened her eyes and looked at the basic layout of the grounds that was imprinted on her hand a final time and committed her plan to memory. Wendy replayed it in her head a couple times. -Rear entrance. No common areas. Private locations. Bedrooms, closets, drawers. Solo Mission.-

Focused on her task, Wendy traced the rune on her palm and called forth her magic. Unlike the flashy display of power that she’d quickly used on Gemelli’s notebook, Wendy knew that this spell was more subtle and took more of herself to weave into being. Although her pulse skyrocketed and her breathing became intensely labored, Wendy through practice had honed the spell so precisely that it completed in a matter of seconds. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Wendy dropped her hands to her thighs and waited patiently for her incantation to finish weaving into reality. Still trying to catch her breath, she looked up when she felt the shadows of the moonlight start wavering. “Yesss…” Wendy whispered to the flickering shadows and looked up briefly, “Thank you, Gaia. Answering your daughter’s call will bring the path forward.”

Shadows coalesced silently into a feminine figure that seemingly pulled itself from the floorboard of the van. Wendy smiled in admiration as the mirror of herself, a simulacrum stood before her. Always amazed by the dark copy of herself, Wendy kept smiling as the figure cloaked in flickering black clouds took a couple steps forward and knelt down on its knees, matching its summoner. “Welcome back, old friend. I have missed you.” Wendy chanted and winked. Watching the doppelganger slowly mouth her words back to her, Wendy wondered what and why the two sides always seemed to move in slow motion in relation to one another. Shaking off the errant thought, Wendy raised her runed hand when she realized she’d forgotten something important. -Your anchor.- She quickly reminded herself and caught the glimpse of her creature mouthing the words back to her. -Did you say that or think it?-

Dipping into her caloric reserves, Wendy outstretched her palm and cast her second spell. Discovering in her early days within the darkrealm, Wendy figured out that due to lack of light and sound that her sense of direction could easily be confused. While her body provided a natural point where she could return to, it was only after a few times of feeling like a diver that had lost their way in the depths of the ocean that Wendy learned a spell to create an anchor. Knowing that attachment made the bond stronger, Wend always used a ring she was given on her fifteenth birthday. White gold and inlaid with orange-red fire opals that matched her hair, Wendy thrust a twin pair of lime green tendrils from her rune that encircled the little piece of jewelry until it glowed as brightly as her rune itself. A rush of energy streamed into her mind and imprinted the coordinates of the ring in relation to her body. “There we go.” She reassured herself.

“Good. Now we can continue.” Wendy proclaimed to her simulacrum. Confident that nothing else had been missed, Wendy lifted her glowing and runed palm to her companion. Eerily slow, the automation’s hand raised to match Wendy’s and she pushed her hand firmly into her counterparts. An icy breeze rushed through the cabin of the van and Wendy felt herself transfer from her own body to that of the doppelganger. -Power. This is absolute power.- She thought to herself as she felt her heart start beating within the chest of the dark puppet she now occupied. Opening her new smoky lime green eyes, Wendy watched as the hand from her original body slowly dropped to its lap, and her brown orbs faded into pools of docile black, leaving her body in an empty comatosed shell.

Giving herself a bit of time to adjust to the transference, Wendy stood up and went through the changes to be sure everything was as she remembered. She felt the familiar feeling of her skin change from the thin hair and elastic like cells to being covered in black and smoky vinyl. By stretching her limbs and hands she could almost hear her new ‘skin’ making the sound of someone rubbing a balloon. Taking a deep breath, Wendy was immediately reminded of the one thing she didn’t miss and that was how she had to breathe. Groaning as she took in the thick atmosphere, Wendy had the sensation of her chest being a big sponge and being filled with a thick liquid rather than the natural light feeling of air that she was used to. Convinced that her transferal into her dark body was complete, she blew a kiss to her other body and stepped out of the van.

-I love this place.- Wendy walked to the edge of the ocean and watched the silent black waves splatter on the even darker onyx reflective sand without a crash. Silently running in the direction she recalled Vivienne’s home to be in, Wendy relished the wind and smiled as she watched it rustle leaves of the obsidian bay oak trees, soundlessly.

Before she realized what had happened, Wendy had crossed the beach and was standing in front of the shaded version of the lair in which she sought. Taking note of an unusual darkened fire that had been started off to the side of the home, Wendy lost herself in the blackened licking flames that looked more like a shadow than white hot. Approaching the flames, quickly assessed that the bonfire consisted of what appeared to be a wooden table, some sheetrock and stone that she couldn’t quite identify. -Odd.- Wendy rubbed her chin and turned the moment her peripheral vision caught something fluttering off to her right. Turning slightly, Wendy watched as a raven seamlessly shape-changed into the most perfect woman she’d ever seen. With a swift leap over the cedar wood railing, Wendy landed on Vivienne’s right side and managed to get a glimpse of visage. -Ah, you are the one that jumped from the Ocean Lily.- Wendy followed the unsuspecting vampire through the back door and scooted around the television and close to the back of the sofa where she recognized Casey from her Facebook photos, being held by another vampire.

-I sense the Korean blood-sucker on the couch, why can’t I sense you, beautiful?- Wendy wondered as she watched the conversation unfold after Vivienne returned and poured the dark glasses of champagne. -Damnit!- Wendy chastised herself for not using a spell that would allow her to better read lips. Quickly dismissing the urge to cast the spell due to lack of food and the possibility that she’d be discovered, Wendy used what she knew about the way people spoke and finally pieced together what the threesome were discussing. -Park, Park..where do I know that?- Disgusted with the ease in which Casey gave up her blood to the twin vampires, Wendy shook her head with an errant thought. -Blood Whores.-

Wendy’s enchanted lime green eyes widened with revelation of the conversation.-My, my. You are supposed to be dead, young lady.- Wendy moved closer to get a better look at the Korean woman and froze when she noticed the pair of ice blue eyes start scanning the area she was standing in. -Blue? Why aren’t yours red like all the other night beasts? Nah, you can’t see me.- Convinced that she was safe, Wendy moved in and spied the pair of eyes that the Korean vampire had. -Now see, that is normal. Red as expected and I can smell your horrible stench from here dead girl.- Wendy wrinkled her nose and walked within arms reach of Vivienne. -I can’t smell you either, strange.-

Feeling no fear of being discovered as well as being egged on from a deep down curiosity Wendy couldn’t pinpoint, she walked to Vivienne’s left side and blew a full breath across her nose and lips. Wendy’s heart skipped a beat when Vivienne’s blue eyes bore straight into her. -What the fuck just happened?- Wendy asked herself, as the answer came from Vivienne’s lips. -How the hell did they both smell coffee?- Tossing her hand in front of her face, Wendy exhaled and slowly backed away from Vivienne. -Coffee.- A worried chill ran the length of her darkened body’s spine as she turned and resumed her mission.

Scaling the sandstone stairs, the infiltrator stayed in the deeper shadows of the second floor and started peeking in the different rooms when she sensed someone behind her. Turning slowly, Wendy kept her glowing green eyes on the ward as she peered and inspected all of the rooms. -You haven’t had practice like this in ages.- Wendy took a breath and followed Casey into a huge bedroom that held two antique wardrobes, one of which was still open and haphazardly placed in the room. Another wave of disgust washed over Wendy when she witnessed Casey get a puzzled look on her face and start sniffing close to where she was standing. -Go away, fuck’n chew toy. You can’t find me.- Casey turned quickly and swung her fist blindly behind her.

Dropping to her hands and knees, Wendy barely managed to avoid the chaotic swing from the thrall. -Careful, careful. You get caught and you become the chew toy for about twenty seconds. Dust in the wind.- Wendy lay flat on the floor and scooted her dark form until she was close to one of the end tables that were beside the huge bed. -Come on, leave.- Wendy pleaded internally. Shortly thereafter, Wendy peeked around the footboard of the bed and watched Casey come out of the bathroom then out of the main room, closing the door behind her.

Relief swept over Wendy as she pushed herself from the floor and sat up with her knees pulled into her black chest. -How the hell do I get out of this mess?- Wendy laid her head on her knees and thought about the situation and recalled the events from downstairs. -What else did they say? Is there anything that I can use?- Hitting her knees with her fist, Wendy started silently screaming in frustration. Minutes passed and finally Wendy looked up after wiping the tears from her glowing green eyes. Standing up, Wendy happened to glance at the table beside the bed and saw a folded letter. On a whim, the infiltrator picked it up and started scanning the contents. -What’s this?- Wendy kept reading. -Night of Tragic Woe? Hello there Franco. Eternal life? Why are you concerned about that?- Wendy finished reading the letter and pressed her palm to the page and quickly replaced the map imprint with the letter’s contents before placing it back on the small end table. -Raven? I wonder.- Wendy opened the armoire closest to her and started flipping through the obviously expensive outfits. -You obviously have good taste, rustbucket.- Spotting a tattered body suit made of feathers Wendy recalled the last frame of the camera footage she’d gotten days ago. -A match.- A slight movement on the doorknob drew Wendy’s attention and she quickly closed the closet door and crouched on the floor once more.

Crawling on her hands and knees, the silent infiltrator made her way to the other side of the room and waited. Watching as Casey bolted over to the armoire, Wendy held completely still and made the conscious decision to hold her breath. When Casey started swinging wildly once more, Wendy carefully watched the ward’s movements so she could anticipate where she would go. Wendy dropped to all fours once again, just under the reach of the flailing fists. -Do it, teach her not to fuck with an infiltrator.- Something in the back of Wendy’s mind recklessly suggested. Listening to the little challenging voice, Wendy timed her move perfect. Dropping to her side, Wendy stuck her foot in between Casey’s moving feet. Instantly pleased when Casey hit the floor, Wendy took the opportunity to jump up and sprint out of the bedroom, down the spiral staircase and to the foyer near the front door.

-Fuck.- Wendy thought to herself as she looked at the front door in relation to the three in the living room. Looking over the odd pictures and the mismatched trinkets on the table, Wendy shook her head in disbelief. -Why do people fall for this illusion? It will be so grand when the path is revealed to everyone.- Annoyed with how she lost focus and started delving into the decorative tastes of a vampire, Wendy paced back and forth for what seemed like an eternity. She walked into the kitchen and saw that the flooring was ripped up in the corner, explaining the stone she’d seen in the fire. Excited, Wendy crept over and noticed that there wasn’t an escape there because the subfloor was still intact. -God Damnit. There has to be a way out of this dungeon.- Thinking about what she’d just called out in her mind, Wendy plodded back into the foyer and sat down in a dark corner. -That’s the key, You aren’t supposed to get out.-

Wendy had her head on her knees still pondering her escape, losing time in the process. It was a loud noise and a subsequent ringing of the doorbell that jolted her into action. Leaping to her feet, Wendy moved to the center of the foyer and watched as Casey opened the door. When the ward opened the door wide and stepped to the side, Wendy couldn’t believe her luck. -Gaia. Your daughter owes you, yet again.- Wendy passed by the delivery person and slipped out of the house and through the open gate.

Once she was clear of any immediate threat, Wendy activated her anchor. Making her way back to the noiseless ocean, she spotted a pulsing green light in the distance. -Best operation ever.- She mused to herself and trotted across the black beach towards her beacon. Arriving as the little dating circle ended, Wendy deftly dodged the few people that remained and jumped into her van and knelt down in front of her body.

Reversing the process, Wendy lifted her dark runed hand. Slowly, her normal body raised its hand and lifted its head to show its hollow black eyes. Palm to palm, Wendy brought her magic to an end. She felt herself whisked away from her simulacrum and immediately took a deep breath of fresh and unlabored air. It took a few seconds for her eyes to focus, and she watched the dark empty shell disappear from view.

Wendy forced herself the yawn a couple times, clearing and opening her ears just in time to hear the church bell chime once and stop. “Hell’s Bell.” She barely croaked out from her insanely dry throat. Wendy stood up, her bones creaking and made her way to the front of the van where she grabbed a bottle of water, draining the contents in a few seconds. Wiping the excess from her lips, Wendy heard her stomach grumble and considered eating the cheeseburger that was neatly wrapped in a paper bag on the seat where the water had been. “Just not in the mood for that right now.” She muttered to herself and saw a light from her left. Wendy turned and saw an iPhone lying quietly on the seat with a black heart beating on the screen. Closing her eyes slowly, the red-head sighed and whispered ominously, “Oh, shit.”

Faye spoke first, “You know, I did ask you.”

Casey chimed in right behind, “I heard it.” Pointing to Faye then herself, Casey added, “She said manor and I said entourage. Plain as day.”

“Indeed.” Vivienne calmly leaned back in her seat, and crossed her legs. “It would appear that from the surprised look on your faces, that this was not the trip you were expecting.” Vivienne paused for a split second to look towards the kitchen. “Yes, well. Manor. It is one of my many estates, I named it Ravenstead Manor.”

Faye walked across the room and stood in front of Vivienne. “Might I have a seat in the lady’s lap?” She giggled and curtsied.

Casey stretched out on the sofa once Faye got up, “She’s right Viv, all you need is a crown.” Casey caught Vivienne as she glanced at the kitchen, “Vivienne? That is a few times you have gotten a strange stare.” Fluffing a pillow and shoving it under her neck, the ward got more comfortable. “I didn’t see anything upstairs, or close by when I came down.”

Focusing her blue glistening blue eyes on her ward, “I keep thinking I see something out of the corner of my eyes.” After watching her girlfriend bow lightly, Vivienne outstretched her hand and uncrossed her legs, “Traditionally when you greet a noble, it is expected that you address them as their title first. Subsequently you may use, ‘My lady’ or ‘my lord.’ Now then, officially I do have the title of Duchess of Chaulenet.”

Faye raised one of her solid black eyebrows, “Is that so?” Gently kissing her partner’s hand daintily, the newborn reiterated, “My Duchess…”

“...Yes, Madam Park?” Vivienne interrupted, causing a giggle from Casey on the sofa.

“...I would like the opportunity to sit in your lap, please.” Faye sputtered.

“To what end, Ma’am? Etiquette dictates that using my lap as your seat would be very personal in a formal setting.” Vivienne winked and laughed softly.

Faye plopped down on Vivienne’s lap and pressed her lips into Vivienne’s with a gentle purr rumbling from her chest.

Casey smiled and picked up her phone, “That resolves that issue.” Waiting until she heard the pair stop kissing, Casey continued, “You could just go upstairs and take care of all that.” She waved her hand to both of them. “I mean you two are acting like you haven’t messed around.” She opened the phone and started responding to Brian’s text.

Vivienne opened her calm and satisfied blue eyes once the kiss Faye planted on her ended, “Mmm…” Vivienne licked her lips and casually answered Casey between little returned kisses on Faye’s cheeks and neck. “How do I put this delicately, Casey?” Vivienne bit into Faye’s neck and pulled a small mouthful of blood before licking the wound closed and letting it drain seductively from the corners of her mouth.

Faye moaned and shivered all over when Vivienne pulled her blood free of her body. Catching the scent of her blood still in her partner’s mouth, Faye broke out into tiger stripes and hungrily licked her own blood from Vivienne’s draining and maroon lips. Once the thin streams of dreamy crimson were cleared from Vivienne, Faye threw her arms around her partner's neck and eagerly kissed her once more, flinging her tongue to meet Vivienne’s while sharing the blood the elder had stolen moments before.

Grasping Faye’s hips with her sculpted hands, Vivienne pulled Faye tightly into her body. Vivienne’s mind scattered as she felt the orgasmic pulses rippling through her body with every twist of Faye’s tongue. Vivienne had just started catching the earthy scent of rosemary when Faye pulled away, licking her lips and a glazed look in her cat-like green eyes. “Pourquoi diable as-tu arrêté, mon amour?” Vivienne desperately whispered and tried to kiss Faye once more.

Faye pulled back and let her hand drop between Vivienne’s legs, rubbing her mound through her jeans lightly. “Casey. It isn’t from lack of trying.” Faye smiled and kissed Vivienne’s chin lightly, “I asked her to give me time to adjust to everything and make sure when we finally mess around it was the right time.” Faye pulled her hand away and twisted to see the ward on the sofa, “Viv was saying… delicate…that was her trying to protect the vow she made me.”

Casey giggled and pointed at the couple, “Faye you made her speak French.”

Looking back at Vivienne smiling, Faye added, “She does that a lot when she’s getting excited.” Faye wiped a lingering drop of blood from Vivienne’s stained lips and licked her finger clean. “What was it you said that time?”

“It has occurred to me that in the light of my excitement, the two of you are making fun of the French vampire.” Vivienne gently touched the thick stripes that covered Faye’s face. “Excitement it would seem, goes both ways, mon amour.”

“There will be a time where I don’t have to ask you what you say.” Faye added and turned completely around in Vivienne’s lap so they were comfortably in each other’s arms.

“Very Well…Loosely translated I asked…why in the world you stopped, my love.” Vivienne turned her head towards the front door. “Someone is about to ring the…” Vivienne was cut off by the doorbell ringing.

“Who’s that this late at night?” Casey sat up and started walking to the door.

“It would be Faye’s deliveries.” Vivienne kissed the top of the Korean vampire’s head gently.

“I told you, didn’t I?”

Casey opened the door and greeted the delivery person, ushering him inside, catching a faint whiff of coffee in the process. “Strange.” She pointed to the living room, “Just head in there.”

Faye quickly focused enough blood use to clear her tiger stripes before the first of her boxes hit the floor. “You weren’t kidding, Viv.” She started tearing open the boxes, giggling.

Vivienne gracefully stood up and pulled Faye to her feet. “No. They will unbox everything.” Almost floating to the foyer, Vivienne stood by the door and greeted a well groomed man as he entered her home. “Martin.” Vivienne leaned forward, giving him a traditional la bise. “I have not seen you in ages.” Vivienne gracefully took a step back and placed her hands on her hips.

Returning the twin air kisses, Martin clapped. “I was excited when I saw the orders come in.” He scanned Vivienne from head to toe, “My word, Doctor. Is it possible that you have gotten even more beautiful since the last time we saw each other?”

Vivienne clasped the concierge’s arm and let him lead her back into the living room. “This is my lovely partner, Faye.” Vivienne politely giggled, “Martin, believe me when I tell you her wardrobe was so awful..” She fanned herself, “...I simply had to have it all burned on the spot.” Vivienne winked at the man, “That is the soft glow from the backyard that you saw when the crew arrived.”

“Still not as dreadful as that foyer, darling. Please let me redecorate.” Martin put his hand on his chest, then reached out to Faye. “My pleasure to meet you Ms Faye.” He winked as Vivienne walked over to Faye. “My, my.” He walked around the Half-Korean woman. “You are a pleasant sight as well. There must be something about the beach that makes all women gorgeous.”

“Martin, you are too kind.” Vivienne grinned wide before leaning to whisper in Faye’s ear. “Are you in control or do you need my help, Mon amour?”

“I’m not starving, but I could eat.” Faye blurted out and grasped Vivienne’s hand as tight as she could. “Sorry, sir. I am still … um … new to this.”

“Our lovely doctor here will certainly take care of you, Ms Faye.” Martin added and walked into the kitchen. “Hasselberry Associates contacted me, Vivienne. I bet you didn’t realize they contracted me to renovate your kitchen.” Martin laughed, “What in heaven's name happened here, darling?”

Vivienne escorted Faye to the entrance of the kitchen, “I simply decided that the floor, my table and the paint color were not working for me. So, I took a hammer to it all.” Vivienne rattled off in a fake annoyed and arrogant tone. “Very well, you silver tongued devil, go crazy. Do what you want to, just to this floor though.”

“Same terms apply?” Martin grinned and watched as the remaining boxes made it into the house. “Awful pictures of…what’s this, the pyramids?” He pointed at the wall dismissively. “Same terms. I will be unhappy if I return and find windows or mirrors in my home.” Vivienne added flatly.

“Don’t sound so morose, love.” Martin scanned the clothing and went down the list he had of the items purchased. “Vivienne, do you notice something here?”

Vivienne pulled Faye with her once more, “I do believe I see an issue, Martin.” Wiggling her finger at Faye, “Love, you forgot dresses and evening wear.”

Martin pulled a tape measure from his pocket and started going over Faye’s small frame.

“Worry free, Faye. I will return shortly with a wide range of things for you to pick from.”

Faye shot a hungry glance to Vivienne as Martin zipped around her pushing the cloth measuring tape into places she wasn’t expecting. “Vivienne. Can we talk upstairs, please?”

“Mon amour, that would be extremely rude to our guests.” Vivienne pulled Faye closer to her and noticed the red rim forming, “I am sure Martin will…assist you if necessary, Faye.”

Martin pulled out his phone and started tapping furiously and finally saw Casey casually talking to the delivery men as they came and went. “Word alive! I apologize, Miss?”

“Casey Rivers, Vi-um..Doctor Moreau’s personal assistant.” She took Martin’s hand, shaking it quickly.

“Do you need a wardrobe as well?” Martin inquired.

Vivienne looked over to Casey and Martin, “Indeed, she does. Casey has the most dreadful leather mini skirt upstairs. I nearly burned that as well.” Vivienne placed her hand over her chest. “I would consider it a personal favor if you had this worked out by tomorrow night.”

“Love, You are the whole reason I have the opportunity to do this.” Martin smiled and blew a kiss to Vivienne.

“You give me too much credit.” Vivienne offered playfully. “I only invested in the company, you are the one that runs it so well. I saw the potential.” The ancient vampire winked.

“Your reputation, love.” Martin added, “The moment I told folks that you were my first client, the orders started lining up.” Martin points to Faye, “Your lovely lady here, took a chance on my concept. Her investment has paid her back tenfold.”

“Lovely lady…” Faye giggled, “...Martin, tell me something.”
“I will  answer what I can for you, Ma’am.” Martin responded eagerly.

“How well do you know Vivienne?” Faye inquired.

“Well enough, Ms Faye.” Martin raised his eyebrow, “Was there something specific you wanted to know?”

“Do you know about my partner's special needs?” Faye’s green eyes sparkled with a rim of red.

The concierge looked over to the French vampire, a worried look in his hazel eyes. “I know of …” He saw Vivienne shake her head, “...her special requests, yes.”

“I have the same needs, Martin.” Faye smiled and raised one eyebrow.

Martin averted his eyes from the young vampire and then clapped, “Of course! You need some of her bottled wine. I anticipated that she might want to try our newly acquired label.”

He took a worried step back and then headed to the door, “Allow me to get a couple bottles.”

Vivienne smiled and kissed Faye on the cheek, “Martin. Two cases please, if you have it, love.”

“Right away.” Martin excused himself.

Vivienne turned and looked at her companions, “I would like to point out that it was not me that interrupted the inquiry about Ravenstead Manor.” Vivienne once again sat down in her chair, “Since I do not wish to be accused of avoiding a topic yet again, would you like to know?”