The Hour Before Dawn

====================== The Hour Before Dawn by Patricia A. Rasey ====================== Copyright (c)2001 Patricia A. Rasey September 2003 Hard Shell Word Factory Hard Shell Word Factory www.hardshell.com Romantic Suspense/Thriller/Vampire [2001 EPPIE Finalist][Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Nominee-2001] --------------------------------NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the origina l purchaser. Duplication or distribution of this work by email, floppy disk, network, paper print out, or any other method is a violation of internation al copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines and/or imprisonme nt. --------------------------------*Dedication* To Mark and Melanie Miller, Jenny and John Gragg, and to Mike and Shelby Rasey. Thanks for being part of my family and loving me unconditionally . And as always, to my wonderful husband, Mark, who has to put up with my da rkness on a daily basis. No matter where my thoughts take me, he is always there for me. Thanks for not only being my husband, but my best friend. I love you eternally. -------*Acknowledgments* Thanks to Trace Edward Zaber for being my friend and confidant. You are su ch an inspiration to me. Thanks for giving me that tour of Chicago. I'd al so like to thank the members of one of the greatest bands, The Dave Shankl e Group (DSG): Trace, Dave, Brian, Eddie, and Shreddie for allowing Mark a nd I to sit in on your rehearsal and showing us the time of our lives whil e we were in town. Thanks to Ashe Draven: http://www.angelfire.com/nc2/matrix2002/MATRIX200

2.html) for lending his thoughts and helping me understand his lifestyle . May your band reap the benefits. I would like to thank Kevin Tisserand (http://home.primus.ca/~tisserand/ ) who won my "Name My Heroine" contest and came up with Krystal 'Krys' B raxton. May you enjoy her story. Not to forget Mary H., devout Christian mother who drives a minivan, leads a normal life, and is a vampire. I met her while doing my research. I thank you for your time and knowledge, but more importantly for your friendship. I enjoy talking with you on the phone and our countless emails. You are al ways a joy. To the band gODHEAD (http://www.godhead.com), which saw me through wr iting the pages of this book. You guys deserve much success. And to my editor and good friend, Michele Bardsley, I thank you for taking your time with my books and making them the best that they can be. Thanks for always believing in me and being there for me. And especially thank y ou for all the wonderful memories. Here's looking forward to new ones. Any inconstancies in this book are my own and I take creative license over t hem. They are in no way the fault of those who lent their hand. -------*Prologue* "There is reason that all things are as they are, and did you see with my eyes and know with my knowledge, you would perhaps better understand." -- from Bram Stoker's _Dracula_ Large green flies swarmed the bloated body, lying on its side behind a blue Dumpster in a trash-littered alleyway on the north side. White magg ots crawled about the neck and eyes, feasting on the rotting flesh. Dead. W hite female. Approximate late teens. This was not something new to Chicago; dead bodies were unfortunately the norm. But it certainly wasn't something Tevan Zaber wanted to get used to. Not by a long shot. He had always loved solving puzzles, hence his entire reasoning behi nd wanting to become a detective. Not in a small town. He didn't want a des k with coffee and donuts; he craved action. And in Chicago, there wasn't a shortage. He had been with the force going on six years, four of those as a uniform, two as an evidence technician. With any luck, another four would see him his dream. Tev knelt by the body and, with a gloved finger, touched the purplis

h coloring on her right buttock. The color didn't blanch. The victim had be en dead for not more than forty-eight hours, he assumed. The body could hav e been dumped following business hours Saturday and not discovered until la te Monday. Fixed lividity had set in; rigor mortis had long gone, leaving rapid ly due to the August heat wave. In the last couple of days, temperatures ha d reached almost one hundred. The smell had him pinching the bridge of his nose and standing up. Damn, this was the fourth victim in two months, match ing his unknown subject's MO. All women in their late teens or early twenti es, white, sporting neck wounds deep enough to nearly decapitate them. But it was the teeth marks near the wounds that had Tev swallowing the bile ris ing up the back of his throat. What the hell kind of sick individual were t hey dealing with? "Looks like we got us a real walking, talking vampire, for crissake, " Whitey said as he approached Tev and slapped him soundly on the back. And rew White had been the police chief of the 62nd precinct going on fifteen y ears. Highly respected. "Probably them goddamned kids that hang out in them Goth clubs all night, dressing in black. Real fucking weirdoes, I tell you . I've even seen some of them go as far as having their teeth filed into fa ngs. Blood-suckers." Tev pulled off his gloves and stuck them in his pocket. Two uniforms stretched the yellow crime-scene tape across the entrance to the alley off B elmont, while forensic teams began measuring the area and gathering evidence . Pictures were snapped of the body and surrounding region. No stone would b e left unturned. But if this scene mimicked the other three, the son of a bi tch left them little to go on. Tev finally acknowledged the chief's statement. "You said that at the last scene, Chief. We don't have anymore evidence now than we had before th at this might point to a bunch of role-playing kids." Whitey let out a humph. "What we have here is a sick piece of crap w ho no doubt gets his yanks off of drinking these corpses' blood. We know th at much by the neck wounds. Blitz-style attacks from the back. Not only is he a freak, but a chicken-shit. Can't even face these women when he kills t hem." "So what's this all have to do with the Goth scene?" Whitey clasped his shoulder, his grip powerful. "Glad you asked that, Tev, my boy." Tev didn't like the sound of that. He had heard the term "my boy" used one too many times, followed by a job that was sure to turn his life into a li ving hell. "I want you to go underground, so to speak." "Excuse me?"

"You're young; your personal life is in the shitter." Tev groaned. He didn't need to be reminded of his wife and kid. He wasn 't going to like the Chief's idea one bit. "Who better to disappear for awhile." Furrowing his brow, he asked, "Disappear how?" "Here's your chance to make detective, Tev. You get time off from the force -- with pay," he added. "I'm not following you, Chief. What are you asking me to do?" "A little research is all. Find out about this underground culture. W hat they do, where they hang out. I want to know what they have for breakfas t and whom they have it with. In short -- I want you to know more about them than you know about that wife of yours." Tev shrugged. Sounded easy enough. "But why do I need time off to do it?" "Because you are going to become one of them, Tev. Congrats -- you'v e just been promoted to vampire status." -------*Chapter One* Tevan stood on the sidewalk, hands deep in the pockets of his 501s, looking at the house he had occupied for the last ten years. Taking the Cub s ball cap from his head, he raked a shaky hand through his disheveled hair . He had no idea how she would take the news. The coward in him wanted to w alk away, just disappear into the city and never look back. The rogue part wanted her to mourn the loss in her life, hoping he had meant something, an ything. The house's white siding sported a fresh coat of paint, the shutters a deep burgundy. The newly cut grass and neatly trimmed bushes lent to the c arefully tended exterior. Too bad the family inside hadn't been as well take n care of. The home had been nothing but an illusion. Tev knew that now; unf ortunately it had taken him too many years to figure it out. His worn hiking books thudded softly along the sidewalk as he approa ched the door. Taking a deep breath, he willed his jangled nerves to calm. Two weeks of not seeing his wife and daughter made him wonder if he had mad e the right decision. He had left behind every stability he had ever known. Before he could knock, the door swung inward, startling him. Susan na stood looking at him through a hooded gaze. Damn he wished he could re ad her mind, know what went on behind the depths of her liquid-brown eyes. "Tev," she acknowledged. He smacked the ball cap against his thigh. "Suz." "Did you come to see your daughter?" "No."

Her eyes widened. "I mean yes, but that's not the only reason I'm here. I think we need to ta lk." She opened the door wider and allowed him into the home. Funny, four teen days ago, he hadn't needed the invitation. Tev continued to the living room. The door closed behind him with a soft click and he heard her footfa lls as she approached. Susanna sat on the love seat and crossed her long, l ean legs Indian style. She hadn't changed much since the day he married her , stunning as ever. Tucking a few strands of her silky brown hair behind he r left ear, she glanced at him. Tev nearly lost his courage and suddenly wi shed he had been the coward and disappeared. The wounds still cut clear to the marrow. "Becca's upstairs playing. You want me to call her?" "No," Tev said, sitting on the arm of the sofa. "We better talk first." "This isn't about..." Tev smiled, though the humor of the situation was somehow lost. "No, Su z, this isn't about the reasons I left." "Then what is it? Quite honestly, Tev, I'm not sure I can take much mo re. This is still new to me. And Becca having to deal without you -- " "It's not about to get any easier. I filed the papers this morning." His heart hit the pit of his stomach; he had the sudden urge to wretch. Why the hell did this have to be so damned hard? _Because I still love her._ He fought the urge to forget it all and take her into his arms. Instead, he br aced his hands on his knees, allowing the ball cap to dangle from his fingers. Susanna said nothing, just wrapped her arms around her midsection, the s oft flesh of her breasts rising above her shirt line. He still had the desire t o bury his face in the cleavage, to suckle her.... He blinked a few times. He needed air, space -- and a lot of it. "Divorce papers?" she finally voiced. He swore unshed tears laced the sound, telling him she hurt as much as he. The thought should have been a c omfort. Fat chance. "Separation," he corrected. "Same thing." A large tear rolled down her cheek as her biceps tight ened in a reaction to comfort herself. She obviously knew no solace would c ome from his direction, not that she would ever ask. Susanna had always bee n too proud. "Sort of. It means that we live apart, that you can see other people." She flinched as if he had hit her. "Nothing will be separated as far as the property goes. But I'll gladly pay the child support and alimony, make sure you are well taken care of. I th ought it's what you wanted." "What I want, Tevan, is to reverse time -- to go back and change the pas

t." He glanced at the floor and swallowed the lump in his throat. "It's too la te." "So that's it?" She hiccuped, causing his gaze to snap up. She covere d her mouth with a shaky hand. "Just goodbye?" "I'm afraid it has to be this way. Too much has happened, Suz. Be hon est with yourself. You don't want to go back to what we had any more than I do." "It was good, Tevan." "_Was_ being the operative word." "You'll come back to see Becca?" "Eventually, but for now that's impossible. I won't be coming back any time soon." Tiny lines creased her brow. "I don't understand." "I have to go away. There is something I need to do, but you won't have to worry. As I said, I'll make sure you receive support." "Are you leaving the force?" "I can't say. Casey Black will take care of you while I'm gone." "Casey? The bartender from Mack's?" "I'll keep in touch through him. He promised he would take care of you as a favor to me." She stood, began pacing the carpet, and chuckled, the sound ringing hollow. "Let me get this straight. A man you've known, what? A few months?" "A year." She raised her palms skyward. "I stand corrected. But this man will kn ow you're whereabouts, whereas I," her voice rose in pitch, "who's known you for nearly half your life, won't be able to get in touch with you." "Something like that." "What if Becca gets sick? You think about that?" "Contact Casey. He'll know how to contact me." She clenched her jaw; a muscle in her cheek ticked. "So this is it?" "As soon as I say goodbye to Becca, yes." "Maybe it's better you didn't." "How can you say that?" he nearly roared as his ire inched upward. "What the hell are you going to tell her? She sees you, she's not going to want you to leave." "I want to see my daughter. You can't keep her from me." She perched her fists on her hips. "Think about it. She's cried herself t o sleep for two weeks because her daddy left. The tears are finally starting to dry up and you want to start it all over again? I won't allow it." Tev knew the truth to her statement. It would be like ripping Becca fr

om his arms all over again. He didn't know if he could stand the pain of walk ing out and not seeing her, but it would be best for his daughter. "Daddy!" The tiny ten-year-old blonde bounded down the steps and i nto his arms. The decision had been made for both Susanna and himself. He would be given one final moment with his daughter before he went undergr ound. He knelt on one knee and placed his palms on her cheeks. "Let me look a t you. You're as pretty as the day I left." "Mommy said you weren't coming back except to pick me up on the we ekends." "That's why I'm here, sweetie, to tell you I have to go away for awhile." "Why?" "I can't say, but it won't be forever." Tears welled up in her eyes. "I don't want you to go." "I don't either, Becca -- but sometimes we have to do things we don't wa nt." Becca glanced at her mother. Aside from the difference in hair coloring , she was Susanna's spitting image. "Tell Daddy he has to stay. He'll listen t o you." Susanna swiped a tear from her cheek. "I can't. Daddy needs to leave. We have to trust him." When Becca turned back to him, his heart broke. Gone was the sadden ed tear-filled gaze. Her brown eyes radiated in fury. "You don't love us." She smacked away his hands. "Just go. I hate you anyway!" Becca ran up th e stairs without so much as a glance backward. At that moment, Tev would have given anything to do as Suz had sugges ted, to turn back time. He stood and glanced at his lovely wife; his finger traced her taut jaw. "I'm sorry," was all he could think to say before he turned and left. Thanks to Chief Whitey, his life had gone from being in the shitter to existing in hell. His only way to freedom would come from cavorting with the devil himself. Tev tipped the amber-colored liquid to his lips, downing the contents , feeling the whiskey burn clear to the toes of his hiking boots. He welcome d the heat; it made him feel something, anything other than the pain of his daughter's parting words. He slammed the glass on the white square napkin. T he ice tinkled. Condensation gathered on the side of the empty, chilled glas s, reminding him of his insides: cold and void. He sat at the end of the lon g counter, since he couldn't bear to see his reflection in the mirror hangin g behind the bar. He wouldn't much like the image that stared back. Uninhabi ted, vacant.

As a matter of fact, Tev's life had been meaningless for years. If it hadn't been for the love of his daughter, he might have walked out years ag o. Instead, he poured himself into one job or the other, and spent very litt le time at home. It had always been easier to run away from his problems tha n face them. The past year he had spent more and more time at the cops' regu lar hangout, Mack's, where he had come to know Casey Black quite well. Proba bly better than he knew his own wife. For a Friday, Mack's seemed rather slow; the normal crowd had yet to d escend. Of course, being ten in the evening, it was still early for Chicago n ightlife. A large share of the 62nd precinct hung here, and come eleven, the place would likely fill to capacity; standing-room-only as cops came in to dr ink away their problems and forget their life on the streets if only for a fe w blessed hours. At times, being a big-city cop required a backbone of steel. Those that didn't have one rarely made it past their first few years on the force. Tev stirred the ice with the small orange cocktail straw. His eyes fi xated on the square, melting cubes. Soon, all that had been familiar would b e no more: not this bar, not his apartment, nothing. Whitey would see to it that he disappeared. He'd have a new place, new wheels, and along with it, n ew sets of places to hang. In short, he'd start his life over. He'd no longe r be known as Officer Tevan Zaber, but just Tev. No past, no future. His bil ls, including child support and alimony, would be paid by an anonymous sourc e and the remainder of his paychecks set up in an account that he could acce ss from any ATM. Chicago was a big city -- big enough for him to disappear. "Need another?" Casey asked, startling Tevan. "Nope. I think the best thing for me is to head on home -- wherever the h ell that is." "When you leaving?" "Soon." Tev scribbled the new cell phone number he had been given by the department on a clean napkin and slid it in Casey's direction. "You need to get hold of me, call me here." Casey flipped the white towel he carried over his shoulder, then tucke d the napkin in his shirt pocket. "I still don't know why the secrecy. What's so all damned important that you have to disappear from the scene?" "I told you before, Casey -- it's something I have to do. You promise d me you'd take care of Susanna and Rebecca." "A promise is a promise." Casey's light-brown hair was cut short around his ears and combed ba ck from his forehead. His face bore a full, neatly trimmed beard and a slig htly crooked nose from an old break. At first glance most might not conside r him handsome. But his smile displayed a devilish dimple on his right chee k that Tev would bet many women would find attractive...including Susanna.

Although Suz had a right to see anyone she chose, jealousy reared its ugly head. He needed to adjust to the idea that she could date whomever she damn well pleased. And with filing the papers that morning, he had just as much given her his blessing. Tev clenched his jaw, feeling the ache clear to his temples. He hoped he hadn't made the mistake of a lifetime, walking away from everything he h ad worked the last ten years for. As if sensing his sudden resentfulness, Casey said, "Look man -- you don't have to worry about me. I won't make a play for your wife." "Suz is a beautiful woman, but I no longer have a right to claim her." "You filed the papers." It was a statement, not a question. He had talke d to Casey about the possibility. "Hardest thing I ever had to do." Casey picked up Tev's empty glass and napkin, polishing the bar surfa ce with his towel. "You go do what you have to. I'll make sure nothing happe ns to your family." "You don't know how much I appreciate that." "Sure I do. Now, go on -- get out of here. I'll see you whenever you dec ide to surface." Tev stood and threw a few singles on the bar. "If anything happens -- " "I'll call." "I'll keep in touch from time to time." "They'll be fine. After all, they have _me_ looking out for them." He flashed Tev a large grin, causing Tev to laugh. "Now go do what you've got to do." He shook Casey's hand. "I don't know what I'd do without you." "You might just regret saying that if your wife's half as pretty as you sa y." Tev chuckled. "She's too damned pretty for your ugly mug." "Then how come I got all the ladies fawning over me every night and y ou don't?" "Because you're the one with all the alcohol." He knocked on the bar. " Catch you later." "Yeah -- you take care of yourself, man." Tev walked into the night as the city came to life. Soon enough he wou ld be the one coming out instead of going home to his solitary bed. Although, life would not be any less lonely, he sensed it was going to be a lot more i nteresting. -------*Chapter Two* As dusk descended upon the city, Tev stepped onto the sidewalk, armed with large black shiny bags containing clothes from Dark Fetishes located o

n the corner of Halsted and Roscoe. Shopping had taken on a life of its own as he stepped into one leather shop after another. He had never donned leath er before, aside from a jacket, his preferred style of dress being jeans and a T-shirt. He would soon be hitting the clubs and needed to look the part. One bright side to his present predicament: whatever he needed to fit into t he lifestyle forced upon him, the precinct paid the tab. The wind rustled his hair. Street lamps flickered like iridescent bug lights as the sun slowly disappeared behind the expansion of tall buildings . Even in the trivial illumination, he found himself squinting at the orange radiant ball. He placed his small rounded sunglasses on the bridge of his n ose; he rarely went out during the day now, leaving his eyes light sensitive . His small one-room studio contained a lone window draped heavily in fabric , one he never bothered to open. He holed up in his apartment, staring at th e glow of a monitor, while others walked about during the daylight hours. Tev glanced up the street to the many shops and empty buildings. Few b ustled about, paying little attention to their surroundings, deep in conversa tion, or avoiding it altogether as they rushed off to their destinations. Chi cago had never been a city to forge lasting friendships; it seemed so many co mmuted or transferred in and out of their current jobs. Tev preferred his lif e in the suburbs where one knew the names of their neighbors. Now, he couldn' t recall the name of the short little bald man with the bad toupee who lived across the hall in 4B. Few trees lined the city's walkways. Leaves began the ritual of turn ing rustic oranges, browns, and reds as others fell from the branches and t wirled on the pavement, caught up in the fall breeze. The changes of the se ason reminded him that nearly two months had passed since he had last seen his daughter and wife. Keeping true to his word, Casey struck up a friendsh ip with Suz and Becca, informing Tev of their activities. They went to park s, had picnics, did family things of which Tev should have been a part. Cas ey even told him about Becca returning to school. Though her grades had sli pped from the previous year, her teacher deemed it natural, given the prese nt situation at home. A heavy weight settled on his chest and wasn't about to abate. He co uldn't help but miss his family. Life on his own had given him nothing but loneliness and empty space. He spent a big share of his time on the compute r, researching every aspect of his new life. He had found many disconsolate people in cyber space claiming to be vampyres, some crossing over into the Goth lifestyle, seeking love and companionship, looking for a kindred soul . So many in life rejected them, were prejudiced against them, that finding friendship on the 'Net seemed a good alternative. Several had become friendly, offering invaluable insights into thei r world. Tev knew of many clubs in the Chicago area. Most were Goth hangou

ts, some of the inhabitants being from the vampyre community as well. But to date, vampyre covens remained a mystery. No one talked about their whereabouts, and only the insiders knew of their existence. Tev felt certain most of the answers he sought lay within t he folds. The time had come for him to network, hence the new wardrobe. The only way to find these covens was to become one with the night, but his appe arance still had a long way to go if he were to fit in. Just dressing in bla ck would not gain him acceptance. He stopped before a building and read the sign above the door. _Hous e of Horrors: Tattoos and Body Piercings._ A small bell jangled as he enter ed. Incense filled the room, hanging heavily and enveloping him like a thic k wool blanket. A bald man sat beside a padded table. Tattoos covered nearl y every inch of his beefy arms and head. He glanced up from the black triba l he applied across a shapely woman's back, just above her tailbone. The ar ea surrounding the black ink looked red and irritated. Small droplets of bl ood rose to the surface. Tevan fought the urge to flinch, imagining the pai n the petite woman must be enduring. "Tattoo or piercing?" The man's gruff voice startled him. Until then, he hadn't realized his gaze had been fixated on the woman's lower back. Tev nearly told him he was just looking, envisioning a scene of him be ing escorted out and told not to return. The House of Horrors was not for the weak of heart. "Piercing." "Mia," Tattooed Man bellowed. "You got a live one." Curtains parted. A reed-thin woman with short, bright orange hair cam e from the back of the shop. Had it not been for the breasts pushing against her masculine attire, Tev might have thought her a man. She sported multipl e piercings: three rings on her left brow, two on her right nostril, one on the left side of her lip, and at least ten holes in both ears combined, two of them being plugs the size of quarters. Tev thought for sure if the plugs were removed, the skin would hang grotesquely. He hated to think what hidden parts of her body had also been pierced. _What kind of world had Whitey thr ust him into?_ It was one thing to talk through e-mails, but quite another t o interact in person. The woman smiled, showing even white teeth. Had she not disfigured h erself, Tev might have deemed her almost pretty, orange hair aside. "Let me guess -- your ear." Tev thought he must look too damned straight for the woman to automat ically assume he'd want to pierce the most normal part of his body. He glanc ed at the woman on the table. For the first time, she looked up and their ga zes locked. Her waist-length blonde hair fell to one side, revealing a capti vating face. His breath caught in his throat. His heart hammered. What the h

ell was she doing in a joint like this? Her oval blue eyes reminded him of t he vast ocean, full of wonder and mystery. Her high cheekbones accented a st raight, aquiline nose. All led to a very attractive picture. But her mouth, her mouth made it sensuous. This woman had full, kissable lips. No other way to describe it. A mouth so provocative that an arrow shot straight to his g roin, causing a dull ache. The orange-haired woman cleared her throat. Caught ogling -- again -- his face heated. The blonde did nothing more than offer him a slight smile, then laid her head on the padded table as Tat tooed Man continued his artwork. "Your ear?" Mia repeated. Tev grasped his left lobe. "Both. I'd like a small hoop in each." Mia smiled, grasped his hand and led him to the back of the shop. Be fore the curtain fluttered into place, Tev stole another glance at the girl on the table. She had mesmerized him. What was it about her? In ten long y ears he hadn't even so much as looked at another woman. Now here he was env isioning her lying naked and spread-eagle on the green padded table, her le gs enwrapping his waist as he drove into her. He shook his head to clear the illusion or chance sporting an erection in front of Mia. Had it been so long since having intercourse that he entertai ned the idea of sex with a complete stranger? He had truly lost his mind. Mia sat in a scarred wooden chair and patted the identical one across from her. "Have a seat, sweet cheeks. You'll be out of here before you know i t." Bridging the gap, Tev sat in the chair, placing his shopping bags to his side. Mia picked up a purple pen, eyed his ears, then made a dot on each one. Handing him a mirror, she asked, "Look even to you?" Both ears bore a tiny purple dot in the near middle of each lobe. He couldn't believe he was doing this. Tevan had never been known as adventur ous. The most daring thing he had done in his youth was drink a half a fift h of whiskey and hang his ass out the window, mooning passersby on the stre ets as his buddy drove the car. "Looks good to me." Mia grasped a pen and a sheet of paper, told him to fill it out complete ly, and that the charge would be sixty dollars up front. Tev pulled out his wal let, handed her three crisp twenties, then filled out the form. After showing him several styles and sizes of hoops, Tev picked out a small silver pair. Nothing unusual. Big surprise. Maybe he ought to invest in a tattoo. A large one. One that couldn't be missed. Tev thought of the blonde and the irritated wound on her back. On sec ond thought, maybe he ought to wait on a tattoo.

After snapping latex gloves into place, Mia pulled out a long hollow n eedle and Q-tip. She used a topical antiseptic, then shoved the needle throug h his ear, not giving him a chance to think through his decision. Before he h ad time to blink or even register the small twinge of pain, Mia had both hoop s in and held up the mirror. He turned his head from side to side, surprised that he liked the ne w look. After shaking her hand and thanking her, he pushed aside the curtai n and hoped for another glimpse of the blonde. The green table sat unoccupi ed as Tattooed Man cleaned his equipment. "That was quick." The bald man glanced up. "They don't take that long. Depends on how big the design is. You wanting one?" Tev shrugged. "Never had one, but you never know." "Yeah," Tattooed Man laughed, "stranger things have happened." Tev walked out of the shop, his ears tingling as he glanced up and d own the street. The blonde was nowhere in sight. Too bad. He wouldn't have minded getting to know that one. As he walked back to his beat-up sedan the precinct had provided, he tossed the Dark Fetishes bags into the back seat. Good thing the petite woma n had disappeared. The last thing he needed now was a distraction -- albeit a pleasant one. But he had a job to do. One that required his complete conce ntration. He wanted this job over with as soon as possible. After turning th e key to the engine, Tev put the car into drive and rattled off down the road. The cell phone in his pocket rang. Tev hit the SEND. "Hello?" "Tev, this is Whitey. Just wanted you to know the scoop. You someplac e you can talk?" "Yep." "I'm standing at the foot of another dead girl. Brown hair, brown eyes. Just like the rest. Her throat was slit, damn near decapitating her. Only thing holding it on is her spine." "Mother of God." "As you know we haven't had a crime with the same MO since you went under. We were hoping the son of a bitch had moved on and we could pull y ou from the case. Truth of it -- now we need you more than ever...before a nother girl dies." "I'm on it." "You find anything out at all?" "Nope." "What on God's earth you doing out there?" "These people don't trust by nature. I've learned about a few clubs. Maybe someone knows of the covens I'm looking for. These vampyres don't alwa ys hide in plain site."

"That's why the hell we have you undercover, Tev. Get on it. We need this piece of shit caught ASAP." "I am on it." He hit the red END. Tev had heard the threat in Whitey's tone. If he didn't come up with something soon, Whitey would not only pull h im from the case, but have his job, too. Tossing the phone on the seat, he hi t his left turn signal. Tonight would be as good as any to start, and he knew of just the club. Sightless eyes stared at the clear fall sky. The mouth hung agape like the throat that had been slit from ear to ear. Green flies and maggots litte red the dead flesh as the stench of blood and too-raw feces permeated the air , giving seasoned cops the dry heaves. But not Whitey; he had seen too many d ead bodies in his life. Maybe the time to retire had come when the sight of d ead teenagers no longer gripped his gut like a vise. Not that he didn't have compassion. Hell, he couldn't begin to imagin e the terror that went through their minds just before the knife slipped int o the flesh and made its deep path across their throats, damn near decapitat ing them. Mere seconds would have seemed like hours. Some humans, if he were to call them that, had no heart or soul, and Chicago seemed a breeding grou nd for them. But unfortunately, this had become the norm of daily life -- li ke it or not. Whitey wiped the gathering perspiration from his forehead. His term with the department had seen better days. He remembered a time when the w orst crime had been a domestic shooting, stabbing, or a bank robbery. Even the general public had hardened themselves to the current rate of violenc e. Glancing at the gathering press some fifty yards away, waiting for a sc oop, he ran a hand down his freshly-shaven jaw. Had it been any other deat h, half of them probably wouldn't have bothered to show up and gotten the news via another source, printing nothing more than a one-paragraph piece about how some poor sap had met his end. But give them a serial killer at large and the whole damn community stood up, taking notice -- not to menti on the entire nation. That information spread far and wide. Was one death somehow less newsworthy than another? Apparently so. The possibility of a serial killer brought the press in droves. "Keep them sons of bitches back," he growled to Johnson, giving them nothing to feed their ravenous appetites. They could wait for his press rele ase later in the day as far as he was concerned. Their hounding would get th em little other than a few faraway snapshots and speculation as to how the v ictim died. Johnson walked to the gathering masses to do his duty like a shepher d tending his flock. He held out his arms and drove them back from the scen e. Complaints and whines from the journalists cut through the sounds of tra ffic coming off the Eisenhower Expressway, not to mention the growing din o

f conversation. His gaze traveled to the body at his feet, while the crime scene unit , CSU, went about taking pictures and gathering clues. The body lay in a sma ll pool of blood, not one large enough for a wound of this magnitude. Where the hell had all the blood gone? It was obvious by the blood spatter pattern s that this was the crime scene; in the past cases, the body had been dumped . The killer had struck from behind and acted quickly. Postmortem fixed livi dity proved the victim died in her present position. Rigor being present con firmed she had not been dead for long. If done in the dead of night as this crime indicated, Columbus Park would have harbored few if any witnesses to t he deed. The last four victims were street hookers, but not this one. This vic tim waited tables around the corner on Austin Avenue. A victim of opportunit y? More than likely. _Sally gets off her shift at eleven, takes a shortcut t hrough the park to get to her place of residence on Central Avenue. The perp probably waited for the first easy victim to walk by. Sally had been in the wrong place at the wrong time._ But just in case his intuitions proved inac curate, Whitey would have Johnson check the restaurant for possible weirdoes hanging out as of late. Whitey jotted down a few notes then stretched a pair of latex gloves over his timeworn hands. He wasn't getting any younger. Kneeling, he lifte d the victim's hand, looking beneath the fingernails, hoping for some sign of a struggle. Not much appeared in plain sight. CSU would paper bag the ha nds for a more thorough look during the autopsy, hoping to find DNA that di d not match the victim. Uniforms would be sent to canvass the neighborhood and surrounding businesses, as it was possible the killer could be someone who lived nearby. Whitey knew most killers operated within the vicinity of their homes. It was comfortable, safe. All the victims thus far had been fo und on the north side of Chicago. Whitey would bet his life savings that hi s perp lived here as well. Pulling off his gloves with a snap, he stood and stuffed them into his pocket as the CSU team processed the victim. By the obvious timing of the murders, Whitey already knew his perp liked to operate when the sun we nt down. He thought of Tev and his research. He hoped that this shit hid i n plain sight and Tev would soon stumble across him. They needed to put th is perp out of commission and fast, or chance another young woman meeting the same horrible fate. -------*Chapter Three* Strobe lights coruscated over the raging crowd as the dancers efferv esced. The black-tiled floor nearly disappeared from view beneath the swell ing throng. Smoke hung heavy, giving the room an appearance of being shadow

ed in fog, almost a surrealistic illusion. Tev felt as though the entire sc ene moved around him in sluggish motion. He sat on a leather-covered stool near the end of the bar, watching in fascination. Across the sea of darkness, hair the color of black, to neon greens, pinks, and oranges glowed amongst those gathering in front of the stage, m aking the men on the platform seem almost normal with their long black hair and nail polish. Not only did the women wear fishnet stockings in this joi nt, but the men as well. From their legs to their arms, stomachs, and backs . Velvet and lace seemed a popular choice as well. Dog collars, heavy chain s, and spikes graced many throats, and piercings covered almost every inch of skin. Most were dressed in black, though few sported bright colors, acce nting some of the hair in the crowd. Tattoos abounded. Tev hadn't stumbled upon some lair of vampyres but that of Goths, al though he hoped to find a few bloodsuckers amongst them. He needed to find their covens and fast. After the last phone call from Whitey, Tev knew time was of the essence if they were to prevent another gruesome death. A tall, bleached blond, hair gelled and spiked to near lethal points, approached him from behind the bar. His face was powdered white in contrast to his lips, painted black. _The walking dead._ Tev stared at the man's rin ged black eyes. Most spend money on beauty products to get rid of the dark c ircles beneath the eyes -- this guy emphasized them. "You wanting something? Or you just here to gawk?" Tevan knew, although try as he might to ignore the fact, he didn't fit i n. For one thing, in the midst of this group, he had to look ancient, even at t he tender age of twenty-eight. "A beer." "Yeah? We got all kinds. You got one in mind?" Tev looked at the long plastic handles extending from the kegs, unaffe cted by the man's sarcasm. "Coors." Within seconds, a frosty mug was set in front of him, the foam overfl owing and soaking the napkin. "That'll be three bucks." Tev tossed a five on the counter and told the man to keep the change. Grasping the mug, he took a healthy swig, then turned his back on the bar t o watch the dancers. On stage, a man with waist-length hair, wearing a black tee that read ANTI-CHRIST in bold white letters across the chest, a pair of oversized jean shorts and hiking boots, curled back his lips and sang the w ords to "Black No. 1" by Type O Negative. The singer did a pretty good job o n covering the song. Had Tev closed his eyes, he wasn't so sure he'd recogni ze the difference in voices. Being a fan of country music, Tev had never eve n heard of industrial music until he began his underground research. He was actually starting to like it.

Standing at side stage, another man captured Tev's attention. This on e stood just under six feet, a good few inches shorter than the singer. His blue-black hair was tied into a queue at the base of his neck. But that wasn 't what caught Tev's attention -- the singer on center stage had a more enig matic aura than this one. He wore black make-up outlining his eyes, extendin g to points below and above his eyes, similar to Brandon Lee from _The Crow. _ No big surprise that this group would be a fan of that movie. The man wore a black tank and a silver medallion that looked like a Chinese symbol of so me sort, hanging mid-chest by a leather cord. A pair of leather pants, cling ing to him like a second skin, appeared to have large stitches zigzagging ac ross both thighs. He might be deemed a good-looking male had it not been for all the theatrical make-up. A glimpse of red drew Tev's gaze from side stage. Pleasantly surprise d, he found the blonde from the tattoo shop standing beside him. She ran a f inger down his earlobe, sending a chill racing down his spine like a lightni ng bolt aiming straight for his crotch. Shit, the last thing he needed in hi s new leather pants was an erection to surmount all others. As tight as his pants were, the entire room would be aware of his reaction to the young woma n. He guessed she couldn't be much over eighteen. "Does it still hurt?" she asked in a sultry voice, intensifying what he already felt. Soon that dull ache would become a huge throbbing pain. He foug ht the urge to tell her very much so, but knew she had been referring to his e ars. A red spaghetti-strapped gown clung to her slender body like a glove, ending just above her ankles. A slit traveled the length of her thigh, stoppi ng just below what should have been panty lines. She couldn't have looked any hotter had she tried. Tev decided red was a perfect choice for her. He shift ed on his stool as heat traveled the length of him like a conflagration. He tugged his earlobe. "Not really. How about yours?" She turned and pulled her hair over one shoulder, giving him the full vi ew of her backless dress. It barely concealed the crack of a very nice derriere , the tattoo visible over the dress's line. Damn, the tethers on his tightly reigned self-control snapped like th at of a bullwhip. The beast within raged, and the fantasy he had earlier at the tattoo parlor held nothing on the one now swimming through his X-rated m ind. He swiveled his stool so the counter hid his lap. With any luck, the lo w lighting would help conceal his stony erection. Hell, he was no better tha n a randy schoolboy, who just got his first glimpse of Mrs. Hoover's over-ab undant cleavage. At twenty-eight, he'd like to think he possessed better res traint. She turned, flipping her blond hair back over her shoulder. "You like?" Tev cleared his throat. "Very much."

"Most men don't like tattoos on women." "I guess I'm not most men." She grinned. _Christ, that smile could thaw an Eskimo's igloo!_ "Good," she said, then nodded at the bartender, who brought her a cle ar-colored soda. "I have more of them. Maybe someday I'll let you see them a ll." Tev nearly choked on his beer. She innocently patted his back, but her touch scorched his flesh. At this point he feared internal combustion. "You all right?" "More than," he said. "I just don't think it's a good idea for me to see any more of you than I already have." She ran a finger along her glass rim, then stuck the digit in her mo uth. The young woman certainly knew how to turn a man into molten lava. Muc h more and he'd surely erupt. "You don't like what you see?" "What I see looks fine...just maybe a little too fine." Another smile turned up her lips. Damn, she needed to stop with the sex y smiles. "Look, you're probably a really nice girl -- " One light-brown brow rose. "But...?" "But you're probably drinking that soda because you aren't old enough to have anything with kick. Am I close?" She shrugged. "You're right, I'm not old enough to drink. But I don't li ke the taste of alcohol anyway." "How old are you?" "Eighteen." "Ouch. And I don't make it a practice of seeing anyone beneath the lega l drinking age." She stepped closer and again ran a finger down his ear. "No exceptions? " A shiver passed down his spine. "No...no exceptions." If he found her smile a temptation, her pout was downright sinful. "Ei ther you're gay or married. Which?" Caught off guard, Tev laughed. "Neither. You want the truth? I just got out of one relationship. I'm not looking for another." "So what's your name?" "Tev." "Tev," she repeated as though pondering it. "Short for..." "Short for nothing, just Tev." "Well, _just_ Tev, what brings you here? You don't fit in with this crow d." He didn't know how much he wanted to relinquish. If he came right ou

t and claimed to be the vampyre he pretended to be, looking for others of h is kind, he chanced sending her running. She did not appear to be someone w ho would hang in those circles. But then, if he played his cards right, may be she might know something. After all, with one nod at the bartender who d id her bidding, not being told her preference of drink, she marked herself as a regular. Of course, spending time in her company had little to do with his decision not to send her packing. No, on this one, he had used his hea d. The double connotation left him wondering about that decision. "What makes you think I don't belong?" "You're not Goth," she shouted loud enough to be heard over the music. "Neither are you." "But my friends are. Besides, I like it here. These people are more fr iendly than most. They accept me for who I am." Who in their right mind wouldn't accept this woman? Tev wondered. "Th en I should fit right in." She leaned in closer to his ear, to keep from having to bellow. She ha d no idea how her nearness affected him. "You might. Do you have a last name, Tev?" His name slid off her tongu e as if she had practiced her life saying it. He liked the way it sounded com ing from her lips. "Nope. So what's your name?" "Krys." "Short for..." There went that grin again. "Krystal." "Like fine stemware?" "No, with a 'K.'" "So what's your last name, Krys with a _K_?" Her blue eyes twinkled. "_Just_ Krys." "Touche!" Tev laughed. "Okay, Krys, you from around here?" Krys sipped her Sprite through the thin straw, watching the man. She had never seen Tev before this afternoon. Him she would have definitely reme mbered. His cheekbones were high, leaving the side of the face slightly sunk en. A very attractive feature. Although his light brown hair was much shorte r than men she typically admired, it looked good on him, parting in the midd le where overlong bangs hung mischievously across his forehead. She had the desire to brush them back and run her fingers through his hair, testing its silkiness. "I live in the city." "Any place in particular? Chicago is a big place." She narrowed her gaze. "Why the interest? You planning on coming by anytime soon?" Krys didn't trust easily. She had been burned one too many times by t

he men in her life. Most men were cruel by nature. As of late, the only one she trusted well enough to hang with was Azzo. And no one messed with Azzo. He protected her as if she were his little sister -- more so than her real b rother had. "I told you, you're too young." "So you've said." She ran her thumb down his freshly-shaven square jaw. She couldn't help but touch Tev and, as most everyone knew, she alway s acted on impulse. "That doesn't keep you from desiring me now, does it?" She hadn't missed his reaction, the one he tried to conceal beneath t he counter. Truth be told, he had affected her as well. Something about him weakened her knees and made her ache deep inside, awakening a part of her sh e thought nonexistent. To her, sex had always been dirty, cruel and violent. But here was a man threatening to crumble those walls she had so erected th rough the years. Krys wasn't sure she favored the idea. "Krys?" Tev waved a hand in front of her eyes. "You there?" She blinked a few times, realizing she had traveled back to a place bet ter left behind. "I'm sorry. Unpleasant memories." "Want to talk about it?" "Not really." The hairs on her nape tingled, making her to look in the direction o f side stage as Raven approached them. He stepped beside her and placed a p rotective arm across her bare shoulders, licking the soft spot behind her e ar, causing a shiver to pass down her spine. He lived with her and Azzo, an d although Azzo seemed to trust him, something about him set Krys on edge, never quite fully entrusting herself to him. But, at the moment, his timing couldn't have been more perfect and she owed him her gratitude. His nod indicated Tev. "Who's the poser?" She rolled her eyes. "His name is Tev." Tev stood to shake Raven's hand, but Raven didn't oblige. "You don't look familiar. A reason you came here tonight? I can think of a hundred othe r clubs more suited to your taste." Tev retook his seat, unfazed by Raven's disdain. "I heard about Pandem onium on the web. I'm new to the area and I thought I'd check it out." "Now you have. Maybe you should move along." Krys stepped from Raven's cold embrace. "You think you could be a lit tle more cordial?" Raven laughed, the sound filled with malice. "Cordial is not part of my vocabulary." Krys turned to Tev, feeling oddly compelled to explain Raven's rudeness . "He doesn't trust easily." Raven's brows drew together. "As I recall, neither do you, Krys. Some thing come up to change that?"

"No." "So what makes him any more trustworthy than me? He's not even you'r e type." "What would you know of my type?" Krys felt animosity brewing to the surface like a cock preparing to fight. "Be civil, Raven. No one said you had to befriend him." "And I won't." Raven held out his hand and shook Tev's. "Watch you r back, man. One wrong move and you'll be wishing you never heard of Pand emonium...or me." As they shook hands, Tev felt the slight brush of Raven's middle fing er across his wrist. Hostilities aside, Tevan had struck pay dirt. His first vampyre -- the handshake told him as much. Now if he could just manage to g et into Raven's good graces. By his actions, Raven seemed protective of Krys , whether she wanted that guardianship or not. She almost appeared to be afr aid of the man, if her body language was any indication. Tev intended to fin d out the extent of their strange relationship and how far Raven's safekeepi ng of Krys went. "Don't mind him." Krys's cheeks flushed, easily seen even in the dim l ighting. "For some reason he feels this need to keep an eye out for me." "Don't worry about it. Raven doesn't know me. He's only being protec tive of you, which I can understand." Tev glanced at side stage where Raven regained his position. Raven's gaze stayed fixed on them. "So what's your relationship with him?" Tev gave Krys his attention, figuring it best to ig nore the man. He wanted to gain Raven's confidence, not alienate himself so early in the game. "We share the same dwelling. He thinks that makes him my keeper." "You live together?" "We aren't lovers or anything like that. We share a mutual friend." Krys set her empty glass on the bar, appearing ready to take flight. The turn in the conversation obviously made her uncomfortable. Numerous thin white scars across her forearm caught Tev's attention. He grasped her arm, and rolled it over so the small lines were more visi ble. At first she tried to pull her hand free, but Tev held tight. He traced on e of the scars with his index finger, feeling a slight shiver pass through her. "What happened?" Krys managed to wrestle her arm free when he slackened his grip. She r ubbed the disfigured area with her other hand, a clear sign that his noticing the scars disturbed her. "Nothing. An accident is all." "Accident? Looks like you saw the end of a sharp knife as straight and f ine as those scars." She glanced at the floor, unable to look him in the eyes. Either she was ashamed or she was about to lie. He'd lay odds on the latter. "It doesn't pert

ain to you," she said so faintly he barely heard her over the music. Tev wondered if Raven hadn't been using Krys as a donor, bloodlettin g on her. He had read about it on the 'Net, but had never seen the process. A small incision would be made with a straight razor or knife, then after the blood pooled the vampyre licked it from the wound. Sucking on the lacer ation caused the skin to pucker and not heal as nicely. _What the hell was wrong with these people?_ "Did Raven do this to you?" Krys's head snapped up; her eyes filled with fear. "I should go." Tev grasped her arm as she turned to leave, but she shook free. "Don't." "Please, Krys, something is wrong. I can see it in your face." "You don't know anything. All you know is what you see." She looked i nto his eyes, as though urging him to understand without words to not pursue the topic. "Leave it alone." "I can't." "Can't? Or won't? Either way, it's none of your business." He followed Krys's gaze as Raven again made his way toward them thr ough the throng. "Leave it alone, Tev." Krys ran out the side of the club and disappear ed into the darkness. Tevan stared at the closed door as he heard the other m an approach. Raven stopped a few feet away. "Maybe you should go." Tev chuckled. "This time I think you might be right." He stood and he aded for the exit, then stopped, glancing at Raven. "What is it with you and her anyway? You got something going on, or is she just a donor?" Raven crossed his arms over his chest. The incredible play of emotio ns on his face made it obvious he did not like Tev's intrusion. "What would a mere mortal know?" "Mere mortal?" Tev laughed and started toward the door. "I'm of the Bl ood." -------*Chapter Four* _Our judicial system...meant to work for the victim when, in essence, it works for the criminal. And who is to say what is criminal? Is a crimina l a homeless person who steals food out of a Dumpster due to a need for surv ival? Surely not. Or how about the person claiming self-defense who pulls th e trigger to end the life of one meaning harm? If the President of the Unite d States can lie to the jury and not be held accountable, then all that was once held in high esteem crumbles and falls. Suddenly what was once the core of the government is questioned to its accuracy._ _Daily, people sit on death row, placed there by sycophantic politici

ans, second-guessing before the actual deed is carried out. Are the people t ruly guilty? Are we sending innocent men to their deaths? The death penalty works only when it is acted upon. Who should fear their mortality when they sit in a six-by-eight-foot cell for years upon years, waiting for appeals fr om botched-up cases by inferior lackeys and ass-kissers? Impress the judge a nd get an appointment. Make a deal with the prosecutor and send a client to his death, all for the attorney's personal gain and advancement._ _Who then, without sin, can judge the soul for obtaining the fluid tha t it requires for life's existence, when everyone else from within the establ ishment can be held accountable for something? The need for blood is inbred, a part of the DNA for which it has no choosing. Death is eminent; everyone di es, for the wages of sin is death. The soul only helps along some of those to meet their end early. If that life is prosperous, then the other side should be sunny and the soul does nothing more than do them a favor. If that life i s amoral, then the Prince of Darkness awaits them and certainly applauds the soul's deed._ _The flicker of candlelight is reflected across the sea of red within t he highly polished silver chalice. The soul holds its palms heavenward before grasping the cup and taking it to its lips. Crimson fluid spills from the corn er of thin lips, and slips down the chin only to land upon bare flesh. An erec tion stands proudly as the moments of death are replayed before the mind's eye ..._ _A life no more because the judicial system failed._ _The soul will kill again, as every evil deed is followed by another, but for now, its thirst is quenched and its desire sated._ The smell of antiseptic hung heavy in the air as Krystal rolled the el derly man to his side, the mattress creaking beneath him, and sponged his bac k. Small red sores, the size of quarters, appeared on his buttocks and should ers from laying in one position for far too long. Seemed the other shifts rar ely did their jobs, which always resulted in more work for her. If they didn' t frequently reposition the patient, his skin became chafed from the sheets a nd non-movement. Although she knew he felt little pain in his present state, she couldn't help but be angry at the lack of care he received at times. She knew the Grim Reaper hung at the door. Another life neared its e nd. Death seemed to surround her, an everyday part of life. As those in the ir autumn years came to St. Mary's Home for the Elderly and passed away, it reminded her how fragile one's existence was. At times she even embraced t he idea of death. Misery surrounded her, had been a part of her entire exis tence. Life had handed her very few light-hearted moments. She knew of no o ther way to live life. But somehow, she found comfort in that sadness. Azzo had been her sole support, after she, at fifteen, ran away from her father and her mother had died. Earning wages as a nurse's aide, Krys ho

ped to one day make enough to put herself through college. But in reality, w ith the small amount she earned at the nursing home, it would be years befor e she ever realized that dream. Finished with the ministrations of Mr. Lambert, Krys pulled the thin white blanket about his torso, leaving him on his side, and walked around th e bed to face him. "Anything I can get for you?" She raised her voice loud e nough for him to hear. "More good years?" he coughed and wheezed, barely audible. His chest made a strange ticking sound with each breath; some called it the death ratt le. Colon cancer had taken its toll. Mr. Lambert closed his eyes and drifted into morphine-induced sleep. She laid a gentle hand on his weathered one, knowing his remaining lif e could be measured in days. "I wish I could." He coughed again. Krys used a pink swab to clean the thick phlegm fr om his mouth. Death showed sympathy for no one. It was cold and unfeeling - just how she felt on a daily basis. Home alone and using a razor to slice her flesh, causing blood to flow allowed her to feel anything but the numb ness of her meager existence. Looking at the thin scars trekking across her flesh, Krys pulled off her latex gloves and traced the same white line with her index finger that T ev had, remembering his reaction. The cuts stemmed from her internal hatred that bubbled to the surface far too often. Cutting herself made her feel in control, having life when everything else seemed apathetic. That is until he r meeting with Tev. Something about him awakened those forever-comatose part s she thought nonexistent. Which scared the hell out of her. Krys left the room, tossing the gloves into the trash, angry with hers elf for even day-dreaming of someone she had no right thinking of. Caught in her musings, she rounded the corner and ran into a hard chest. "Excuse me, I didn't mean..." Krys looked into Raven's blackened eye s, her thoughts trailing off with her words. "What on earth are you doing h ere?" She pushed him toward the nursing home's reception area, horrified he would even contemplate coming to her place of work. Although her life had been anything but run-of-the-mill, this was the one place she had establish ed normalcy. She would not allow him to threaten that. Raven had never before ventured here. She wondered why, today, he wo uld think of doing so. White and blue pillow-stuffed couches lined the wall s of the waiting room, accented by a square oak coffee table, sitting in th e center. _Woman's Day_ and _Family Circle_ magazines scattered the surface ; potted palm trees sat on either side of the large picture window, lending to the serene atmosphere. Raven looked as out of place as a black man at a KKK rally.

"You want to get me fired? You come in here looking like that and I'll b e put on report." "What does my being here have to do with your job?" He chuckled, his tongue caressing one of the fake fangs he put on to defy the norm, something he seemed to despise. Either that, or to scare the elderly half to death, a s he rarely wore the things. "You don't like the way I look?" "Shouldn't you be sleeping or something?" "Or something." Raven held his arms out from his sides as he continu ed to back from his position. "Ashamed?" "These people wouldn't understand. I need this job." Truth of it, Rav en frightened her at times. He cared little about public perception. He ofte n walked a tightrope of right and wrong, enjoying when he made others uncomf ortable with his presence. He seemed to thrive on fear. "Why worry about what others think? My job doesn't dictate how I shou ld look." "You work in the music industry; you're a band manager. It's perfectly f ine for you to walk around looking like that. As a matter of fact, the stranger the better." He nodded. "I'll concede to that." "Why are you here?" "You had me worried when you didn't return last night." "Since when did I have to check in? Azzo knows I come and go as I please. Who made you my keeper?" A grin just this side of evil crept upon his lips. Krys wondered if A zzo, normally perceptive, might have misjudged Raven. He had been living wit h them the last few months after stumbling into town with no place to go. Az zo had taken Raven in as a favor. "Just concerned...one fiend to another." "You may be a monster -- I'm not. But if you must, I didn't sleep at all. I went to the park. It's peaceful there at night." His gaze blackened. "Five women have already turned up dead in this ci ty and you think it's safe to hang at the park at night? The fucking cops are running circles around themselves. Truth of it, another five will more than likely die before they ever get a clue." Krys began pacing as she often did when emotions over-ran her though ts. She needed to get Raven out of there before anyone from the staff saw h im -- she knew they would not take favorably to her association with one of his kind. One look at the fang-toothed vampyre and they'd likely throw the m both out. "Help me!" came a frail request from down the long hall, interruptin g her train of thought and her immediate need to get him off the premises. "Somebody help me!"

"Shouldn't you be getting that?" Krys looked back at Raven. "That's Mrs. Peterson. She does that all day long, no matter how closely you tend to her. She travels up and down the hall s in her wheelchair -- it's the same thing, day after day. I think it's why he r family put her here." "Maybe I should have a look?" he challenged. Krys stopped him by placing her hands on his leather-covered chest. "Ple ase, Raven...if you care at all, don't." Raven ran a hand through his long blue-black hair. At least he hadn't worn his usual amount of make-up, just a little liner above and below his eye s. But should Mrs. Peterson get a glimpse of him, she'd likely have nightmare s for days. He relaxed his pose and crossed his arms over his chest, thankfully yie lding to her wishes. "I don't want to live to that age. I want to die while I still have youth. Having all those wrinkles and failing health while being dum ped in some God-forsaken hole...what way is that to live? I'd rather experienc e gratifying death and pass on to the next life." She knew he referred to his immortality. Raven believed he'd live fore ver, passing from one life to the next. He had told her he already lived many lives, those including a pirate, musketeer, and even a life from the future. Krys had yet to understand how one could live in a time that had not yet bee n. She wasn't quite ready to accept the idea of reincarnation, but she never told Raven as much. "Trust me, you won't. Not the way you live." Raven's black brow rose heavenward. "Should I be afraid?" "Even if I told you yes, you wouldn't listen. You'd still live your life t he same way." His grin showed he agreed. "What did you want? I'm sure checking to see if I was alive wasn't you r motive for coming by." Raven placed his hands over his heart as if he had been shot through with an arrow. "You wound me." "The sun is still in full bloom, Raven. Something made you leave your l air." He shrugged. "I was restless. Azzo is in one of his tirades. Who kno ws what the hell has him bent? But when he doesn't sleep, no one does. So I 'm off to rehearsal. You coming by Pandemonium tonight?" The emotions Tev had awakened within her made her uncomfortable. Sh e wasn't ready to deal with them. Avoidance seemed the better choice. "I d on't know." "Suit yourself." He shrugged. "But home isn't the place to be, given Az zo's present state. I'd recommend -- "

"Krystal," Amber Briggs interrupted as she entered the room. "I'm sorr y. I didn't realize..." Amber stopped in mid-sentence, her eyes rounding as t hey took in Raven and his attire. _Great, just great._ Now, as she watched Amber's face pale in color, Krys knew she would have some explaining to do. "It's his Halloween costume," Krys lied, know ing Raven would have something to say about her fib later. _Halloween indeed._ "Really?" Amber tilted her head to the side, giving Raven a more thoro ugh perusal. "I'd suggest a red-lined black cape." "I don't wear capes," Raven grumbled. "That's only in movies. But I do s leep in a coffin." Had they been sitting around the table, Krys would have taken the opp ortunity to give his shin a swift kick. But as they were, Raven would see th e shot coming and so would Amber. She resorted to a stern look that beseeche d him to keep his big trap shut. "You needed something, Amber?" "You know, you really are kind of cute. I bet you'd look a lot better w ithout all that make-up. What's your name?" "Amber?" Krys repeated, only to be ignored. "The name's Raven," he said, bowing dramatically. "I rarely go out wit hout make-up. It's who I am. The only time I don't have it on is in bed. Care to see?" That did it. Krys kicked Raven in the shin, not caring who saw, sen ding him to hopping on one foot, mumbling something about paybacks. Krys i gnored him and turned Amber from the room, escorting her down the corridor . "Why did you do that?" "It's nothing he didn't deserve. What is it you needed?" Amber glanced at Raven, smiled and waved. Krys looked back long enou gh to see the blackguard blow Amber a kiss before departing. She'd have a t alk with him later. The last thing she needed was for him to be flirting wi th one of her co-workers. "Amber...you needed something?" The blond-streaked brunette blinked a few times then gave Krys her a ttention. "Yes, Susanna Zaber asked me to have you prepare room three-oh-th ree. We're getting a new patient today." It was all Tev could do not to pick up the phone and call his wife, S usanna. His days undercover had left him desiring companionship, leaving him analyzing his decision to file for a separation two months ago. Had life wi th her been all that bad? And to top it off, with Casey Black at her side, s he was anything but alone. Tev had always believed people chose their own pa

ths in life, but certainly he had not picked his this time. Whitey had thrus t him into a bleak and dark world. In the past few months he had met several vampyres online, and frequ ently talked to them. He understood how one could get caught up in the worl d they lived behind the computer. A substitute for real life. Sad to think that one day all communication could be done behind the screen and keyboard . Real contact with others could become non-existent. Tev sat staring at the glowing screen and the few dozen e-mails he had downloaded. He knew at any given time he could find others to talk wit h in chat rooms, had even been to several popular vampire websites, though mostly were role-playing games, of White Wolf's _The Masquerade_ nature, a game much like Dungeons and Dragons. He had yet to see the appeal. A knock sounded on his door, startling him. Since moving here, Tev had not had a single visitor. No one besides the department knew where he lived. Fearing something had happened to his family, Tev jumped up from hi s chair and opened the door. He wasn't sure what he expected, but certainl y not a fang-toothed Raven. Tev left the door cracked, not inviting the young man in. "How the he ll did you find out where I lived? Taken to following me?" He'd need to be more careful of his whereabouts and surroundings in the future. If his cover were blown, they'd wouldn't have a chance in hell of cat ching the killer. "You going to invite me in?" Role-player or real, Tevan wasn't sure, but either way, Raven would n ot step across his threshold. The rules stated a vampire must first be invit ed. "Tell me why I should? You have business here?" Raven leaned a shoulder against the doorjamb and crossed his arms over his chest. "Just wanting to find out your angle." Tev knew Raven sized him up. He wondered if he thought him a threa t where Krystal was concerned. Narrowing his gaze, Tev asked again, "How did you find out where I lived?" "Super-natural powers." "I don't buy that, and I don't think you do either." Raven chuckled. "I followed you home from the club." "Why?" He shrugged. "I was intrigued and a bit skeptical, if you will." Tevan knew a big share of male vampyres were gay or bisexual. He hope d Raven's intrigue didn't include being interested in Tev sexually. "I'm not into guys." "Who says I am?" Raven challenged. "You followed me home." He held his arms out to the side, booted feet crossed, in a Christ-like

pose. "I said I was intrigued, not interested. Besides, I knew you weren't into guys." "How's that?" "Krystal." "What about her?" "You going to let me in, or do I have to stand out here all day?" Tev opened the door. "Come in," he invited, picking up shirts and pants littering the floor and throwing them into a basket in the corner. "Sorry, I didn't expect company." Raven walked slowly around the room, taking in every corner. He picked up objects, glanced carefully at them, before returning them to their spot. Tev felt as if he were being assessed. Every inch of his existence scrutinize d by this man. Stopping in front of the computer, Raven glanced at the screen. "Looks like you need to get out more." "That's the problem...I don't go out much at all." "Any reason?" Tev took the opening Raven offered. "I don't identify with many." Raven looked up from the screen. "Meaning?" "I live a life contrary to what people perceive as normal. I walk at night. I hunt." Raven appeared to study his face, judging how much of Tev's self-profe ssion to believe. "And what is it you hunt?" "Life force. Raw energy." "Hunting is a synonym for pursuing, certainly not something that requ ires the other's consent. You take without permission?" "I don't need approval." Raven pursed his lips. "A true hunter. Either you're of the Blood as you say, or a poser. Which is it?" "What do you think?" Raven crossed his arms over his chest again and looked at Tev. "I don' t know what to think. That's why I'm here." "You think you can somehow lay proof to my claim?" Raven shrugged. "Depends on what you have to prove. Can you smell me?" "I smell the thick blood running through your veins, if that's what you mean." "Do you desire it?" _Shit._ Tevan had just backed himself into a corner. And unless he did some fast-talking, he'd be forced to corroborate his affirmations. Drinking blood had not been part of his deal with Whitey. The thought of it sent his s

tomach rolling. Raven reached into his leather jacket's pocket and pulled out a shiny stra ight razor still in its cardboard sheath. "Prove it." If he told Raven "no," then chances were that he'd never believe Teva n was of the Blood. He certainly couldn't use disease as an excuse, because most true vampyres didn't fear death, they embraced it. But getting AIDS sca red the hell out of him. Before Tevan could come up with an excuse about why he could not do what Raven offered, a thin red line ran down the man's arm. Blood seeped from the cut and dripped to the floor. Raven held out his arm. He raised a brow in challenge. "Hungry?" Tev swallowed; his stomach quivered in disgust. If he ever got his hand s on Whitey's throat, it wouldn't be too soon. -------*Chapter Five* Krys tiptoed into the vacant kitchen, not sure she wanted to alert Az zo of her presence. Confronting him in his current state might not be such a good idea. After Raven's description of his mood, she thought it best to qu ickly shower and head out to Pandemonium. She had seen Azzo's tirades in the past, and they weren't pretty. Not that she feared he would ever harm her, just that his moods made him unpleasant to be around. A door slammed from somewhere within the house, causing her to jump. Bumping into the table, she knocked an empty glass from its surface and ba rely caught it before it hit the white linoleum. Surely that would send Azz o running in her direction. She set the glass on the table, turned around a nd ran into the man. So much for going undetected. His coal-black eyes glanced at the plain, white and black clock on t he wall. Krys felt every second on the timepiece that ticked by. Maybe comi ng home hadn't been such a great idea. But where else could she possibly go in her work uniform? She wouldn't be caught dead outside the nursing home wearing it. "Is it that time already? And to think I've gotten no sleep yet," Azzo grumbled, sounding much like a bear woken from hibernation. Even disheveled and lack-of-sleep weary, he looked immaculate. Kry s doubted Azzo ever had a day he didn't. Too bad the man was homosexual. "This day couldn't possibly get a whole helluva lot worse. Not with that little prick Raven around." Krys grimaced. "Guess I don't need to ask who put you in such a state." Azzo grumbled, rubbing finely manicured fingers down his dark goate e. "Have you seen Raven? He's better off not coming home until my mood has lightened. Right now, I don't even want to see his ugly mug."

"He came by the nursing home." Azzo's eyes rounded. "Has the man no sense? Why on God's earth do I b other with him?" His face reddened, telling Krys his blood pressure was on t he rise. "All about theatrics with Raven. Getting attention. I suppose he wo re those ridiculous fangs. Damn, I should have sent his ass packing the day he arrived on my doorstep. Our lives would have been better for it. That wil l be the last time I do a friend a favor!" "Second thoughts about allowing him to move in, I take it." "Did he tell you what he did?" His tone raised an octave. Azzo's clas sic dark looks seemed all the more appealing in his rage. His deep rouge com plimented his black, close-cropped hair. "Only that you were in one of your moods." "I should say so. Little shit! He's lucky not to be sporting black-and -blue welts. I deserve to be in _one of my moods!_ I came home to find him in my bed with a slut." "Raven had a woman in your bed? Why?" "He can't very well take a woman to that coffin he calls a bed. But th at's his problem, not mine. He's the fool who thinks he needs to sleep in one of those awful boxes. More theatrics. I'm surprised he gets dates. What the hell is wrong with the women he's bringing home? That's the question!" He jab bed a finger heavenward as though further making his point. "I'll kill the li ttle bastard the next time he pulls a stunt like that. Just who the hell does he think he is? And because of that -- I spent my morning doing bedclothes i nstead of sleeping, like this tired body wants. I shudder at the thought of r olling in his drippings. Everything that man does turns my stomach..." "Raven never mentioned the reason for your tirade. Now that I know, i t's no wonder." Krys tried not to giggle. Her finding humor over Azzo's situ ation would enrage him further. "He's lucky I didn't throw his ass out on the street." An unexpected c huckle erupted, causing Krys to furrow her brow. The corners of his lips rose in a maniacal smile. "Although, I did throw _her_ out...completely nude, I m ight add. I tossed her clothes after a few breezy moments. I thought her teet h just might crack with all that chattering. I don't think she'll return to s ee Raven any time soon." "You didn't!" One devilish brow rose. "Ah, but I did. And with great pleasure. Raven, on the other hand, was livid. You should have seen her out there trying to co ver herself. Priceless." "When I saw him, Raven didn't tell me he was angry about anything. S eemed his normal self." "Obnoxious?" Krys grinned. "You know Raven."

"Self-centered, is what he is. He wasn't even upset that the little sl ut stood shivering on the doorstep. No, Raven was angry because he still had an erection and hadn't gotten the damn job finished. Although it took only on e look from me to have it shriveling and him running for clothes." "He probably worried about the thoughts running through your lusty mi nd." Azzo rolled his eyes. "I may be gay, but I'm not desperate. I've never s tooped to taking a straight man. Nor would I. Besides, my tastes run along a fa r different line." With Azzo's good looks and trim body, he turned many heads, male an d female alike. He could have easily become a fashion model and made tons on the runway. As it was, even after living with him the last three years, Krys still had no clue what Azzo did for a living. He never left the hous e during the day, indicating he had no day job. Which meant he either work ed through the night or had inherited one heck of a large sum of money. An d by the size of the house in which they lived, the latter seemed a good p ossibility. Four bedrooms and two full baths made up the top floor. The ma in floor consisted of a living room, dining room, kitchen, family room, de n, and another full bathroom and bedroom where Krys slept. The basement ha d its own kitchen, bath and bedrooms; Raven's sanctuary. Two air condition ing units were needed to cool the older home. Krys had never before lived in such extravagances. And why Azzo needed the monstrosity, she didn't kno w. She had just been glad he had been there for her when she needed help. "Want to come to Pandemonium with me? Maybe it will help lighten t he mood." "You know that's not my scene, Krys. I think I'll hang out here. Maybe even catch a few hours of shut-eye while the sun is up." "What then? You can't stay here and wallow in self-pity." "I have places to go." Krys had no idea where Azzo went, or with whom he spent time. Evasi ve as always. "Maybe I'll come with you, then." He ran a warm, smooth hand down her cheek. "My dear child, what I do would be of no interest to you." "How would you know if you never give me the chance? Out of the year s I've lived here, we've rarely hung out together. You go your way; I go mi ne. Why is that?" His eyes darkened in their blackness. "I value my privacy. What I do is no one else's concern." "Do you date?" "You know I do." "But we've rarely seen the men you date. I swear you keep them sequest ered upstairs."

"I don't normally bring them home and allow them to see where I live." "Why?" "This is my haven. My peace. If I should allow them here -- then I c hance them coming by when I don't want them to." "Has anyone ever gotten to know you? Really know you?" "My dear, you live under my roof. Trust me. No one knows me the way you do." "Sometimes I feel I don't know you at all." He folded his arms over his chest. "Why the sudden questions? Raven p ut you up to this?" Krys shook her head. "I guess I just became curious. You've been so g ood to me by letting me live here. Yet, sometimes I feel like a mere acquain tance." "You are the closet thing I have to family, Krys. I'm just an extremely p rivate person." Krys looked to the linoleum. "You're the only family I have." He tipped her chin with his thumb. "This will always be your home. Enough questions. You must have some place you need to be." "Not really. That's why I wanted you to go to Pandemonium with me." "You always go alone. Why the sudden need for an escort?" "There's a guy -- " "He hasn't hurt you?" "Not at all," Krys amended quickly, realizing how her reluctance at se eing Tev again might sound. "Quite the opposite." "You like him." "Yeah, I do." "What's the problem?" "I don't date. You know that. Men make me nervous." "With your past, it's understandable." A tear slipped from her lash. She hadn't wanted to cry. "So will I ever be able to find someone? Will I be able to get past my fears?" "Not without work. The bastard you call 'Father' should have to pay for that." "I want to get past it, Azzo. Sometimes the pain is unbearable." He gathered her in his embrace and kissed the top of her head. "I tel l you what...let me get a few hours shut-eye, and I'll accompany you to Pand emonium. Deal?" "Deal," she agreed with a grin, then backed from his hold and headed for her room, stopping at the door. "Thanks, Azzo. I know what it's costing you. Clubbing is not your kind of thing...especially Pandemonium." He returned her smile. "I'll live." The thought of seeing Tev again left her breathless. What she could not

figure out, though, was if it were from fear or anticipation. "I need to shower," she said. "See you in a few hours." Tev sat at the bar in Pandemonium thinking about the close call with Raven. How long would he be able to put off the man? It was sheer luck tha t the bald man and his bad toupee in 4B had picked that exact moment to kno ck on the door and introduce himself. Raven licked the blood from his arm, unseen by the short, heavy-set man, and drew his sleeve over the wound. Wit h a wink and a promise to return, he made his regrets and slipped into the hallway. Tev had the absurd vision of Raven whisking his long coat over his head and turning into a bat. It was obvious Raven didn't trust Tev. And unless Tevan proved himse lf to be of the Blood, he would never obtain the man's confidence. Just the thought of licking blood from Raven's wound sent the bile dancing up his t hroat. As an evidence technician, Tev had a stomach of iron, never one to l ose his lunch at a crime scene. Even as a new guy on the force, Tev had nev er been one to get nauseous, somehow able to distance himself from reality. He likened it to arriving on a movie set with real-looking props. If he sa w the victims as one-time living and breathing, he wasn't so sure he would be able to continue doing his job. Susanna had often thought him cold, distant -- accused him of it seve ral times. But Tev knew when it came to his own flesh and blood, he bled jus t like the rest. Not being able to see his daughter when he wanted to cut a mammoth-sized hole in the center of his heart. It nearly killed him to sign the separation papers, even though he knew it the best for all involved, and resigned himself to being nothing more than an every-other-weekend father. Hell, at the present, he couldn't even claim that. It had already been two m onths and he had no idea how much longer it would be before he again saw Bec ca. The last time he had seen her, she had told him she hated him. Obviou sly nothing had altered to bring about a change of heart in her. She would l ikely hate him for life. Just the thought of it nearly had him tossing his b adge in the receptacle and starting a new career. Was his present life worth the heartache? Tev had wanted to be a detective for so long, he could not i magine doing anything else. So, for the sake of his daughter, he needed to f ind the monster responsible for him being undercover. And fast. If that mean t becoming one of them and drinking Raven's blood to prove it, Tev would do it. He just hoped he could keep from gagging afterward. Nothing like a taletell sign that he wasn't one of them. Might as well hang a neon flashing sig n on his forehead. "You want another?" the blond bartender interrupted his musings. Until the man had spoken, Tev hadn't realized he had been staring int o the bottom of an empty mug. He slammed the heavy glass onto the bar and sl

id it toward the man. "Not like I have plans to be elsewhere." The spiked-haired blond set another beer in front of him, and took the five from the bar's surface. No one could be accused of being friendly aroun d here, Tev thought with a huff. So far, he'd had little luck in gaining conf idants. He needed to remedy that situation. Dragonslayer started a cover of "Voodoo" by Godsmack, the same band he had witnessed the previous night. Tev hoped the band was an indicator th at, before the night was over, he would see Krys again. Although he didn't need the added distraction, he couldn't help but want to be near her. Convi ncing himself that he wanted only conversation was the hard part. He chuckled, then took a swig of the frosty brew. The last thing he needed was to be friends with Krys. In all honesty, he didn't want to be fr iends at all. He wanted what any hot-blooded male would: her beneath his sh eets, her long legs wrapping his lean hips, his name spilling from her lips as he took her to the other side. Had he ever done as much for Susanna? In bed, his wife hadn't exactly been a firecracker. As a matter of fact, thei r sex life, as of late, had been nothing more than a kiss on the cheek and turning their backs on one another. It was no wonder the marriage had been over. Maybe they were never meant to be. Tev could not remember ever having thoughts about Susanna like the ones swimming in his head centering on Kry s. He needed to clean up those thoughts or he'd drive himself crazy. Tev glanced to side stage as the band took a break. Conversing with the long, black-haired singer, Raven's face seemed contorted in rage as the two shared words. The singer threw his microphone on the stage, sending a reverberating squeal through the room, before the large man stormed from th e platform. The rest of the band seemed unaffected by the mixed moods and w ent about tuning their instruments for the next set. The singer approached the bar and slapped a large hand atop the surfac e. "Jack -- straight up." He glanced at Tev and nodded. "Weren't you here las t night?" Tev nodded. "Play here often?" "Often enough." "I'm new in town. Your band based here in Chicago?" "Nope," he said, then knocked back the contents of the glass. His fac e grimaced as the heat traveled throughout his limbs. He tapped the bar, and the blond quickly refilled his glass as a DJ began spinning CDs. "Cleveland ." Tev held out his hand. "My name's Tev." "Damien Vincent. So what do you think?" "Of..." Damien grinned. "Dragonslayer." "Pretty damn good. I'm impressed. Been together long?"

"A few years. We're all original, aside from the guitar player. We ha d to get a new one a couple of years ago. Having trouble keeping them, for s ome reason. This one seems to be working out." "Your manager." Tev tilted his head in the direction of Raven, who now spoke to the drummer. "He been with you long?" "Why?" "I noticed you arguing." Damien shrugged. "He can be a real pain in the ass. We don't always h ave the same vision. But he's good at what he does." "Why keep him?" Damien's gaze held his for a moment. "Applying for the job?" Tev chuckled. "I don't know the first thing about music. Just an obse rvation. Does he do anything else? Besides managing your band?" "Not that I know of." "It can't pay much." "No one's getting rich, if that's what you're saying." "So how do you do it? You have to eat." Damien shrugged. If he was curious about Tev's questioning, his face didn't register it. "We live off of others, mostly. There's always someone t o shack up with. We all have girls who we stay with from time to time. Nothi ng serious. What about you?" Tev sensed he'd pushed too far, making Damien curious and asking que stions of his own. "I have a nearby apartment. Not much." "You work?" "Living off an inheritance." "Must have been a sizable one." "Big enough." A cool breeze brushed past them as the side door opened, drawing the ir attentions. Tev's heart skipped a beat as Krystal walked in, stopping ju st inside the door, no doubt for her eyes to adjust to the low lighting. He r piercing blue gaze scanned the room before landing on him. She looked rea dy to bolt and run out the door when Damien left Tev behind and approached her. The singer smoothed back her blond hair from her ear and either kissed her or whispered into it. From his vantage point, Tev couldn't tell. Krys backed from the tall man. Her expression remained passive, not giving Tev a clue as to whether Damien's attentions were welcomed. Damien placed his ha nd in the small of her back and guided her toward the bar. "You know Krys?" Damien allowed his hand to linger on her. An unwan ted pang of jealousy shot through Tev. He couldn't help wonder if this man and Krys had a past. Tev nodded. "We've met." The outfit Krys wore nearly outdid the red clingy dress from the nigh

t before. Tight, black leather pants hugged her hips and thighs like melted chocolate. A silver belt with dangling charms encompassed her waist as his f ingers itched to do. A tight red sweater accented her small breasts, her cle avage teasing him with what lay hidden beneath. In short, her appearance was enough to raise the temperature of the chilly room by ten degrees. He wiped a hand across his brow, checking for non-existent sweat. "Have either of you met..." Her words trailed off as she glanced behi nd her, obviously not finding whom or what she had been looking for. "Well, that's funny. Azzo was right behind me." "Azzo?" Tev asked. "I live with him -- well, I mean in the same house. We share the space. I needed a place to stay and he was kind enough to offer." Tev's brow furrowed. "I thought you lived with Raven." She shrugged. "I do. Raven, Azzo, and me." Tev glanced at Damien to judge his thoughts. His facial expression told nothing. "Interesting." "It can be." Damien whispered into Krys's ear, smoothed his hand up her back in a fa miliar sort of way, then headed for the stage -- the next set obviously soon t o start. His blue-black hair hung easily to his waist. "Are you and Damien lovers?" Krys crossed her arms beneath her breasts, increasing her cleavage. "If I said we were?" Tev held himself rigid as his stomach pained. Had he been alone, he m ight have doubled over as if he had been kicked. What if they were? Tev had no right entertaining the idea of bedding her; he was still married himself. "That's your business." "True enough." She glanced at the singer as he took center stage. "Wh o wouldn't want to sleep with him? He's gorgeous." If Krys thought Damien Vincent handsome, then she would not look twi ce at him. "So are you lovers?" She paused. "No." Relief washed over him like a wave off Lake Michigan. The thought of her unattached excited him, so much so that he wanted to carry her off and t he hell with the conversation. "Actually, Krys is mine," came from behind, squelching any thoughts . A man with close-cropped hair came up from behind and encircled her smal l waist with his large hands. He nipped at her ear lobe. "Anyone wanting a nything from Krys must first come through me. I'm very protective of what I call my own." His deep voice seemed to mesmerize. Tev found himself star ing into the dark eyes of a very attractive man. This one Tev could believ e Krys attracted to.

She smiled, then kissed the man on the lips, a sisterly peck. Tev wond ered at the validity of the statement. Surely had they been lovers, more warm th would have gone into the brief sharing of affection. The man winked at Tev; patted Krys's derriere. "I'm out of here, Krys. See you at home." "Why are you leaving? I thought we were going to spend some time tog ether." The man's gaze traveled to the stage. "It's not my kind of scene. Sorry . Maybe next time." With that, he bussed Krys's cheek, then slipped out the si de door. "And that was?" Tev asked. "Azzo. He doesn't do clubs. I'm not sure what it is he does, even after living with him the past couple of years." That struck Tev as odd. But again, there seemed to be no sense of norm alcy in this lifestyle. "The two of you are lovers, yet you don't know what h e does?" She laughed, the sound pleasing to Tev's ears. "Lovers? Azzo and I are not involved. Trust me." "He said you were his." "My protector. He's like a big brother. You don't have sex with your bro ther." _No, not normally._ "Azzo's a good-looking man. You're a beautiful wo man. I guess I thought -- " "You would be the one who'd have to fear Azzo's attentions -- he's into men." Stunned to silence, and with the lack of anything better to say, Tev as ked, "And you?" "I'm into men, also." His groin began a slow ache. "Any one in particular?" She stepped closer, her thighs centered between his as he remained on h is stool at the bar. "Maybe." She stood so near he felt her breath span his lips. He wanted nothing m ore than to drink her in. Placing a hand at her nape, he drew her to him, his gaze watching hers. She glanced at his lips and parted hers. It was all the in vitation Tev needed. Not caring at the repercussions, he brought his lips to h ers, his tongue sliding into her mouth. She rocked him to the core as her hands lay trapped between them on his chest, scorching his flesh. Their tongues mated; they seemed born for one another. Her body melded against him. She tasted of cinnamon red-hot candy. He had never thought of her as anything but red-hot. Something told him that she might be much more than he could ever handle. But he wanted to try nonetheless. She seemed his destiny.

Lost for breath, reality crashed on him like a bucket of ice-cold wat er. Tev pulled away. Krys touched her lips with trembling fingers; her eyes darkened in passion. He knew she had been affected much the same as he. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." "You're damn right...you shouldn't." Raven's fist connected with his mouth, knocking Tev from the stool. P ain exploded; the metallic flavor of blood filled his mouth. He supposed he deserved it. Kissing Krys was probably one of the stupidest things he had ev er done. Wiping his hand across the back of his mouth, he licked the split o n his lip. "For once I agree with you, Raven," Tev said, getting up from the floor. Without so much as looking back, he headed for the door. He didn't wa nt to see look of disappointment on Krys's face. She might not realize the w rongness of his senseless act, but he did. Krystal didn't need the baggage T evan carried. Like it or not, he was still legally married. -------*Chapter Six* A knock sounded on the door, drawing him from his reverie. Who the h ell would be visiting him at this hour? Rubbing his injured area from the e arlier punch, he walked to the door and slid the chain free, then turned th e knob. He did not know whom he expected, but certainly not this woman. He had no clue how she had found him, but he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. And this woman, standing on his doorstep, was definitely a gift. He stepped back and invited her in. She smiled, the small gesture smoo thing over him like heated candle wax. He could not hide his attraction to he r. Deny it all he wanted, the evidence lay in the erection straining his leat her pants. He wanted out of them, and fast. But if he didn't play his cards r ight, he'd likely be left pleasing himself as she ran from the room screaming. "How did you know where I lived?" "It's not all that hard to find someone when you apply yourself. You int rigue me." "I'd have thought someone like me would've never captured your attenti on." She smiled again, causing his groin to ache. Damn, he wanted her. Rig ht or wrong, he didn't care. Not anymore. He rubbed the sore, bruised area once more, causing her eyes to round with concern. "Are you all right?" "I'll be fine. It doesn't hurt that much." He needed the conversation o ff of him. After all, his life needed to remain a mystery, an enigma. "So what brings you by?"

"I don't know." Her brows drew together, questioning her own reasoning . "I had to see you again." He held his arms straight out from his sides. "So now you see me." She chuckled. "I guess I do. And from my viewpoint, it all looks good." If she stayed, there was no doubt where they would wind up. "I like w hat I see, too. So much so that I want to back you against the wall and take you where you stand." He heard her sharp intake of air. He wouldn't blame her if she slappe d his face for voicing such an outrageous suggestion, then walked out the do or and never looked back. He moved in her direction. "You staying?" "I don't know." "Sure you do. Why else are you still standing there?" He inched forward; she inched back. He pointed at the door. "The exit is that way. I suggest you take it before something happens that you might re gret." Her gaze darted to him then to the door, as though she were weighing her options. "I made my decision when I came here. One thing you should kn ow -- I never regret anything." He didn't need more of an invitation. He advanced on her like a pred ator, backing her against the wall by the door. His hands cupped her small breasts as his mouth sought hers. Her lips opened easily; he hoped as easil y as the rest of her would. Their tongues mated as he drew one of her legs around his waist and brought the juncture of her thighs flush against his e rection. The feel of something so natural drove him beyond sane thought. Wh y did this woman have such a profound affect on him? He had never been sway ed by a pretty face He no longer cared about the ramifications of what migh t happen after tonight. Passion drove his actions; he no longer had control. Her nipples pebbled beneath his palms, and the desire to have flesh a gainst flesh itched its way up his spine. Leaving her breasts unattended, he pulled her sweater over her head and tossed it to the side. The site of no brassiere sent his heart to pounding damn near right out of his chest. Takin g one breast in his mouth, he suckled like a ravenous beast before nipping t he tender flesh, then soothing the tiny wounds with his tongue. His free han d worked the button of her pants; it slipped free of its mooring. With the s teadiness of an expert, he rid her of all clothes, then stood back and admir ed her glorious form. Only the body of one so young could look so good. She was a woman in every sense of the word; her body had yet to be affected by t he weight of age or gravity. Her hands unsnapped his leathers, then pushed at the sides, allowing th em to pool about his feet. Her fingers trembled as she undid the buttons of hi s black shirt, then pushed it from his shoulders.

"Last chance," he whispered as he reached down and fished a condom fr om his pant's pocket. He tore open the packet and and rolled it on. Her fingers clasped behind his head and drew him forward. He growled. The animal in him took over as he lifted one of her legs again and entered her fluidly. He heard her sharp gasp, felt her tighten around him like a snu g fist. He used all the willpower he possessed as he gritted his teeth and s tood motionless. Finally able to move, his rhythmic motions had her tilting her head toward the heavens and moaning his name. She linked both legs behind him, wrapping his waist as he held her de rriere in his hands. Their eyes remained open, neither wanting to miss a mom ent of pleasure. She cried out to her God as convulsions swept through her, starting his own glorious climax. With one final powerful thrust, he collaps ed against her, his mouth resting just below her ear. He felt her pulse, nearly smelled the blood that ran through her veins and against his lips. The overpowering desire to have a part of her running through him had him using his elongated cuspids to bite down. She stiffened i n his embrace; a small cry emitted from her lips. Raven used the soft pad of his tongue to relieve the bleeding wound. Amber squirmed against the wall, then moaned as he suckled the tiny holes, tasting of her sweet life force. He wanted more than the small puncture wo unds would ever afford. Dropping his hold, he discarded their used protection, then reached for his pants and pulled a small razor from his pocket. He tore off the cardboard sheath and held it for her to see. The light glinted off of it and her eyes w idened. "I will not harm you," he told her, wanting her to understand. "I onl y want to taste you. To feed from you. Do you give me permission?" Amber's arms wrapped her breasts, as if to conceal her nudity. He saw the uncertainty in her eyes of a life unknown to her. She was not like him, and more than likely hadn't even known his kind existed. "I'm not sure what you're asking." Her voice trembled with skepticism. "I'm not even sure what you are." "A vampyre, my sweet. I drink blood." "A vampire -- like Dracula?" She chuckled. "You can't be serious. Afte r what we just shared, I'd say you are far from being dead." "Not the fictional vampire, Amber -- the real vampyre. We exist. Many of us, in fact. We share a common bond of desiring the life force that flow s through one's body." Her brow furrowed. "What could you possibly get from drinking my bl ood?" "It's hard to explain. It's something you must experience for yourself to truly understand."

Amber shuddered. "I don't think I could drink blood. The thought chu rns my stomach." "No one is asking that of you. You could be a donor to me. Someone wh o supplies that which I crave." "Do you take much? I won't get sick, will I?" "Not at all. Nothing that your body would miss. You may be a bit lighth eaded, but that is natural." "Does it hurt?" "Only for a bit. But I can guarantee the sensuality of it will make you forget any discomfort you might feel from the razor." She entertained the idea; he saw it in her expression. "What about AI DS or other diseases? Don't you worry about contracting something?" "We're careful." He shrugged. "We don't floss before we feed. We also abstain should we have any cuts in our mouths. The stomach acid takes care of the rest." With a shaken breath she conceded, offering him her wrist. He grasped her arm and pulled her forward. Her eyes held fast on his. Taking the small razor, his actions lightning quick, he made a small incision to the right of one of her nipples, instead of on the wrist that sh e had offered. She gasped as he lowered his mouth to the bleeding wound. Red fluid seeped down her chest. Reaching out with his tongue, he lapped up the blood before he attached his mouth to the laceration. Her hands wrapped his nape, holding him flush against her as part of her life's force began to fl ow through him. He felt his blood rush to his groin and stiffen his penis. H e wanted to make love to her again. The sweetness of her blood empowered him. Placing one arm at the back of her knees, he swept her into his embrace and carried her to his coffin. The wind whipped a frigid breeze off the shores of Lake Michigan as t he two huddled beneath a small grove of trees. Winter seemed fast on the hee ls of fall this year. He had so loved the warm summer nights and did not wel come the onset of the changing seasons. He curled back his lips and sucked i n the brisk air, expanding his lungs, making him feel gloriously alive. At h is young age, he still had time on his side. The last thing he wanted was to age like the one before him. Gray hair, loose skin, wrinkles -- the thought detested him. Hell, he was doing the old geezer a favor. The man just didn't know i t. This one had used up so much of his life; he already lived on borrowed ti me. The man had one foot in the grave and he did nothing more than to nudge him along. The time had come to allow the old man's relatives to live off th e fortune he'd squandered away. Why should he live in luxury in the likes of Winnetka while those he sired lived from his paltry offerings? With watery-gray eyes, the man looked at him point-blank. If the old g

uy feared him, his face hadn't betrayed it. "Who put you up to this? You at l east owe me that." He wrapped his long leather coat around him, pulling on the ties of the b elt to secure it. He needed to finish this job and get the hell out of the cold. "I owe you nothing, old man." "You bring me here against my will. Will you shoot me now?" The man referred to the gun he kept hidden in his jacket pocket. He h ad used it to get his target where he wanted. But a gun? No, not the weapon of his choice. He preferred a blade. Much more personal. "I'm not going to shoot you." "Then why bring me here if you have no intentions of taking my life?" He smirked. "Don't get me wrong. I intend to take your life." "What if I scream? Surely -- " His eyes widened. "Then scream -- at your loudest. With the wind and sound of the waves, no one will hear you. The noise of the traffic alone w ill drown out your sound. But should anyone actually hear you, you would be dead; your head would hit the rocks and I would roll you into the icy lake . I'll be a phantom before anyone tries to come to your rescue." The man chewed on his lip, obviously contemplating his options. He ha d none. "Then tell me who. I don't know you, yet you show up at my door and b ring me here to take my life." A shiver passed down his spine. Damn weather, nothing but an annoyance . "Let's get this over with, shall we. After all, only one of us should catch death." "I beg of you. Grant an old man his last wish. Even men on death row ar e given that." He pondered the old guy's musings. He supposed he owed him that much . Besides, what would it hurt? Not like the man would tell anyone after ton ight. "Your son." The man's face reddened in the chilled wind. "That no good son of a b itch. He couldn't wait to get his hands on my money." "You live well beyond your means, yet you left him and his family bare ly enough to eat on. When is the last time you visited?" "Last...last... I can't recall." "Let me refresh your memory." He circled the old man, then pushed hi m to his knees. "Three Christmases ago. You brought them a fruit cake." "I gave them money." "You gave them each one hundred dollars every Christmas -- but truth fully, you could have afforded much more."

"He didn't earn that money. I did. Why should he not have to earn hi s own way in this world? What do you care? Why are you doing this?" "I was hired." "You're a hit man?" "You could say that, I guess. But I _like_ to kill people. Call it a pastim e." "Are you friends with my son?" "I barely know him. We have mutual friends." "You have no morals, then." "On the contrary. I don't kill everyone I am asked to. I have standards. I kill only those I feel deserving." The man left out humph. "What have I done to deserve this?" "Your grandson has leukemia. Did you know that?" He sputtered; his gaze took in the boulders. "Your son spends every dime he makes to keep his family afloat and pay for the treatment your grandson needs. And what do you do? You make su re they get measly hundred-dollar bills at Christmas. This Christmas, they 'll get much more." Tears fell to the rocks as the old man's shoulders began to shake. "Plea se, be quick and merciful about it." "I may have a heart full of vengefulness, but I am not without mercy." He stepped behind the old man who continued to kneel on the rocks, pul led his hunting knife from his pocket, pressed the lever, and released the lo ng silver blade. It glinted in the moonlight. "Say your prayers, old man. You're going to need them where you are g oing." The older gentleman crossed himself. _As if it would help._ With that , he grasped the old man's white hair in one fist, pulled back his head, and sliced clean through the jugulars. Blood sprayed from the wound as the soun d of sucking air carried across the breeze. Mesmerized by the sight, he held onto the hair for a moment longer, then pushed the old man to the rocks. He wiped the blood from the knife on the geezer's coat, placed it in his pocket, then walked toward the city. Tomorrow, the old guy's son would have plenty of money to pay for tha t bone marrow transplant. One life would live at the expense of another. He had no regrets. Taking a piece of gum from his pocket, he unwrapped it, allo wing the paper to fall to the ground, and placed the stick in his mouth. Justice always prevailed. -------*Chapter Seven* "Lieutenant Cole Kincaid, please," Tev requested of the woman answe ring the phone at the Fairview Park Police Department.

"One moment while I transfer the call." Tev tapped the eraser of his pencil on the desktop. He knew there was a connection in the cases. His case damn near mirrored the old one he had d ug up. He hoped the lieutenant would help solidify those suspicions. The pho ne resumed ringing as the call transferred. "Lieutenant Kincaid." "Lieutenant, this is Officer Tevan Zaber from the Sixty-Second preci nct, Chicago Police Department. I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time." "What can I do for you?" "We have a series of murders going on in North Chicago that I thought you might be able to shed some light on." "How's that?" "These cases mirror some that you worked on a few years back." The line went dead. For a moment, Tev thought he might have lost his connection. Finally, the Lieutenant asked, "You want to tell me about it?" "We have a killer who likes to the slice the throats of girls with long brown hair and brown eyes." "Bite marks present surrounding the wound?" "Yes." "Son of a bitch." "Sir?" "A few years ago, we had a killing spree here in Fairview. Girls wer e winding up dead -- same MO as you described." "According to the file, following his conviction, the accused escaped f rom prison, killing two guards." "That about sums it up. Sandy Brown escaped and disappeared into th e woodwork. We have no idea what happened to him. The Feds are looking for him; Special Agent James Mathers is taking this one personally. He assist ed on the cases." "Do you have a picture of Sandy Brown? Nothing comes up through the DMV imaging in Ohio or Illinois. The guy must not have a valid driver's lic ense in those states. At least not under that name." "All we have is the mug shot. I'll e-mail it to you." Tev gave his e-mail address. Maybe with a photo, he could put this ca se behind him and get his life back on track. He had already missed two mont hs from his daughter's growing up that he could never retrieve. "I'm going to see about getting some time off and coming to Chicago," Cole told Tev. "Why -- what's your stake?" "The son of a bitch tried to kill my wife. I want to see his ass crucifie d. What's the body count?"

"Five." "Damn. Prostitutes?" "All except for the last one. Wrong place, wrong time." "Any quotes?" Tev drew his brows together. "Excuse me?" "Quotes," Cole repeated. "Like messages left behind." "No. You think it's significant?" "Don't know. Brown left us quotes at most of the murders here; all c ame from Bram Stoker's _Dracula._" The killer had a fascination with vampires. Whitey had been right. Tev was headed in the right direction after all. "Like what?" "Mostly challenges for me -- he seemed to be playing a game with the cop s and the press. Stuff like 'Blood is the life,' that kind of thing." Tev mumbled the phrase then said, "That term is widely used." "How so?" "I'm working undercover for the precinct. I've been going to hangouts of vampyres and Goths, looking for this creep. I've seen that quote several times in my research. Seems it's a popular one for the vampyre community." Cole chuckled. "How'd you draw the short stick on that assignment?" "Long story," Tev grumbled. "Any help you can give me, I'd appreciate. " "I'll send you the files as soon as I get off the phone. You should have everything you need to nail this guy, if it's the same man. I'll contact Jim M athers and tell him about your cases." "I don't want the Bureau blowing my cover on this. You contact them - have him get a hold of Whitey, my chief at the Sixty-Second precinct." "How can I get a hold of you, then?" Tev gave him his cell phone number. "You can always reach me throug h here. I may not always be able to talk. If I'm short with you and hang u p, you'll know I'm in mixed company." "If I tie things up here, I can be in Chicago within a week or two." _Great, now he had a lieutenant who didn't think he could handle his j ob._ "You really don't need to come here, Lieutenant. I can handle this case. " There was another lengthy pause. "Tevan, I'm not coming there because I don't think you can handle this. I'm sure you're quite capable -- otherwi se your chief wouldn't have chosen you for the job. I'm coming because this is personal." "Because of your wife." "Exactly. This son of a bitch damn near raped and killed her, and wou ld have, had I not gotten there in time. It took a lot of therapy for her to get through this. I spent many nights holding her when she would wake up in

cold sweats from nightmares. You can't stop me from coming to Chicago." "What about your wife?" "I'll bring her and our daughter with me. Not like they would be in an y danger. You have the Chicago PD on the case. I just want to be near if you need me." Tevan had an idea that the lieutenant wanted to be near for more rea sons than he was saying. But maybe Cole Kincaid might be of some help. His reputation for being a sharp cop preceded him. "Call me when you get in. In the meantime, I'll be looking for that file . Thanks, Lieutenant." "No, thank you, Tevan -- you don't know how much I have prayed that this son of a bitch would surface again. Not that I wanted any more women d ead, but I knew it was our only hope in catching him. You be careful -- he' s ruthless." "I'm sure he is. See you soon." Tev hit the END on his cell phone, th en went to his computer and turned it on. In a matter of minutes he would kn ow what his guy looked like. Tev rubbed his hands together. Cole hung up the phone and ran a hand down his freshly-shaven jaw. Adrenaline pumped through his veins. Sandy Brown had resurfaced. Cole had heard about the cases in Chicago, but never dreamed it might be the same r uthless killer that walked out of Orient more than two years ago and disap peared. Just as he reached for the intercom to ask if Chief McCray had a mom ent so he could request time off, a shapely pair of legs and body to match appeared in his doorway. He'd recognize those calves anywhere. Rising from his chair, he circled the desk, brought the woman into his embrace, and kis sed her warmly on the mouth. "What brings you by?" "I had a few hours to spare. I got my morning work done early, left the office and since Gabby doesn't need to be picked up from the sitter's until t wo, I thought I'd take my favorite guy out to lunch." Asking for that time off would have to wait. Lunch alone with his wife , without the addition of a chatty two-year-old, he wasn't about to pass up. "You got a deal," Cole said, winking at his wife. He grasped his suit jacket from the coat rack. "Where to?" "Chinese." Cole groaned. He should have guessed. Laurie's favorite. "Honey, can we skip Mark Pi's? I have a lot of work to do and need to stick close by. How about Pugz and Bailey's Tavern?" Laurie rolled her eyes. "It's always about work with you." Cole laughed, patted her derriere and led her from the office. Moment s later they sat across from each other at one of the booths. Green stained-

glass lights hung low over the tables; smoke hung suspended just below the i llumination. Stabbing one of his fries, Cole worked up the nerve to tell Laurie a bout Sandy's resurfacing. He wasn't sure how she would take the news. Not w ell, would be an understatement. "How do you feel about going to Chicago?" Laurie looked up from her stir-fry and tucked one side of her auburn b ob behind her ear. "This time of year?" "It'll be a bit chilly and I know it's an odd time for a vacation, but I ha ve some business there." "So go without us, Cole," Laurie said, no longer concerned over his impu lsive question. "It isn't like it's the first time you left town and stayed awa y for a short period." He gnawed on his lip while he watched her resume eating. Shit was about to hit the fan. He could feel it. "This is different." "Why?" Her tone rose with her annoyance. "I don't know when I'll be back." Laurie laid her fork on the table and wiped her mouth with the napki n. "What? A week? Two?" "Could be longer. That's what I don't know." "What in the world is John thinking?" "It's not the chief's doing this time, Laurie. It's something I have to do. I t's personal." Obviously sensing his concern, she reached across the table and graspe d his hand. "Cole, what's this about?" "Sandy Brown." Her eyes rounded. She grasped her water glass and took a long drink. As she attempted to get her breathing under control, she said, "What does he have to do with this?" "There's been a series of murders in Chicago." "I've heard about them." Laurie, being a reporter for the _Cleveland Plain Dealer_, knew most of the happenings in the States. "What's this have to do with Sandy?" "I received a phone call from one of the Chicago precinct officers wor king the cases. The crimes mirror the murders here." "How come the paper doesn't say as much?" "Obviously they are telling the press what to print, keeping most of the details off the record." "But this officer believes it may be the same man?" "I believe it as well, Laurie. That's why I have to go -- " "And why you don't want to leave Gabby and me behind," she finished for him. "Correct."

Laurie squeezed his hand. "I'm not so sure this is a good idea." "I have to go. If for nothing else, than to put an end to this for you." He saw the cold fear in her warm brown gaze. From the day he had met her, standing on the curb, hands on hips, ready to launch at him, he had tho ught her the prettiest woman alive. Even more so than his late wife, Jeanne. This one had spunk, and she had been relentless in her pursuit of getting a story from him. He hated journalists then, and still hated most of them now . But this reporter he loved, right down to her soft heart. Cole would walk through hell and back to protect her and their daughter. "What if I say I can't get time off work?" "You have two weeks coming. And if you explained the situation, you' d probably be given more with pay. Tell your boss you'll give him the exclu sive." "And what do you plan on telling John? He isn't going to like you goin g to Chicago in pursuit of shadows." He shrugged. "I'll worry about that later. He'll give me time off -- I wo n't give him a choice." "I know you too well to try and talk you out of this." "You know I'll go." "With or without me." "That's where you are wrong." He smiled. "I'll drag you kicking and scr eaming, if I have to." "You won't have to, because you aren't going to Chicago without me." Cole sent Laurie back to the paper to plead for time off, while he sa t in front of John McCray. He sipped from the Styrofoam cup of coffee that a ll but resembled mud. New hairs had sprouted on his chest due to old age, bu t Cole was damn near ready to blame the coffee the chief made. Hell, he coul d almost spoon it. "So you think this killer in Chicago is Brown?" John asked. His face was an unreadable mask. Cole had no idea whether his chief would deny his request, or send him with blessings. "My gut tells me it is." "You're gut has proven itself more right than wrong in the past. But I' m not sure we can spare you." "There are four good detectives beneath me, John. Any one of them co uld handle a case in my absence." John nodded, knowing he couldn't dispute the fact. Cole had trained t hem well. "I'm just not sure it's a good idea for you to be chasing phantoms , Cole. Sometimes cases are too personal. Maybe you ought to let the Chicago PD handle this. Stay out of it." "I can't do that." Cole shifted in his chair. He would go to Chicago wit h or without John's blessing. He just hoped he'd still have his job when he ret

urned. John leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers, looking at Cole . "I knew you would say that." "So you're allowing me to go?" "You'd go anyway." Cole nodded. "I can't afford to lose you on the force, so I guess I'll have to give you t ime off." Excitement traveled up Cole's spine in the way of a tingle. He hadn't felt a thrill like this since catching Brown more than two years ago. He ha d promised Tevan Zaber he would stay out of the case and let him handle it. He'd try to hold true to his word, but he wasn't sure it was a vow he could keep. He wanted Sandy Brown in a big way. "Thanks, John. I was hoping you'd say that." "How long do you think you'll need?" "No more than a couple of weeks. Once Tevan sees the mug shot I sen t, I'm hoping it will be someone he's already had contact with. There aren 't too many who look like him. We already know Brown was a musician, which means he'll hang with the night club scene." "Do you know how many night clubs are in the Chicago area?" "Looking for the heavy metal ones should narrow it down. With the Ch icago PD doing their share, it should cut down the work." "They aren't going to welcome your help any more than you welcomed Jim Mathers." Cole chuckled, remembering the day he walked into John's office and J im sat there in his black suit and thin tie looking as if he had just gotten out of the academy. No, Cole hadn't been happy one bit with John inviting t he Bureau in on the case. But after a while, Jim grew on him. As a matter of fact, the two remained in contact as Jim stayed in pursuit of the missing B rown. Cole had to hand it to the Special Agent; he was a pit bull when he pu t his mind to something. "I don't plan on getting in their way. I'll use Tevan Zaber to keep me updated. I'll let this Chief Andrew White know I'm there. Hopefully, he'll a lso keep me informed." "I'll call the chief myself. I'll let him know you're one of my men and y ou're there only as an observer. You're not there to step on toes." "I won't be in the way." "Cole," John's voice rose in annoyance, "I mean it; you won't step on toes. They don't want you messing around -- stay the hell away. I won't allow you to make this force look bad." Cole took another sip of coffee. He would stay out of their way, but he'd definitely do some investigating on his own. Chief McCray and a wild pa

ck of dogs couldn't keep him from it. "Did I make myself clear?" John asked, one brow rising heavenward. "Very." "Good. What about Laurie and Gabby? You want me keeping an eye o n them?" "They're going with me." "You can't be serious? What the hell does Laurie say?" "She's nervous." "Damn, Cole! Of course she's nervous -- she was almost raped by Brow n. Haven't you got any sense in that skull of yours? Leave that woman and c hild here where they're safe." "Brown won't even know I'm in Chicago. Laurie and Gabby will be saf e. Besides, you know Laurie -- you think she'd stay behind?" The chief's concern turned into a reluctant chuckle. "You're right. Th ere's no way you'd go off in pursuit of Brown without her on your heels. Just make sure she's out of harms way." "I intend to. Besides, she can't just follow me on a whim. Her first pri ority will be keeping an eye on our daughter." "How soon do you want to head out?" "Within the next couple of weeks. Can you give me time off?" "Do I have a choice?" Cole laughed. "Not really. But I would like a job to come back to." "I'll make sure things are covered." John's jaw tightened and his gaze narrowed. "Don't do anything stupid, Cole. In Chicago, you're out of jurisdi ction. You can't play bounty hunter." "As I said, I plan on letting the Chicago PD handle things. It's their case." Cole would do anything to stop Sandy Brown, but he wasn't about to ma ke the chief worry needlessly. "When they catch him, I'll be back." "You have a month, Cole." "If the Chicago PD uses the information I sent, I won't even need tw o weeks." He leaned back in his chair and smiled. "By now they know what Br own looks like." -------*Chapter Eight* Lieutenant Kincaid's email file arrived. Tev could read the entire c ase Kincaid had against Sandy Brown, but he still had no visual. For some r eason, the JPG file came in as a broken attachment. After trying to reach t he lieutenant via telephone and being told he had gone home for the day, Te v spent the following hour surfing the web, hoping to find Brown's picture. He came up with several most-wanted photos from FBI recent cases, but foun d nothing on Sandy Brown. Tev reached for his cell phone and punched in the chief's number.

"Chief Andrew White's office." "Wanda, this is Officer Zaber. Is the chief in?" He heard the snap of Wanda's ever-present gum. "Sure, sweetie. I'll p atch you through. When you coming in to see me, doll?" Tev laughed. "When this case is closed. And I hope that's soon. I'm gett ing antsy out here all alone." "Sugar, you tell Wanda where you are and I'll come on by and keep y ou company. My pleasure." "I would, Wanda, but you know I don't think that old man of yours would take too kindly to it." "What Sam don't know won't hurt him, sugar," she chided. Wanda had always been flirtatious, but everyone in the office knew how much she love d her Sam. "So what do you need the chief for?" "I have a lead." "In that case, I better shut my trap and let you talk to Whitey." Elevator music came on as Wanda placed him on hold. Tev hated the ea sy-listening tunes and would have preferred dead silence. Luckily, Whitey p icked up the line. "Tev, what do you have for me? Wanda says you may have a lead." "I found some old cases in Fairview Park near Cleveland, Ohio, that have the same MO as what we have." "Does it shed some light?" "Better." Adrenaline coursed through Tev's veins. He was damn close to solving this thing. "I have the son of a bitch's name." "Out with it already! Don't keep me in the dark." "I dug through case histories -- took quite a bit of delving and placi ng our information with VICAP. But the long hours paid off." He told Whitey a bout Cole Kincaid and the emailed file. "Seems they caught the guy, but he es caped after his conviction. He's still at large." "His name?" "Sandy Brown. But I don't suppose he's going by that name now." "You have a mug shot?" "That's where I was hoping you could help. My computer won't open th e file. Can you dig up a mug shot and send it?" "I'll have someone on it right away." "I need a hard copy. My computer doesn't have a printer. Send it in an unmarked envelope by snail mail. Can't be too cautious. So far, only one per son knows where I live, and that's because I was careless." "How the hell did that happen?" The chief's tone raised an octave. Te v imagined the redness brightening his face. "Zaber, you had better be caref ul if you want to remain alive. This guy isn't playing games. And I don't wa nt your screw-ups making the the precinct look bad."

Whitey had made it perfectly clear where his loyalties lay: the precin ct. To hell with Tev's welfare. "I'm being careful," Tev grumbled, not voicin g what he really wanted to say. "I sure in the hell hope so. Who knows where you live? What do you h ave on him?" "I don't know his real name. He goes by Raven. Lives with two others by the names of Krystal and Azzo." "Any of these people have last names?" "Don't know. These, more than likely, aren't even their _real_ name s. Raven seems to be a popular name within the vampyre community, while Az zo can be traced from an old folklore tale of Knight Azzo and the Castle K latka in Romania. Krystal may be the girl's real name, but I have yet to p rove it. Raven and Krystal hang at a club called Pandemonium, where I've o nly met Azzo once, and briefly. Raven claims to be a vampyre. Krystal seem s normal, just hanging with a bad crowd. She's young...eighteen. But I don 't know what Azzo's story is. He seems the most elusive of the bunch." "Anybody look suspicious?" "Hell, they all do." "You know where this trio lives?" "Nope." "Maybe you ought to find out. If you can't get close to the men, go fo r the woman. You're a good-looking guy. Use it." Had Whitey been standing there, Tev wasn't so sure he could have kep t himself from bashing his superior in the mouth. "So what are you asking m e to do, sleep with her?" His tone conferred his annoyance. Whitey chuckled. "Do what you have to do to solve the case, Tev. But I didn't suggest sleeping with her. Get in her good graces. Romance her, i f you have to. See what she knows. It might not hurt to ask around a bit ab out Sandy Brown." "And what exactly am I supposed to say is the reason I'm asking?" "Be creative. About Raven...you think he might be dangerous?" "He followed me home. He said he wanted me to prove I was one of th em." "Prove? How?" "By drinking his blood." "Mother of God. Did you?" "Hell, no. But I'm not sure how much longer I can put him off. If he d oesn't trust me, I can't get into the inner circle. Right now they all treat me like an outsider. I was lucky the old guy who lives across the hallway pic ked that moment to introduce himself. Raven exited as though he didn't relish being seen. Something tells me I'm on the right track, though." "I'll see what I can dig up on Sandy Brown. I'll get you his picture A

SAP. Hopefully you've already met him, although that's unlikely. Chicago's a big city." Tev chuckled. "Big enough to get lost in. I'll look forward to receiv ing the mug shot." He shut the flap on his phone and stared at his computer screen. "All right, Sandy Brown. Who are you and where are you hiding?" "You slept with Raven?" Krystal asked, incredulous. Raven had had multiple partners since her meeting of him, so havin g one more didn't surprise Krys. But in all the women Raven had dated, ev ery one of them came from the Goth community. Black hair, ghost-white fac es, black lips. It seemed women who were more needy and starving for comp anionship attracted Raven. So what was Raven doing with Amber Briggs? She was well adjusted. Better yet, what was Amber doing with Raven? Krys did n't know which part baffled her more. She and Amber were barely more than acquaintances because Krys had a hard time making friends. No one seemed to understand her the way Azzo did. But over the past few months, after Amber started working at St. Mary's, the two had begun conversing and eve n shared bits of their personal lives with one another. "I can't believe it myself. Isn't it incredible?" Amber gushed like a teenager with a crush. And, being twenty-one, Amber wasn't much older than Krys. "I was so attracted to him the day he came in here to see you. I don't know why." "Neither do I," Krys whispered, not intending Amber to hear. But by th e look on her face, she had. Amber shrugged. "I know you think I'm crazy as a loon. But Raven is g ood looking. I see a sadness when I look at him. Makes me want to hold and p rotect him. Kind of like a fallen angel. Or just maybe it's his darkness." Krys looked at Amber. She had to be honest. She couldn't allow the po or girl to pine after someone not knowing to what extent that darkness lay. "You know what he is, don't you?" Amber laughed. "You mean a vampyre?" "He told you." "More than that." "He used you as a donor? A source?" Amber squared her shoulders. "If you mean he drank from me, then yes. Besides, what we did is no one else's business." "There are diseases -- " "Do you give Raven these same lectures?" Amber interrupted, her agita tion evident. "After all, he's the one who would be in danger. I didn't drin k _his_ blood." A shiver shook Amber's shoulders, telling Krys that the idea repulsed her. "Anytime there's blood involved, I'd think both parties would be in dan ger. And yes, I've lectured Raven as well."

"What did he tell you?" "To mind my own business." Krys sighed in defeat. Amber was not abo ut to listen any more than Raven; he had completely bewitched the poor gir l. "I worry." "I'm glad you're concerned over my welfare, but don't be." Amber patt ed her hand. "Besides, we used a condom, so the sex was safe." "Tell me you didn't use Azzo's bed." "Azzo?" "He owns the house where we live." "Unless Azzo sleeps in a coffin, then I'd say we didn't." Krystal giggled. The thought of them rolling around in that thing Ra ven called a bed had Krys holding her sides as her humor turned into peals of laughter. Amber joined in, obviously seeing the amusement. Both women's chortles grew in volume; tears ran down their faces. Susanna Zaber poked her head into the break room to see the cause of the commotion. "Am I missing something?" she asked, one brow raised. "Just a private joke," Amber assured her. "We don't want to upset the residents. Keep it down!" Susanna exited the room. Krys got the distinct impression that something bothered her, as o f late. She seemed quick of temper. Krys touched her friend's hand. "Sorry, Amber, but the idea of you and Raven in that coffin..." "I guess it is a strange visual." Amber wiped the tears from her face. "But last night there was nothing funny about it. Just thinking about it makes me want to do it all over again. I've never felt this way about a guy. It's l ike I'm obsessed. I can't stop thinking about him. I want to see him again. Do you think there's a chance for us? I mean, since we are so different?" Krys shrugged. "I wish I could tell you what you want to hear. But Ra ven's had several relationships. None of them seemed to last long. I don't k now why. I've never asked." Amber's smile faded. "I guess I should feel lucky for what happened last night, right?" Krys hated the fact Amber had fallen for Raven so quickly. Maybe it was nothing but an infatuation that would end just as fast. "I'll do what I can. Maybe you could go to Pandemonium with me tonight. It's not your kind of scene, but Raven would be there. He manages the band that's playing thi s weekend." Her face lit up. "You'll take me?" "Stop by around ten." Krys hadn't planned on going. She wasn't sure seeing Tev would be a good idea. Since Raven punched him, Tev might not want to see her at all.

And maybe with good reason. **** Tev couldn't help thinking about the conversation with the Chief and the act ions Whitey had insinuated he should take. At least Tev had made it clear th at sleeping with Krys wasn't a wise decision. But getting to know Krys and n ot having sex with her seemed an impossible task. His loins had ideas of the ir own. And although he knew the chief was right, that he needed to get clos er to the trio, a part of him hated the idea that Krys might be a link to th e killer. The last thing he wanted to do was use her. Opening the door to Pandemonium, he walked to the window and passed the woman a couple of bills. She stamped his hand. Dragonslayer was playi ng for the third night in a row. The band had already taken the stage; mus ic blared from the speakers. Damien Vincent stood center stage, wearing no thing but a pair of baggy shorts and work boots, the women near the front no doubt ogling his bare flesh. Tev approached the bar. A woman dressed in black, skin-tight stretch pants and a matching shirt, with a large red anarchy symbol adorning it, s tood behind the bar. Tev hadn't seen her before. Although her face paled in contrast to her clothes and her make-up reminded him of the walking dead, she seemed more pleasant than the spiked-blond from the previous nights. "What can I get for you, handsome?" Even though she used the term "handsome," he knew it wasn't meant as a compliment. In this bar, he was far too attractive to be considered good loo king by their standards. His appearance alone made him stand out. Maybe it wa s time to get that tattoo. Better yet, he should just dye his hair black. Tev reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a ten. "I'll take a draf t...Coors, and a JD straight up." The woman snatched the ten, then returned with the change and drinks without so much as a thank you. Tev grasped the whiskey and knocked it bac k, feeling the burn clear to the toes of his worn boots. He welcomed the he at; fall evenings in Chicago were brisk with the wind blowing in off the la ke. Tev removed his jacket and threw it across the back of the stool. Light s flashed about the room in a kaleidoscope of colors; fake fog machines par tially obscured the dancers from his view. Glow sticks abounded as dancers waved them within inches of each other's faces. With all the commotion, Tev couldn't determine if Raven, Krys, or Azzo were in attendance. He took his seat on the stool and the bartender returned. "Your name T ev?" "Who's asking?" She nodded toward side stage. "Raven said if you were to come in tonig ht, he wanted to see you backstage. Behind those curtains on the far right." "What for?"

She shrugged. "I never ask questions, handsome. Just do as I'm told. Lif e's better that way." He watched as she walked away to fill another patron's drink, wonder ing what she had meant by her strange parting comment. Grasping his draft, he downed it and slammed the empty on the polish ed surface of the bar before grabbing his jacket and heading across the dan ce floor. He sidestepped a couple who moved to a beat all of their own, off in their own little world, oblivious to the surroundings. Tev would bet Ec stasy was prominent amongst this group; the designer drug had made a rise a mongst the younger crowd. In his day, marijuana had been the drug of choice . Now the popular mind-alterers were far more dangerous. The long black-velvet curtains parted to the side. Tev nodded at Rav en, then ducked his head and entered. A couple of other shady-looking chara cters graced the back of the small room, an area meant for band members to relax between sets. At least in the tiny room the music was muted and carry ing on a conversation without having to shout was an option. Two red-velvet couches lined the black walls; an oblong-scarred table graced the room's c enter. A water bong sat on the table with a couple of butane lighters and b ags of various substances Tev thought to be crack and marijuana. A homemade pipe lay on its side. Tev's brow rose. "These yours?" Raven laughed. "I don't do drugs, man. Don't need to. These belong to t he band." "And these two?" Tev used his thumb to point at the other occupants si tting across the room on one of the sofas. "Friends of mine. I brought them here to meet you." Tev glanced at the two; neither looked to be of legal drinking age. "H ow did you know I'd be here?" Raven chuckled, his fangs stark white against his upper lip. "Educated guess. I figured you'd want to see Krys again." Tev fingered his split lip. "You pack a hell of a punch." "Just wanted to make myself clear. You hurt Krys, I'll take it personal ly. But don't worry, you have my blessing." Whatever Raven's angle was, Tev put little faith in it. "Why?" Raven smiled. "Not very trusting, are you?" "And you are?" "I brought you back here, didn't I?" Tev conceded with a nod, but said nothing. Instead, his gaze traveled to the two on the couch. They looked much like Raven in their style of dres s. One wore leather from neck to toe, with silver, lethal-looking studs trav eling the seams and a studded dog collar surrounding his neck to match. The other wore black, knee-length shorts, fishnet stockings, army boots, and a n

ylon form-fitting top that appeared to have been slashed to ribbons. Both of their hair had been dyed the same blue-black color as Raven's. "Stone -- " Raven pointed to the one wearing all leather " -- and Tren ch. They're of the Blood. I told them about you and they were curious. So I i nvited them here tonight." Tev had been handed another blessing. Raven had introduced him to so me of the vampiric community and possibly part of a coven. He needed to be careful and not lose the trust he had thus far gained. "I would have thought after last night -- " "Because you kissed Krys? As I said, I was merely making a point. Besi des, Krys isn't like us. She doesn't practice in bloodplay. You ought to be a ware of that." "You think it makes a difference?" "Others have tried to win her -- shall I say -- affection. She's not intere sted. As a matter of fact, I don't think Krys is into guys at all. You're the firs t one I've seen her kiss." "You think she's into women?" "No." "Then maybe it's you she's not into." Raven laughed again. "Most definitely not. But I'm not into Krys, eithe r. She's like my sister, and I protect my own." "I'll take that into consideration, but Krys doesn't belong to you, Raven. " "No one can claim to own anyone. We're all free." Raven reached into his pocket and withdrew an object concealed within his palm. "We have only ourselves to answer to." One cover song faded into another. Tev wondered how long before the band took their break, possibly saving him from what he knew was sure to ha ppen next. Raven still wanted proof that Tev belonged to the Blood. His gaz e traveled from Raven to the men on the couch. Stone picked up a straight r azor from the table, sliding it from its cardboard sheath. He pulled the bl ack nylon shirt from Trench's shoulder and made a long thin cut. Blood ooze d from the angry red line. Tev's gaze fixated on the deep-red fluid until S tone leaned in and fed from the wound, obscuring it from view. His gut knot ted. His door of opportunity had closed. Time to prove his claim. Tev glanc ed at Raven, who pulled a straight razor from his pocket. "Interested in joining our circle?" Raven referred to what they called a feeding circle, often practiced by a vampyre community. "Not really." Tev tightened his jaw and resisted the urge to swallow. Raven tilted his head. "And why would that be? You don't thirst?" "Oh, I hunger." Tev licked his lips. "But I only feed from members of the opposite sex. I'm a blood fetish. The sight, smell, and feel turns me on.

And I'm not into men." Raven found humor in Tev's statement, then he sobered. "Which is it, Tev? Are you a poser...a wannabe? Or are you Sanguine?" "I am a blood drinker." "Then prove it. Bloodlet on me...no interruptions this time. If you are true Sanguine, then it matters not what sex I am. Bloodletting itself is sexual . Don't worry -- if you get an erection, we'll think nothing less of you." "I'll think less of myself." "It happens to us all. Some of us are into men; some aren't. But the conn ecting factor is we are all into blood; the life force." He held up the razor. " Blood is the life." Raven had uttered the strange phrase that Lieutenant Kincaid said ha d been used by Sandy Brown. Before, Tev would have thought nothing of it. N ow it caught his attention. He had no time to reflect on it, however. There would be no backing out of laying proof to his claim. Tev needed Raven's t rust. If Tev refused, Raven would never have faith in him, having two witne sses to Tev's cowardliness. He'd be ostracized, leaving him no choice. Tev approached Raven and took the small straight razor, tearing off the cardboa rd sheath with his teeth. He reached for Raven's arm. "No," Raven said. "I will drink of yours first, then you of mine. We'll share a bond that cannot be broken." Raven pushed Tev to the unoccupied sofa and knelt in front of him. He grasped Tev's left arm and slid back the unbuttoned sleeve on his black shi rt. Raven rubbed the tender underside of his flesh. "You have no scars," Raven challenged. "Those I have are hidden. As I said -- to me, it's sexual." "Prove it. I want to see one for myself." Tev unbuttoned his shirt, and pulled it back over his right breast. A l ong, thin, white scar traveled from his nipple to his armpit. The knife wound had been inflicted by a drug dealer a couple of years ago. Raven whistled. "That's some scar." "She was hungry." Raven chuckled. Obviously satisfied, he licked Tev's forearm. Tev ten sed. He tried to make himself relax, but the thought of someone slicing him to drink his blood nearly had him bolting for the exit curtains. Trench and Stone stopped their bloodplay to watch. With the quickness of a skilled professional, Raven used the blade on the meaty part of Tev's muscle, making a small, thin incision about two inc hes long. Red blood welled to the surface, stinging his arm. Before Tev had time to react, Raven bent over the cut and attached his mouth. Tev leaned against the sofa pillows as Raven suckled the wound, alm ost soothing it in a gentle, pleasure-pain sort of way. Blood coursed thro

ugh his veins, pounding in his ears, sending a dull ache to his groin. To his surprise, he realized he hadn't been wrong; he derived sexual desire f rom allowing someone to drink his blood. The act was intimate. His breathi ng shallowed; had it been a woman on the receiving end, lust could have ea sily set in. The thought disgusted Tev and churned his stomach. What the h ell had Whitey gotten him into? Had wanting to be a detective been worth w hat this job would wind up costing him in dignity? Imagine what Susanna wo uld think had she walked through those curtains. The thought almost made h im chuckle. As Raven continued to suck, light-headedness set in. A kind of euphoria claimed him, one not easily explained. Finally, Raven sat back and rubbed the wound. Only a drop or two of b lood remained. "Now it's your turn." Raven held out a fresh razor. Tev sat forward, a tinge of dizziness remaining. He grasped the razor and tore off the sheath then took Raven's arm. He knew if he didn't act qui ckly, then he'd never be able to follow through. His gaze flicked to Trench as he made a cut on Stone and began to feed, ignoring Tev and Raven. Tev's s tomach rolled. Bile climbed the back of his throat, tasting bitter on his to ngue. Tev poised the razor over Raven's flesh and gazed into his eyes. Rav en beckoned him forward, without words. Then without more thought, Tev made a quick, shallow slice. He watched blood well to the surface of the fresh wound. Raven raised his arm, signaling Tev to drink. Tev grasped the forear m and bent toward the red fluid dripping to the floor. "Why not hang a sign on the door that says feeding, for crying out lo ud?" Krys strolled into the room. Her hips swayed in the velour hip-huggers that rode low on her sides. "You guys really have no shame." Her eyes connec ted with Tev's before darting to Raven's arm. "Don't let me stop you. If you want to get diseases, that's up to you." "Mind your own business, Krys," Raven hissed. "Better yet, why not us e the exit? No one invited you back here." "Be that way, Raven." Krys clucked her disapproval. "I'll just take hom e the person I brought for you." "Who might that be?" he asked in displeasure. "Get on with it or get th e hell out. Can't you see we're busy?" Krys walked to where Raven knelt. She ran her finger over the fresh wo und, then brought it to his lips. Raven licked his own blood. "Then do it ano ther time. Amber Briggs is waiting for you. I don't think she'll wait all nig ht. Besides, by the way she looks, it won't take her long to get attention fr om elsewhere." Raven pulled his arm from Tev's grasp, licked the wound, then pushed hi s sleeve to his wrist. "I can't very well leave her waiting, can I?" To say Tev was glad to see Krys would be an understatement. Her timi

ng couldn't have been better, even if she did look at him with a certain am ount of disgust. Obviously she did not advocate Raven's pastime. Tev had ye t to figure out her angle. And if Raven and Tev's actions sickened her, the n who had made those scars on her arms? Trench and Stone followed Raven through the black curtain, leaving t he two of them alone. In all honesty, Tev wanted what Whitey had suggested -- to get to know Krys better. But by the look on her face, Krys wasn't abo ut to welcome the idea now. Krys turned to leave, probably wanting to put distance between them. Tev couldn't allow it. He grasped her forearm, turning her about. "Why are you running from me?" She touched the healing split on his lip. Tev knew she remembered the ir shared kiss. He had one of two choices: kiss her again, or allow her disg ust to keep them apart. He knew, should he get any closer to her, both of th em would likely walk away for the worse when his job was over. She'd likely hate him for all his lies. He dropped his hold and crossed his arms over his partially bared chest , the wound from Raven's slice still evident on his arm. Her gaze took in the incision, then traveled to his chest before looking at him. "You're one of them." He narrowed his gaze. "Tell me you didn't know that already." Krys wrapped her arms about herself. She ran her hands up and down th e sleeves of her sweater as if trying to add warmth. His gaze traveled the l ength of her, stopping on her bared midriff and the small ring in her belly button. The sight nearly had him tossing her on the sofa. Everything about t his woman made him ache. "I had an inkling," she whispered, barely above the muted music. "I ho ped I was wrong." "Does the thought sicken you?" "Yes...no." She shrugged. "I know what they do. In a way, I can accept i t. But that's them -- not you." He shook his head. "I don't understand. Me? Why the hell am I so diffe rent?" "I'm not sure I can answer that. In my book, men have always been alik e. Out for one thing. Not caring who they hurt or how they get it as long as their needs are satisfied. I thought you were somehow different." "What do you want me to be, Krys?" He took a step in her direction as she held firm in her footing. "Your friend?" She shook her head as he moved closer, within inches of her. He smell ed her sweet fruity scent, felt her breath whisper across his cheeks. "Your companion?" She stepped back, but he grasped her arms and pulled her flush. Her br

easts flattened against his chest. He felt her heavy heartbeat match his. He released her arm and brushed the silky hair from her shoulder and leaned in. His tongue licked the outer shell of her ear before he whispered, "Or your lo ver?" Krys pulled from his embrace. Panic laced her eyes. Before he could r etract what he had voiced, she turned and ran from the room. -------*Chapter Nine* A knock sounded on the door, bringing Tev from sleep. Damn, and he h ad just been in the midst of one hell of a good dream, sporting a morning e rection to prove it. He ran his hands down his whiskered jaw and managed to roll out of bed by the second knock. "I'm coming. I'm coming," he grumbled. After rubbing the grit from his eyes, his gaze took in the small alarm clock beside the bed. 10:22 in the morning. Good Lord, he had been in bed on ly a few hours. Nightlife was starting to take its toll. He stepped into his jeans by the third knock, and reached the door, yanking it open before the ca ller had a chance to pound yet again. A mail carrier shoved two envelopes in his face. "I would have stuck t hese in your box, but I needed a signature on the second one." Tev scribbled his name, then closed the door. He turned over the smal ler of the two envelopes and ripped off the side. He pulled the mug shot fro m the envelope. Tev didn't know what he had expected, but certainly not this . Sandy's appearance fit the part of a rock star. The case file said Brown h ad been a guitarist for the band Dragonslayer. Tev found that tidbit interes ting and as soon as he planned an approach that wouldn't attract suspicion, he'd talk to Damien Vincent. Sandy's hair seemed the exact color of his name. Either his mother ha dn't been very creative, or Sandy Brown wasn't his birth name. His hair hung past his shoulders, stick straight; his brown eyes were non-descript. He ha d little facial hair, just a bit below the lower lip, and a thin aquiline no se. One thing Tev knew; he had never seen this man before. He sighed and thr ew the photo on the desk. He had hoped for instant recognition and that he w ould be able to put this case behind him. Two weeks had passed since he had last been to Pandemonium or seen Krys. He had spent his time checking out other Goth clubs and hangouts in Chicago, hoping to find more vampyres. To his misfortune, he had struck ou t. Where Pandemonium seemed the place to be for a few of them, the other c lubs had turned up nothing at all. Tev hoped he wasn't looking in the wron g places or the last three months had been a complete waste of time. He glanced at the other envelope, the one he had signed for. It had be en forwarded from the precinct, the return address that of a lawyer's. The te

ar strip zipped away and Tevan pulled out the contents, throwing the priority envelope on the sofa. _In the matter of Tevan D. Zaber and Susanna M. Zaber._ Legal docum ents. Tev stumbled backward as he read further. The wind left his lungs an d he collapsed onto his worn brown sofa. Numbness spread through his limbs . Susanna filed for divorce, asking for sole custody of Becca. Leaning against the pillows, he blew out an unsteady stream of air. Thanks to Whit ey and this damned case, he couldn't even pick up the phone and call Suz. H e threw the package on the coffee table and picked up his cell phone. To he ll with Whitey. He meant to see his wife. He punched in Casey's numbers. Af ter five rings, a groggy hello came over the line. "Casey, this is Tevan Zaber." Rustling could be heard; Tev assumed he had caught the bartender still in bed. The man worked late nights, and to him, ten in the morning would be early. Tev didn't give a damn. His life teetered on the edge and to hell with Casey's beauty rest. "You there?" "Yeah, yeah," Casey mumbled. "Hold on a minute, will you?" The phone clanked as Casey set it down. Tev waited for a few minutes before Casey picked it up. "Sorry, man -- I didn't expect your call. What the hell time is it? Chr ist...you think you could have waited a couple more hours?" "Sweetheart?" Tev heard a woman mumble in the background. Tev's fri end wasn't alone. Casey whispered something to the other person. "Sorry, Tev." "I can call back when you're alone." "No, no. It's all right. You got me up now. I sent her to the bathroom. What can I do for you?" "How's Becca?" "Doing great. She has a school play this weekend. I thought I'd go wa tch, spend some time with her and Suz." Tev felt the kick to his gut as if Casey had delivered the blow. Most people called his wife Sue. Until now, Tev had been the only one to call he r by that pet name. He swallowed. "How is Susanna?" "You got the papers?" Casey knew about the divorce. Hell, he probably knew more about wh at was going on than Tev did. "Today. I need you to do me a favor. Set up a meeting between me and my wife." "What?" Casey's tone rose. "I thought you were under and couldn't com e out." "Look, my wife is sending me divorce papers. I don't give a flying f

uck what Whitey or the department thinks! Set up the meeting. How soon can you arrange it?" Casey let out a yawn. "I'll ask her this weekend when I go to Becca's play. Where do you want to meet and when?" "Humboldt Park. You know where that is?" "Sure." "East-side entrance. Sunday, ten o'clock in the evening." "What about Becca? That's a little late to have her out." Tev found it ironic that Casey was instructing him on how to raise hi s kid. "Send Susanna by herself. You can watch Becca." "What if I have to tend bar?" "Do you?" "I have the night off, but you're doing an awful lot of assuming, man." Casey seemed irritated, but Tev didn't give a damn. The only thing th at mattered was talking to Suz and finding out why she had filed the damned papers. "Do you know why she did it, Casey?" Casey laughed, though Tev detected no humor in the sound. "What the hell did you expect? You were the one who filed for the separation." "I wasn't thinking divorce, Casey. I wanted what was best for her. What was best for us. But this...I wasn't expecting this." "It's been almost three months. Susanna hasn't seen or heard from yo u." He paused. Tev could hear clicking glass and water running. He assumed Casey had taken a drink. "Susanna needs to get on with her life. She can't wait on you forever. You're a ghost to her, man. She needs someone who will be there." He knew Casey was right. He knew his marriage had been over long ago. He had accepted that fact when he filed the separation papers. But the rift in the marriage was not entirely his fault. Sure he had been absent because of his long hours on the job, but that didn't give Susanna the right to fin d someone to take his place, warm his side of the bed. Anger seeped through him. Why the hell should he care if she wanted the divorce? Hell, he ought t o be thanking her. "Tev?" "I'm here," he grumbled. "Just make sure she's there Sunday night. If S usanna wants the fucking papers signed, I'll gladly oblige. But she'll face me when I do it." Tev snapped shut the flap on the phone and rested his head along the back of the sofa. How dare she divorce him when it was her infidelities that had led to the demise of their marriage? If he were honest, though, it wasn 't the divorce that bothered him, but losing custody of Becca. With him stuc k knee-deep in this case, there was little he could do about losing his daug

hter. Tev threw the phone on the sofa and walked to the bathroom. "What did he want?" Casey glanced at the goddess, standing nude, unabashed, in the doorwa y before him. She was perfect, from her silky, shoulder-length, brown hair d own to her polished toes. Tev had done him a favor and he hadn't even realiz ed it. Casey held his hand out to her. "He wants to meet with you on Sunday night at ten." Susanna walked to the bed and interlocked fingers with him. "Why?" "Why the hell do you think?" Casey asked, his tone harsh. Damn. This w asn't Susanna's fault, and he shouldn't be taking out his frustration on her. "He got the papers." Placing a tender kiss on his shoulder, Susanna sat behind Casey. She w rapped her lean legs around his waist and her arms about his chest. She laid her head on his shoulder. "This isn't going to be easy." Casey stared off into the distance. "No, Suz...it's not. Wait until he get s wind about us." Cole walked into the 62nd precinct. Uniforms bustled about, paying hi m little attention. The station was a lot busier than what he had become acc ustomed to in Fairview. It reminded him of his days on the force in Clevelan d, and he didn't relish that. Those days were thankfully long behind him. He preferred the quiet suburb to the hustle of the city. He approached a tall man, his skin the color of melted chocolate, work ing behind the front desk. "I need to speak with Chief White. Is he in?" The man looked to be in his early twenties. Probably still a rookie. "W ho should I say is wanting to see him?" "Lieutenant Cole Kincaid from Fairview Park City Police." Cole flipped open the leather cover on his badge and showed it to the officer. After examining it, the man left the front desk. He returned shortly with a shorter, stocky man who had stark white hair. The man held out his ha nd, which Cole shook. "Chief Whitey. Why don't you come on back, Lieutenant?" Whitey hel d open the wooden gate and allowed Cole to pass through. Walking down the corridor, Cole glanced in many of the open doors wh ere there seemed an abundance of activity. Yes, it reminded him way too muc h of his past to prove any comfort. Whitey led them to a large office towar d the rear of the building and offered him a seat, then closed the door. "I received a call from your chief, John McCray. He said to expect you. He speaks very highly of you. Said if anyone can help us solve this case, it' s you." "Thanks. But don't worry, I was warned to keep out of your way." Whitey laughed, then fetched them both a cup of coffee. "You take you rs black?"

"Black is fine." After taking his seat, Whitey leaned forward. "We don't have a whole lot to go on here, Lieutenant. We welcome any input. After all, we want th is bastard caught as much as you. We're hoping you will help shed some ligh t." "I'll do what I can." "Have you found a place to stay in town?" "A hotel just a few miles from here. We'll be comfortable." "That means you brought your family with you?" Whitey asked, leaning back in his leather chair. "Is that going to be a problem?" "Not at all. Laurie will keep herself busy. There's plenty to do in Chicago. Besides, she has my daughter to tend to. Trust me, Gabriel could k eep you busy all day. I wasn't sure how long we'd be here, so I couldn't le ave them at home. Besides, there was no way I was coming to hunt down Sandy Brown without having my wife in tow." "That's understandable, from what I have read on the case. She has a personal stake in this case. Why don't the three of you come by our house fo r supper? I'll have Mildred cook something special." Cole took a sip of coffee, glad Whitey didn't prefer his as black as C hief McCray's. "That's nice of you, Chief White, but I'm sure we can find a r estaurant somewhere close by. No need to go to any trouble." Whitey raised his hand in the air. "No trouble at all. I'll call Mil dred as soon as we finish here and draw up directions for you. Why eat fast food when offered a home-cooked meal? Besides, no one cooks the way Mildre d does. She loves it when we have company." "All right, I give." Cole laughed. "We'd love to come. That will give us more time to discuss the case. Did you see the files I sent?" "Tev forwarded them. Seems we have a real piece of work...of course, I already knew that, by our cases." "Officer Zaber recognize the mug of Brown?" "Nope. As far as we know, Brown hasn't surfaced in Tev's circles, but he relayed one interesting fact. You've heard of the band Dragonslayer, of co urse." Cole nodded and straightened his spine. "Brown was their guitarist." "They've been playing in a Goth club called Pandemonium. Tev plans on questioning the singer about Brown's possible whereabouts." "Damien Vincent won't have a clue." Cole relaxed and took another sip of coffee. "If he did, he would have called me." "You know Vincent that well?" "I lived with him for a couple of years. The whole time these murders were going on in Fairview, the killer was right under my nose. As a matter of fact, Damien was this close" -- Cole held his thumb and forefinger an inc

h apart -- "to being charged with the murders. I didn't want to believe Dami en could be responsible, but everything pointed at him." "How did you discover the truth?" "For one, the latent we had on a missive didn't match. Then, while q uestioning Damien, Brown kidnapped Laurie." "I take it she came out unscathed." "Not exactly. We've gone through a couple of years of therapy to get her through this. That's why I brought her along. I wasn't about to leave he r behind again. Brown played some real fucking mind games with her." "You think she's safe here?" "Safe enough. Brown doesn't know I'm here. I'd appreciate it if word d idn't get out, either. I'm here on unofficial business. You call Special Agen t Mathers?" "Talked to him myself." "When's he coming in?" The chief laughed. "Mighty sure he is." "Jim wants the son of a bitch as much as I do." "Mathers is in Georgia right now, working on a separate case. But as s oon as they wrap it up, he's flying straight here. He seemed excited to hear that Brown had resurfaced." "We all want the same thing -- his execution. Laurie won't rest until he's dead. Behind bars isn't good enough. He already escaped once. Left beh ind two dead guards." "We'll do our part. Does Tevan Zaber know you've arrived?" "You're my first stop. I have his cell number and will contact him, but it wouldn't be wise for him to be seen with me. Brown would spot me ins tantly. You said Zaber knows Damien Vincent?" "He mentioned him, yes." "Then I'll use Damien as our personal contact." "You think it wise to let the singer know you're a part of this?" White y pursed his lips and steepled his fingers. He shook his head. "I don't think we can take the chance. If there is a possibility Damien has allegiances to th is guy, he could tell Brown and we'd lose him altogether." "I'd stake my reputation on the fact that Damien wouldn't rat us out . Besides, Damien knows Brown better than any of us. Knows his likes, disli kes, hangouts. The man hung with him for two years. They were like brothers ." "Did he know Brown was a cold-blooded murderer?" "No." "Then maybe he didn't know him well enough." Cole shifted in his seat. "I think you're making a mistake. We should use Damien. Trust me, if anyone could find him -- "

"I can't agree to do this. I'd hold you personally responsible if this didn' t go as you said." Cole chuckled. "Wouldn't be the first time." "Do you know how to get a hold of Vincent?" "I'll call Officer Zaber. He should know his whereabouts." "I don't think it wise to let this singer know about Tevan. We can't ch ance his cover being blown." "I'll concede for now and talk to Damien on my own. If Brown change d his image, Damien would still recognize him." "I hope you're right, Lieutenant. We need to catch this guy, and fast. I don't want another dead woman on my hands." "How long has it been since the last victim?" "Two weeks." "And the spread?" "Four victims within two months, then nothing for the following two . We thought maybe he'd moved on. Then out of the blue, another one two we eks ago." "I say he's about to strike again. He doesn't put too much time between victims." "What about the two months?" "I don't know." Cole gnawed on his lower lip and settled back in his chair. "Maybe he was preoccupied, left town for a spell. But unless he found something else to do, we'll find another woman soon." "I hope you're wrong." "So do I, Chief. But my intuitions usually prove to be correct -- and this time, they're telling me he's ready to strike." -------*Chapter Ten* Candace paused on the busy street corner and glanced both ways. Traf fic, even at this hour, buzzed, keeping her from breaking into a run as she felt like doing. It would serve two purposes: one to get the blood flowing and warm her chilled body, the other to work off aggression. She was downr ight pissed. Where did Matt get off treating her in such a base manner? The black box atop the steel pole glowed WALK. She stepped onto the street and jogged across the intersection. The more space she put between her and her boyfriend the better off she'd be. It had been humiliating enough to have the entire bar witness their inane fight. _Men!_ Why the hell did she even bother? Maybe the walk would do her good, give her time to cool off, be alo ne with her thoughts. Pulling her coat around her, Candace turned into Gra nt Park. She hesitated, glancing back at the sidewalk and Lake Shore Drive . She had read the reports about a woman being murdered in Columbus Park a

few weeks prior. Candace scolded herself at being ridiculous and running from phantoms. Besides, if she took the shortcut through Grant Park, she'd shave off time on her walk home. She turned down a path and headed straight north at a hurried pace, her thoughts centering on the argument. Waves crashed against the rocky sho re, chilling her to the marrow. All she had wanted was a commitment, not ma rriage. Was that so ungodly hard to give? Was she truly such a bad catch? S he brushed one icy hand over her cheek and tucked the stray strands of her brown hair behind her ears. No one would accuse her of being ugly, and find ing another boyfriend had not been the problem. But she wanted Matt, who wa nted nothing more than a casual fling. _Casual my ass!_ He had no trouble a t all thinking of her every time they crawled into bed together. Candace gr itted her teeth. She satisfied him; she knew without a doubt she did. Hell, she could gratify any man if given the chance. "Excuse me," came from behind, causing her to jump. So much for bein g alone with her thoughts. She turned to find a familiar face. "You scared the shit out of me." He chuckled. "I didn't mean to. Just thought I'd better check on you. " His hands burrowed in the pockets of his coat. His teeth damned near chatt ered. She wondered if he had sacrificed a warm ride to see that she got home safely. Candace smiled at the thought. "Cold night." "Yeah, it is. Breeze off that lake keeps the temperature down." White puffs of breath floated from his mouth and dissipated. "I saw your fight ba ck there. Thought maybe I could see you home." She grasped the lapels of her coat and drew them closer. "Thanks. I ap preciate it. To tell you the truth," she said as they fell into step beside o ne another, "walking through the park alone had me spooked, what with that mu rder two weeks ago." "Columbus Park?" An icy chill raced up her spine. "That's the one. If Matt hadn't been s uch an ass I wouldn't have even thought to walk home." "You can't be too careful. You never know what kind of crackpot you m ight run across." Candace turned and looked at him. Why hadn't she noticed his appear ance before? He wasn't classically handsome, but good-looking nonetheless. "Thanks." "For what?" he asked, brushing his hair from his eyes as the breeze blew it across his forehead. "For being kind enough to see me home; none of Matt's friends obliged . All dickheads, each and every one of them." "Their loss."

She stopped beneath a street lamp. "You think so?" He ran a finger down her cheek, causing her body to shiver, but not fro m the cold. "Yeah, I do." Her smile widened as she stepped away from his touch and headed in t he direction of her apartment, thinking him sure to follow. Maybe she'd eve n invite him in for a nightcap. It would serve Matt right. "I think I shoul d have met you long ago. There aren't too many nice guys around any more." The wind picked up and lifted her hair, chilling her neck. "I knew I should have brought my scarf," she grumbled. "But who would have thought I 'd be walking home." Though his steps kept in time behind her, she wondered why he had go ne quiet. She stopped and started to turn around when a cold hand grasped h er forehead, hampering her movement. The silver of a knife flashed like lig htning in front of her eyes. It came down, slicing her throat. Her hands co vered the sticky wet area. Red fluid sprayed from the wound as she desperately tried to catch he r waning breath. She sank to her knees. The frigid night numbed the pain. Ca ndace barely felt the pavement as her forehead hit it. Tev sat in his car, the radio on low. He rubbed his hands together. Th ough the interior of the car was heated, the sound of the wind sent shivers d ancing across his flesh. He glanced at the clock glowing in the blackness of the night. Five after ten. Where the hell was Susanna? Leaning his head against the rest, he thought of their past. For the m ost part, the marriage had been good. He certainly couldn't complain about ho w Susanna kept house or her role as a mother. In that department, Suz had bee n great. It was the wife part that threw a curve into the equation. Had it not been for her infidelities, there'd likely be no reason for divorce. But if Tev were honest, he'd have to say the marriage had ended well before the affair. He had driven her into the arms of another man as he work ed long hours and sat in the bar with his colleagues night after night. Copin g with his job had been hell. No one called the police because they were havi ng a good day. No, what he saw were the negatives: a teen with a gun stuck in her mouth, a wife with a split lip. His way of dealing with it had been behi nd the bottle. It had taken Suz's adultery to open his eyes and cut back on t he drinking. Nonetheless, the lesson had come too late. Lights shone in the entrance to Homboldt Park. Tev recognized Suz's SUV. She pulled the beige Explorer up to his smaller car and rolled down th e window. Tev followed suit. "I don't know why the hell I came," she grumbled. White puffs of air c ame from her mouth as she spoke, testifying to the coldness of the night. "Because I asked you to." She threw the car into PARK. "Why don't you climb in my vehicle so al

l the warmth doesn't disappear out the window? I'm not about to sit here fre ezing my ass off." "You don't have much of a butt to freeze off." Not flattered, Suz rol led up the window as Tev killed the ignition, then walked around the SUV and climbed in. He handed her the stack of papers. "They're signed. I won't con test." Suz narrowed her gaze. "What the hell's your angle? No fight, no argum ent? I'm only allowing you brief visitations." Tev's heart sank. He knew what he had signed away, but what choice d id he have? He just wanted what was best for Becca. Susanna was a much bett er mother than he was a father with the hours he put into his job. Besides, he would never dream of taking that little girl away from Suz. It would ki ll her. What had happened between the two of them had no bearing on his dau ghter. She shouldn't have to suffer for their failings. "I read the papers, Suz -- front to back. I don't want to fight you on this. When I come out from undercover, I'll stop by and get my stuff. But Be cca? She belongs with you." "Why the change of heart? I don't get it." "There's nothing to get. I just don't have it in me to contest this thing . Let's face it -- you slept with your boss, I was a lousy husband. We're even." Suz gripped the steering wheel; her knuckles blanched white as she star ed straight ahead. "I can't tell you how sorry I am about that." He laughed, though not with humor. "By the looks of your boss, I'd be s orry as well." She turned. Through the glow of the dashboards, he could see the pa in in her eyes. "You never got it. You thought it all had to do with looks . Wounded your male pride. _Was he bigger than me? Did he satisfy you? Mak e you come?_ Christ, Tevan. There's more to life than what goes on between the sheets." "Then why the hell sleep with him? Why did you spread those legs?" T ev clenched his jaw. He had not wanted this to turn into an argument. He wa nted to remain friends for Becca's sake. That was the one thing in their ma rriage that they _did_ do right. They had always been the best of friends. A tear slipped down her cheek and he resisted the urge to catch it. "I s lept with him because he made me feel as if I mattered. For once in my life I f elt cherished." "I cherished you, Suz." "Maybe in the beginning. But somewhere along the way, your brothers on the force meant more to you as you began spending all your time with the m. I couldn't deal with it. I needed companionship -- someone to talk to on an adult level." "So you chose your boss. Tell me -- what's it like to still work with him

? Or is he still sliding between those legs?" "You're an asshole." "I've been called worse." "Tim transferred to a nursing home down south. He wanted to give his own marriage a second chance." "Unlike you." She stared out the front of the vehicle. He saw the proud set of her ja w. "You would never allow it to work." "How do you know? You never tried." Suz laughed, then looked at him incredulously. "Oh, I tried, Tev. I tr ied so hard I just couldn't take it any more. I cried myself to sleep as you slipped away from me. You became so damned cold I swore you just might crack. I loved you more than life itself. I thought you felt the same." Tev stared ahead. He had at one time. Suz had crushed that the minute she cheated on him. "Sorry. I guess sharing you was the one thing I couldn' t handle." "I know. So this is it?" "Pretty much." "In some odd way I was hoping you would have ripped up the papers and asked me to start over. But I guess that isn't about to happen, is it?" He ran the back of his fingers down her cheek before cupping it. "D o you know how much I loved you?" Suz hiccuped on a sob. "But it's too late." "You and I both know it is. Unfortunately, this is one mistake neither o f us can get through." "Why?" "Can you honestly say you want to go back to what we had?" She shook her head, her hands wiping at the tears. "What we had stopp ed being good long ago." "I don't think you and I were meant to be. If we were, you wouldn't have gone to your boss for comfort. You would have stuck by me no matter wh at problems I was sorting through." "I know." Suz reached for the box of tissues she kept in the SUV, then blew her nose. "I guess I was just hoping for my white knight to come in and save the day." "I'm not your white knight. I'm no one's savior. I have more personal demons than anyone." He grasped her chin so she'd looked at him. "I will al ways love you. You will always have a spot in my heart. I want us to be frie nds when this is over...for Becca's sake. Can we do that?" "I hope so, Tev." He gathered her in his arms and kissed her. "You have your papers and, along with it, your freedom. I only wish the best for you."

"I love you," she whispered. "I never stopped." "This is for the best -- you need more than I can give." "Let me know when you come out from underground." "You'll be the first I'll contact." He kissed her again, then got out of the Explorer and circled back to hi s car. He watched as her taillights faded before allowing the tear to slip from his own lash. _Within the darkness lies the soul. His thoughts and deeds condemn h im, convict him to hell. His internal pain blackens his days to complete ab sence of light. No sunshine brightens this darkness. No love soothes his we ary soul. There were times when he dared to believe, if he found someone wo rthy enough to share his bleakness, the emptiness would end. The void in hi s chest would be filled. But the truth has surfaced and the soul now knows no one would dare dance with him in the bowels of hell where no light ever doth shine._ _The soul once made the mistake of deeming one deserving enough of h is blind excessive devotion. The angel he believed sent to release his tort ured being. Anger simmers to the surface at the mere remembrance of her moc kery, her ridicule. She may have thought to escape the inevitable, but alre ady lives on second-hand time. A child will grow up without a mother; a hus band will know the devastation the soul already experiences: solitariness, forlornness, separation, annihilation. Death awaits on her doorstep, sickle in hand._ _And what is loneliness? Is it a holiday spent unaccompanied? A fost er child moving from home to home? Or merely nothing more than an ache on t he inside, hidden by the depths of the eyes and unshed tears? Thousands can be spent on psychotherapy, attempting to fathom the very depth of the inne r being, only to offer suggestions, medicines and other salves and fixes, m ere paint on top of the rot within. But can one really be fixed? Or is that trait buried so deep it is part of the genetic makeup? Comparison to all m ankind would surely label him as licentious, incorrigible, demoralized. DNA would prove the futile nature of any repairs offered._ _The soul turns over the driver's license of one that is no more, befo re tossing it into a box of collectibles: baubles and trinkets of lives once touched. He fingers a ring, allowing the arousal of memories to wash over him , the terror behind the eyes, her last seconds of breath. Fear so palatable, he savors it on his tongue like a fine wine, nourishing and energizing him. A pretty woman to be sure, so selfless, giving her life for the cause. Her swe et blood now running through his body quenches his thirst for a time. A time that grows long in lonely hours only to have the craving rebuild anew; a crav ing so powerful the soul would do nearly anything to appease it. It is this r ebirth of thirst that drives him to near madness._

_"The blood...is the life."_ he quotes Bram Stoker. _"Without it, one ca nnot live. But having no one to share it with -- is that life indeed worth livi ng?"_ _Laurie Kincaid lives today because the soul allows it. But before the servant of all that is evil takes his glorious exit, he'll see to it that the Grim Reaper doesn't make the same mistake twice by allowing Mrs. Kincaid her l ife._ -------*Chapter Eleven* Pouring herself into her work is what she needed to do. Krys could a lways ask Susanna Zaber for extended hours. The more she worked, the less s he thought about Tev and the feelings running rampart through her system. S he didn't want to like him, not in the least. After all, what did she reall y know about him? His last name remained a mystery. He drank blood, for cry ing out loud. So why was she having such a hard time being disgusted by him ? Krys pulled on her jacket, shut her locker, and headed for the door when Amber came into the break room. Amber snapped her gum and pulled up short in front of her. "So where you headed?" The last thing she felt like doing was going to Pandemonium. Not afte r her last night there. Not after seeing Tev poised over Raven's bleeding ar m. A shiver passed down her spine. "I was going home." "Oh, come on, Krys. You can't hide out. Let's go party." "You mean with Raven." Amber's lower lip protruded. "What's wrong with that? Sometimes you can be such a prude." Krys chuckled. "Well, put that way...all right, I'll go." "I'll pick you up at nine." Amber opened her locker; the rusty hinges s creeched, testifying to the fact it had been ages since they had been oiled. " You know, that Tev guy is certainly cute. And a lot of fun, too." Stopping by the door she had meant to exit, Krys turned on her heal. "What do you know about him? What happened after I left?" Amber smiled. "Raven and I danced. Tev brooded by the bar. After a w hile I felt sorry for him. He looked lonely. So Raven and I kept him compan y." "Did he mention me?" "Sure did. After you stormed out, Raven wanted to know what Tev had done to you. He's protective of you. Did you know that?" "Nothing to worry about, I assure you. Raven is nothing more than a fri end." "I wasn't worried. It seems more like a brotherly form of affection. Now , Tev -- that's another story."

Krys began buttoning her jacket, trying her best to look disinterested . "What do you mean?" "He gets downright cranky at the mention of you. I think he sort of has a thing for you." Waving a hand in the air, Krys quickly dismissed the idea. "That doesn' t make one attracted." "You like Tev, too. I can see it in your eyes." "You're full of it." Krys looked to the floor. But deny it all she w anted, Krys was more than taken by the man. She seemed damned obsessed. "We can barely stand to be in the same room together." At least that much was the truth; it appeared they both had trouble be ing in the same room without wanting to touch each other. Amber chuckled. "You do agree on that point." "See, I told you there is nothing there." "I'm saying that you can't stand to be in the same room together becau se neither of you can seem to admit what you feel. Be honest. Let me be your friend." Krys glanced at her. Amber had been the closest thing to a real frie nd she had ever had. Most just thought her strange and opted to stay as far away from her as possible, her whole reasoning for hanging with the Goth c ommunity. They accepted her for who she was. Even in her darkest moments of despair. But since she met Tev, she hadn't once felt the urge to cut herse lf. Despair had not set in. Maybe being near him was a good thing. "You're right, Amber. I am infatuated with him. Truth of it, when he kissed me, it was like he awakened something dead inside me. A part of me wa nts to explore that." Amber's brow furrowed. "You've never been kissed?" "Not that I ever enjoyed it. I spent most of my life running from men." "Why?" "Maybe someday I'll tell you. My past dredges up too much pain." "I respect that." Amber laid a hand on Krys's shoulder. "Just so you k now I am here when you need to talk." Krys offered a weak smile. Her eyes watered. "I know." "Now, about that kiss." "Thanks," Krys said, grateful Amber would adhere to her wishes. "It was a great kiss." "When did it happen?" "A few weeks ago. We had just met, really. There was an attraction betw een us -- we both felt it. I leaned in and he kissed me. It was that simple." "Simple?" "Maybe 'simple' isn't a good word." No, earth shattering described it m uch better. "Put it this way, I wouldn't mind it happening again."

"So why did you run out on him?" "Maybe because he scares the hell out of me." "What are you afraid of?" "Getting hurt. Tev's a vampyre, just like Raven." "This bothers you?" "It doesn't you?" Amber shrugged. "I admit it's weird. A little scary. But there is just s omething that is so sensual about it. I can't describe it. And unless you've al lowed someone to drink from you -- " Krys shook her head. "I'm not into that at all." "What about the scars on your arm? I thought..." Turning her arms over, Krys glanced at the thin white lines. "Self-inflic ted." "I don't understand." "They call it self-mutilation syndrome. SMS. I'm a cutter." "I've heard of it. Why do you do it?" Krys saw no revulsion in Amber's eyes. Only curiosity. "I don't know . When I get angry or depressed, I just feel like hurting myself. Tearing o ut my hair, banging my head against a wall, cutting myself. The pain makes the numbness I sometimes feel go away. The blood reminds me I'm alive, when there are times I feel like I'm nothing." "So how is cutting yourself so different from what Raven and Tev do?" "I'm not drinking my blood." Krys glanced away. How could she ever ex press the difference when there wasn't much of one? Most people were sickene d by the things she did to her body. Getting tattoos and piercings were just other ways of hurting herself, scarring herself. "The things I do are out o f anger. I don't understand their desire." "Just as I'm sure they wouldn't understand why you do what you do." Krys let out a deep breath. "I'm sure you're right. I don't even underst and why I do what I do. All I know is that when I feel really bad, pain feels r eally good." "On some level, I can almost understand. Except I don't like pain, and I wouldn't even consider it." "But you allowed Raven to drink from you." Amber smiled. "I know. But having him inflict the small wound makes it not hurt as much. Besides, it's a huge turn on." "I'll have to take your word for it." "You wouldn't allow Tev?" Krys shuddered. "You're kidding, right?" "Not really. If Tev is a vampyre, he'll eventually ask. It's what they do." Krys had known that. The minute she had stepped into that room and

saw Tev about to feed from Raven, she had known if they ever pursued a rel ationship, he would ask. She had hoped to avoid it. Then again, after the way she had run from the room, she had hoped to avoid him altogether. Now, two weeks later, she was dying to see him. "I have to go, Amber. I'll see you up at nine." Lieutenant Cole Kincaid walked an arch around the victim. White fem ale, brown hair, brown eyes, mid-twenties. Sandy Brown's MO. But what real ly tied Brown to the case was his signature: the purple bite wounds that s urrounded the neck wound. Loss of oxygen and blood, cause of death. A few snow flurries drifted about, causing the lake shore to be frigi d, reminding him of his days on the force in Cleveland and the body they had found floating. Except this body had not been found floating, but face down in the rocks. Blood had spattered everywhere, telling him they stood in the scene of the crime. The CSU went about gathering evidence as he made it a p oint not to interfere. "You were right," Whitey said as he approached. "You knew this son of a bitch was going to strike again." "Like I said, it's not his style to put too much time in between." "Then how do you account for the two months he didn't kill?" "I'm not sure he didn't. Maybe he left the area. Killed in another prec inct. Check the regional jails, see who was incarcerated. Maybe he was preoccu pied and couldn't kill." "I'll have some of my men put on it, make a few phone calls. You think he could have went out of state?" Cole shook his head. "Something tells me no. Brown doesn't have any f amily. No place to go. But that doesn't mean he couldn't drive a few hours. I'd do a two-hundred-mile radius anyway on those checks. See what police sta tions and sheriff departments fall into that area." Whitey pulled on his fleece-lined wool gloves. "Damn cold morning to be doing this." "You know who the girl is yet?" "Yeah. Although her driver's license was not on her, her boyfriend call ed the station when he had heard the early news reports. Said the two of them got into a fight at the bar." "Which bar?" "Irish pub called O'Mallory's, not far from here. He said after their fig ht, she walked. Bet he's regretting that now." "Hindsight." Cole sighed heavily. "I'd have the bartender and patrons give us a run down of who they saw last night. Bring them into the station and have them look at a few mug shots. Throw in Sandy Brown's. I'm betting h e was there." Whitey pulled the lapels of his jacket closer around his neck. Cole t

hought about the victim's neck wound and wondered if Whitey's reflex was out of cold or self-conscious thought to protect his own neck. "What makes you so sure he was at the bar? He might have seen her wa lking in the park and approached her." "This woman wasn't a prostitute. In the past, Brown always selected his women. Although some were prostitutes, he knew them all. None were rand om picks. I say he met her in the bar, saw the fight, and followed her." "He knew the past victims. In what way?" "His earliest victims, the prostitutes, all knew my roommate Damie n Vincent. He had met each and every one of them. Brown played in Damien' s band. Damien would take them out a time or two, and Brown would take th em out permanently. A nice, neat pattern." "You've had time to study the cases here," Whitey said. "You seeing a p attern?" "No. First four were prostitutes, last two not." Cole scratched his fre shly shaven jaw. "Two more than we had in Fairview Park, the first three being prostitutes. I would still lay odds he knew the first four victims here. That 's my gut instinct." The coroner arrived. His assistant took some pictures, samples of the s urrounding area, then cut a hole in the victim's thorax and shoved a long ther mometer into the area of her liver. "Any idea time of death?" Whitey asked. "Can't be certain," the young man answered, looking much like a you ng George Clooney from _E.R._ "I don't assume we have any witnesses, so th e time of the bar and the distance between will make the best guess." He m otioned for his men to bag the victim. "I'll send Davis over to witness the autopsy." "Won't get to it before three tomorrow," the man answered as he pulle d off his latex gloves. They snapped in the breeze. "We're backed up." "No real surprise there. I'll make sure Davis phones in before making the trip." "That would be wise." He packed up his black bag, and bid them farewel l as he walked to his car. "Well?" Whitey asked. "I'd say it's time to get out of the cold. We aren't going to find anythin g more here." "How bad was it?" Laurie whispered as she took Cole's coat and tossed it over the chair in the corner of the room. Gabby slept in the center of t he second bed, curled up, her arms wrapping around a Powder Puff Girl. "Bad." Cole pulled Laurie into his arms. "You sure you can handle reli ving this nightmare?" "I really don't have a choice in the matter, do I?"

"That's not an answer. If you can't handle this -- " he tucked one side of her dark auburn hair behind her ear " -- we'll go home tomorrow." "You can't do that, Cole." She kissed him. "You won't rest until Sandy Brown is behind bars again." "It would eat away at me, yes. I won't deny that. But we've dealt with th is for two years." "We never knew where he was until now. You need to do this. I understa nd. Besides -- " a smile curved her lips " -- you're the best man for the job . If anyone can find Sandy, it's you." "Damien's here." Laurie gasped; granted it was a tiny one, but discernible nonetheless. " In Chicago?" "He's been playing the club circuit." She stepped from his embrace and began pacing. Her hand rose as did her volume. "And I'm supposed to deal with this as well?" "Calm down or you'll wake Gabby." "I am calm." Cole grasped her wrist and pulled her back into his embrace. "Sweethe art, you are anything but. You won't even have to see him." "But _you_ will." "I have to. If anyone would know Brown on the spot, it's Damien. I have to see if he's had contact with him. I won't tell him you're here." "He'll know I am." He laid a palm on her soft cheek; she leaned into his touch. "I won't a llow Damien to come between us. What he did to Cindy was terrible, but he has to live with that the rest of his life." "He might as well have killed her himself, Cole. I'll always hate him for that." He sighed and dropped his hold on his wife. "You can't blame Damien for Cindy's instability. She took her own life. He just happened to be the breaking point. Whether he would have broken up with her or not, the end re sult would be the same." "You read the note, Cole." "And Cindy blamed Damien. I don't." Laurie's gaze damn near pinned him to the wall. "How can you say that ?" Cole reached for her, but she backed away. He crossed his arms over his chest. "We haven't talked about this because we never did see eye to eye. In Cleveland I saw suicides on a fairly regular basis. Either the person was ment ally ill, or just plain selfish." "What?" Laurie spat, causing Gabby to stir on the bed. "Do you think at any point when Cindy grasped that razor she though

t how you would take the news? Hell, no. She thought only about herself an d how much Damien's betrayal hurt. She didn't consider your pain because s he was too busy thinking about her own." Laurie sat heavily on the unoccupied bed. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks. He walked across the room and sat next to her. "You know I'm right. You can't blame Damien forever." "I know," she whispered. "I guess it's easier to deal with when there's someone to blame. But that still doesn't mean I want to see him." He wiped away the wetness from one cheek with the pad of his thumb. "You won't have to. I promise." He grasped her face between his palms. "H ave I told you how beautiful you are?" She gave him a watery smile and hiccuped on a broken sob. "Not today. " After placing a tender kiss on her lips, he pushed her to the mattress. "I think actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Kincaid." She ran a hand through the hair falling over his forehead and brushed it back. Her eyes darkened. "Then shut up and show me, Mr. Kincaid." -------*Chapter Twelve* Tevan exited a gray stall in the men's restroom of Pandemonium. As h e rounded the corner, he saw a woman with long black hair facing him, her l egs wrapped securely around the waist of a spiked, blue-black-haired man. T rench glanced at Tev, blood lining his lips. Tev spotted the small wound on the woman's neck. The red fluid seeped from the laceration. His eyes fixat ed on the cut as Trench ignored him and returned to feeding. Trench's black leather pants hung loose about his waist as the woman 's black skirt rode high on her thighs. His hips slowly pushed forward, the n back; her body moved in rhythm to Trench's thrusts. The woman tilted her face heavenward and moaned. No doubt for Tev's benefit. She seemed to get o ff on his presence and the idea that he watched. Tev stepped to the sink be side the woman, washed and dried his hands, and left. He leaned against the steel door and closed his eyes. The vision of th e two making love burned the back of his eyelids. He'd be lying if he said it hadn't been erotic. The whole idea of unrestrained inhibitions was a complet e turn-on. He realized he could get caught up in this lifestyle, which scared the hell out of him. Feeling vile and contemptibly low, he shook his head and pushed off the door. It had been far too long since his last piece of ass. And by the looks of his current predicament, it would be some time before he scratched any sexual itch. His wife had handed him divorce papers; within a few mont hs they would no longer be married. He'd be back in the dating pool. The cu rrent spreading rate of sexually transmitted diseases made him in no hurry

to go down that path again. He approached the bar. The spiked-blond manning the taps set Tev's preferred draft in front of him. Good news or bad, he had been marked as a regular. Tev threw a few bills on the counter then turned to watch the band. Damien Vincent and the rest of Drangonslayer graced the stage once again after a few weeks off, b ut their manager, Raven, was nowhere to be seen. Tev's gaze landed on the b lack curtains, wondering if Raven was backstage. Tipping the glass, Tev took a long pull, then wiped the foam from h is mouth with the back of his hand. Trench and his date for the evening wa lked by. The woman winked at him as her long pointy tongue licked her uppe r lip and Trench bestowed him with a slight nod. Tev returned Trench's ges ture. He had come a long way in the past few weeks. Somehow he had gained acceptance in the company of vampyres. Progress. Now he needed to move to the next plateau and have them introduce him to their coven. Somewhere wit hin, he'd lay odds, a killer resided. A hand covered his eyes as a soft voice whispered, "Guess who?" He grinned. Krys's voice had been etched into his memory, but he d ecided to play along. "Let me see. Rose? Or was that Gwenalyn? How about Athena?" Krys dropped her hold and playfully slapped his upper arm. "Just ho w many women are you stringing along?" He turned, grasped her arm and pulled her flush. "Is that what I'm doi ng, Krys? Stringing you along?" he whispered next to her ear to be heard over the band. He felt a shiver run through her body. Her expression sobered. "You tell me." The earlier bathroom scene came to mind, tightening his groin and sen ding a dull ache to his penis. He couldn't help thinking of Krys wrapping he r long legs around his lean waist as he thrust into her. His gaze dropped to her lips. Her tongue darted out and moistened them. He leaned in as if to kiss her, but stopped scant inches from making the contact he desired. "Last time I was this close to that delicious mouth, I rec all receiving a fat lip as a reward. Where's your protector?" Krys's gaze darkened. Her breathing shallowed and her pulse beat heavil y in the base of her throat. His nearness affected her; he'd bank on it. "Your lip looks healed," Krys whispered as the band's song died. She ran her index finger over his lower lip, causing a shiver to run t hrough his own body. Gooseflesh popped to the surface. After this case was ov er, he was going to hell for his wayward pornographic thoughts. He chalked it up to his lack of a sex life. She looked around the club. "Raven isn't my protector and I have no id ea where he is. I thought he was here." With a laugh, Tev backed from her contact and dropped his hold on he

r arm. He leaned an elbow on the bar and placed a foot on the boot rail. "A h, hell then...I'm not about to take any chances," he said, hoping the excu se seemed good enough to put the much-needed distance between them. Krys sputtered, nearly sending him into a fit of chortles. She had wa nted him to kiss her, to ravish her mouth, which to him seemed like a damned fine idea. But kissing Krys could be likened to taking a match to dynamite. One kiss and he'd want to be wrapping those mile-long legs, trimmed in clin ging black nylon, about his waist. Yes, it had been far too long since his l ast toss in the sheets. It wouldn't take much for him to bow to temptation. Kissing Krys would not be a wise idea. Indeed, at the moment, going head to head with a spitting cobra seemed a smarter plan of action. Krys leaned a hip against a nearby barstool. The spiked-blond brought her a clear soda, which prompted Tev to toss a couple of singles on the bar. "I could have gotten that." "You could have," he agreed. "But then I wouldn't have been much of a gentleman." She laughed and ran a hand through her silky blond hair. His gaze fixa ted on the tresses; his fingers itched to follow suit. He clenched his fists at his sides, feeling the sudden need for cold, fresh air. The room seemed to o damn hot. He wiped away the sweat beading his brow. "I'm not so sure a gentleman was the man I was looking for." She la ughed again. "Are you the same guy I saw with Raven about two weeks ago? O r did we just enter a weird episode of _Invasion of the Body Snatchers?_" "What is it you want me to be, Krys?" He tried his best to sound annoy ed. "I don't believe you ever answered the question the last time I asked." She sipped from the tiny cocktail straw and eyed him over the rim of her glass. "I haven't made up my mind. Why don't we just allow nature to r un its course? See where things take us. Why does there always have to be a n answer?" Annoyed, Tev straightened his stance. "When you figure it out, why d on't you look me up? I'm not into games." He walked off. "Wait," she called before he reached the door. He stopped and turned to face her. She walked to him. Her body seemed too damned ripe for the plucki ng. "Can we go somewhere? Alone?" Being alone with her was out of the question. "I don't think that's wi se. You can't tell me what it is you want. Let me tell you what _I_ want, the n we'll see how eager you are to follow. Right now, all I can think about is sliding my hand down the front of those nylon pants. Does that sound appealin g? To treat you like an animal? I feel animalistic with the thoughts racing t hrough my mind. You don't get it, Krys. I don't want to talk -- I want you be neath me, on top of me, or whatever position I can get you in."

Looking at the floor, she spoke so softly he had to lean in to hear. "I don't want you walking away. I couldn't handle that. The last two weeks w ithout seeing you, you were all I could think about. I lay awake seeing your smile, feeling your touch, being reminded of your taste. If giving you what you want will keep you near me -- " Tev grasped her hand and pulled her through the exit door. He had no idea where he was going, but suddenly wanted to be elsewhere. Somewhere le ss noisy, less populated. He heard her heals click against the pavement, at tempting to keep his pace. At his car, he unlocked the passenger door and h eld it open. "Last chance to run." Her eyes widened. Her mouth opened but snapped shut, then she slid i nto the passenger seat. Tev circled the vehicle, unlocked his door, and cra wled behind the wheel. The engine roared to life. He threw the car into dri ve and headed out of the parking lot, his tires squealing, having no idea w hat in the hell had spurred his actions. Now what was he going to do? He co uld take her back to his place, but then he knew damned well he'd be slidin g between those thighs before the sun came up. Although Chief Whitey had in sinuated as much, he'd likely have his job instead of making him detective, laying the blame on Tevan's shoulders. How the hell had everything turned to shit? The silence in the car grew long and pregnant, making him uncomfort able as she sat looking straight ahead. He should turn the car around and take her ass right back to Pandemonium. Instead, he turned on the radio. " Voodoo" by Godsmack filled the automobile. The seductive music washed over him like a tidal wave. Damn, how would he ever get out of this without hi s body acting on impulse and ruling his mind? Susanna slammed into his thoughts like a lead bullet hitting a brick wall. Now that she had served him with papers, she no longer had a hold on h im. Nothing stood in the way of scratching that itch Krys had started weeks ago. "Where to?" he asked, breaking the silence. She laughed, the sound a bit hollow and nervous. "It was you who drag ged me from the club. I believe I'm at your mercy." "I probably shouldn't have done that. I acted on impulse and that's not always the wisest course of action. As a matter of fact, I should take you ba ck." "You won't." Tev glanced at her. Her face glowed softly in the dashboard lights. H er youthful features appeared even younger in the shadows. "Why are you so s ure?" "Because we feel the same about each other." "And how's that?" he asked as he pulled up to the stoplight and gave her

his full attention. Her gaze stayed fixated on the road ahead. "You're frightened and att racted to me at the same time. You're afraid of what our coming together mig ht mean so you've tried to avoid it at all costs. But there's that undeniabl e pull between us and that makes you want to make love to me." Tev nearly choked hearing his fears and desires spoken. Damn if she ha dn't been right. He wanted her, that much he couldn't deny. But the intensity of that longing scared the hell out of him. He had never felt so passionate about anyone in his life. She glanced at him. Her eyes appeared saddened, only adding to his co nfusion. If she wanted him as badly as he did her, then why didn't he see hu nger? "So what's stopping you from taking what it is you want?" What he had tried so hard to keep leashed tore loose. Blood rushed thro ugh his veins and arteries, causing an erection to strain the front of his jea ns in a pleasure-pain sort of way, begging for appeasement. He needed to deny the truth. His best way was to talk her out of what she sought. "You don't want to do this, Krys. You barely know me." "There's that gentleman again." She smiled. "I kind of like that side of you, you know? Most guys would have jumped on an offer like that. But yo u're right, I'm not sure what I want or what I'm after." She fidgeted with t he silver belt draping her waist. "I just know how I've felt the past few we eks when you weren't there. Almost an obsession, really," she said with a ch uckle. "I wanted to see you, but I had no idea how to find you other than at Pandemonium. I was so afraid I would never see you again." The light turned green and Tev hit the gas, and drove to his apartmen t complex, not wanting to consider his actions. It wouldn't be the first tim e he had been accused of not using his brain. He parked and stepped from the vehicle. Before he could offer to open her door, Krys exited the other side . They walked in silence up the darkened stairs and down the dim hallway to his room. He stuck the key in the knob, turned the lock, then pushed open th e door. Krys walked an arc around the living room, her nervousness evident i n her pacing. Tev closed the door and leaned against the wood, watching as she looked about his personal space. He couldn't call it home; he hadn't ha d a home in months. But for some stupid reason, he cared what she thought. She pulled off her leather, hip-length jacket and tossed it on an empt y chair. "You don't mind if I make myself comfortable?" "Not at all," he lied. He felt like putting that coat back on her and taking her home where she would be safe from him and his raging hormones. W hat the hell had he been thinking in bringing her here? Obviously, he hadn't . Tev tossed his own leather coat atop hers. "You want something to drink?"

She sat on the edge of the sofa, her back ramrod straight. "Not really." He walked around the room, picking up discarded clothes and scattere d papers, which he tossed into a basket. He had never cared about being a s lob in the past, and why the thought bothered him now he didn't care to con template. "Would you stop? You're making me nervous." She patted the sofa. "Hav e a seat. _I_ don't bite." He chuckled. "But I might." He sat beside her and leaned against the cushions. She kicked off he r shoes and curled against his side. Big mistake. Neither of them would lik ely come away from this night unscathed. He placed an arm on the sofa behin d her and she snuggled into his warmth. "Maybe I made an error in judgment." He tilted her chin with his thu mb so she looked him in the eyes. "I thought maybe I could bring you here a nd we could talk. Someplace quiet. Now I see I was wrong." "I don't get it. You don't want to talk?" He licked the dryness from his lips. "No." She ran a smooth, cool hand down his whiskered jaw, then stood, bringi ng one leg over his lap so that she straddled it. He groaned. No hiding his e rection in this position. Just the feel of her body so warm and close had him nearly tossing her on the sofa. He gritted his teeth against the impulse. He wouldn't hurt her, wouldn't give in to those base urges. But as he looked in to the depths of her eyes, desire burned hot. He grasped her face within his palms. "Krys, we can't." "Why? We're both adults." She leaned in and kissed his lips, each chee k, the tip of his nose. "We're both willing. We know what we want. That can't be so bad, can it?" He brought his mouth to hers. She gasped and he took the opportunity to slip his tongue within the satiny feel of her mouth. She tasted of lemonlime pop and sweetness, pushing his self-restraint to new limits. Her hands grabbled at his shirt and pushed it up, over his stomach, attempting to make the decision for both of them. Her mouth left his as she found one flat nip ple and circled it with the tip her tongue. He tilted back his head and groa ned as shivers of white heat danced up and down his spine. "Krys," he gasped. "Stop! You're killing me." She sat back, her lips already kiss-swollen. "Tell me why." For the lack of nothing better to say, he used the excuse, "I don't hav e protection," knowing full well his wallet always had a spare condom. Running a hand through his hair and playfully mussing it, she kissed him again. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close as their tong ues mated the way his body craved to do. His breath caught in his throat; h is heart slammed against his ribs. He might very well suffer an acute heart

attack before morning ever came. She would surely be the death of him. Her hands traveled to the button of his jeans. He covered her tiny han d with his larger one, stilling her actions. Her palm now flattened over his erection, adding yet more pain to his already agonizing situation. Much more and he'd say the hell with morals and his job. He pulled away her hand and br oke the kiss. "Krys, please." "You don't want me?" He pulled her from his lap and set her beside him. This woman seemed so starved for love that she was willing to lay with a perfect stranger, n ot caring whether they had the proper protection, making him wonder about h er past and who had scarred her. "You don't understand." Pulling her knees to her chest, she glanced at him, tears welling in h er ocean-blue eyes. "I'm sorry. I've made myself look like a slut. But I was under the impression it's what we both wanted. I know my actions speak differ ently, but I don't normally do this kind of thing." "Dammit," he said, jumping to his feet. He needed to pace. If for no thing else, to lesson the strain on his pants and walk off his erection. "I _do_ want this. You have no idea how much. I want you beneath me. I want t o make love to you until the sun comes through the window. I want to make y ou forget that any other man exists. Hell, I want to bury myself so deep in you that you don't know where you end and where I begin." He let out a dee p sigh. His voice shook when he said, "But I can't." A tear slipped past her lash and made a watery trek down her cheek. He was the biggest of jerks. He should have never subjected either of them to t his torture. And it was. Pure hell. "Why?" "Because I don't want a lover." "You're right, I don't understand." He stopped his pacing and crouched before her, placing his hands on her knees. How the hell would he ever explain? Maybe his best bet would be to push her away. Be mean-spirited. But somehow, just looking into her eyes he couldn't and he couldn't tell her the truth. "You are a beautiful woman. You deserve better than me. I'm not the kind of guy who's right for you. As a matter of fact, I don't think you'll find him at Pandemonium. You need someone who will take care of you. That's not me or any man that hangs out there." Anger seeped into her gaze. Anger he could handle, her sadness he coul dn't. "I never said I was looking for a lifetime commitment." "I'm a vampyre, for crissake! You're disgusted by what I am. I saw it in your eyes two weeks ago." "Is that why you stayed away for two weeks?" "Part of the reason. You need to find a nice boy and I'm not him."

As he released his hold on her knees, she crossed her legs Indian style and leaned forward. "You're such a liar, Tev." He flinched. She had no idea how true that was, making him feel all the more a shit. "You claim to be such a jerk, yet any other man in your position mom ents ago would have taken what they were offered. I was ready to give mysel f to you, fully and completely -- no matter the consequences." He needed the emphasis off of him and his noble actions. Hell, it had t aken him every ounce of restraint not to take what she was so willing to give. "So why did you?" Her brows drew together. "Did I what?" "Why offer yourself to me? You don't know me, what I can be like. You can't even tell if I'm free of disease. For that matter, I could have broug ht you here to kill you. So why would you so willingly go with a man you bar ely know?" "You think I do this to every man that comes along?" Tev stood. He knew what was coming and braced himself for her atta ck. "How the hell would I know? Do you?" "No!" Anger seemed to radiate from her every pore. Though it was much safer to have her anger than her desire directed at him, he hated the shift . "Why the hell don't you just take me home if that's how you feel?" "Why wouldn't I think that, Krys? You were all over me, for crissake." More tears slipped unheeded past her lashes. "Then you know nothing about me." "You're damned right, I don't. We don't know each other -- the exact r eason we aren't in that bed right now." Tev jabbed a finger toward the partia lly closed door. "Because trust me, I was only seconds from taking you there. " "I misjudged you. You really are an asshole." He raised his palms heavenward. "Give that lady an A." She narrowed her fiery gaze. "I don't get it." "What's to get?" "One minute you are so unlike any of the guys I meet...the next, you're s o typical." "Is that a compliment or a complaint?" She laughed, sarcasm dripping from the sound. "Obviously not a comp liment. I'm thinking maybe I'm not liking you so much and I almost made th e biggest mistake of my life." "What?" Now he laughed, feeling no humor. "Making love to me? Baby, that might have been the best thing to happen to you." She stared long and hard at him. For a minute he feared she'd use her

nails to claw out his eyes. "There would have been no love, Tev. Don't kid yo urself." _Ouch!_ He supposed he deserved that. He couldn't help but give her a shot in return. "So you were just wanting to fuck me? Is that it?" Her back stiffened; her jaw tightened. But even with all her bravado, he could see how close she was to being a blubbering mess by the telltale qui ver of her bottom lip. "I'll take you to your car." "I think that would be best." She sniffed. "Can I use your restroom first ?" Tev pointed to the only other doorway in the room. She walked in and slammed the door, causing him to jump. He sank to the sofa and ran his han ds down his face. He had never been so callous and uncaring. What was it wi th her that brought out the worst in him? He had no idea why she freely offered herself to him. But by what he saw nightly at the club, he would bet the same hadn't been presented to othe r men there. He groaned at the thought of accusing her of such. He could hea r the toilet flush and water running. Several minutes later, a very red and puffy-eyed Krys emerged. His heart hit the pit of his stomach. He _had_ been a jerk. It was all he could do not to pull her within his embrace and tell her the truth. The who le truth. Leaving out none of the details, including the fact he was a cop. So mething about this woman cut straight to his heart. Shrugging off the desire to come clean, he asked, "You ready?" The to ne of his voice came out a more gruff than he had intended. After all, he ha d caused her enough pain for one night. New tears slipped from her lashes. She batted them away, squaring her shoulders as she shoved her feet into her shoes and grabbed her coat. "Yes. Raven may have taken a fondness to you, but I can't say I feel the same way any longer. After tonight, I don't even want to know you." "Well, sweetheart, you wouldn't have thought so about twenty minutes ago by the way you were trying to get into my pants." Her jaw clenched as she glared at him. Her hand snapped lightning qui ck and slapped him across the cheek. Pain seared up his flesh, but he welcom ed it, was even glad she had done it. She yanked open the door. "Don't worry about that ride. I'll grab a cab . Go to hell, Tev!" She stormed out the door, slamming it behind her. He stood motionless in the middle of the room, looking at the cold wo od. "Darlin', hell can't be any worse than what I'm already living." He turn ed the bolt on the door, shut out the light, and headed for bed. Nothing goo d could ever be said about the hour before dawn, not when the sun was about to arrive and his head had yet to hit the pillow.

-------*Chapter Thirteen* A sleepy-eyed Amber Briggs opened her door, a large evergreen wreath decorating the center. Its scent reminded Krys of Christmas, a time that had always been lonely and painful for her, adding yet another ache to her alre ady heavy heart. Before she knew it, the festive holiday would be upon her w hen she'd rather forget the day and all its reminders. Amber raked a hand through her mused hair, from what appeared a restl ess night of sleep. Her eyes widened at Krys's obvious distressed appearance . Krys trembled; her teeth chattered as chills ran up and down her spine. He r tears had long dried, but surely left behind a mess of her applied make-up . "What's wrong?" Amber asked, her brows meeting above the bridge of h er nose. "Can I come in?" If Amber sent her away, she'd be left with no one with whom to converse but Azzo. And somehow, she couldn't see herself disc ussing her current predicament with him. For the past few years, Azzo had always been there; the only one for her to talk to, thus forcing her to keep most of her inner secrets just th at. Now she had a female with whom she could confide. For years she had no friends, forced into being somewhat of a loner by the unpredictability of h er so-called family. She never brought classmates home, too afraid of what her father and uncle might do. She bided her time under her father's roof, saving every penny she could, until she was old enough to run away. Luckily she had found Azzo, or surely she would have wound up a squatter in some r at-infested, abandoned warehouse, eating out of garbage cans and sleeping o n bug-riddled mattresses. "Of course you can." Amber stepped away from the door and Krys ente red the one-room studio apartment. "Let me get some coffee going and then you can tell me what the hell happened." While Amber busied herself in the kitchenette making a fresh pot of c offee, Krys kicked off her shoes, threw her jacket across the arm of the cha ir, and sank into the corner of the sofa. She wanted nothing more than to di sappear. She felt too acutely the pain of Tev's rejection. Had she gone home , she would have added a few more cuts to her flesh. She had the strong urge to do so now, an urge she hadn't felt since meeting Tev. Anything to stop t he pain his words caused, floating about in her mind. Could she have misjudg ed him so terribly? She fisted a section of hair next to her scalp and applied extreme pr essure, welcoming the pain. Had she been alone, simply tugging on her hair w ould never be enough. She had the desire to draw blood -- it would allow her to forget the anguish inflicted upon her over which she had no control.

When she had left Tev's and stood on the street waiting for a cab, sh e had been in a rage. So angry that surely, had he been standing there, she would have pummeled him with her fists until her anger died and she left him bruised and battered. Instead, left to her inner self, her blinding fury tu rned to numbness, a withdrawal, that by the time the cab stopped beside her car at Pandemonium, the world seemed unreal. She welcomed any self-inflicted pain, fulfilling some inner need. The pain had always caused euphoria -- a natural high. A temporary release from the negative feelings Tev had unleash ed with his accusations. Strangely, pulling on her hair helped her cope and escape the numbness that had set in. Amber returned to the living area with two steaming mugs of coffee. Sh e handed one to Krys, who reached for the cup with her free hand, her other s till fisted at her scalp. "Are you all right, Krys?" Amber asked, taking a seat across from her. Her gaze fixed on the hand tightened in Krys's hair. Amber palmed her cup between her hands and leaned forward. Krys saw the uncertainty in Amber's gaze. She released the grip on her hair and pl aced both hands on her steaming mug. "I needed someone to talk to. I'm sorry I woke you." Amber glanced at the wall clock. "It's all right, really. I have to work today. I'm normally out of bed by six anyway." "But it's five-thirty." Amber shrugged and smiled. "Don't worry. Now tell me what happened ." Tears fell anew. Krys angrily swiped at them. "It's Tev." "What about him? Did you go to Pandemonium last night?" Krys reveled in the heat of the cup as she held tightly unto it. She stare d into the glassy liquid, seeing her pitiful reflection. "Yes." "And what happened?" She glanced up. "I hadn't seen Tev in two weeks. I thought I'd go nuts because of his absence. I don't know why he affects me the way he does. But I finally ran into him again last night." "Do you think you love him?" She laughed, the chuckle ending on a hiccup. "That's ridiculous! I don 't even know him enough to like him, let alone love him." "So why is he so different from any other guy you've met?" "Maybe it's because he's so different from Raven, Azzo -- the other guys that hang at Pandemonium. It's as if he doesn't really fit in." "How so?" Amber's tone seemed agitated, telling Krys that her referr ing to Raven in the negative had upset her. "He drinks blood. That doesn't make him so much different from Raven." "I didn't mean to imply anything was wrong with Raven. I know how yo

u feel about him." Amber patted Krys's knee. "No offense taken. I know you aren't into thei r lifestyle." "No, but I would never belittle you." "I know. Now tell me about Tev. What happened?" Her face heated, surely reddening it. How in the world would she tell Amber that she threw herself at Tev and he had rejected her? She had behave d as wanton as a hussy. "The night started out well enough. I approached him at the bar. I fe lt like I was dying. Seriously. For two weeks all I could think about was hi m." Krys looked at her lap again. "I don't know why. Something about him has captivated me." She glanced up. "I've never felt that way about any man." Amber's eyes widened. "You've never had a boyfriend? As beautiful as you are?" "I've never wanted one." Thoughts of her father and uncle crept back into the recesses of her m ind. She stayed the urge to pull at her hair again. Maybe she should have gon e home. Cutting herself would have given her a sense of control. As it was, s he felt as though she had lost the reins...and to another man, no less. "Without going into my past, let me just say I was brought up to beli eve all men were pigs. They take what they want without caring how it might affect you. I never wanted to put myself at the mercy of another man." "But you see Tev as being different?" "Somehow, yes. Strange, really. One moment he's kind and caring, not pu shy at all. The next he's crude, insulting like the rest of men and their kind ." "If you despise men so, then why live with Azzo and Raven?" "I came to know Azzo. He offered me a place to stay. And since he's g ay, I never felt threatened. Raven came along later. Azzo did a favor for a friend giving him a place to stay. I wasn't happy about it at first and avoi ded him. I realized, though, that I wasn't Raven's type. He never made any i nnuendoes or moves on me." "I don't get it -- I would think you would be every man's type." "You're so far from the truth, Amber. Most men shy away from me." "Maybe you scare the hell out of them." "Maybe." "So what happened to change your opinion about Tev?" "I rarely feel good about myself," Krys said, a tear slipping from her lash. "I don't see what everyone else does when they look at themselves in t he mirror. What I see is a homely little girl, who has yet to grow up in many ways. At times I want to be an adult, at others I still feel like I'm fourte en. I want what everyone does...to be loved. I just don't think anyone could

ever love me and that scares me. That I'm not lovable. I push away everyone w ho tries to get close to me for fear of being hurt." "Is that what happened with Tev? Did you push him away?" Krys laughed nervously, running a shaky hand beneath her nose. "No, fo r once I tried to do the opposite. I tried to hold on to him. So much so I pu shed him away. I told you, I'm just not lovable." "I disagree. I see a woman who is extremely lovable. She just doesn't k now how to accept it." "I don't know about that. But thanks." "So what did you do to push Tev away?" "We got along well enough at first. But for some reason he insists I tell him what it is I am looking for in him." "And what's that?" Krys shook her head, then took a sip of her coffee. "I wish I knew. T he only thing I do know is I miss him when he's not there and he's all I thi nk about. He accused me of playing games and meant to leave. When I followed , he took me back to his place." "And?" Amber prodded. More tears slipped past her lashes and her lower lip began to tremble. " I threw myself at him." "As in you asked him to have sex?" "In so many words, yes." Krys sat her coffee cup on the stand and ran her hands down her face, blowing out a stream of air. "I was all over him a nd...he rejected me. Pushed me away." "I can't imagine any man pushing you away. Is he gay?" "I don't think so. He said he _wanted_ to make love to me." "Then I don't understand the problem." Krys ground her teeth as the earlier rage bubbled up her spine, takin g over the anguish. "He might as well have called me a slut, Amber. He asked me if I offer the same to every man." Amber winced. "Exactly. Right now I couldn't feel any lower on the scale of life." She stared at Amber. "Tev couldn't be farther from the truth." "Can I ask you something without you getting angry?" "Sure." "If it's not normally how you do things, why offer yourself to Tev?" Krys clasped her hands and looked at her lap. "Because I was more afr aid of never seeing him again." "Oh, for crying out loud," Damien grumbled, brushing his black silky hair from his forehead. He turned from the door and headed for the living room, allowing Cole to enter. "Couldn't you have picked a more decent hour to stop by? I know it's been a while, but I'm much better after I've had mo

re than four hours of sleep. What the hell do you want this time? Accuse me of yet another crime I couldn't have possibly committed?" "I suppose I deserve that," Cole said, following him through the foye r of a very nice home. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, and what looked l ike expensive artwork graced the walls. "Damn, looks like you struck it rich ." "Screw you." Damien poured a cup of coffee from a pot someone had obviously made a few hours earlier. "What the hell are you doing in Chica go? Don't you have phantoms to catch in Fairview Park?" Cole pulled out a kitchen stool covered in royal blue leather and sat on it. The counter tops were decked in scarlet marble. Surely Damien wasn't a ffording this place on his own. "Actually, I have a phantom to chase right he re." "Really?" Damien set a matching mug of java in front of Cole. "As I rec all, you take yours black." "Hasn't changed." Cole picked up the cup and took a good swallow, fe eling the heat travel down his limbs, warming him from the brisk outdoors. Outside, snow had already begun to fall. "So what brings you by?" Damien took a seat next to Cole and leaned an elbow on the glassy marble. "Who you chasing this time?" "Sandy Brown. Ring a bell?" "You got to be kidding, man." Damien stiffened his shoulders. "And yo u think he's in Chicago?" "I know he is." "The murders in the parks -- " "So you've heard about them?" "Of course, I just never made a connection. Or maybe I didn't want to see it. Who the hell knows..." Damien ran a hand down his mouth and whi skered jaw. "Shit. Why the hell Chicago and not somewhere else like the We st Coast? I'd swear he's following my ass." "You're guess is as good as mine and maybe you're right. Maybe he is f ollowing you. I take it you haven't seen him?" Damien snorted. "If I had, don't you think you'd have been the first pers on I called?" "I would hope so." "Have any leads?" "Not really. All we have is six dead women, four of them prostitutes, i n about four months time. It's his signature and MO." Damien pulled his plaid robe close about his neck. "Still slicing their th roats?" "Yeah -- and they don't see it coming. Same blitz-style attacks." "Any known connection with the dead women?"

"Not that I can see. That's why I'm hoping you can help. You know Sa ndy better than any of us." Cole paused, took a sip of coffee, then looked Damien square in the eye. "Where would he be hanging?" He shrugged, then blew across the surface of his coffee before taking his own sip. "I'd say hanging at rock clubs. Music was his life. But even w hen you think you know someone, you find out you really don't." "The Chicago PD have some officers scanning the clubs for him -- some of the seedier ones, anyway. If we find him, I have a feeling it will be at o ne of these places." "Don't be so sure, man. The last time you found him he was right benea th your nose." Cole could not dispute that. Sandy Brown had been hiding in plain si ght, had even been to his apartment on several occasions. Brown had _cojone s_ the size of wrecking balls. "The question is, would we recognize him?" "I don't think he could change his looks enough for you or I not to. Bu t to someone who didn't know him as well, it's possible." "All I know is we have to find him, and quick, before more people die ." Cole snapped his fingers. "Last time we used the press to our advantage. You think maybe Laurie could call in some favors and get the Chicago _Tribun e_ to print an article?" "You want to chance sending him over the edge again, man?" "What choice do we have? This son of a bitch isn't going to stop until we take him out." "I still don't think it's a wise idea. Brown is nuts. He'd only draw you i nto his sick little game again like he did last time. And let's not forget it alm ost cost Laurie her life." "I'm not about to forget. Why do you think I'm here? Laurie needs cl osure and that's only going to happen when Brown is executed." Cole scratch ed his head. "I need something that will draw him out." "That could be your wife, if you want him bad enough." "Excuse me?" Cole widened his gaze. "Sandy had a thing for Laurie. You know that. All the girls he killed have that same straight brown hair and brown eyes. Maybe if he knows she's in Chicago with you -- " "How the hell do you know that she's even here, Damien?" Damien ran a hand through his hair, pushing it away from his face. " Wild guess. Don't get all shook up about it, man. I just know you weren't a bout to leave her at home while you traveled. What if Sandy found out you w ere here and went back to Fairview Park to kill her? You couldn't take that chance." "True enough." Cole cleared his voice in an attempt to calm his risi ng ire. He hated the idea of Damien even suggesting he use his wife as bait

. "So what brought _you_ to Chicago? Is it just a coincidence that both you and Brown show up in the same damned town?" "Oh, here we go." "What is that supposed to mean?" So much for controlling his rising t emper, Cole thought. Damien had a distinct way of pissing him off. "I knew it was only a matter of time before you got around to blamin g me for some cockamamie bullshit." "Facts don't lie, Damien." "No, they don't. And as you recall, I wasn't involved the last time the se types of murders happened." "But you knew every one of the victims." Damien's face reddened. "But I don't know any of these." "You sure?" He slapped the counter. "I read about them in the paper. I don't know a ny of them." "You said that last time." Damien stood, threw the dregs of his coffee into the sink, then set the cup on the marble counter. "If you don't mind, I have better things to do." Cole nodded, then followed suit. "I don't suppose I have much more to ask right now anyway. I'll be in touch. And I'd appreciate it if no one knows I'm here." "I won't tell anyone, if that's what you are getting at." Damien's smi le was almost sinister. No wonder Laurie never trusted him. "How is Laurie, b y the way?" "She's doing good, all things considered." "I really am sorry about Cindy." Cole stiffened. When Damien Vincent decided he wanted Laurie instead of her close friend Cindy VanWarren, the unstable blonde had ended her lif e. But as Cole had repeated to Laurie just after their arrival in Chicago, he felt Damien should not be held accountable for Cindy's suicide. "That was a long time ago, Damien. Time to let it go." "Laurie hasn't forgiven me." Cole shrugged. "But it's not something we talk much about any more. Besides, what does it matter now?" "Because I can't forgive myself. Not when Laurie still hates me for som ething I had no control over." "Don't lose any sleep over it." Cole let out a tired sigh. "Besides, does n't look like you've done too badly for yourself." Damien's gaze did a sweep of the kitchen. "Yeah, you'd think so. Bu t come tomorrow, another month, another gig, who knows." Cole chuckled. "It's always been about rock 'n' roll with you, Damien. Never staying in one place too long."

-------*Chapter Fourteen* Tevan walked into Chief Whitey's office, the weight of the world on his shoulders. The night before paid a toll on his conscious for the way he had treated Krys. He wanted this damned assignment over so he could get on with his life and try like hell to forget the girl even existed. Damn her for playing havoc with his emotions. Had he been anyone but the honorable m an he tried hard to be, he would have awoken one satisfied man this morning . As it was, he was grumpier than a nest full of angry hornets. In obvious shock at seeing Tevan stroll into his office unannounced, t he stocky chief nearly upset his chair when he stumbled to his feet. Whitey w ould no doubt be spitting mad. Tevan took a hell of a risk coming here. But a t this point, he no longer cared. He just wanted this case closed. "What the hell are you doing here, Zaber? Better be to tell me you k now who the perp is -- otherwise you may have just blown your damned cover! " Whitey's face reddened in his rising ire. "What possessed you to come her e? And it better be good!" Tev knew coming to the precinct had not been the wisest decision, but he'd covered his tracks. "Trust me for once -- no one followed." "Didn't you say Raven found out where you lived...by following you? How do you know that he didn't do it again?" Whitey circled his desk and slammed the heavy wood-and-glass door so hard Tev was surprised the window didn't shatter. "Have you lost it, Zaber?" "You tell me." Tev tried to keep a leash on his rising temper. "You' re the one who stuck me on this case, who made me go undercover with a bunc h of love-sick youths, starving for attention. Not to mention putting me in one helluva position where I may have to drink blood to prove my loyalty. Did you ever stop and think about that when you asked me to do this?" Whitey's red face blanched white in the span of a heartbeat. "You dra nk blood?" his voice came out in a hoarse whisper. He crossed himself. Tev sat heavily in the leather chair across from Whitey's metal desk a nd plopped his booted feet on the corner, crossing them at the ankle. He lace d his fingers together over his chest, feeling he had the upper hand. "Not ye t I haven't, though I won't be able to avoid it forever. Twice I've managed t o skirt the issue. But now, because of this case, I've had one drink from me." "Dear God," Whitey mumbled, then returned to his chair, rocking it as he fell into it. "You want to elaborate? Can't you get diseases? AIDS?" "I sure the hell hope not. It's too damned late to worry about that now , isn't it? But that's not why I'm here, Whitey. I'll worry about my undercove r work and the ramifications -- you tell me what you have on this case so far. The sooner we get this thing solved, the sooner I get back to my life...what the hell is left of it."

"Not much, unfortunately." Tev knew Whitey referred to the case and not the last part of his statem ent. But he couldn't help thinking how it reflected that as well. "No more dead girls -- not since the one found in the park. Lieuten ant Kincaid is working behind the scenes and Special Agent Mathers will be in town next week. He seemed excited as hell that Brown had resurfaced. H e wants this asshole caught. What about you? You dig up anything?" "Not much. As I said, I've met a few interesting characters. They see m to be nothing more than lonely kids who never had a break in life or were ignored by their families. They look for love elsewhere. To them, the vampyr e lifestyle is attractive. On the whole, they're nice kids. Wouldn't hurt an yone." "Anyone suspect?" "Just one has me curious -- but I don't even know if he's a vampyre or what the hell his story is. Goes by the name Azzo." "Any specifics?" "His place of residence -- I followed Raven home one night. Turned th e tables. Why don't you see what you can dig up on the guy? Priors to the ad dress...that kind of thing. Meanwhile, I'll go to the county registrar and s ee what name I can come up with on the deed to the place." Whitey scribbled down the number of the house on Ridge in Evanston. Tev knew the area to have some large homes, old money. Either this man in herited a large sum, or someone was seeing to it he was well taken care of. "This guy lives well, huh?" "Seems so. Krys and Raven live with him, but I doubt they generate a l ot of capital." Tev plopped his feet to the floor and leaned forward. "I don' t even know what this guy does for a living, but the bills on that house have to be astronomical." "I'll have it looked into." "The uniforms or dicks digging up anything on Brown in the club scene s?" Whitey tugged on his earlobe. "Nothing yet. They've been showing arou nd that mug shot and it's as if the guy doesn't exist. Either that or he's c hanged his looks so much no one recognizes him. Maybe we're looking in the w rong direction." "Funny, that's what I've just been told." Cole Kincaid entered the ro om and closed the door behind him. "Maybe we are." Whitey stood and shook Cole's hand, then indicated he take a seat nex t to Tev. In acknowledgment, Tev nodded at the man. He had talked to the fam ed lieutenant on the phone, but this was their first face-to-face meeting. C ole's nearly black hair was parted to the side, bangs falling over his foreh ead. His dark eyebrows slanted upward at an odd angle, accenting dark, astut

e eyes. His gaze appeared to hold many shadows of past cases. Cole continued. "I went to see Damien Vincent. He brought up a good point. Last time Brown was on the loose, he was right beneath my nose the e ntire time." "How so?" Tev asked, turning slightly in his chair to face him. "The whole time we were looking for him, he was hanging with my roo mmate, even came to our apartment. Check closer to home. He thrives off th e challenge." "Like where?" Whitey asked, his white brows drawing near the bridge of his nose. "How the hell would one of us be hanging near him?" "Since I don't have a roommate," Tev pointed out, "closest I can get to him is the places I frequent." "A good place to start," Cole replied. Tev looked at the chief. "The few months I've been hanging at Pandem onium, I haven't seen anyone suspicious other than Azzo." "Anyone attempting to get close to you? Want to know your business?" Cole asked. "I've made a few acquaintances, but nothing really suspect." "I think you need to start talking about the victims," Cole said. "S how a curiosity regarding the unsolved cases. The chief says you're marked as a vampyre by some of the community -- again, it's a good place to start. We need to go proactive. Draw this guy out. He hasn't started leaving quot es yet, which means he hasn't even begun to play. With my experience, I kno w he wants close to the action, hang where he can find out what's going on. Maybe you should tell others you have friends on the force. Tell them you think they have a suspect. See who suddenly wants to know more, hangs on yo ur every word." "Is that how Brown acted in the past?" Whitey asked. "Not really. He knew I was a cop. Otherwise I would have guessed him in a heartbeat. He seemed disinterested in the conversations. But he was t here. Privy to everything I discussed with Damien about the cases. He's a s mart one." Cole stood and headed for the coffeepot. "You might have something there, Cole," Whitey said. "Tev? Think you c an get in there, start showing interest in the perp?" Tev slowly nodded. "It might work. What about Damien? Is he on the l evel?" Cole shook his head. "Damien will be a dead end. I don't think Brow n is stupid enough to surface where he would be recognized. If Dragonslaye r plays frequently at Pandemonium, you may need to find another hanging gr ound. You won't find Brown there." "I hadn't thought of that," Whitey jumped in. "Any way to find a new p lace to hang out, Tev, without losing contacts?"

Tev shrugged. "I spent two weeks looking at other clubs. The closest I could get to any vampyres or kids that practice the lifestyle is Pandemoni um. I heard some talk about covens and underground clubs. The only way you c an find them is to be on the inside. I'm still working on that, but I'm gett ing closer." "Raven not trusting you?" "Not quite." Tev rubbed the stubble he had recently began to grow bene ath his lip. "Raven is just now starting to accept me for who I say I am." "What about the girl you mentioned?" Tev's body stiffened. Sending Krys packing last night had to be the h ardest thing he had ever done. He'd be lucky if she ever talked to him again , let alone got him in good graces with Raven and Azzo. But wasn't that his intentions to distance himself from her? Though he had accomplished what he had sought to do, it left an aching hole in his chest. "Not much to tell." "Can she get you in with them faster? We don't have a lot of time. Anoth er girl will die before long." "Krys is out of the picture. She knows nothing." "Wasn't she your connection with Raven and Azzo?" asked Whitey. "I don't need her now that Raven is starting to trust me." "I disagree. Get in close; go to the house, scope out the place. See wha t you can find on Azzo." "I don't think you want me to do that, Chief." Whitey narrowed his gaze. "Why not?" "Because the woman made a pass at me. She's made it clear where she w ants the relationship to go." Cole chuckled. "This is a bad thing?" "Very funny, Lieutenant. You guys haven't seen this girl. She's beautif ul, eighteen. Not something that's easy to turn away." Whitey's brows rose. "Can't control your penis, Zaber?" Tev gritted his teeth. Given the chance for a repeat of the previous ni ght, Tev would say the hell with morals and carry Krys to the first available bed. Going to her house was not an option. "I'm in the middle of a divorce, I have a kid that hates me, and I haven 't had sex in weeks, so what the hell do you expect?" "Your personal life isn't the precinct's problem. What I want is for yo u to get in good with that woman. I think she's the key to this whole mess, th e link to this underground society we're looking for." Tevan wanted nothing more than to walk from the room and slam the doo r, washing his hands of the whole sordid case. But that Detective promotion was all he had left in his pathetic life. Whitey was putting him in a helluv a spot. Tev wouldn't be able to keep his hands off of Krystal. Hell, he didn 't even have a clue to what her last name was and all he could think about w

as sliding between those milky-white thighs. He was going to hell -- no two ways about it. "I feel for you." Cole laughed again. "You have your work cut out for you. Reminds me of my own tough time trying to catch this son of a bitch." "You had a problem with a woman on the case?" "Damned nosy reporter." "And what happened to her?" Cole's grin nearly split his face. "I married her." Tev grimaced. "All right, I'll go back to Pandemonium tonight and find Krys. I have some heavy-duty apologizing to do, but I'll get her to take me to her place so I can search it." "Maybe you can get her so drunk she passes out. That might buy you t ime to give the place a thorough once-over," Cole suggested. "And keeping y ou from having to...well...perform," he added with a chortle. "This isn't funny, damn it." Tev's anger raised a notch. If he slept w ith Krys, the chief would have no one to blame but himself. Whitey couldn't s tick a kid with a sweet tooth in a candy store and not expect him to sample t he product. "I'll do what you say, though, since she doesn't drink, getting h er drunk is not an option. I'll figure something out. Meanwhile, work things from this angle. It's obvious Brown won't be hanging in clubs where Dragonsla yer is playing. I'll try my best to find these covens. I've wasted enough tim e." "We've been bringing in patrons of O'Mallory's, the bar where the lat est victim was last seen," Whitey said. "So far, no one's recognized any of the mug shots -- including Brown's. But we're not giving up. I would lay odd s he was in there. What doesn't make sense, though -- this was an Irish pub, not a rock club, his known type of hang out. Seems like a random picking, a victim of opportunity." "Maybe he's changed how he finds his victims. After all, he no longer has Damien's coattails to ride on," Cole chimed in. "Victim of opportunity is much easier than hand-selecting them. Could be he's getting lazy. But I stil l wouldn't count out a trail. Put a detective on checking the girls' pasts, w ho they dated, where they hung out, that kind of thing." "We've been checking their backgrounds and haven't found a connectin g link, Lieutenant. But you might be right about the past boyfriend or hang out angle. I'll have my men dig deeper." Whitey stood. "Let's go into the c onference room and look at the map, see if we can chart a pattern with the crime scenes. See if anything looks unusual." Both men followed Whitey from his office to the large conference area . They walked down a long hall, shouldering past several uniforms, before co ming to the sixth door on the right. Smoke hung heavy in the room beneath th e fluorescent lights. Metal chairs surrounded a large center table, some pus

hed in, others sitting askance. Whitey approached a large city map with pins stuck into it, taped to the wall. At a glance, there seemed to be no patter n where the victims had died and were found. A back alley, a park, the water front. Six photos of the dead girls hung in a row next to the map, a brief de scription of the crime, case number, and scene posted below them. Each of the ir names were taped to the stick pins that represented their points of death. "The only thing I can see is that they all remained within the distric t," Cole said. "Probably coincidental. Come up with anything on that two-hund red-mile radius check?" "If you're asking have we found a similar crime in that area," Whitey re plied, "only one. But it doesn't fit the MO." "In or out of the district?" Cole asked as Tev studied the pictures and victim profiles, looking for something that could connect them. "In," Whitey replied. "We had another murder three weeks ago. Cliff ord C. Wyland III. Found him face down in the rocks along Lake Shore Drive ." Whitey pointed to one of the pins on the map. "Not far from where Canda ce was found." Tev left the photos behind and walked to where Cole and the chief sto od. "How was he killed?" "Throat slit...ear to ear." "You don't think there's a connection?" Whitey shook his head. "Doesn't add up. No bite marks, and he's male. I don't think it's the same perp. "Neck wounds compared?" Cole asked. "Yes. Not the same knife. Our unknown subject is using a serrated blad e. Whoever did Clifford used a large hunting knife, but it wasn't serrated." "Who was this guy?" Tev asked. "Know of a possible motive or subject ?" Whitey sat on the corner of the metal table, leaving one leg dangling over the edge. He crossed his arms over his barrel chest. "We're looking in to the son, only child. He stood to gain a great deal of money from the old man's death. Appears the old guy's grandson has leukemia and this money is g oing to come in handy." "Other than possible motive, any proof?" Tev asked. "We don't have any more on that case than we have on these." Whitey's hand indicated the wall of women. "We don't find this sick piece of shit so on, we'll need more room for photos." Anger ran through his veins, making him grit his teeth. For the good of the case, Tev knew Whitey had been correct. In order to gain the inner circle, in order to learn more about Azzo, he needed to get closer to Krys. But damn, he hated using her. As much as he detested the idea, knowing wha

t would ultimately transpire between them, if it meant solving the case, he would have to get closer to Raven and Azzo by any means. Bile churned in his stomach. Should she ever find out he was a cop se eking information, using her, she would never forgive him. He walked toward the bar. The spiked-blond set a draft in front of him and meant to walk away after picking up the bills Tev laid beside it. "You see Krys?" he asked, stopping him. "She's here somewhere. It's not my turn to baby-sit." Tev nodded, then skimmed the dimly lit room. Fog obscured the dance f loor, making it hard to tell if Krys was there. As usual, glow sticks abound ed as dancers raged and twisted in time to some piece by Gravity Kills. He s ettled his back against the bar, resting his elbows atop it and waited. Soon er or later she would surface. A flash of red from the side of the room caught his eye. He turned jus t in time to see her enter the women's restroom, taking a hasty glance in his direction, making it obvious she meant to avoid him. Setting his draft on the bar, he strode toward the same door. Not car ing who else might be in attendance, he entered the lady's room and passed a tall, leggy redhead on her way out. She gave him the once-over and smiled. Tevan didn't return the gesture. He glanced beneath the stalls, seeing no other pairs of feet but Krys's, telling him they were alone for the moment. "Krys," he said, the sound echoing. "We need to talk." "Go away," she spat in a tear-strained voice. This wasn't going to be ea sy. He'd have to grovel. "I didn't mean all the crap I said last night. I don't know how to h andle you and me, you know? The emotions you stir up scare the hell out of me." That much was true. Tevan had never wanted another woman with such int ensity. Silence greeted his confession. At least she had not stormed from the s tall and attempted to claw out his eyes, making him believe that she was at le ast willing to hear him out. "I don't," he paused, looking for the right words. If they didn't come from the heart, she would never believe him. "I don't think you're a slut. O n the contrary, you're probably one of the most sensuous women I've ever met. I've never needed anyone in my life. I've always been somewhat of a loner. B ut I can't stop thinking about you." He heard her shoes shuffle on the tile floor, as if in indecision as to whether she should leave her quiet sanctuary and face him. "I lashed out because I was afraid, Krys. Can you at least understand tha t?" The restroom door opened, almost hitting him in the back. A black-ha

ired woman stopped entering when she saw him. "The room's occupied," he sai d, closing the door in her face. He advanced on the stall. "Krys, it would be easier to talk to your face t han to a cold steel door. Please, I'm trying to tell you I'm sorry." She could not possibly know how sorry he was. After she had left in t he wee hours of the morning, he had lain awake for hours, pondering what his words had done, until he had given up and went to the station. At the time, he thought it the only option -- to push her away. A torrid affair in the m idst of an investigation was against all rules. Whitey, however, had forced Tev into retracting his harsh statements, something Tev had ached to do the moment she slammed the door and left to find a taxi. "Go away, Tev." "Please, Krys." He pushed open the stall door. Thankfully, she had not l atched it. "Talk to me." When she glanced up from her seat on the toilet lid, it tore his heart in two to know that he had caused her such anguish. "Do you know how much I hate you right now?" she asked. He grasped her hand and pulled her from the seat and into his embrac e. His arms enveloped her as one hand cupped the back of her head and held it against his shoulder. He kissed the top of her hair. The smell of white orchids encompassed him. Her body shook as she cried. He stroked her back w ith his free hand, feeling uncomfortable as hell. He had never been good at consoling women. They were a strange, mystical breed. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I never meant to cause you harm. I'm an idiot. " "There you go again," she whispered against his shoulder, "acting the gentleman. I'm never sure which part of you I'm going to encounter." He smiled at her lame attempt at a joke. "After last night, you should t hink the worst of me. I shouldn't have said those things. I was an ass." She nodded in agreement. "Will you forgive me?" Another nod. "That means you're giving me another chance?" Again, a nod. He grasped her face between his palms and stared into her eyes. "I see pain, and I caused it." He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead . "I never wanted to hurt you, sweetheart. In fact, I never intended to feel the way I do about you. My soul has been so empty -- I've been alone for what feels like forever. It's all I know. And then along comes you. I didn't know how to handle my feelings, so I pushed you away." "You're not the only one torn, Tev. I'm fighting demons, too. Things y ou couldn't even fathom. But every day that I see you, you seem to take down

the wall I've surrounded myself in -- one brick at a time. Part of me wants t o stay hidden, the other part wants to see what I've been missing all these y ears." "You're a kid, Krys. What could you possibly know about the world?" "I'm eighteen." He chuckled. "As I said." "Most girls I know have boyfriends, and have had sex by the time they'r e fourteen." His brows rose; his breath caught in his throat. Surely she wasn't unto uched. Hell, that's just what he needed. If that were the case, he'd never tou ch her and would die in want. "You're a virgin?" Her lips turned down as her gaze darkened. He suddenly wondered abou t those demons haunting her. Whatever she ran from in her past was not some thing she'd easily talk about. "I'm afraid not. But that's not what I meant . I've never had someone I really cared about, or who cared about me. I've been alone most of my life. That's why you scare me. I don't even know how to act around a man who's interested. Maybe that's why I came on so strong, for fear you would turn away. And I was right." This close to her, he could hardly concentrate on her words, other th an the fact he frightened her as much as she did him. He leaned in, pinned h er against the cold metal stall, and clasped her face between his palms. Wit h eyes filled with uncertainty and desire, she glanced at him. Closing the g ap, he placed his lips on hers, meaning a caress, nothing more. The silky fl esh and hot-cinnamon taste drove all sane thought from his mind. Her hands fisted in the front of his shirt, holding onto him tightly, as though fearful of allowing him to go. With her tiny gasp, he slipped his t ongue within the satiny flesh and coaxed hers into action. His heart beat hea vily in his chest; his limbs numbed as the entire room spun out of focus. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the desire this woman evoked from him. Ne ver had he felt so out of control, driven by his hunger. His body had a will of its own as he pressed into her, his erection trapped intimately between th em. God help him, he had lost the battle. His hands left her face and traveled down her sides, smoothing over her breasts, down her slender hips, and gathered the hem of her red dress. He slid the silky material upward, wanting nothing separating their flesh. He wanted to bury himself to the hilt and have her moaning his name. There was no turning back. Job or no job, he wanted this woman. Krys released his shirt; her hands traveled to the buckle of his leath ers. The restroom door opened, banging against the inside wall. Tev jumped, t hen pushed Krys further into the stall and shut the door, latching it behind them, causing her to giggle. Someone entered the enclosure next to theirs. Te v covered her mouth with his, stilling any more giggles from erupting. Krys g

rasped the hair at his nape, returning all he gave. Water ran, then a flush could be heard before the door clattered open. Footfalls fell as someone approached the sink, washed their hands, pushed th e automatic dryer, then left. Krys broke the kiss, and stood back from Tev. "Let's get out of here, " she whispered, wiping the remaining wetness and smeared lipstick from her mouth. "Your place?" he asked, feeling the heel, knowing he had ulterior motiv es. She paused as though debating his reasoning, since he was the one who lived alone. But to his luck, without question, Krys grasped his hand. "My place." -------*Chapter Fifteen* The ride to Azzo's house was a long, silent one. Rows of trees, parke d cars, and houses flashed by in a haze as Krys paid little attention to the passing landscape. She had no idea what to say to Tev now that she had him alone. Her thoughts returned to the previous night. And although he had apol ogized for the cruel taunts and jabs, she had trouble forgetting them. He ha d hurt her deeply, and that pain was not easily forgotten, and certainly not within the span of twenty-four hours. Her stomach knotted; fear danced up her spine. Krys never contemplat ed sex for the simple reason she had thought it something she would never d o again. Not in her lifetime. Not since her father and uncle drove her head long into premature adulthood three years ago. Now here she sat, next to a desirable man, one that made her insides quiver and limbs numb. But althoug h her body very much wanted to explore the possibilities of what a man coul d do for a woman, she wasn't sure she would be physically capable of going through with what Tev had every right to expect, especially after her previ ous behavior. She had reached the point of no return. And no matter what the night had in store, she would have to deal with the ramifications. She had throw n herself at Tev, to her chagrin, and all but pulled him from Pandemonium m ere minutes ago with the intention of finishing what they had started at hi s apartment last night. She had been angry with him for pushing her away an d insinuating that she acted in a similar manner to every man. But in some remote area of her mind, she had also been relieved, relieved not to have p ushed the envelope and wound up beneath him as he rutted above her like an animal. Would sex with him truly be so bad? Now she sat worrying worried wh ether she would even be able to carry through with what he desired. Tev pulled his sedan to the curb in front of the large well landscape d home Krys had indicated. The windows shown black like large forbidding hol

es. The only illumination came from that of the porch, telling Krys no one w as in residence. She alighted from the vehicle, not giving Tev a chance to c ircle the car and open her door. Her nerves had her stomach doing flip-flops . If she ever made it through this night without getting physically ill, it would be a miracle. Too bad she didn't drink, because right now she could ce rtainly use one. Looking back, she saw Tev following her up the walk, ducking beneath the branches of one of the weeping willows that obscured the front of the home and partially shielded the walkway. She dug into her small red handbag , finding the key and unlocking the door. The warmth hit her the minute she entered the foyer, soothing the shivers racking her body from the cold, bl ustery night. She took off her leather waistcoat and hung it in the hallway closet, then gestured for Tev to hand her his jacket. She closed the door and walked through the foyer to a family room situated near the rear of the house, turning on lights as she went. It would not speak well of her to ta ke him to her bedroom. She didn't want him privy to her personal sanctuary. No one entered her personal space, including Raven and Azzo. She nearly giggled at the thought. Here she contemplated giving this man something she allowed no others, yet she could not bring herself to invi te him into the private world of her room. Grabbing the remote, she flipped on the wide-screen television that laid flat against the far wall. Sound fil led the room through Azzo's extensive stereo system. Tev stood in the room's center, obviously impressed with the home theater, by the expression on his face. To the left of the screen, French doors opened to an enclosed patio h ousing a Jacuzzi. Condensation gathered on the windows from the rising steam , obscuring the view into the night. Azzo often left the Jacuzzi on; he woul d say, "What good is it if I have to wait to fill the damned thing every tim e I get the urge to entertain?" Luckily for Krys, it went unused this night. She would have been mortified to bring Tev home while Azzo was preoccupied with one of his lovers. "Something you'd like to watch?" Tev jerked as if she had interrupted his thoughts and had forgotten s he stood behind him. He blinked a few times. "Whatever you want is fine. I d on't watch much television." She smiled. "Me, either." Leaving the tuner on MTV2, a video from Third Eye Blind played with a n attractive blonde hanging from the lead singer's leg. Krys thought about t he desperate hold she tried to keep on Tev, so afraid of him walking out of her life that she would try anything to work past her anxieties. "Would you like something to drink?" "A glass of water would be fine." Krys ran a hand through his mussed hair, just above his ear. Being

able to touch him made him somehow more real. She feared closing her eyes and having him vanish, that he was nothing more than the figment of a lone ly soul's imagination. She wondered how it would feel to run her hands dow n his naked flesh. "We have alcohol." Krys smiled. "Azzo drinks now and then. I think we have some wine, possibly Merlot. It's his favorite." Tev ran a knuckle down the line of her jaw, his expression unreadable. " Merlot is fine." Krys stepped from his touch, leaving her flesh tingling and alive. I t amazed her how a simple gesture could send such desire bubbling through h er veins like molten lava running down the side of a volcano. Even though s he had just come in from the cold, heat consumed her, pooled in her abdomen . Shaking off the notion, she walked to the kitchen and took a green-s temmed wine glass from the cupboard. The cork pulled from the bottle of Mer lot with a soft pop. Pouring the deep burgundy liquid into the glass, the f ruity black cherry scent wafted to her nose. Krys returned to the family ro om, carrying the wine and a glass of water for herself. Tev had made himsel f comfortable, looking at home on the deep-cushioned sofa. She handed him t he Merlot as his dark gaze did a casual sweep of her body. "I can put a movie in, if you prefer to watch something," she suggest ed. Anything to get Tev's attention off her and on to something else. Maybe bringing him here had been a huge mistake. Her insides quivered; her fingers trembled. She toyed with the short hemline of her skirt, pulling downward. He patted the sofa beside him. "You're making me nervous. Have a seat . I'm not going to hurt you." He raised two fingers. "Scout's honor." Krys obliged, but sat a half-cushion away, leaving a wide expanse bet ween them, causing his grin to turn sheepish. He placed his free arm along t he back of the couch; his fingers dangled on her shoulder. He caressed the a rea, tracing circles with his index finger. The gesture seemed simple enough , but it left Krys weak. Whether out of fright or desire, she refused to exa mine. She took in a deep, shuddering breath. He offered her another smile, then took a sip of the Merlot and glance d at her with approval. "Very good vintage." Heat warmed her cheeks. "Azzo claims to be a wine connoisseur, so I wou ld assume it's only the best. I've never tried the stuff myself. As I said, I' m not a fan of alcohol." He took another swallow of the Merlot, then set the glass on the stand in front of the sofa. "Come here," he said, his tone soft and beckoning. Looking into his rich, warm eyes, there was no way she could refuse. H e had bewitched her too easily. She scooted closer and he draped his arm abou t her shoulder, allowing her to snuggle into his heat. Tev kissed the top of

her head, then lay his cheek against it. "There's no reason to be frightened," he whispered. "We won't do anythi ng that isn't comfortable to you. If you want, we can talk all night." "Just talk?" she asked, tilting her head so she could see the look in hi s eyes. Surely he jested. Men never wanted to _just talk._ "If that's what you want. I'm not here to make you feel uncomfortable. I n fact, if it would make you feel better, I could leave." "It's not what I want." "Then relax and tell me about yourself." She sighed and snuggled against him. "There's not much to tell. I don't have many friends -- like you, I'm a loner." "Where are your parents?" She stiffened. Although she did not relish the idea of talking about her family, or lack thereof, she would allow him a little glimpse if he returned t he favor. "I'll agree to tell you a bit about myself if you allow me to peek in to your world." He paused; Krys thought for a moment he might refuse. "Agreed. You first. Tell me how you came to live with Azzo." "I ran away from home when I was fifteen. I was alone on the street with nowhere to go. I wound up in some all-night diner to get warm and that 's where I met Azzo." She relaxed against Tev, allowing her memories to car ry her away. "He was strong, good-looking, and gay. The perfect man for me. One that wasn't interested in me sexually. "I saw him and his friend sitting at a booth. When I first sat near hi m, I saw him kiss the man full on the lips. I guess I stared a bit too long a nd gained Azzo's attention. He told me I appeared lost." Krys looked at her l ap and fidgeted with her fingers. "I supposed I did. I sat there on the verge of tears, not knowing where to go or what to do. His caring tone broke the d am and brought forth the tears. The next thing I knew, I sat in the same boot h across from them and poured out my whole sob story. I don't know why I trus ted him. I just did. He offered me a place to stay and I've been here ever si nce." "No regrets?" She shook her head. "Azzo has been nothing but kind." "And your parents?" "My mother is dead." Tev placed a kiss on the top of her head. "I'm sorry." She pulled away and looked him in the eye. "Don't be. I don't miss her . She was never the mother I needed, one to protect me." "And your father?" "If I ever see that man again, it will be too soon. I would kill him mysel f if given the chance."

Bitter anger surfaced, burning the back of her throat. But she was n ot about to expound the entire truth on how the man had snuck into her bedr oom to grope her so many times she had lost count, or how he had worked up the courage to force himself upon her. The bastard had enjoyed it, so much so that when his brother came for a visit, they took turns defiling her. Th at night, she crawled from her bedroom window and never returned. "You don't mean that." A tear slipped down her cheek; her jaw ached from the tension of rest rained hatred. She looked away. "With my whole heart. The bastard does not d eserve to live." Tev's arm tightened around her in a protective gesture. She knew h e must have guessed what had transpired. "How about you? Where do you com e from?" He shifted, telling her he was also uncomfortable talking about his pas t. "My parents live here in Chicago." "Do you have a good relationship with them?" "If they never saw me again, I'm not sure they would mourn the loss." "Why?" "My parents don't accept me. I wasn't my sister. She made them proud b y earning six figures a year. Carrying on the family tradition. She's a surge on." "Do they know about you...your lifestyle? Is that why they don't appro ve?" Krys shifted her position, and sprawled on the couch, laying her head in his lap, looking up at him. He gazed into the room's shadows. "If you mean the vampyre part -- no. " "So what part don't they approve?" "I'm not what they hoped for. My moods can be dark. My father and I only argue when we meet because we can't manage to meet halfway. So it's fo r the best that I stay away." "What about your mother?" Tev's laugh seemed cynical. "My mother only shits when my father tells her to." "And your sister?" "She's a bitch. She married a mouse of a man. Does everything she tells him to. It's the kind of man she prefers. I am far too strong-willed for her to like me." "So how did you discover this side of yourself? Become a vampyre?" "My family paid little attention to me, too busy with their own lives . I spent a good share of my upbringing alone -- the bastard son; a disappoi ntment to his father. Darkness blossomed in me, all consuming. As a teenager , this blackness grew, became an obsession, if you will." He paused, sighing

heavily. "As I began hanging with others like me, it seemed a natural path for me to follow. The rest is history." "Being a vampyre, it would seem hard to work when you sleep during daylight hours. Do you have a job?" "There are plenty of jobs to be had throughout the night, if I so de sired. But no, at the moment I live off of an inheritance. For now, it's en ough." He ran a knuckle down her cheek again. "What about you? Where does y our money come from?" "I work at a nursing home." His eyes rounded, obviously surprised by her profession. "Which one?" "St. Mary's. Why?" "Just curious." He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. "Do you h ave many friends there?" "Other than Amber Briggs? Not really. I never took the time to get t o know anyone. Not even the head nurse, Susanna Zaber. She seems nice enoug h, but lately she's been on edge. I don't know what her problem is, but it' s none of my concern." Tev gnawed on his lower lip, looking uncomfortable. "You never really got to know her?" "Why?" He toyed with strands of her hair. "I just thought you would get to know your co-workers, is all." She shrugged. "As I said, I'm a loner. Besides, Susanna seems caught u p in her own world. She pays little attention to those around her." "Doesn't sound like you like her much." "She's not mean to me or anything. It's just that we're different. Being friends would never be an option." "Does she have a family?" "I think so," Krys said as she closed her eyes, lost in the comfort of h is gentle caresses. "I believe she has a husband and child. A little girl named Rebecca." "What's her husband's name?" "Don't know." She yawned, stifling the sound with the back of her hand . "She never talks about him." Laying here with Tev stroking her hair put her at ease. So much so, sh e could fall asleep. She had never trusted a man to be near her in slumber. F or some strange reason, she felt secure in Tev's embrace. Tev watched Krys's serene look as she drifted into dreamland. Her b reathing shallowed and her lips parted. Never before had he been so mesmer ized by a face. Milky white and flawless. Not a blemish. He thought about their conversation and the fact that Krys worked with his wife. He shudder

ed. Too damned close for comfort. There were very few Zabers in the United States, let alone the Chicago area. If she ever learned his last name, th e connection would be obvious and his cover would be blown. He continued to stroke her hair as he watched her youthful appearan ce. So innocent. While awake, she seemed on guard, as though never trustin g anyone. As he saw it, he had been handed a precious gift. He doubted she trusted many men enough to allow them to hold her as she slept. That much she had implied while telling her family history. If what he thought turn ed out to be the truth, her father did not deserve the oxygen he breathed. Becca came to mind as a tremor ran through him. How could anyone destroy something so precious? His own family history had not been hard to tell, as it bordered on t he truth. He hadn't seen his mother and father in years. Tevan had been noth ing but one huge disappointment to them. His sister, Tammy, had taken on the family tradition of being a doctor. Her life was far too busy to be bothere d with a brother who seemed a failure, being nothing more than a loser beat cop with no ambitions. Even his marriage had failed. Big surprise to the fam ily _that_ news would bring. Thoughts of his earlier conversation with Whitey and Cole drifted in to his mind, thankfully replacing his previous thoughts. The lieutenant had suggested allowing Krys to fall asleep, giving him the chance to search th e house. What Tev hadn't counted on was how easily that opportunity would p resent itself. He glanced at the clock on the VCR; he still had about four hours before daylight. No one in this household would likely come home befo re dawn. Sliding from the sofa, edging a pillow into the place of his lap, Tev managed to break contact without rousing Krys from slumber. She turned to h er side, clasped the pillow and drew her feet into a fetal position, sighing . Her hair spilled over her face and down the side of the sofa. Desire shot through him. Now was not the time to be thinking about his libido. He had a job to do...finding out more about the enigma Azzo. He unlaced his worn boots, set them to the side of the sofa and left the room. He had no idea which room belonged to Azzo, but he would bet it was somewhere on the second floor. Taking the stairs two at a time, he marv eled again at the size of the home. Surely the upkeep alone cost a small fo rtune. Not for the first time he wondered how a man, who seemed virtually u nknown, could come up with the sizable income to keep a place such as this. Tev turned left at the top of the stairs, feeling his way along the wa ll, the light from the downstairs no longer guiding his way. The first doorwa y he came to, he brushed his hands along the inside wall and flipped on the l ight switch. Plush pink carpeting and sponge painted walls decorated a large, airy powder room. Further in, another door led to a full bath. Tev flipped o

ff the switch and continued on. The second door produced nothing but a room void of furniture. He ste pped across the spacious hallway, a board creaking beneath his feet. He stop ped and listened to the silence that greeted him. Should Krys wake up, he'd have some explaining to do. He prayed for luck to be on his side. Across the hallway, he flipped on the overhead light to what he assu med was Azzo's room, due to its massive size. The master bedroom sported a four-poster bed in its center, draped in a decorative mesh bug screen. A ch est of drawers in black lacquer, perfectly matching the bed, sat along the far wall. To his right stood a long dresser with a hutch and mirror. Tev ap proached the first set of drawers and began opening them, his hands digging between neatly folded socks and underwear, sweats and T-shirts, but nothin g important. He traveled from drawer to drawer, replacing the contents the way he had found them, not wanting Azzo to be able to detect his things had been searched. Making an arc around the bed, Tev approached the tall set of drawers, pulling on the golden handles. Black leather pants and jeans lined the top dr awer. He searched through the top five, then pulled open the last. Stacks of papers filled the bottom drawer. _Bingo._ Just as he meant to search through them, he heard the distinct clearing o f a throat. Closing the drawer, he stood and turned to find the house's owner sta nding behind him, leaning a shoulder against the doorframe, arms crossed ove r his broad chest. "Looking for something? Maybe I can help," Azzo said, his deep bariton e filling the room. The temperature rose by what seemed twenty degrees as Tev's face red dened. "I was caught unprepared," he said, walking around the side of the b ed. Azzo entered his room, his reflection stony. "And you thought I might b e able to be of assistance?" "You are a man." He drew his brows together as though trying to figure Tev's angle. "Las t time I looked." "Then you obviously know how desirable that woman is downstairs, an d here I am, without a condom. I was hoping to find one." Azzo stopped his forward movement and crossed his arms back over hi s chest. The only way out of the room was through him. "In here?" Tev shrugged. "I checked the bathroom first." Nodding in the direction of a door off the large room, Azzo asked, "Tha t one?"

"The one off the hallway." Azzo walked to the doorway of his bathroom, switched on the light, t hen came back a few moments later. He tossed a foil packet at Tevan, who ca ught it. "I catch you in here again, you won't see tomorrow." He approached Tev , pulled a large switchblade from his pocket, flipped the lever, and stuck it beneath Tev's throat, backing him against the wall. The point pricked his sk in, drawing blood. "It's only because of Krys that I allow you to live. Cross her and I won't think twice about using this." Tev grasped Azzo's wrist, putting pressure on the bones and moved li ghtning quick. He pinned Azzo to the same spot he had just occupied, wrench ing the hand holding the knife behind his back. Leaning in to whisper into Azzo's ear, Tev said, "You know, I didn't come here looking for trouble, but if you threaten me with that knife once m ore, I may be tempted to stick it up your ass." Tev released his grip and fl ipped the foil packet at Azzo. "I lost the mood. You want to give Krys my re grets?" he asked, then walked from the bedroom. He had made an adversary in Azzo, not exactly his plan. He needed A zzo as a confidante, not an enemy. Walking into the family room where Krys lay fast asleep, he grabbed his boots and shoved his feet into them. He l eft the house and headed for his sedan, glancing back long enough to see o ne of the upper window's curtains pushed to the side and Azzo looking down on him. An odd sense of trepidation settled over Tev. No good would come of h is threat to Azzo. He'd have to watch his back or wind up dead. -------*Chapter Sixteen* Answering the knock, Tev pulled open his apartment door to find Rav en standing in the shadows. His long blue-black hair hung loose; his eyes were painted heavily black with the markings from The Crow, much like the first time Tev had met him. He wore a long black leather coat lined with g reen satin, reminding Tev of his research on Vlad Tepes, also known as Vla d Dracul. The legend had belonged to the Order of the Dragon or a Draconis t, hence given the name Dracul. Among the rules of the society, they were to wear two capes -- one green, being the color of the dragon, to be worn over red garments signifying the blood of martyrs, and the other black, to be worn on Fridays or special occasions, later adopted by Bram Stoker in his account of _Dracula._ Raven had incorporated both cape colors in one c oat. Tev wonder if the affect was intentional. Knowing Raven, probably. "You knocked?" Tev asked, opening the door so the man could step thr ough. He rubbed his tired eyes from sitting way too long in front of his co

mputer screen. After leaving Krys's the night before, he had gotten little s leep and had spent his time researching and chatting on the Internet. For on ce he hadn't lain awake thinking of Krys, but Azzo. The man confounded him. Raven stepped into the apartment, taking Tev's mind off Raven's illus trious roommate. Whirling on his heel, his coat flapped behind him, drawing to mind a vampire's cape. Tev had a feeling Raven liked theatrics and the at tention that it drew. "I've come by to take you to a place, so to speak," he said, raising o ne eyebrow. "You game?" Tev had yet to completely put his faith in Raven and his intentions. Going with Raven and putting himself at the man's mercy might not be the w isest action, but Tev had a feeling about this place, as Raven referred to it. Could it be that Raven would introduce him to a coven, an illusive soci ety in Chicago? New York and LA vampyres were always ever-present in the pu blic eye at clubs and night scenes. The ones in Chicago seemed to take prid e in obscurity. Tev shut the door and eyed Raven. "What sort of place?" "It's all about trust, man." Raven held Tev's gaze for long moments as if daring Tev to deny him. "You want to go, or stand here talking all night? If it 's the latter, I have better things to do." Tev grasped his leather coat from the sofa and shrugged into it. He wou ld probably regret this. "You lead." A smile grew on Raven's face, then out the door he went in a flourish. Tev used that moment to grab his Glock and pancake holster, slipping it in t he back of his leathers, concealing it beneath his jacket. He did not want to be caught without protection, as he had no idea what was in store. Moments later, Raven drove them through Chicago in an older, deep-re d Honda with a painting of a crow, it's wings out-stretched, across the hoo d. Tevan wondered if they would even make it to their destination as the ca r rattled and shook. Raven traveled through streets and alleys, hitting eve ry possible pothole and bump, finally coming to stop by the rear of a modes t home near the Eisenhower Expressway. Nothing like the house Azzo called h ome. Both men alighted from the vehicle. Tev slammed the door and slightly rocked the car on all four tires. Rust fell from the holes. "Aren't you afrai d of that piece of crap dying and leaving you stranded?" Raven's expression darkened as he glanced at the vehicle. "I've had h er for some time. She's all that I own in my name. Sometimes I feel more at home and connected in this old beat-up car than I do in Azzo's mansion. Besi des, she hasn't let me down yet." Raven patted the hood just below one black wing. "I love this car," he said with a grin. He turned and headed up the back steps of the two-story, white-sided

house, then rapped three times on the rear entrance, not looking back to s ee if Tevan followed. A curtain pulled to one side, revealing the youthful face of a beautiful woman. The deadbolt turned with a click; the door opene d. Both men entered the dimly lit interior. Incense filled the room and nea rly choked Tev from the intensity. But soon, the scent had a calming affect as it washed over him, and his senses became accustomed. Raven and Tev fol lowed the woman through the kitchen and into a living area. Rich burgundy c arpets and draperies with eggshell-colored walls lent to the mysterious fee l of the place. Candelabra sconces with flickering flame-shaped bulbs, positioned hi gh on the walls, were the room's only illumination. Very little furniture g raced the place, most of it being the Early American style. Whoever owned t he home had expensive taste. Tevan took the glass of deep red wine, probabl y Merlot due to its heady fragrance, the only other woman had handed him. S he wore a long, flowing, red-velvet dress that looked to be from medieval t imes with its low cut neckline and laces covering her midriff. She seemed t o fit right in with Raven's attire. The men, Tevan had never seen. Besides Raven and the woman, the rest of the group was dressed very similar to him. Some wore jeans or leather pants, button-down shirts, and T -shirts. Tev would not think of any of these being like-minded with Raven a nd his Goth-like appearance. This group appeared to be pedestrians one migh t pass on the street. One man, sporting a large scar that ran from the corner of his eye d own to the center of his cheek, stepped forward and extended his hand to Te v. "Welcome. Raven has told us much about you." Tevan glanced at Raven, who engaged in conversation with the woman w ho had handed him wine and paid them little mind. Raven looked like a ship out of water with this crowd. "I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad," Tev said as he shook the man's hand. "Who are you and what is this place?" The man smiled, the gesture warm. "Not very trusting, are you? Don't worry. It's understandable and expected. We are not a trusting lot." His h and did a sweep of the people standing in a circle, now surrounding Tev. Th e hairs at Tev's nape prickled. "Welcome to our coven. I must warn you, tho ugh, you are sworn to secrecy and anything that is said within this house i s not to be repeated. You are not allowed to bring anyone here without the group's expressed permission. You are our guest for the evening. We are a p rivate bunch, and only those we deem worthy know of our existence. We take the vows of silence seriously. Can we trust you?" The house had a creepy aura with an industrial-type feel to the music , yet it was something Tev had never heard before. The sound soothed the sou l, not loud and erratic like that played at Pandemonium. With the drawn shad

es and dark illumination, Tev had a feeling these people did not confide eas ily. "You can trust me," he said, making eye contact with each of the membe rs. Seemingly satisfied, the group dispersed and went about conversing with one another. Some relaxed on cushions, while others stood around a la rge oak dining table munching on food. By all appearances, this seemed a n ormal gathering between regular, everyday people. Tev thought of all the creepy vampire shows that he had watched as a kid. Dark dungeons, damp basements, coffins, and men that shape-shifted in to bats or wolves. But of course, he referred to fiction. This...this was r eal. He stood amongst a group of people who drank blood as a form of nouris hment. Not that he found the thought as distasteful as he had when he first went undercover. On the contrary, he was beginning to even understand on s ome level this desire for blood. He had read about Rynfield's Syndrome, a p sychological condition where the sufferer feels a need to drink and digest blood. Could all of these people suffer from the same syndrome, or was ther e truly such a thing as a vampyre and a deep-seated need to obtain nourishm ent in the way of blood? Tev circled the room, grasped a plate and helped himself to some of the food. He tried to remain inconspicuous as he traveled the small home an d watched those in attendance. None of them looked as if they could murder another human to obtain blood. He found a chair in the corner where he coul d keep an eye on everyone in both the dining and living areas. Conversation came to him in low hums as he tried deciphering words over the din of the music. "What time is he coming?" a slender man asked a woman. He glanced at his watch. "I hope he doesn't wait the night through. Some of us have othe r things to do." "He'll be here," she replied, sounding annoyed with him lacking faith in whomever they were discussing. Tev lost the opportunity to listen to the rest of the conversation as t he man with the scar approached. He nodded at Tev's empty wine glass. "Care fo r a refill?" "I'm fine for now. This is your home?" The man looked about the room, appreciation brimming in his gaze. "It's mine. I live here alone." "Never been married?" "Once, but I think I scared my wife off. The whole idea of drinking bl ood sent her through the roof. Thought I was disgusting and psychotic." "Are you?" The man chuckled, then took a seat in a chair beside Tev. He clasped hi

s hands in his lap. "I don't believe I'm psychotic, no. I drink blood. I diges t it when most would likely vomit the amount I drink." "Which is?" "About twelve cc, three times a week." Tev narrowed his gaze, confused. It was lost to him as to how the man could determine the amount he ingested. He seemed to read Tev's thoughts. "I never cut someone. That would be harmful and somewhat dangerous if you don't know what you are doing, wh ich many don't. I use needles to withdraw the blood from a vein. I'm a doc tor." Tev cleared his throat and suddenly wished for a refill wine. "You oper ate on people?" The doctor's smile grew. "I don't look upon them as lunch, if that is w hat you're thinking. I crave blood. I'm not iron deficient or anything like th at. I just have this need to drink it like others may have the need to eat a j uicy steak. The days I drink it, I don't eat solid foods." He pursed his lips. "Why so curious? Raven said you were one of us." Tev instantly realized his mistake. In his fascination, he had forgot his role. "I do. But I cut people, lick the wound." "Which is not safe. Do you know how much bacteria you have in your mouth?" Tev glanced at the healed scar where Raven had fed. "I guess I never th ought about it." The doctor laughed again. "You people rarely do." "And that's supposed to mean...?" "Take Raven, for example. He lives by the lifestyle, feeds occasionally, dresses the part, likes the attention." "And you?" "I don't publicize what I do. Few people know I drink blood. The nor mal person wouldn't understand. They'd be more like my wife, quick to judge ." "So from whom do you get your blood from?" "I'm in a monogamous relationship. She's a lovely woman." "She allows you to draw blood from her? She doesn't find it at all stran ge?" "She thought I was strange at first. But eventually, she accepted it. I suppose we'll marry one day, though we have no immediate plans." "Are you immortal?" The doctor's brow slowly rose heavenward. "Immortal, as in how? Will I live forever? Yes, I do believe so. I'm a Christian." The doctor's statement left him reeling. "You believe in God?" "Yes, the Trinity, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."

"And yet you're a vampyre?" "I drink blood, yes. Am I an evil spirit, supernatural, or undead? No. I don't believe such a thing exists. Other than Satan, that is." Tev sat back in his chair. Looking at Raven and believing he was a v ampyre was easy. Looking at the doctor, who appeared normal, was not. "I see I've surprised you." Tev shrugged. "I've met a lot of vampyres, but none that are Christians. " "It seems contradictory, I know. But that's because you are viewing you r vampirism the way Raven does, a lifestyle. Me? It's a way of life. I could p robably quit drinking it if I had to." "You say you are a Christian. What about the priest? I assume you do at tend services." "As long as I don't drink it as a ritual, where is the sin in that? To me, drinking blood is no different then going to a five-star restaurant and si tting down to a four-course meal. It's sustanance. It fulfills some needs that solid food cannot. And I'm receiving some benefits, or I would lose weight. I nstead, I maintain my body weight. I see I have further confused you." "Not really," Tev said. "You're so different from most of us." "Because most of you are into the lifestyle and probably not actual v ampyres. And I don't mean to offend you in any way." "No offense taken." He smiled. "You are a strange breed then, Tev. Most vampyres would h ave slain me for that comment. They believe in the supernatural, immortalit y, as in reincarnation. Some even go so far as believing they are another f orm of being and not human at all." "And what do you think I am?" The doctor laughed. "I haven't known you long enough to form an opinio n. But you aren't Goth like Raven. You seem curious, as if you're still tryin g to figure out that answer yourself." He patted Tev's hand and rose. "You'll figure that out one day." Tev watched the doctor's retreating back. Out of all the vampyres he me t so far, the doctor intrigued him the most. Raven jumped into the seat the doctor had occupied, startling Tev from his reverie. "Having fun yet?" Tev looked at Raven. His teeth appeared even more white behind his p ainted black lips. "Why did you bring me here?" Raven shrugged. "I thought you might like meeting more of us." He la ughed. "Might just get you out from behind that computer. You need friends. " Tev supposed that, to Raven, his life seemed rather pathetic. He did s pend a lot of time behind the computer researching. "I've always been somewha

t of a loner." "We all are. Let's face it, society doesn't accept us." "And just who are we, Raven? What makes us so different?" Raven ran a hand through his black hair, brushing it back from his for ehead. "For one thing, we drink blood." Tev shrugged. "People have been drinking blood for centuries. That doe sn't make us so different." "But for centuries people who practiced in the art have been considered evil." "Are we?" "I guess that would be a personal interpretation." "Tell me, Raven, why do you drink blood?" He squared his shoulders, as though trying to figure where Tev was goin g with his line of questions. "Because I like to." "Not because you physically need to?" "What the hell is it with you today? Why all the questions?" "It seems that most have different reasons for why they do it. Some ar e blood fetishes, some claim a physical craving, while others are lifestylers . What are you?" "I've gone months without feeding, but that doesn't mean I don't crave it. Having a donor is not always readily available. What about you?" Tev sat back in his chair, his gaze sweeping the room. "I guess I'd be m ore of a fetish," he lied, feeling it the best route to take. If Raven thought Tev drank blood because the sight, feel, and taste turned him on, he'd be less likely to ask him to participate in a feeding circle again. "I can't argue that it's erotic, but I think drinking blood in and of itself i s sexual." Glancing at Raven, Tev asked, "So it's not a physical need for you?" "I guess not. I can live off my psi vamp, the energy I drain from othe rs. Besides, it's much easier to obtain. Take Pandemonium, for example -- the energy one can drain from that crowd is endless. That's why I prefer to go t o clubs." "What about here? Do you use your psychic powers to drain energy in pl aces like this?" "I can." "Then why don't you show me how it's done?" Raven laughed. "It's not something I can show you. You either have th e ability or you don't. The most you would see would be a person mellowing o ut. I think it's fun to watch them. They don't even realize anything is even happening. They just get tired." Before Tevan had time to question Raven, a cool breeze swept through the room, telling him that someone else had arrived. Voices came from the

kitchen and filtered into the living room. One voice in particular stood ou t, one Tevan wouldn't easily forget. Every fiber of his being tensed. Tevan had the feeling he had just overextended his welcome. A large figure stepped into the dining room. He wore a long black lea ther coat and stood nearly as tall as the doorframe. His black goatee curved up as he smiled, until his gaze landed on Tevan. The curve became a sudden hard line. Azzo crossed his arms and glared. -------*Chapter Seventeen* Tev climbed the back stairs to his apartment after Raven dropped him off in the alley per his instructions. Approaching the third landing, he not ed the burned-out bulb that cast the stairwell in shadows. Being a cop, safe ty issues came to mind and he made a mental note to bring up the point with his landlord. People could get hurt by falling, or worse, being mugged or ra ped. The owner, though, being a weasel, cut corners at every turn. Because r esidents rarely used the rear entrance, he doubted the man would take action. His thoughts flitted back to his night at the coven. Azzo had put a damper on the evening. While most seemed to want to be near the man, Tev avoided him at all costs. He found it strange that so many were drawn to A zzo, making him even more of an enigma. Not for the first time, Tev wonder ed if Azzo was a vampyre as well. Funny how he now realized after meeting a houseful of seemingly normal people that a vampyre could not be ascertai ned by appearance. Tev climbed the final few stairs and reached for the door to the four th floor when a hand grabbed his arm and meant to shove him against the pain t-chipped walls. Tev placed his hand over the intruder's, holding it trapped against his bicep, and turned. The attacker squealed in pain as the hand be nt back and Tev applied pressure to the wrist. Tev released the hold; the hi gh-pitched tone told him he was dealing with a woman. Grasping her by the shoulders, he shoved her against the wall. His bre ath caught in his throat as ocean-blue eyes looked at him. Even in the dim li ghting he saw the sheer fright and panic in Krys's gaze, hear the catch in he r breathing. "Jes...What the hell are you doing sneaking up on me like that? I co uld have hurt you. That has to be one of the dumbest moves you've made. You never sneak up on a c -- " Tev caught himself before saying 'cop.' "What w ere you thinking?" "I wanted to surprise you," she said, looking at the ground. Her should ers trembled beneath his touch. He tilted up her chin with his fingers. "You surprised me, all right. You nearly scared the shit out of me. How did you know I'd come up this way?"

"I didn't. I was waiting by the front entrance when I saw Raven's car go by and turn the corner. I saw that you were in the passenger seat and just assumed there must be a rear entrance. I found it and came up to surprise yo u." A shy grin turned up her cheeks. "Guess it was a mistake, huh?" Tev shook his head, his surging adrenaline finally slowing its pace. H ell, she was damned lucky he hadn't broken her wrist. His anger at her stupid ity still hadn't abated. "Unbelievable. Only you would do something that fool ish!" Her eyes rounded. "Excuse me?" His hand indicated the burned-out bulb. "You don't go lurking in dark st airwells in the middle of the night, for crying out loud. It's not safe." "Not safe for whom? Seems you were just climbing the same stairs and not thinking of your well-being. Does that make you as foolish as me?" He backed from her, dropping his hold. "I'm a man. There's a big dif ference. You saw how easily I overpowered you." "I'll concede to that. But I didn't get raped and I wasn't standing in the stairwell all night. I was here only a few minutes." "Waiting for me." The smile returned, her white teeth flashing in the darkness. "Can I hel p it if I had to see you? I'm a sucker for a handsome face." He ran a finger down her smooth cheek, sending a shiver through her body. "What's so special about me that you would wait at my apartment com plex?" Her gaze dropped to her feet; her lips turned down. He slipped his thu mb beneath her chin, tilting it, but she refused to look him in the eye. His gaze fell to her pouty lips and he had the sudden desire to taste her again, wondering if she'd have that same red-hot cinnamon tang. Lowering his face, his lips grazed hers, testing their suppleness. Sh e responded by slipping her hands around his neck, anchoring him to her. She deepened what he meant to be a brief touching of lips. His heart thundered against his ribs as she slipped her tongue into his mouth. He backed against the door, taking her with him. He slipped his hands between them and covere d her breasts concealed by a thin flimsy fabric, with a lacy white brassiere nearly detected through the silk. Her nipples hardened beneath his palms an d he groaned, the sound stifled by her kiss. Blood roared through his veins and pulsed in his penis. He felt hard enough to drive through stone blocks. This woman invoked in him a passion he thought hadn't existed. At least not in the last ten years. Feeling the sud den need to touch her flesh, he pulled the silky fabric up her sides and ove r her brassiere. He yanked down on the cups, then covered the aureoles with his palms, his fingers gently kneading her. His knees nearly gave out as she

gasped and broke their kiss, leaving him leaning against the door for suppo rt. He wanted this woman with an intensity of an on-coming freighter. Her hands left his neck and grasped the sides of his shirt, beneath his l eather coat, traveling to the back of his pants and stopping cold. _Shit._ He had forgotten about the Glock tucked safely away. She pulled the gun from its sheath, took three steps back, and pointed i t between his eyes. "What the fuck?" the man growled, spittle flying, after opening the do or. Not only was he a bastard, but a stupid one at that. Who opens their door to a stranger at four in the morning? "Can't you read a fucking clock? Who t he hell comes calling at this hour?" "Only death, my friend." With that, he pulled the gun from his jacket pocket and shoved it be tween the old man's lips, his other hand grasping the victim's throat. He f elt enamel give way and knew that the cold steel had done damage as blood t rickled down the old guy's chin. What the hell did he care? The man would b e dead in a matter of minutes anyway. The man's eyes rounded. His hands went skyward as if this was some sor t of fucking hold up. He nearly laughed at the absurdity. Nothing would save this prick's life. This one, he did for free. "On your knees, asshole," he spat, narrowing his gaze, daring the idiot to defy him. He didn't need a reason to pull the trigger. He already had a th ousand. Men like this son of a bitch didn't deserve to live. The man followed instructions. Give the bastard an award. He continu ed to hold the cold steel between the confines of the man's lips. His hands shook with the need to finish this job. Just looking in the face of perver sion turned his stomach and made him want to wretch. Why someone of this ma n's ilk had survived as long as he had was beyond him. But no longer. Today the Grim Reaper had come calling. Filth surrounded him in the tiny home; stench churned the bile in his stomach and had it clawing up the back of his throat. He stayed the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. Even this man's environment mimicked the foul matter that made up his DNA. The only plus to this job, the house already s tunk to high heaven. It might be weeks before they discovered this asshole's remains. "Say your prayers, motherfucker." "What the hell are you doing," Tev growled. "Give me that damned gu n before you hurt someone." Krys stepped further from his reach and chuckled. She couldn't fathom why he felt the need to carry a pistol, but maybe she ought to teach him a le sson. "Guns aren't toys, Tev."

"No shit, Sherlock. Now give me the damned thing." "It's loaded?" "Very much so." "And the safety?" "Off," he grumbled, no doubt cursing himself for that bit stupidity. Krys smiled. "Well then, shall we have a bit of fun?" "Krys," he gritted through clenched teeth. She leveled the gun at his chest, in front of his heart. Should the gun go off by accident, he wouldn't have a prayer in the world. She kept her finger from the trigger. "Take off your jacket." "Krys, give me the damned gun." She took a step back assuring herself that he couldn't reach her. She st ood with her back nearly to the opposite wall. "I said, take off your jacket." He growled like a cornered pit bull, then pulled his arms from the coat and tossed it to the stairs. "Give me the gun. Game's over." She drew her brows together. "Oh, and I was just beginning to have som e fun." His glare told her, had he held the gun, she'd be dead. She stayed th e urge to giggle. Using the firearm, she indicated his shirt. "That's next, l overboy." "You have to be kidding." She grinned. "Do I look like I'm kidding? Don't make me ask a second time." He unbuttoned his shirt with slow precision. Just watching him sent a dull ache to her womb. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other in a nticipation of what he concealed beneath. A muscle in his cheek ticked as he shrugged out of the shirt and tossed it atop the jacket. She gasped. She had yet to see Tev completely without a shirt and lik ed what she saw. He looked as if he had been working out for years. A sparse amount of hair cover his pecs, then angled like an arrow down his six-pack, heading straight for his groin. She couldn't help noticing the bulge beneat h his leathers. Whether he said so or not, he seemed to enjoy her little gam e. Her smile grew with her confidence. She winked at him as she leaned against the wall to support her weaken ing limbs. "Your belt." He took a step in her direction. "I'm not kidding." She straightened her hold on the gun. "Your belt." He took another step, and she flattened herself against the wall. She bit her lower lip. "Stop where you are and take off that belt." Pulling on the leather strap with one hand, the buckle gave away and h e pulled it free from the loops, only to drop it on the floor with a clang. H is hands went to the snap of his pants. "I'm assuming you want these next." Krys licked her dry lips. Her limbs numbed and the arm holding the gu

n faltered. Before she had time to think, he had turned her flat against the wall, her cheek slightly abraded by the chipping paint. Her gun arm wrenche d behind her back. She squealed. He took the gun from her hand, and placed the cold side of it against he r hot cheek. "I think the tables have just turned, sweetheart." Tears streamed down the man's face as his body trembled. He smelled t he fear on the son of a bitch in the way of perspiration and body odor. Bead s of sweat collected on his brow and dripped to his eyes, no doubt stinging them. The man reeked as if he hadn't showered in weeks. His nose crinkled in disgust. Not a life that would be missed. He pulled the gun from the mouth and slapped the old guy across the ch eek with it. The flesh welled and purpled. The man fell to the floor in a sob bing heap. Giving the man's shin a swift kick with his booted foot, he said, "You' re a sorry excuse for a human being." The man grasped his shin and slid backward, attempting to put distance between him and his killer. "Please, I beg of you." "Begging will gain you nothing. The end result will be the same." "Can you at least tell me why?" he sniveled. He held his palms skyward, the gun still clutched in his right hand. "T hink long and hard. Maybe it will come to you. Just know -- you lie and I pull the trigger." "I haven't done anything." His face reddened and he clenched his jaw. He leveled the gun between the eyes of the man's quivering flesh and said, "Bang." Tev pressed the latch and the cartridge holding the bullets clacked o n the ground, the sound echoing off the bare walls. Pulling back on the cham ber, the remaining bullet ejected, hit the steps and rolled down. He turned Krys to face him, handed her the weapon and wrapped her long fingers around the grip. Her breathing came in short pants as her gaze locked with his. Her blond hair slid over one eye, obscuring it from view. She pressed the barre l of the empty gun beneath his chin. He grasped one long leg and wrapped his waist with it, bringing her ce nter against his erection. Her gaze widened; her breath caught in her throat. He leaned in. "What next?" he whispered in her ear, then licked the outside shell. "I don't know," she barely breathed, her voice trembling from either fear or desire, but more than likely, the latter. He nipped her lobe, just below one diamond earring. "You have the gun . The choice is yours." "But it's not loaded." He chuckled, then kissed a path down her neck. "Pretend it is."

She shoved the barrel harder against his chin and caused him to back a way, releasing her leg that encircled him. "Then take off your pants." One brow raised. "Here?" "Here." His hands went for the snap and zipper when she stopped him. "Wait. Take off my panties first." Hell, she needn't ask him twice. He went down on one knee, reached be neath her skirt and grasped the sides of the thong. He pulled them down her thighs, allowing the backside of his fingers to brush along her smooth flesh . The panties pooled on the floor where she stepped out of them, showing lit tle grace as her legs quivered and her knees threatened to buckle. He had af fected her. No doubt her insides trembled as much as his. He kissed the insi de of one thigh, allowing his tongue to linger and taste the salt gathering on her flesh. He caught the smell of her essence and knew her readiness. Although Krys held an empty gun, she appeared to enjoy the control i t seemed to give. He'd play along with her game. What did he care? The end result would be the same. He slowly stood, his hands traveling her curves a nd stopping on the swell of her breasts. "And now?" "Kiss me," she barely breathed over the sound of his thundering heart. The man lay on the floor and bawled like a two-year-old. Nothing was worse than a grown man sobbing. In his job, he often witnessed many men be gging and pleading for their sorrowful, pitiful lives. But this one took th e cake. He walked over to the heap and fisted the hair, yanked back the head , and shoved the gun muzzle into the mouth again. The man nearly gagged. "You're a sniveling coward." He shook his head. "I normally like to t ake my time, a knife being the weapon of choice. But you're not even worth t he blood on my blade." Water ran from the man's eyes, and mucus from his nose. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of seeing gray brain matter splattered on the wall behind. Some deaths just couldn't help but be messy. "Give me your hand." The man followed orders poorly for having a muzzle rammed down his th roat. The old guy sat still, aside from the trembling, and looked at him in fear. His patience had neared its end. "I said, give me your fucking hand." He grasped the man's hand, wrapping the fingers tightly around the gun grip. "Does that feel good?" The man shook his head. More tears slipped from his lashes as another sob tore from his throat, causing the gun to slip further into his mouth. Hel l, he would likely choke to death and the need to pull the trigger would be m oot. "Do this quickly and you'll feel little pain. Trust me, it's much better

than you deserve. Now put your finger on the trigger." The man violently shook his head. He tightened his grip on the old guy's hair. "Put your finger on the trigger," he repeated, slowly enunciating each w ord. The man did as he was told. He wrapped his leather-clad hand around the old guy's and laid his finger gently atop the finger on the trigger. "Now pull." Another sob shook the guy's body, nearly sending him to pull the trigge r on accident. He grit his teeth and applied more pressure on the finger. "Pull!" A shot rang out, shattering the stillness of the night. Tev popped the snap on his leathers and yanked down the zipper. He gra sped Krys's waist and pulled her flush against him. The gun fell from her lim p hand to the floor with a thud. He lowered his face and seized her lips, gen tly at first, then deepening as the passion built and stole the oxygen from h is lungs. Blood pulsed through his arteries and veins, causing his penis to t hrob. She tried uselessly to push at the waistband of his leathers as her p atience seemed to near its end. They both had waited far too long for their coming together. He backed from her seeking hands, grasped his wallet from h is back pocket and pulled out a condom. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice trembling. He had always prided h imself on his nerves being made of steel, but he had found his weakness. She nodded, her tongue moistening her lips. His heart nearly ceased be ating as his gaze fixated on her mouth, one that was meant for kissing. Finished with their needed protection, he approached her, wrapped her leg around his waist and swiftly entered her. She tilted her head skyward a nd bit her lower lip, as if stifling a cry. She circled him like a well-worn glove, soft and velvety. Bringing her other leg up to encompass his waist, his hands cupped her derriere; the wall became support for her back. His mou th reclaimed hers, their tongues matching that of their bodies. Passion buil t as he felt her tighten around his erection, squeezing him with her climax. With one final thrust he reached his own, his groans dying out as he rested his forehead upon her shoulder. Her arms encircled his neck; she clung weakly to him. Her breathing s lowed as his heart regained a steady pace. Mother of God, he had never exper ienced anything like it and would likely never again. Dropping his hold, she recovered her balance and pushed down the sid es of her short skirt. She reached for her panties. Her complexion reddened as she stepped into them with more grace then he would have expected. She righted her brassiere and straightened her top as he contained himself.

Grasping his shirt and jacket from the floor, he caught sight of the Gl ock and smiled. Thank goodness he had earlier thought to tuck it into his leat hers. -------*Chapter Eighteen* Tev lay there for long moments, not yet ready to start his day. He s aw the sunlight through the back of his eyelids, knew morning had long sinc e broke. It seemed every muscle in his body ached. He felt as though he had been rode hard and put away wet. He opened his eyes, stretched and yawned, and felt the arm drape ove r his chest. Christ, he had nearly forgotten that Krys still lay beside him ...nude. He grew hard just thinking about it. He ran a shaky hand through h is mussed hair. Last night had been incredible, the best sex he'd had in ye ars, and here he lay regretting every last minute. "A bastard" would not ev en come close to describing how he felt about himself. He had made love to a woman who in no way deserved the baggage he carried. No two ways about it , when the case came to a close, she would never talk to him again. That th ought bothered him more than anything else about this case. "You're awake," she whispered through a curtain of hair. She brushed the blond silk from her forehead and stared at him. Her az ure eyes cut straight to his heart. He ached with the need to confess, tell h er all before it was too late. He could imagine the conversation. Admitting h is occupation was only half of it. Legally, he still had a wife, no matter th at the papers had been signed and filed. And what about Becca? At eighteen, K rys would not likely cherish the idea that he had a daughter only eight years younger than her. "How long have you been staring at the ceiling?" "Not long," he said, smoothing her hair with his palm, liking the feel of i t. She smiled, then placed a kiss atop the scar on his right breast. "You never told me where this came from." "It's not something I think about. Besides, you never asked." "I am now." He opted for a half-truth. "I got in a fight with a guy who had a very big knife. Lucky I turned when I did, or it would have gone straight through r ather than just making a surface scratch." With her finger, she traced the scar to his armpit. "One heck of a surfac e scratch." He shivered from her touch. "Yeah, well -- I lived. That's the main thing ." "I'm glad you did." He chuckled. "I guess we wouldn't be lying here having this conversat

ion had I not. How are you feeling?" The smile on her face grew. She propped herself up on one elbow, looki ng down on him. "A little sore, but well worth it." "I hurt you?" "You didn't hurt me, Tev." She ran a finger down his chest heading so uth; he stilled the movement by placing his hand over hers. "On the contrary , you gave me a gift." "A gift?" He clenched his jaw. The last thing he needed was Krys thin king him some sort of prize. He should be slithering beneath the bed like th e snake his actions proved him to be. "When we talked before, I told you a little about my past. I ran away because things were not right. I thought I had been ruined, that I would ne ver be able to trust a man, let alone make love to one and not be haunted by demons. Then along came you." Ah hell, he needed this like he needed a hole in the head. He placed a f inger on her lips. "Don't, Krys." He scooted from beneath her arm and meant to slide away, but she gra sped his bicep. He turned back to look at her and saw the uncertainty in he r gaze. He should walk away. End things now before her feelings ran too dee p. "What am I saying that's so wrong? Was I just imagining it? We were both there, Tev. You seemed to enjoy what happened between us as much as I did." He rolled his eyes and sank back to the mattress, draping an arm ove r his face. "You have no idea. Damn, had you not fallen asleep when you did , I would have taken you a third time and maybe a fourth. I couldn't get en ough. Even now I want to bury myself in you, forget the world exists." "Then what's the problem? I don't get it." "Don't look at me like I'm a personal savior. I'm no one's knight in s hining armor. We know so little about each other, and yet we know so much." "Then tell me. I want to know all there is to know about you. You have no idea the hurdles I've crossed because of you." He slipped to the side of the bed and stepped into his discarded leath ers. He pulled up the zipper, then walked into the adjacent bathroom, turning on the cold water and splashing his face. Glancing at himself in the mirror, he hated the vision staring back: a deceitful man who took advantage of a lo nely girl in a highly volatile situation. Because of the chemistry between th em, he should have avoided her at all costs. Instead he had thought with the head in his pants and not the one on his shoulders. She walked into the tiny bathroom, her vision in the mirror shot strai ght through him, tightening his groin again. Damn her for being the one thing he couldn't resist. She wore his button-up shirt from the night before, look

ing far better in it than he did. Just the thought of her naked body against something of his had him wanting to toss her back on the bed. What the hell s hould he care? The damage had already been done less than six hours ago in th e stairwell. She wrapped her arms about his bare waist and placed a kiss on his sho ulder blade. "Don't do this, Tev." He turned in her arms and looked down at her. "Do what? Make love to you again? Because that's really what I'm feeling like doing right now." "Then what's stopping you?" "This isn't going to happen again. I can't allow it." "Why? You at least owe me an explanation for pushing me away. Did las t night mean so little that you could just walk out of my life, no regrets?" "Regrets?" He raised one brow. "Shit, I already have regrets. Tons of t hem." Moisture gathered in her eyes. "Are you saying you used me? I was not hing more than a place to park your penis for the night?" "God, no." He gathered her into his arms and kissed the top of her he ad. "I'd never use you. Never. Promise me, no matter what happens, you will never think that." "What could possibly happen?" she whispered against his chest, her brea th tickling the hairs. He shivered. "There's a lot you don't know about me." "All people have mysteries buried within. Maybe we should have shared more before sleeping together, but it's a little late now to be thinking ho w things should have been handled. That doesn't mean we should regret it." Tev loosened his grip on her and allowed her to step back. As she looke d up at him, he glanced at his feet. Surely if she looked him in the eye, she would see his deceit. "Trust me, some things I can't tell you." "Maybe in time you'll feel more comfortable. I'm not going anywhere." "You say that now." "You're scaring me, Tev." She grasped his face between her palms. "W hat's so bad that you think it would push me away? I just found you. My God , I don't even want to think about losing you." He placed his lips gently on hers and gathered her back into his embra ce. He felt her desperation as she returned his kiss. Truth be told, he did n ot cherish the idea of losing her either, but knew it was inevitable. He thou ght about slipping his arm beneath her legs and carrying her back to the bed when his cell phone rang, thankfully stopping the thought before it had more time to propagate. Releasing his hold on her, he walked to his jacket and flipped open th e phone. "Yeah? "Tev, this is Casey Black."

Every numb nerve in his body from Krys's kiss went on full alert. Cas ey would not call unless a problem arose. "Is everything okay?" "I'm afraid not." "Don't keep me in suspense, dammit. Out with it," he growled, nearly f orgetting that Krys stood mere feet away. "Becca's in the hospital. She was hit by a car." The news left him nearly gasping for air. He sank heavily onto the sofa as his world blackened around the edges. "Is she going to be all right? She's not..." He couldn't voice his worst fear. "No, she's not dead. She's in surgery. There was some internal bleeding. " "What hospital?" Casey rattled off the location, then Tev slapped shut the flap on the p hone and stared at a wide-eyed Krys. "Is everything okay?" she asked. He shook his head as he rose and went in search of clean clothes. He pu lled an old Bulls T-shirt over his head and stepped out of his leathers and in to a pair of blue jeans. "You want me to go with you?" He stopped and glanced at her as he meant to shove his feet into a pair of socks and Asics. He cherished the idea of having her there for support, bu t knew the impossibility of it. "Sorry, Krys. I have to do this alone." "Family?" "Yes, someone dear to me." He grasped his wallet and shoved it into his back pocket and shrugged into his leather coat. "You have a way home?" "I drove myself." He scribbled his cell number on a scrap piece of paper and handed it to her. "Call me later." Krys's expression told him she felt as though he had shut her out. She took the paper. "Are you sure you want me to?" Tev pulled her against him. He looked into her eyes, then kissed her br iefly, willing her to understand. "Call me," he repeated, then walked out the door, leaving her to lock up. Tev pulled his old sedan into the Emergency Room parking lot, jumpe d from the car, and jogged to the entrance, side-stepping paramedics as th ey pulled a gurney from the back of an ambulance. The doors opened with a whoosh and he raced up to the window. The lady on the other side slid back the glass. Before he had time to ask anything, Susanna ran into his arms, knocking him off balance. Makeup and tears marred her beautiful face. She appeared years older than the night he had met her at the park and handed her the signed divorce papers.

Taking her by the arms, he set her away. Casey stood behind them, hand s shoved deep into his jean pockets. Tev looked at Suz. "Is she all right?" She let go of Tev and ran her hands down her face. "It was awful," she said on a sob. Her body shook. Tev put his arm around her and Casey led them to the surgery waiting room. Tev sank with Suz into a blue-leather sofa as Casey walked to a window overlooking the parking lot. Tev held her to his side and kissed the top of her head before lookin g at Casey. "Can someone tell me what the hell happened?" Casey turned from the window and sat on the sill. He crossed his arms over his chest. "I was picking Suz and Becca up from church. We were...uh.. .planning a day together." He looked to the floor, and Tev knew that more had transpired betwe en his wife and the bartender than Tev simply asking Casey to keep an eye on her. The way Casey looked at Suz tucked beneath Tev's arm seemed territ orial. "And?" Tev coaxed. Suz started sobbing anew. Tev said nothing, just waited for Casey to co ntinue. Casey cleared his throat. "I was parked across the street. Suz came out with Becca right behind her. Becca stopped to talk to a couple of girls and S uz ran across the street to my car. The next thing I knew, I heard tires scree ch, I looked up, and Becca was laying on the street in front of the vehicle." Tev released Suz, stood and began pacing. He wanted to yell, rant, an d scream at them both. Hurl accusations. Beat Casey to a pulp. But now was n ot the time or place. He stopped pacing and stood in front of Suz. "Did you see it happen?" She dragged a shaky hand beneath her nose, then looked at him with r ed-rimmed eyes. "No." His brows drew together. "Why the hell not?" She clenched her jaw, stood and perched her fists on her hips. Anger f lared from her deep-brown eyes. "I can't watch her twenty-four-seven. I took my eyes off her just a second." Tev glanced from Casey to his wife. "_Just_ a second?" "What are you accusing me of, Tev? You're the one who walked out and left the two of us by ourselves." His jaw tightened, his ears rang, and his head began to throb. "It's my job," he said, through barely controlled anger. "Your job is to leave behind a wife and kid?" Casey asked, coming to stand a few feet away. Luckily, far enough that Tev could not reach him. Had he been able to, Casey would likely be sporting a split lip. Instead, Tev glared at the shorter man. "This isn't your concern."

"You made it my concern." "So now it's my fault you're screwing my wife?" A hush fell about the room. All eyes turned and looked at the trio. Fortunately, there were only th ree other people in attendance. "You're an asshole," Suz spat. "Why the hell I never saw that before is beyond me." "You gave up your rights to your wife, Tev, when you signed that dotted line." Tev approached Casey, his hands fisting. "Did you wait until the ink w as dry, Black, or did you fuck her before?" The slap seemed to come from nowhere as his gaze had been fixated on the bartender. His cheek stung. Tev rubbed the sore area with his palm. Bare ly reining in his rage, he turned to look at Suz. "If you don't shut up, Tev, and knock off the accusations, I'll call hos pital security and have you escorted from here. Casey did not deserve that." Knowing Suz was right, Tev glanced at the man. "I apologize. But wha t do you expect? My daughter is lying on a table and may not make it becaus e you guys were too busy...what? You want to fill in the blank?" Casey clenched his jaw and walked back to the window. Suz grumbled something illegible, then said, "If you must know, I was kissing Casey, Te v. Something you stopped doing to me a long time ago. At least he pays att ention to me." "And our daughter?" "It was an accident. Becca was on the church steps talking to her frien ds. She ran across the street when a car turned the corner. She never saw it c oming." "Probably because she was too busy watching the two of you." Suz shook her head. "You're impossible. It's not the first time she sa w Casey and I kiss. She knew about our seeing one another." "And this didn't bother her?" "You think she worries about what you might think? When was the las t time you saw her? Two, three months ago?" The potshot stung. Tev hadn't wanted things to turn out the way they had. Hell, he wanted a better life for Suz and Becca then the one he seeme d to provide. So why did the fact she had found someone to replace him easi ly bother him? He ran a hand through his hair. Truthfully, Suz hadn't been doing anything worse than what he had done the previous night. "As I said before, it's my job, Suz, and you know it." She chuckled, though no real humor could be heard in the sound. "Unfo rtunately for Becca and me, it's always been your job." He resumed pacing, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. Had he been such a terrible, neglectful husband that he had driven his wife

into the arms of another man not once, but twice? He suddenly felt a pang of sorrow. Would life be any different with Krys should she ever forgive him h is deceit and give them a chance? Doubtful. He had little to give to a relat ionship as his job had always come first. Walking to the coffee machine, Tev dug four quarters from his pocket . He sunk in two and pushed "black." Retrieving the cup, he put in the rema ining quarters for a second cup. He returned to Suz and handed her a coffee. "I'm sorry," he said. "I've been acting like a jerk." She grasped the cup, taking a sip and wincing. "I know life with me ha sn't always been the best. I think we were too busy being each other's friend that somewhere we lost the passion. It's your stubborn nature that doesn't w ant to admit it. We aren't right for each other." Tev knew, on some level, Suz was right again. He took a sip from his own coffee and realized Suz's earlier wince had no doubt come from the taste , not the heat. When he didn't comment, she added, "I want someone who can be comp assionate about me. I want to be cherished, Tev." "And Casey gives you that?" She looked back at the object of their conversation. He had not likely heard, but smiled at her anyway. She turned back. "Yes, he does." "Then I suppose I should be happy for the two of you? Give you my ble ssing?" She laughed again, this time in true humor. "I don't expect you to go th at far, just to accept it. And I do want you to be happy." "Yeah," he said. Not that he agreed, but he didn't feel like talking about it any longer. He had too much to deal with: sensory overload. He wa lked to the door and peered into the hallway. "How much longer before we kn ow anything?" She came up behind him and put an arm around his waist. "Hopefully, s oon. I can't stand the waiting and not knowing." "What did the doctors say?" "They thought she would be okay. She has a broken femur. But the probl em was the internal bleeding. If they could find the cause and get it stopped , she should be all right." He put his arm around her shoulder and led her back into the room. "I h ave to believe that." A few hours went by, mostly in silence or nonsensical chatter. Tev ha d glanced through most the magazines littering the many tables and downed at least a pot of coffee, fifty cents at a time. His hands shook from the adde d caffeine. Finally the doctor entered the room. "Mr. and Mrs. Zaber?" Tev stood up, while Suz left Casey's side to approach the doctor. "Is

Becca okay?" Tev asked. The doctor smiled as he pulled down the green mask, leaving it danglin g about his neck. "She's a trooper. We stopped the bleeding and she's going t o be fine. She'll be in recovery for a couple hours, then we'll need to keep her for observation a few days. But as soon as she's in her room, the two of you can see her." Suz leaned against Tev as she seemed to lose her strength. Tears of j oy slipped down her cheeks. She thanked the doctor, turned and ran to Casey who embraced her, kissing her on the forehead. Not wanting to watch their display, Tev focused on the doctor. He shoo k the man's hand. "Thanks for taking care of my little girl." "It's the better part of my job. No one wants to come out of an operat ing room when the news isn't good." "I don't doubt that." The doctor left the room. With Suz embraced by Casey, Tev felt like a third wheel, felt he no longer belonged. His cell phone rang, startling him. "Hello," he said, answering on the second ring. "Are you okay?" Krys asked. A smile turned up his lips. She could not have had better timing; it w as as though she were somehow in tune with him. "I have a feeling everything is going to be just fine." -------*Chapter Nineteen* "Looks like we have another homicide," Whitey said, taking a seat behin d his large desk. He picked up a pencil and began tapping a cadence with the e raser. "At this point it doesn't look like it's related to any of our open cas es." "Which ones are you referring to?" Cole asked, then took a sip from his coffee. Tev sat beside Cole, wondering the same thing. After all, why would W hitey call in Tev and chance blowing his cover? Something brewed beneath the surface and he wasn't going to like it. He felt it clear to his bones. Whitely laid the pencil on the desk. "Besides the dead girls, we stil l have the open case with Clifford C. Wyland. We haven't been able to link t he son to the old guy's death. He had an airtight alibi, but that doesn't me an he isn't our number one suspect by any means. Though we still have no evi dence, what we do have is one hell of a motive." "What's the new case?" Tev asked, sensing Whitey hadn't called them i n to discuss the Wyland case. "Frank Braxton." "Living relatives?" "A daughter. But we don't know her whereabouts. Braxton's brother s

aid she ran away from home about three years ago. Name's Krystal." Blood seemed to coagulate in Tev's veins, making him feel sluggish. "Y ou think -- " "Afraid so. I believe this is the same Krys you've been keeping your eye on. We've done some checking. Rumor has it the old guy molested her an d that's why she took off. Sound familiar?" Tev clenched his jaw. "Too damn familiar. Krys hasn't said as much, b ut what she did say leads me to believe she was physically abused by someone in her family." He thought of her earlier comment to him, that she would ki ll her father if given the chance. "She ran away at the age of fifteen." "That's why I called you. I'd like to see what you think about all of this. " "So why is he here?" Tev used his thumb to indicate Cole. "He's been doing background work for us on Brown. I want him aware of anything that might concern those cases. I trust the lieutenant's intuitions. " "And you don't trust mine?" "You don't have the experience the lieutenant has." Tev certainly could not argue the point, although he wanted the chief t o believe in his instincts. Which, at the moment, told him Krys had nothing to do with her father's death. "You think there's a connection to Frank's death and the undergroun d community and my case?" Tev asked. "I don't know. It's pure speculation. By outward appearances, this loo ked like a suicide. Gunpowder tattooing on the hand. Trace metal tests proved he held the gun. No doubt Braxton pulled that trigger. But here's the fishy part: the bruising on the face leads us to believe someone struck him. It als o appeared he had been kicked or struck in the shin." "That doesn't prove homicide, Whitey, and you know it." "The bruising itself, no. But when it appears he was struck with the sa me gun that was used to kill him, makes it appear a bit more so. The barrel le ft a distinct impression on the flesh in its bruising pattern. It appears a ma tch to the weapon." "The gun?" "We can't trace it. Registration numbers had been filed off. Could hav e been bought anywhere." "What does this have to do with Krys or I? It could have been anyon e who had an ax to grind. Men like that make many enemies along the way." Whitey scratched the stubble on his chin. "We need to contact her, Zabe r. We'll have to bring her in for questioning. Tell her about her father's hom icide." Tev's brow rose skyward. "You're accusing her?"

"We can't rule anything out. You know that." Tev glanced at Cole. "What do you think about all of this?" "I think Whitey's right. The girl needs to be brought in. See if she has an alibi for the night in question. As a detective, Officer Zaber, you need to cover all bases and keep personal opinions out of it." "Is that how you handled Damien Vincent in the past?" Cole laughed. "Touche. No, I didn't handle Damien as a suspect when I should have. My intuitions proved right, though. The man was not guilty. I certainly don't regret the way I handled that case in Fairview Park. We f ound our man." "And lost him." All traces of humor left Cole's face. "_That_ was not the department's fa ult." "So when did this murder occur?" Tev asked, dropping the conversation about the past. The lieutenant certainly did not deserve his criticism, only his respect. "Some time early Sunday morning, is the best we can do," Whitey said. "Let's hope the girl has an alibi. Seems she's had enough to handle in one li fetime. I'd hate to have to accuse her of something like this." Tev fidgeted in the chair. He could see his dreams of making detective fly out the window. "It couldn't have been Krys." "Were you with the girl, Zaber?" Tev nodded. One bushy brow rose. "You're her airtight alibi for the entire evening and early morning?" "Not the entire night, but from about two in the morning on, yes." Whitey held Tev's gaze. "Where?" "My apartment." "And what were you doing in your apartment?" Tev shifted uneasily. "Look, I went to a coven with Raven early in t he evening. Not much happened, but Azzo showed up. After my last encounter with him, I wasn't about to stir up trouble when I had just been introduced to the society. Raven brought me back to my apartment. I found Krys waitin g for me in the stairwell." "How did she appear?" Cole asked. Tev gave Cole his attention. "I'm not sure what you're asking." "Nervous? High anxiety?" "No." "Care to elaborate?" Whitey asked, his mood souring. "What kind of mood was Krystal Braxton in when you first saw her?" Tev gnawed at the inside of his cheek, then shrugged. "I'm not sure I _ want_ to answer that."

"Don't put your job on the line. The girl can't be worth it. What kind of a mood was she in? It's important to establish if she may have just come fr om murdering her father." "She _didn't_ do it." Tev crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned back in his chair. "She was with me from two in the morning until late after noon on Sunday." The look on Whitey's face told him he guessed their activities. Cole's expression remained placid. "You getting too close to this woman?" Whitey asked. "I'm handling it." What he and Krys did should be no one's business but their own. Unfor tunately, because they were tangled in a murder investigation, everything th ey did would be scrutinized. "How's the wife?" Whitey asked. Cole's gaze jerked to Tev's and, for the first time, showed emotion. Great, now both men would be questioning his actions. "You know she filed fo r divorce." Whitey nodded. "And?" "I signed the papers," Tev said. Why the hell did he have to come off a s the ass when Suz had been the one to step out on him? "That's the end of it. " "And your daughter? How is she?" "Physically, she's bouncing back pretty well. They released her from th e hospital yesterday. Emotionally -- " Tev glanced at his lap " -- I'm afraid she has a long way to go." "Anything the department can do?" "The flowers you sent were enough." Tev looked up. "But unless you c an get this case with Brown finished so I can come out from undercover, the re's not much else you can do for me." "Becca's taking your absence hard?" Tev laughed, leaving a sour taste in his mouth. "Hard? She hates me." Tev turned off the water and left the shower. He could not help wond ering how long before the Chicago PD picked up Krys for questioning and wis hed he could be there for her. If what he suspected were true, answering qu estions about her father's death would likely be very trying. Since Sunday, they had spent the evenings together, not even venturing out of the apartm ent. He knew he couldn't stay locked up forever making love to her, though the idea held great appeal, but the case would likely go cold. Too much tim e had passed as it was, and if they did not catch Sandy Brown soon, they li kely never would. A knock sounded. Tev glanced at his watch lying on the bathroom sink ; Krys was early. He wrapped a towel around his waist, and headed for the d

oor. He turned the lock and opened the door to find two uniformed officers he recognized standing there instead. "You alone?" the one named Cal asked. Tev nodded and crossed his arms over his bare chest. "What the hell a re you guys doing here?" Cal took off his hat. "We have orders from Whitey to pick up Krystal Braxton. The chief said if she wasn't at her place of residence, we might fi nd her here. We were also informed not to blow your cover," he added with a smile. "Thanks, but she isn't here." Tev didn't want to tell them that he ex pected her at any moment, hoping they would leave. He could not chance Krys asking him to ride along for support. It would take only one unknowing offic er to blow his cover. "Maybe you could tell her we stopped and that she's wanted for questio ning." Before Tev had a chance to reply, the rear stairwell door opened and Krys walked though. She stopped just inside the hallway, partially hidden in the shadows and glanced from the uniforms to Tev. She stepped into the ligh t, her eyes brimming with questions Tev could not answer. Not truthfully. He ll, he couldn't wait until the day he could end the secrets between them. "Krystal Braxton?" Cal asked. Krys nodded. "We'd like you to accompany us to the station, if you wouldn't mind." "What's this about?" she asked, shouldering past them to stand besid e Tev. "Have I done something wrong?" "No, ma'am. We just have some questions concerning your father." Her back went rigid; loathing seeped into her eyes. For all the bravad o she tried to show, Tev knew her insides trembled in fear. Just the mention of her father seemed to be tearing down her carefully constructed walls. "What about him?" Her voice shook, also belying her courage. "He's been found dead, ma'am. We believe it was murder." Her knees buckled. Tev caught hold and held her against his side. "Are you going to be all right?" She nodded, then looked at the officers. "I don't understand. What's th is have to do with me?" "Just a few questions, ma'am. We won't take up much of your time." She turned to Tev. "Will you go with me?" Damn! He would not be able to avoid accompanying her, not without c oming across as apathetic. What the hell had Whitey been thinking? He turned to Cal. "Is she under arrest?" "No. As we said, we just have questions for her." "Then call your boss and tell him I will be bringing her in myself."

Krys's knees and hands quivered as she sat beside Tev in the interrog ation room. They sat side by side on metal chairs, facing the door, behind a steel table with a phone and tape recorder situated at one end and another fold-up chair across from them. The gray walls felt cold and impersonal, doi ng little to relax her. One wall sported a one-way mirror. No doubt someone stood on the other side watching them. She had never been inside a real prec inct. The ride to the station had been quiet. Not that she mourned her fath er's loss. On the contrary, he'd gotten what he deserved. But her biggest fe ar was being blamed. She had never hid the fact she hated him and wished him dead. An older gentleman with stark white hair entered the room, followed by a taller man with dark, devilish eyes. His nearly black hair shown in the fl uorescent lights. His gaze landed on her briefly before traveling to Tev. Thi s man's looks could set any hot-blooded female's heart to fluttering. "Ms. Braxton?" The white-haired man gained her attention as he took a seat across from her. He barely exchanged glances with Tev. Glad to have Tev for support, Krys clasped his hand on the table. "Yes." The good-looking officer stood at the back of the room. He crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the wall, allowing the older gentle man the floor. "My name is Chief Andrew White." His hand indicated the other officer. "This is Lieutenant Cole Kincaid. He's here to witness the questioning. If it' s all right with you, we're going to tape this interview." She nodded. "Am I being accused of anything?" "Not at all," the chief assured her. Chief White read her non-custodial rights, as he called them, letting her know at any time she could end the interview and she was not being accuse d of any crime. She signed the card he slid in front of her, stating she unde rstood. The man jotted down her name, age, address and occupation for the r ecord, then continued. "Could you tell us where you were in the early morn ing hours of Sunday, November Nineteenth?" "Last Sunday morning?" She squeezed Tev's hand. "I was with Tev." "Referring to the man beside you." "Yes." "And his name, for the record?" Tev shifted in his chair and looked uneasily at Krys. He cleared his thr oat. "Tevan Zaber." Krys drew her brows together. _Zaber...as in Susanna Zaber?_ Were t he two related? It couldn't be a brother-in-law, as she knew Zaber was Sus

anna's married name and Tev had told her only of a sister. The connection must certainly be further down the line as Zaber seemed an uncommon name t o be just coincidence. Krys made a mental note to question him later. "Well, Mr. Zaber, can you collaborate what this woman says?" Tev clenched his jaw as his eyes narrowed on the police chief. "If yo u're asking me if she was with me Sunday morning, the answer is yes." Seemingly satisfied, Chief White glanced at Krys. "At what time did yo u arrive at Mr. Zaber's residence?" "About two in the morning." "And what time did you leave?" "I was with him until late afternoon on Sunday when he had a family emergency and left. I gathered my things and went home." The chief jotted down some notes as the tape recorder whirred beside t hem. "How did Frank die?" Krys asked. Chief White ran a thick hand through his short, wiry hair. "He was shot to death." Krys worried her lower lip. "Do you have any idea who might have don e it? Or am I your only suspect?" "At this point, Ms. Braxton, we have no suspects. You are being ques tioned because of your background with the deceased." She nodded. Good old Daddy. Even in death he managed to bring hell int o her life. "We have it on report that Frank Braxton molested you. Is this true?" Tears distorted her vision. She tried her best to blink them away, but one escaped and traveled down her cheek. "Frank was a bastard." "We gathered that, ma'am. Care to elaborate?" "When my mother was alive, he'd slip into my room at night and fondle me. He told me if I spoke to anyone about it, that they wouldn't believe me. I'd be thought of as a child with an overactive imagination. I believed him. I had no reason not to." "Is that the extent of what he did?" Krys shook her head and looked at Tev's strong hand wrapping hers on the table. She wished she could crawl inside his embrace and forget the worl d existed. She felt the urge to cut herself. Had she a knife, she would do i t in front of them. Let them gawk, for all she would care. She had once agai n found herself in a situation she could not control. "My father raped me. Once my mother passed away, his visits became m ore frequent. I was so scared. I had nowhere to go." Her shoulders trembled as sobs threatened to take over. Lieutenant Ki ncaid grasped a box of Kleenex and sat them before her. She thanked him, the n took a tissue and blew her nose.

Stiffening her back, she looked the chief in the eye. "Frank was such a bastard, that having me as his personal plaything wasn't enough. My Uncle Jeff came by late one night. They sat in the living room drinking beer afte r beer. The more they drank, the louder they became. I was terrified. I lock ed my bedroom door and hid in the closet." She placed a trembling hand over her lips; tears slipped down her che ek. Tev released his grip on her hand and placed a comforting arm across her shoulder. He drew her to him, kissing the side of her head. The gaze he leveled on the two officers spoke of his internal rage. "I think we've had enough," he growled. Krys glanced at Tev. She could see the pain in his eyes. "Let me finis h. I've never told this story to anyone but Azzo, and I think it's time every one knew what a bastard Frank Braxton really was." She again blew her nose in the tissue, then continued. "Some time la ter, I heard my doorknob being rattled. I knew Daddy was coming for me, kne w what he'd do. He must have put his shoulder to the door, breaking through the lock and cursing me for keeping him out. He swore he would take the do or off its hinges. "He found me in the closet and pulled me out by the hair." Krys dug h er fingernails into her palms, not breaking skin, but welcoming the pain. "T his time he wasn't alone. Uncle Jeff stood over his shoulder, leering at me. Frank held me down, tried to kiss me, shove his tongue..." She placed her face in her hands. How the hell could she tell them? Wh at would Tev think of her? Surely, in disgust, he'd turn away. But surprising ly, he tightened his grip on her shoulder, tucking her safely against his sid e. Gulping fresh air, she looked at the chief and licked her dry lips. "H e raped me while my uncle watched, then held me down so his brother could hav e his turn. Afterward, they left -- and so did I. I packed what little belong ings I had and I ran away. So if you're asking if I'm upset Frank Braxton is dead, the answer is no." She looked at both officers, willing them to underst and. "But I did _not_ kill him." For long moments, no one said a word. Finally, Whitey spoke. "That's a ll we need for now, Ms. Braxton. If we need anything else, we'll call." Krys stood, shook both their hands and quit the room with Tev followin g. The quicker she exited the station, the better. She needed fresh air, and fast, for fear of passing out. It had been pure hell to relive her past. And had Tev not been there, she would have collapsed from the weight of the tale. "Hey, Zaber," she heard from behind. "How's it going on the streets?" Just as she turned to see who had spoken to Tev in such a familiar ma nner, he grabbed her elbow and pushed her through a side entrance. --------

*Chapter Twenty* "Where are we going?" Tev asked, looking at Raven from the passenger seat of the Crow car. The dashboard and radio glowed amber, casting Raven' s face in a yellowish gold. Again, Tev had put his complete faith in the ma n, heading into the night with no knowledge of their destination. Raven had stood in the hallway of his apartment complex forty-five minutes earlier a nd told Tev to grab his jacket. Without much of an argument, Tev had graspe d his leather coat and followed Raven. "Is this place going to be anything like the last one?" Raven smiled. His teeth shown white against a backdrop of black. The radio droned in the background to the Deftones' "Change." Kind of a creepy, catchy little tune. "Not at all. The one thing you will find in the vampyre community is diversity. What one perceives as real, others may not. Everyone has an opini on." He glanced at Tev. "The last house we went to was nothing more than a g athering of like-minded vampyres that believes vampirism is a physical condi tion. They crave and drink blood as part of their weekly diets. Nothing psyc hological about it. Others believe in a bit of the supernatural, psychic pow ers; they get caught up in the lifestyle. You wind up with a lot of role-pla yers in this group, wannabes." "And you fit in with both of these groups?" Raven shrugged. "Not really. The one group tolerates me since we have a mutual friend...Azzo. The other group is more my style and taste. I know I have a unique concept on life, which most would find strange. You know, re incarnation, coming back in another life, your soul traveling for eternity. Then there is the psi vamp in me. Drawing energy from others. Blood in itsel f is believed to carry energy. It's why many have drunk it for centuries. Th e whole mystical sort of thing. Though it's not something we suddenly invent ed in this day and age, I don't think it's ever been so popular." "Where does Azzo stand in the grand scheme things? What kind of a v ampyre is he?" Raven again glanced at Tev. "Azzo is thought of as a higher power, a n elder, if you must. But his power reaches far beyond Chicago. There are m any across the world that know of him and respect him." "Even the group we visited the other night believes this? That Azzo ha s some sort of power?" Scratching the area just to the right of his eye, Raven said, "I doub t that. I believe they would view the whole idea of an elder as a cult. But Azzo does seem to have authority attached to his persona. Who knows, maybe i t's nothing more than fearing the man. Most seem to show him a great deal of homage." Tev treaded cautiously. He needed answers and fast, since they were r

unning out of time. Another girl would die if Tevan did not get to the botto m of things. If he came across as too curious or nosy, though, Raven would l ikely see right through him and clam up. "How did you meet Azzo?" "We have a mutual friend. I came to Chicago and needed a place to sta y. Azzo helped me out, even though we haven't always seen eye to eye. I thin k Azzo tolerates me for the sake of our friend. I've been here for a little more than a year now." Raven pulled up to a red light at the corner of Washi ngton and Laramie. "How are things going with Krys?" he asked, as if wanting to change the subject. Just the mention of her name caused Tevan's stomach to knot. Things had escalated out of his control. He hated the lies, and their relationship had been built on nothing but. Going to the station had only compounded hi s deceitfulness. Krys had wanted answers, and although he had wanted to be truthful, he knew he could not. Not yet. He had been able to worm his way o ut of "knowing" Susanna Zaber by calling her a cousin's wife, and as he had told her before, he had never been close to his family. He also told her h e hadn't recognized the name because he "barely knew the woman." What a bol d-faced lie that had been; one that would surely come back to haunt him. As for the uniformed officer calling his name as they left the statio n, Tev simply told Krys he had, at one time, been an informant. Tevan sighed . Krys would likely never forgive him once the truth revealed itself. Concea ling the fact he upheld the law and worked for the city as an officer was on e thing, being married to Susanna, though, would likely earn Krys's scorn. The light turned green and Raven hit the gas, drawing Tev from his mu sings. "We're getting along, I guess. Why?" "Just curious," Raven said, flipping on the left-hand turn signal. "She hasn't been spending much time at home lately and I figured that had to do wi th you. She's a good girl, Tev, but she's not one of us." He glared at Raven. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Raven shrugged, not defending his comment. He sat motionless, keepi ng his eyes on the road. Passing many homes along the narrow streets, Tev realized they had come to a more seedy part of town. Luckily he had packed his Glock. Not that he did not trust Raven to make sure they arrived safe ly, but he wasn't about to take chances. With the looks of the Crow car an d the way it coughed and sputtered, Tev worried they might be left strande d at any given moment. Next time out, Tev thought maybe he should offer to drive. Raven stated, "It means that Krys is disgusted by the fact we drink b lood, man. You saw that the night I drank from you. How do you manage to get around it with her? It's not like she's suddenly going to change her opinio n about us."

"It's not something we've talked about. I know how she feels and sh e knows what I am. End of story. What about you and Amber?" "What about us?" "You keeping company?" "Strangely, yes. She's nothing like me, exact opposite actually. Yet t here's a quality about her that's a real turn-on. I've spent my life looking for love. Never had it with my adoptive parents. And even when I discovered w ho my real parents were, I still never felt what most kids do. Probably becau se of who I am, I don't know. But Amber doesn't treat me like I'm all that di fferent. She likes me for me and I think I could fall in love with her for that." "Amber allows you to use her as a donor?" "Well that, too." Raven laughed. After circling the same block several times, he found a pothole-riddled parking spot along the curb. "We're here." Tev glanced around. Most of the narrow two or three-flat bungalows s tood in shadows, no porch lights illuminating the night, just the occasiona l glow from behind yellowed window shades or torn curtains. Even some of th e streetlights had either been shot or burned out. Street-gang graffiti dec orated the entire back wall of the nearby corner grocery and liquor store, with its barred windows and chained door, standing beside the dark alley. T hey certainly hadn't landed in middle-class suburbia. Hell, Tev might fear being mugged just walking down the street. Victim of opportunity. And on th is street it seemed like an invite for something unpalatable to happen. Raven pointed to a house set about twenty-five yards off the street. "Tha t's the place." "And where's that? What is it?" "A coven...but completely different from the last one we visited, like I said. Tonight is a special event." Raven winked at Tev. "It's initiation night." "Initiation? For whom?" Raven laughed as if he sensed Tev's trepidation. "Not for you, so don' t worry. I'm bringing you as an observer. But should you wish to join, you'd have to go through your own initiation." Tev could only imagine what the process might entail. Instead of a sking, he slipped from the car, slammed the door and followed Raven up th e darkened walk. Though no boards blocked off the windows, dark drapes mu st surely be drawn from the inside since no light shown through, making t he house appear abandoned. "Is anyone even home?" Raven glanced back. "Trust me; they're here." Tev followed Raven up the three rickety stairs and onto the porch in obvious need of resurfacing. Side-stepping a couple of larger holes, Tev fea red falling through the floorboards as they groaned and cracked beneath his boots. Something flew by his head. He ducked, feeling the wind from the wing

s. Shit, just what he needed: bats. Could the night get any uncannier? "You want to hurry it along, Raven? This place gives me the creeps." "Some vampyre you are," Raven said with an ominous cackle. A lighten ing bolt zipped across the sky as if adding to the eerie atmosphere. Tev fe lt as if he were on some weird horror movie set. His hand went to his back and felt for the Glock. The gesture gave him comfort. Rapping on the door three times, Raven paused, then knocked another two times. The door creaked open. A bald man with blackened eyes and a de athly white complexion ushered them in. Tev supposed the black lipstick le nt to the ashen pallor of his skin. In the shadowed living room, several o ther dead-looking individuals sat on broken-down couches and crates along the wall. "What the hell is with this place?" Tev whispered to Raven. "They can' t afford a maid?" Raven chuckled again, more than likely thinking Tev had been joking. "No one lives here. The place is kept for meetings. In this area of town, we 're not noticed coming or going, and no one cares." Tev ran a hand down his chin and the whiskers just beneath his lip. "W hat's everyone waiting on?" "The elders." "Like Azzo?" "He's one of them. I'm not sure if he will be here tonight, though. It tak es only one elder for an initiation." "How many are there?" Raven shrugged. "In the world, probably quite a few. But in Chicago , not many. An elder is a prominent member who is honored and respected fo r his experience, someone who helps establish a community." "Like Azzo? What has he established?" "Azzo is a bit different. He's more elusive than the rest, probably the m ost feared of the elders here." "Feared? Why?" "Because it's rumored that when there's trouble lurking or someone nee ds elimination, Azzo is the one called upon." A hitman? Azzo? Surely not. "Eliminated how?" "No one asks Azzo what methods he uses or what he does. No one even d iscusses it. As I said -- it's rumored. A problem arises and that problem co nveniently goes away. I don't ask questions." Although Tev knew continued probing might mean trouble and possib le discovery, he asked, "Why would someone need to be eliminated?" Raven raised one brow. "Exposure. As I said, this group of vampyres is a secretive lot. No one knows we exist. Then, too, there are traitors." "Traitors?"

"Once you become a member of a coven, it's a lifelong contract. Those who try to leave might be hunted down and killed." "You can't be serious?" Raven's one brow rose heavenward. "Quite." "Like a cult, then?" "I suppose one might view it that way. The thrill for them is in being i nvisible. No one knows places like this exist." "As for exposure, what about clubs like Pandemonium? You hang out the re in plain sight. Isn't that frowned upon?" "People perceive me to be a lifestyler, a Goth. They don't know abou t the covens or their existence. Most probably think I am nothing more than a whacked-out kid. You know of the coven's existence because I brought you here...because I trusted you." "What about Stone and Trench? Do they know of this place?" Raven smiled, but did not answer. Instead, he walked through the cr owd to another doorway and descended into the darkness. Tev stood stationa ry a few seconds longer, watching the expressions of those gathered. No on e paid Raven any mind. Tev followed Raven. Peering into the darkness, Tev could see illuminat ion at the bottom of the stairs where a black light lit his path. He descende d the steps, fear clawing up his spine. What was it about this place that had him constantly checking his Glock? If he didn't stop the nervous habit, othe rs would discover that he carried the piece. To the right of the stairs stood an obscurely lit room, with nothing m ore than a few chains and leather manacles hanging from the ceiling. Tev had read on the net how some vampyres crossed into sadistic and masochistic activ ities, and even scarification, the act of cutting patterns into one's flesh t o form a picture. Tev continued through the blackened hallway until he came to another room, also heavily shadowed. Raven stood off to the left, talking with anoth er man, his face hidden in darkness. Three large poles, situated in the room 's center, ran from floor to ceiling. They did not appear to be ceiling supp orts, so Tev could not begin to guess their purpose. The entire house seemed shrouded in mystery. Footsteps thundered as those upstairs began their descent to the bas ement. Tev knew whatever they had waited for was about to begin. He felt it in the marrow of his bones. He entered the room and stood beside Raven. The man with whom Raven had been conversing began walking around t he room's perimeter, lighting candles. Soon, it seemed a hundred tallow c andles glowed in the damp basement. The cement walls were cracked, in gra ve need of repair. Watermarks on the wall proved of recent floods. Tev stood to the side, partially shielded from view by Raven. With hi

s luck, he had probably arrested one of the group members and they'd likely expose him. Trench, Stone, and a third young man Tev did not know stepped forward , each leaning their backs against one of the poles, naked. The man that had lit the candles took a short length of leather and tied each man's hands ar ound the pole behind their backs. Stone and Trench remained placid, but emba rrassingly, the other man had an erection. Tev felt sorry for the guy, even though no one else seemed to take notice. After about five minutes of silence, a door opened. A man entered, we aring a long brown cloak with a hood covering his face. Tev nearly laughed a t the surreal events. Had he not been a witness, he would have never believe d it. The cloaked figure stood before the poles and raised his hands over h is head, chanting in some language Tevan could not distinguish. When he fini shed, three women came forth, brandishing stainless steel scalpels. They mad e four cuts on each of the tied men -- one on each breast, and one on each o f their inner thighs. As the crimson blood flowed, coven members were invite d to step forward and drink from the wounds. Raven did not enter the circle and Tev was glad for it. He did not want to appear the only one not drinking . To his surprise, several others did not participate either. After the ritual ended, the cloaked figure bared his own wrists, and with a scalpel, made a small slice across his wrist and allowed the three bound men to drink from him. The men were then cut loose and led from the r oom by coven members of their own choosing. "Where are they going?" Tev whispered to Raven. "It's part of the ritual. They're taken to a room and allowed to engage in any activity whatsoever. They get to act out their fantasies here. Outrage ousness is encouraged." Tev had seen enough. The only thing he wanted was out, but he had yet to learn the identity of the man in the middle. The cloaked figure came in their direction. Just as he passed them, he shrugged the hood from his head and allowed it to fall down his back. Azzo's black eyes stared at Tev. Without a word, he ascended the stairs and disappeared into the night. Looking at Raven, Tev said, "Let's get the hell out of here." Amber Briggs left St. Mary's Home for the Elderly, holding her car k eys. Normally, she never worked the late hours, but she filled in when need ed. Shivering, she pulled her coat more snugly around her and looked into t he sky. Clouds covered the view of the stars as the weather, unusually mild for this time of year, brought in thunderstorms. The night seemed damned e erie. Rain had yet to fall, but the wind had picked up, whistling through

the trees and around the building. Amber could not wait to get home and cra wl in a tub of hot, steaming water. Raven had told her he planned on being out for the evening. They could probably use the time apart. Although Amber thought she could fall in love with Raven, she couldn't help wondering if things had gone too fast. Amber did not want to frighten him away. She rounded a corner of the sidewalk and spotted her red Nova, sittin g beneath the parking light. No cars were within the vicinity. Although she relaxed her guard, a shiver of trepidation wound its way up her spine and ma de the hairs on her nape stand on end. Gooseflesh popped out along the surfa ce of her skin. Nothing more than silly childish fears. Stepping from the curb, out of habit, she glanced both ways before he ading the final twenty feet to her car. A hand clasped her forehead. A flash of silver arched before her eyes. Before she could scream, a sticky-wetness soaked her coat and uniform front; her keys slipped to the ground with a cl atter. The last thing she heard was the soft-soled shoes on the pavement as she sunk to the ground, her head bouncing off the asphalt. -------*Chapter Twenty-one* _I am all in a sea of wonders. I doubt; I fear; I think strange things, w hich I dare not confess to my own soul._ Tev turned over the strange piece of typed paper in his gloved hand, while members of the CSU milled about, gathering evidence. Blood stained s ome of the pristine paper a brownish-red. Tev hoped the missive might conta in a few good latent prints and further seal their case against Brown. Had it not been for the killer's choice of a victim, Tevan would not be standin g in the middle of the crime scene. What a better way to blow his cover. Sh ould Brown get his yanks off watching from a distance, Tevan would have no hopes of catching him. He tugged on the hood covering his head, hoping to f urther obscure his features. "Looks like Brown finally wants to play games," Cole Kincaid said in disgust as he stepped beside Tevan. "Where do you think the quote came from?" Tev handed the message to the lieutenant. "Seems a bit strange in wording." Cole shrugged. "If Brown holds true to his pattern, it's more than like ly from Bram Stoker's _Dracula._" "I don't get it. What the hell does he mean by it?" "It depends on whom the quote came from in the story. In the past cas es -- if the quote came from Dracula, it referred to Brown himself. If it ca me from Jonathan Harker, it could be referring to whomever is working the ca se or someone else closely involved." Tev scratched his forehead. He couldn't see how this quote could be lin ked to any of the investigators. _I doubt; I fear._ What did any of them have

to fear? "Could it be possible he was referring to Amber? She hung out with R aven. I could see where this strange quote might refer to her in some odd w ay. Her own struggle with the darkness of the world she entered." "Or you, for that matter," the lieutenant said. "Meaning the killer c ould know you pretty well. Knows you're undercover and struggling with thoug hts of vampirism, things you dare not confess even to yourself." "No one knows I'm undercover." "Unless someone you've met knows more about you than you realize. T hink back, Zaber. You tell anyone about this case?" "I didn't even tell my wife." "What _did_ you tell her?" "That I had to go away for a while." "But the assumption would be you were going undercover for the force. Is that possible?" He nodded. "I guess so." Tev took one final look at Amber Briggs. Her eyes stared sightlessly at the sky, chilling him to the marrow. By the small stones stuck to the wou nd on her forehead, it appeared she had landed face first on the pavement, w hich meant the killer turned her on her back to feast upon her neck. The bit e marks told a vivid story. This alone gave them concrete evidence of Sandy Brown's guilt. His bite marks on the past victims in Chicago were compared t o those of the Fairview Park cases -- a perfect match. One question remained, though -- who was Sandy Brown now? Whitey approached. "Tevan, my boy, hightail it out of here before you 're seen. We can't afford three months of undercover work blown because this piece of shit took the life of one of Ms. Braxton's friends." Tev nodded. Besides, someone had to tell Krys the news. Luckily, tod ay had been her day off and she hadn't had to stumble across this scene. Th e CSU technicians were everywhere. Why had the killer chosen a nursing home? Not to mention St. Mary's , both Susanna and Krys's place of employment. Just what Tevan needed, to worry about either of their welfare. Had Brown been stalking Amber or was she merely a victim of opportunity? Glancing about, Tev ruled out the latter. The nursing home was locat ed in a low traffic district. No one would venture across the parking lot u nless they knew someone in residence or one of the employees, convincing hi m Amber had been a planned target. He pulled down his hood to further shield his face, then turned to Whi tey. "You find anything of importance, you call my cell." "Will do. You find this piece of trash and fast, Zaber." After dismiss ing him, Whitey began assisting the CSU.

"You be careful," Lieutenant Kincaid called as Tev headed toward his vehicle. He stopped by his car and looked at Cole. "This guy may be playing games, but it's a deadly one -- a deadly obsession. And if my gut instincts are correct, I think he already knows who you are. Otherwise, I doubt he wou ld have left a quote." Tevan nodded. "I'm up for the challenge." "I hope you're right," Cole said. "Because with Brown, you won't be gi ven a second chance." Tev ascended the few brick steps to Azzo's door and used the brass kn ocker. Shortly, the door opened and Krys greeted him with a large, saucy smi le. His heart plummeted to his stomach. He hated like hell to be the bearer of bad news. "Couldn't wait?" she asked, rising on her toes and kissing his cheek, making him feel significantly worse. She grasped his hand and led him into the dim interior. "I told you I was coming by tonight. What's got you up so early? Or haven't you even been to bed yet?" "Is Raven home?" Krys looked at him in puzzlement. "I assumed you came to see me. Is that why you're here? To see Raven?" "I want to see you both. There's something I need to tell the two of you. " The smile left her face. She had obviously detected something amiss in his tone. But instead of questioning him, she did his bidding. "I'll get him." "What about Azzo?" She stopped from descending the stairs. Her brows drew together. "Yo u want to see him as well? I wasn't aware the two of you even knew each oth er that well." "We don't. And no, I don't need to see him. I was just curious who w as here." The last person he wanted to encounter at the moment was Azzo. Krys trotted down the steps, then shortly reappeared. "He's not happy being awakened before dusk." She laughed. "I think his head had hit the pil low a few short hours ago. But he'll be up. Can I get you something to drink ?" "No, thanks. What time did Raven come home?" "I don't know. Maybe around seven this morning. Is it important?" If Raven were indeed the man Tevan sought, he would have had plenty of time to kill Amber and still make it home. Though Raven looked nothing like the mug shot of Sandy Brown, Tev had never seen Raven without makeup or his dyed blue-black hair. But Tev still felt, even though Raven altere d his appearance with the theatrics, he wasn't the cold-blooded killer tha t had taken so many innocent lives. Right now, the only thing that mattere d to Tev stood before him.

"Come here, Krys," he beckoned, holding out his arms. She walked into his embrace. He held her tightly, fearing the next f ew moments. Her heart beat heavily against his chest, speaking of her trepi dation. Telling her Amber had been murdered would be nearly as hard as the day he walked out of his own house three months ago, leaving a tearful and hate-filled Becca behind. Damn, he missed his daughter. He had a lifetime o f hurt to make up to Becca. "You're scaring me, Tev," Krys mumbled against his chest, tearing his mind off his daughter and back to the present. "What is it?" He led her to the sofa. "Sit, Krys. What I have to tell you isn't good." Raven entered the kitchen, grumbled like a bear awakened from his hi bernation and walked into the living room rubbing his jaw. Black makeup was smeared from his eyes. "It's way too early to be up. This better be good, man." "Trust me, it's not." Raven sat beside Krys as Tev paced in front of them. He could tell by the look on Krys's face that she already knew something horrible had happen ed. Finally, he knelt and clasped her cold hands within his larger warm ones . "You know those murders they've been reporting? The women with their throats slit?" Her eyes widened, but she said nothing. Raven sat back on the sofa lo oking bored and almost like he might go back to sleep if Tev didn't come out with it. Tev tightened his grip on Krys's hands. "I got word through some channels that there was another murder last ni ght." "How? The news?" Raven asked, then yawned and stretched out his large bare feet, crossing them at the ankle. By the looks of Raven's feet, Tev guessed he must wear elevens, the same size as Sandy Brown, which Tev remembered from the case files Cole K incaid had sent. Dressed only in his boxers, and with his makeup smeared, Raven looked more pale than usual. But Tev couldn't see a likeness to Brow n. "What's this got to do with us, anyway?" Raven continued. His temp erament spoke of extreme agitation. Here Tev sat worrying about Krys, whe n maybe he should have been concerned about Raven. He'd likely blow a gas ket when he heard the news. "I know some people at the Chicago PD. So far, it's been reported on the news that a woman in her early twenties had been murdered -- no name giv en, as the family had yet to be notified." "You know who it was? Is that why you're here?" Krys asked, her voice trembling. Tev could tell by her expression that she might have already gue

ssed. "It's Amber Briggs." Krys gasped, pulling her hands from Tev's and covering her mouth. Sh e shook her head in denial. "You're lying. You couldn't possibly know the v ictim's name." Raven shot to his feet. "How do you know it was her? Is this some sort of twisted joke? Did you see her for yourself?" Tevan stood, his eyes nearly level with Raven's. He could not answer t ruthfully. "They found her in the parking lot of St. Mary's this morning." "Then I _know_ it's not true!" Krys seemed to grasp at straws, anythin g to deny reality. "She works days." "She worked the graveyard shift last night, Krys. She must have filled i n for somebody for at least half the night. I'm sorry." "What do you have to be sorry about?" Raven asked, his anger rising as his face reddened. He placed his hands on Tev's shoulders and shoved. Tev stumbled back a few steps, refusing to retaliate. Raven acted out of grief. "Unless _you're_ the one who killed her!" Raven jabbed a finger against Tev's chest. Tev batted away Raven's hand, wanting to deck him for even suggesting a ridiculous notion. "Oh for crissake! Why would I kill her?" "You tell me. Need blood? You aren't getting any from her." He pointed in Krys's direction. "I don't need blood to survive. Get real. What about you? You seem to take it whenever the mood strikes. Get tired of Amber on your heels?" "Go to hell! I liked that girl and you damn well know it." "It's just as ludicrous of an idea -- " Krys jumped from the couch and ran to her bedroom, slamming the doo r. Both men gawked in her wake. Tev had been so busy arguing, he had left Krys alone to deal with her grief. He turned back to Raven. "Look, I'm sorry. I know you liked Amber." "Yeah, go figure. I find someone I could really fall for...look, there' s nothing you can do." Raven glanced at the floor, but not before Tev detected tears glistening in his eyes. "Life goes on, you know. But Krys...I think she needs you, man. Better go check on her." Tev placed a hand on Raven's shoulder. "Are you going to be all right?" Raven sighed. "It isn't everyday we lose someone we care about. Unfortun ately, death's a fact of life. I'm sure if it's meant to be, our souls will mee t in another life." Raven narrowed his gaze to angry slits. "But I hope they ca tch this son of a bitch. I'll carve his ass into tiny pieces myself. The piece of shit doesn't deserve to live."

"No, he doesn't. And if there's anything I can do to help -- " "Tell me his name?" "Wish I knew it myself." Raven patted Tev's hand still resting on his shoulder, then headed fo r the stairwell. Tev glanced at the closed door off the kitchen. He padded a cross the linoleum to Krys's door and tested the knob, finding it locked jus t as a pitiful wail came from the basement. For all the bravado he showed, T evan knew Raven's grief came from the heart. His eyes had said as much. Tev gritted his teeth against the oncoming emotions. He had Krys to co ntend with and she needed his stability, not his pity. He knocked softly. "Kr ys...sweetheart, open the door." Her soft sobs filtered through the wood, nearly tearing his heart in t wo. He wanted to hold her. But with the solid door between them, she made his desire to comfort her not only difficult, but impossible. "Krys, please...open the door." "Go away." "Not until you at least let me make sure you're going to be fine. Open t he door." The lock turned; the door opened. Her forlorn look plunged his heart. He would have gladly taken the weight from her shoulders and bore the pain himself. He pulled her into his embrace. "I'm sorry, sweetheart," he whispered against the top of her head, causing her to shiver. "I can't begin to express how damned sorry I am." Tears soaked the front of his shirt as he cradled her head against his chest. Her body shook in sobs. They stood locked together for what seemed like hours. He'd stand there all day, if need be. Finally, she asked with a hiccup, "Did she suffer?" "From what I hear, all the victims were attacked from behind. They neve r saw it coming. I think it's safe to say she didn't have time to know fear." "Why Amber? I don't get it. She was such a sweet person. Kind to eve ryone." She angrily swiped at the wetness on her face. "She was the first p erson who even tried to be my friend outside of Azzo and Raven." "I don't know, sweetheart. Maybe if we could figure out why certain women were targeted, then maybe..." She tipped her head and looked him in the eye. "Maybe?" "Then maybe the cops could catch the twisted shit. Right now I don't thi nk it's safe for you to go to work." "You think he'll go back there?" "I don't know. But you can never be too safe. I just found you. I don' t want to lose you. Maybe you should seek some time off." "Like an extended absence?" she asked, looking as though she pondered

the idea. "But I can't afford to." "Vacation time?" Her red, puffy eyes held his gaze. "I have two weeks coming." Cupping her chin, he said, "Then now might be the perfect time to take them." _Hand encircling his powerful erection, the soul moves sinuously down the wall to a crouching position and slowly soothes the gentle ache building in his velvety shaft and closes his eyes. Like a microfiche stored in his mem ory, flashing in a kaleidoscope of colors, each stored image retells a second of time. His eyelids become a backdrop for mental pictures flashing so rapid ly, it takes great concentration to focus on just one, to centralize fully on the exhilaration: the illustrious serrated knife makes a downward arc; the b lade slips through flesh like a red-hot scalpel on butter; warm blood sprays from a wound, a fountain of breathtaking crimson; a woman's features freeze i n time as soulless eyes stare blankly at the heavens; vital fluid of life poo ls on the concrete._ _The soul groans, quickening his pace in remembrance. The metallic ta ste of the warm, sanguine fluid slipping across his tongue and down the back of his throat. Euphoria. Elation. Ecstasy. Fulfillment. His teeth nip and b ite, tearing at the flesh. His tongue glides along the sliced warm muscle, n ow growing cold. One life lost to enhance the life of another. _His. _The breath in his chest catches. He opens his mouth, tilts back his h ead, and emits a small groan as he achieves his release. The soul slips the r est of the way to the floor, his fantasies reaching a glorious end, and opens his eyes. Reality seeps back in, and along with it, a numbness. Pulling hims elf off the floor, he glances into the mirror over the sink. The image starin g back is nothing but a mere likeness of his outer shell. But the essence tra pped within is something far more abysmal than any reflection could ever begi n to show. No one could claim to know the depths of madness unless the experi ence is first hand._ _The soul turns on the icy-cold tap water and splashes his face. He co mbs back his hair and prepares to meet his day. The nourishment from his feas t of the night before will surely sustain him...for a time._ A knock on the bathroom door brings forth a cold smile. Innocence awai ts. -------*Chapter Twenty-two* "What the hell is this? Cole spat, holding the Chicago_ Tribune_ hig h over his head. "You went behind my back and wrote this?" Laurie glanced at Gabby, who sat at the corner table coloring in her b ook. She looked at her daddy, then went back to coloring the bunny's ear pink .

Tightening her jaw, Laurie eyed Cole. "Don't you dare yell at me in f ront of Gabby. You know how I feel about her seeing us fight." "Fighting is a fact of life. She'll get over it." "She's two -- she doesn't need to get over it. Lower your voice." He grumbled beneath his breath and threw the paper onto the bed. "Quit side-stepping the issue. I want to know about this article and now." The headline "Vampire Strikes The Windy City" stared up accusingly fr om the bed. Laurie knew she'd stepped in it deep this time. But even as she' d written the article and whisked it off to the editor at the _Tribune,_ Lau rie had known Cole would be irate. The exact reason she hadn't told him befo rehand. "It worked before," she said in a lame attempt at an excuse. "And it brought his wrath down on you." Cole's tone rose again. "Did you not think for one moment this might happen again? Damn, Laurie -- use your head for once." "Watch your language with Gabby in the room." "Oh for crissake, she'll hear it elsewhere." "But not from us." Cole raked a hand through his hair, telling Laurie of his agitation. She knew his anger stemmed from his worry of her. And although the thought endeared her, she could not have him shadowing her every move. "The best plan of action with this piece of crap is proactive, Cole -- yo u know that." He waggled a finger in her direction. "But not at your expense. This isn 't my case." "Then why have you been at the heels of the Chicago PD since we got here? You've hardly spent any time with Gabby and me. You come back to th e hotel and talk about the case." Cole let out a humph. "A mistake on my part." "I'll admit I used those conversations to my advantage. But I tried not to use any vital information about the case." "And how the he..." Cole glanced at Gabby, then corrected himself. " How the heck would you know? Chief White is liable to be livid. He's the on e who controlled what the press printed. Now..." He left his sentence hang unfinished and stalked to the window, pushi ng aside the curtain and looking down on the city. Laurie approached him, wr apped her arms about his waist, and laid her cheek against his shoulder blad e. "You know this is more about me than anything to do with the chief. S ince when have you ever allowed a chief to dictate your actions?" Cole clasped his hands over hers. "As I recall, two years ago when Joh n had you write that slanted piece for _Westlife_ and the _Plain Dealer._"

Laurie smiled. "And it worked...it drew Sandy out of the woodwork." Cole turned in her arms and looked down at her. "It ticked him off. It m ade him kill again." "And had he not killed the mayor's daughter, we might not have ever c aught him." Cole shook his head. "It wasn't her death that had us finding him, but him seeking _you_ out. What if he does it again?" "He doesn't even know I'm in Chicago." "You think he's stupid?" "Not at all. If he was, he wouldn't have gone this long without getting c aught." "That article is going to tell him you're here." Cole brushed the outs ide of his fingers down her cheek. His expression sobered. "There are things you wrote about, only an insider would know." "Maybe I have inside contacts." "And maybe your inside contact is standing right before you who has a n ax to grind with Brown. You think he won't figure that out?" She laid her head against his chest, hearing the steady thump of his hea rt, inhaling his musk scent. "You're probably right." Cole smoothed down her hair and kissed the top of her head. "I know I'm right. I think you just stepped up the game. I just hope another girl doesn't die as a result." "Special Agent Mathers," Whitey said. "Glad to meet you. Come on in and have a chair." James Mathers took a seat across from the chief. "Please, call me Jim. Where's Cole? He told me he was in on this case -- possibly helping where he can. I'd like to hear his take on this so far. The boy has good intuitions." "He'll be here, Jim," Whitey said. "I called him about a half hour ag o and told him your plane had landed. He's very anxious to see you as well. You two form a bond of some sort?" Jim laughed, tugging on the knot in his tie and loosening the top but ton of his shirt. "We didn't start off that way. I'm afraid Cole resented th e Bureau's involvement from the start. But in the end, he came around and we kept in touch. What do you have on Brown?" Whitey tossed a folder of papers onto the desk in front of Jim. "Six de ad girls, no known connection like in the past cases against him." "You check with Damien Vincent? See if he knew any of these women?" Jim asked, flipping through the folder, stopping at each of the crime sce ne photos and studying them. "Cole talked to him and he hasn't seen Brown." "Is Damien in Chicago?" Whitey chuckled. "By coincidence, yeah."

Jim looked at him, no humor detected in his eyes. "I don't believe in coincidences, Chief. I want Damien brought in for questioning." No wonder Cole had no instant fondness for the Special Agent. Being a ll business, he seemed highly dislikable. "I'll have Cole bring him in." "Who?" Cole asked as he walked into the office and slapped Jim on th e shoulder. Jim stood and shook Cole's hand. "Glad to see you." "We were discussing Vincent and the need to bring him in for questioni ng," Jim said. "Damien isn't connected to these murders. I already talked -- " Jim retook his seat. "So let _me_ talk to him. I'd like to see what he has to say." "He had no idea these murders were even connected to the cases in Fair view Park." Cole helped himself to a cup of coffee, then took a seat beside J im. "If I bring him in, he's going to be spitting mad." "I don't give a rat's ass. As I told the chief, I don't believe in coinc idences. Damien and Brown are in the same town. That's too close for comfort." Cole nodded, then took a sip of coffee. "All right, I'll bring him in." Jim laughed, showing the first bit of humor since walking into the off ice. By God, he was human after all, Whitey thought with a chuckle. "You're going soft on me, Cole," the Special Agent said. "In the old days I would have gotten more of an argument from you." Cole shrugged. "Maybe it's because I finally realized your merit." "Good, that's settled," Whitey added. "Now, let's move onto something else that concerns the case." Whitey tossed the _Tribune_ onto his desktop. Cole wondered how long it would take Whitey to get around to the iss ue. Laurie had again stuck him knee deep in trouble. He should be used to i t by now. Jim picked up the newspaper and scanned the headlines. The furrows on his brow deepened as he read the article. Cole could not judge by his expre ssion what he thought of it. No big surprise there. Jim never was an "easy r ead." Suddenly, he burst into laughter. "Well, if that doesn't rankle Brown's ire, nothing will. Your wife just called him a blood-sucking lunatic." "But he's not a lunatic," Cole said. "The scary part, he _is_ sane." "You and I know that, but the public doesn't. Brown doesn't seem to do well when he's slandered in the papers." "Do you know what this kind of publicity can do?" Whitey asked. His bushy white brows rose heavenward. "Unfortunately yes, Chief. The last time Brown came after my wife." "And you don't think he will again?"

"I know he will. I'm just hoping he doesn't find her. If he does, next time she might not be so lucky and walk away with her life." "What about Officer Zaber? We've already determined this piece of sh it may know who he is. What if he goes after him?" "Brown hasn't killed any males to date," Jim jumped in. "I don't think t here is anything here that might indicate his willingness to start." "So where do you suggest we begin looking for him?" Whitey asked, lo oking Jim square in the eye. "Since it appears Brown isn't hanging at the rock clubs, I say try other b ars," Jim said. Whitey grimaced. "Do you know how many bars are on the north side o f Chicago alone? This isn't Fairview Park. And by God, it's not my only ca se. I can't waste all my manpower on just finding Brown." Jim rubbed his clean-shaven jaw. "It's time to get Tevan to start ask ing around. What about this Azzo he seems interested in? What do you have on him?" "We have an address. He has no priors. Tevan searched the deeds -- a n Evan Thomas owns the property. At this point, we have no way of proving i f this is Azzo's real name." "Priors on Evan Thomas?" Whitey turned his palms upward. "Squeaky clean. Not even a traffic vio lation." "How close has Officer Zaber gotten to Azzo?" Cole asked "Not close at all," Whitey said. "As a matter of fact, Zaber thinks th e man has a great deal of animosity centered at him. Doesn't help that he was caught searching the man's room." "Let's bring in Damien," Cole conceded, knowing it was the only poss ible solution at this point. "Let's see what he knows about Azzo or Evan Th omas. Who knows, maybe there is a connection and we're just not seeing it." The director of nurses told Krys that Susanna Zaber had taken the da y off. It appeared the murder of Amber Briggs had taken its toll on her as well. Krys supposed she could have called the woman on the phone and reques ted the days off, or even gone through the director. But somehow, Krys thou ght speaking with Susanna face-to-face might help her to understand Krys's need for the time off. She would not be doing the residents any good in her present state of mind. Losing Amber had taken the wind from her sails. Had it not been for Tevan's presence, she more than likely would have resorted to cutting her self again. She had come a long way since meeting Tev and did not want to backslide now. In a way, even though he had expressed his wishes not to be , he had become her savior. Life without him was unthinkable. Somewhere al ong the way she had fallen in love with him. Krys chuckled to herself, won

dering what he would say if he knew that. He may not like it, but she coul dn't change how she felt. Somehow her heart had tripped over him and stuck like glue. Smiling, Krys pulled into the driveway of the address she had been giv en. Susanna Zaber's quaint home looked well taken care of in a nice middle-cl ass suburb. A small child about the age of ten sat on the front porch swing a nd stared in her direction. Undoing the seat belt, Krys then killed the engin e and exited the car. The cute little blonde never took her eyes from Krystal's, watching he r every move. The closer Krys came, the more on alert the girl seemed. Krys n oted the child had a leg cast as she stepped onto the porch. Kneeling in front of her, Krys said, "You broke your leg. How did that happen?" The blonde kept her weary gaze on Krys. "My dad says I shouldn't talk to strangers." "Your dad is a wise man. Is he home?" She shook her head. "He hasn't been home. Mom says it may be for a w hile. He had to go away." "I'm sorry to hear that," Krys offered. _Deadbeat dad_ came to mind. The little girl looked to her lap, but not before Krys saw the pain in her gaze. "How old are you?" "Ten," she said, glancing up, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Your leg," Krys pointed, attempting to get the conversation off the gir l's dad, "how did you break it?" "I was hit by a car." Krys's eyes rounded. "And all you got was a broken leg? You're a very l ucky girl." "That's what mom says. I had to have a surgery, too. But it's all oka y now. And soon, my dad will be back and we can be a family again." "Does your dad go away all the time?" "No, just this time. But he'll be back. He promised." "What's your name?" "Rebecca. But most everyone calls me Becca." "Well, Becca -- is your mom home? I need to talk to her." Becca hopped from the seat with more grace than Krys would have posse ssed having had her leg bound in a cast. "I'll get her." The door swung in and Becca yelled, "Mom, there's a pretty lady here t hat wants to see you." Becca disappeared into the house as Susanna approached the door. "Kry s? Don't stay in the cold, come in. I see you met my daughter," she said, sm iling, opening the door.

Krys stepped into the small foyer and clasped her hands in front of her . She glanced around at the well-kempt interior. "What can I do for you?" Susanna asked. "I went to St. Mary's to see you and they said you had the day off. I hope you don't mind my stopping by." "Not at all. Can I get you a cup of hot chocolate or something?" Krys shook her head. "I just wanted to ask for some time off. I have s ome vacation days coming." "Follow me into the living room where we can talk." Susanna called t o her daughter. "Becca, get on that school work. You have to have it done b efore you go back next week." "I will, Mom," came the agitated reply from upstairs. Krys smiled. It must be nice to have a normal home life and a loving mother. She had missed so much in her years growing up. "Have a seat." Susanna's arm indicated a plaid sofa. Sitting on the couch, Krys clasped her hands in her lap. "I was hoping for a week or two." Susanna sat Indian style on the love seat facing her. "I hope you can understand my reluctance. I can go to the administrator, but he's going to need a good reason. We're short-handed as it is, Krys. Losing Amber Briggs i s a huge tragedy and my heart goes out to her family. But we have our reside nts to think of." A tear slipped down Krys's cheek. She had not counted on how hard it would be to even talk about. She glanced at her lap. "Amber was a close frie nd." "I know how close you two were becoming. Amber was a sweet girl. I sh iver at the thought of what that monster did to her, but I have to worry abo ut St. Mary's, Krys. And as your supervisor, I have to say the job must come first. If you take off a week or two now, then someone else might suffer as a result. Someone will need to fill in the hours you've missed, and Amber's hours as well. That is, until we can find a replacement for her. Can you un derstand?" Krys nodded slowly; she truly could. "I am sorry about the loss, Krys." Glancing up, she swiped at a tear. "I guess I was just being selfish." "Not at all. Look, I'll call Mr. Klinger today and see what I can do. If nothing else, maybe I can get you a couple of days." Krys smiled. "You don't know how much I appreciate this." "I have your number. I'll call you later and let you know." Susanna ret urned her smile with a warm one. "As for now, just expect to have the next thr ee days off. If anything changes, I'll call." "Thanks," Krys said as she rose from the sofa.

"I hope you have someone to be with. It's important not to be alone in ti mes of grief." Krys thought of Tevan. Susanna was so right. Krys didn't know what s he would have done had it not been for him. Just thinking about his comfort warmed her inside. She decided to head straight for his apartment and his solace when she left here. "Yeah, there is someone. He's been good for me." Susanna smiled again. "He's the one responsible for your change in te mperament lately?" "I think so." "Then good for you. I'll see you in a couple of days." Krys turned to exit the room and stopped dead in her tracks. A small framed picture hung by the doorway. She hadn't seen it when entering because her back had been to it. A close up of two police officers, arms around eac h other, smiled into the camera. She cleared the lump lodged in her throat, trying desperately to keep t he tremble from her voice. "Who's in the picture?" Susanna approached her, laying a hand on her shoulder. She pointed to the man on the left. "That one's my husband, Tevan. The other guy is a partne r he lost in the line of duty." "Husband?" "Becca's father." "And he's a cop?" -------*Chapter Twenty-three* _Christ Almighty! The soul throws the slanderous piece of drivel acros s the room. His nerves coil and bunch as his ire stokes the fire deep within his gut. He'll slay the bitch this time. Serve her head on a fucking platter to that no good slouch of a man she calls a husband. Cole Kincaid will have t o live with the fact he caused his arrant fool of a wife's demise because he had no more control over her then to allow her to write such a minute piece o f rubbish._ _He should have killed her when he had the chance! Instead, he allowe d his lust to get in the way, desiring the stupid little cunt when he should have taken her life. Because of his own fucking stupidity, she lives. No mo re. He'll take everything in his way and shove it down the clueless police d epartment's throat. Lieutenant Kincaid might think he can get one up on him. He alone would show him otherwise._ _The soul dares to laugh in the face of God. The same God that forso ok him so many years ago and claims to be all-powerful. If God has yet to s top the soul, then how does one as weak as Cole Kincaid think to do the job ?_ _The soul grasps his knife from between his mattress, holding it up t

o the light. This time...this time his statement will be made loud and clear . The police will know who controls the game by his choice of victims. The C hicago PD will cry in outrage and know they made the huge mistake of thinkin g him the fool._ _Taking the blade down the meaty flesh of his forearm, a thin red line of blood wells to the surface and drips to the floor. Holding the laceration o ver the chalice he had saved of Ms. Brigg's blood, he allows his own to mix wi th it. Then taking the silver cup to his lips, the life fluid slips over his t ongue and down his throat. He smacks his lips in a satisfied gesture after dra ining the contents, then throws the chalice against the far wall with a loud a nd resounding clatter. To hell with Satan, to hell with them all!_ _"Kiss my ass, Kincaid...and that of your wife's good-bye!"_ "I can't fucking believe this!" Damien Vincent roared as he stormed i nto the interrogation room. "What is this? A God blessed reunion?" Although Cole had to smile at Damien's response to seeing James Mathe rs sitting at the end of the long table, Jim never twitched his lips, his fa ce remaining passive as always. Whitey sat across the table and indicated th at Damien have a seat. Damien glanced at Cole, gritted his teeth and sat down. "I swear, Cole, I'd love to beat you to a bloody pulp for this one," Damien grumbled. "Why the hell do you keep involving me in all your messes?" Cole pushed off the cold cement wall and approached the tall singer . He leaned forward and braced his hands on the table. "Because, like it o r not, you are tied to Sandy Brown. Whenever he's involved, we are going t o think you might know something. You want to blame someone, start with Br own." "If I could find the little shit, I just might do that!" Cole chuckled and righted himself, crossing his arms over his chest. " You know the drill. You've been through this before." Whitey read Damien his non-custodial rights and slid the card across the table for him to sign. He hastily wrote his name. Cole spotted a gash ac ross the singer's arm. "Where'd the cut come from?" "I fell off the stage. Anything else you want to know?" "Mind telling us where you were early Sunday morning?" James asked, c atching the singer's attention while the video recorder whirred in the backg round, capturing the interview for the record. "I don't have anything to hide. I played at Pandemonium." "And after that?" "I went home." "To?" "Cole knows where I live. He came by for a visit," Damien remarked sn idely. Cole rattled off the address and Whitey wrote it down.

"Who lives at this residence? Just you?" Whitey asked. "I live with a friend, Sally Fenton." "Of Fenton Glass?" Whitey continued. "That's the one." Cole glanced at Whitey. "Fenton Glass?" "A huge corporation in the city. Sally's daddy is worth a great deal of money and probably not too happy she's keeping company with the likes o f him." Whitey pointed his thumb at Damien. "That explains the size of the house," Cole said, then whistled. "Fell i nto it deep this time, huh, Damien?" "I'm doing all right," he said with a smug grin. "Sally home Sunday morning when you came back from Pandemonium? " Jim jumped in. "Yeah, she was in bed like any other night." "She doesn't wait up, look at the clock when you come in?" "She's not jealous that way." "You go straight home after your gig?" "Straight home and into bed." "Sally happen to look at the clock _that_ night?" Damien laughed. "How should I know? All I cared is that she was too busy stroking me to probably even look at the clock. Maybe you should call her and ask." "Trust me," Jim said. "We will. You know of an Amber Briggs?" Damien shrugged. "Should I?" Cole approached the table again and leaned down, bracing his hands on ce more. "Now is not the time to be a wise ass. If you knew her, you need to inform us." "I suppose she just got her throat slit." "Yeah, and Sandy left us a quote like the times in Fairview Park. He's going to strike again, and if I'm right, it will be soon. He isn't going to be happy with that piece Laurie wrote for the _Tribune_ today." "Still can't keep that old lady of yours out of trouble?" "My old lady isn't your concern." Heat rose up the back of Cole's ne ck. When it came to Laurie, Damien had a way with making his ire rise. "Wha t _is_ your concern is being named as an accessory." Damien choked on the water he had just sipped. "Get real, Cole." He nearly rose from his chair when Jim motioned him down. "I don't have a da mn clue what Brown is up to and you know it." Cole picked up the crime scene photos and dropped them in front of D amien. "Tell me if any of these woman look familiar." Damien grumbled beneath his breath and picked up the photos, looking at each. His complexion seemed considerably paler by the time he reached the

last one. Finally, tossing them back on the table, he said, "I don't recogn ize any of them." "Not a single one?" Cole prodded. "No." Jim stood, straightened his tie and walked around the table to Damien. He placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned down. "You lied to us last time, Mr. Vincent. I find out you're lying again, I'm going to cut off your pecker and feed it to the dogs. Do I make myself clear?" Damien glared. "Yes. Now can I go?" Jim stood and released his grip. "Get the hell out of here and keep your nose clean." Walking toward the door, Damien glanced at Cole. "If you and I meet a gain, it will be way too fucking soon." The door slammed and Cole glanced at the others. "Well?" "I don't think Damien knows a thing." Jim scratched his clean-shaven c hin. "I've studied these cases and I can't help thinking of Brown's last choi ce of victims. St. Mary's is in the boonies. I don't get it. Why pick there o f all places? Unless it has something to do with Officer Zaber. His wife and his new girlfriend work there. Amber also dated Raven, another confidant of Z aber's. It's all too coincidental. It's time to get Zaber out of there. You a sk me, I think this piece of shit knows who he's dealing with." Whitey nodded. "You're right. We can't chance Zaber's life. I'll have h im called off immediately." Her blood boiled. Had it been any colder in Chicago, steam might sur ely rise from her head. Krys could not remember the last time she had been this angry with anyone. Deceit and lies. Tevan Zaber had been nothing but. And to think she had allowed him to use her in such a manner. Her ire had b een the only thing to keep the tears at bay. At least being mad kept her fr om being so damned distraught. Bottom line, she was nothing but an informat ion source for him. He had milked her and she had given in. Only her love f or him kept her from going first to Azzo and Raven. And damn her, she did love him, the whole reason her heart seemed not hing more than a gaping hole in the center of her chest. Krys approached his apartment door, her breath caught in her throat by the way of a huge lump also lodged there. She wanted Tev to prove her wrong, tell her that somewhere in Chicago, another man shared his name and face. Fat chance. Raising her hand, she knocked. Maybe he wouldn't hear h er call and she could avoid the confrontation altogether and run home cryi ng to Azzo. Suddenly, coming here seemed a horrible idea. Krys turned to f lee just as the door swung inward. His hand on her shoulder stopped her from taking flight. Her stomach dropped to knee level. The time to escape had passed.

"Krys?" Tev asked, his voice soothing over her like the waves of the oc ean. She wanted to seek his comforting arms, to forget the conversation wit h his wife had ever happened. "Going so soon?" He chuckled. "Come on in. I was just about to call yo u." She stepped into the apartment, allowing him to shut the door behind them. Glancing around the room, she looked for anything that might tell her who he really was. Had she been so blind that she had missed the signs? The man owned a gun. Her mind drifted to the day she held it in the stairwell, c ausing tears to well in her eyes. Dammit, she was not going to cry. She kept her back to him until her eyes dried and her anger seeped back in. She turn ed and glared at him. The smile left his face. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?" She placed her fists on her hips. "When were you planning on telling me ? After I fell in love with you?" He scratched the back of his neck. His eyes shown uncertainty. "Tell y ou what?" "About Susanna." "My cousin's wife?" "Cut the crap." Tears fell from her lashes. Damn! She swiped them aw ay. "Unless you have a cousin who looks like your twin with the same name, I'm calling your bluff." He gnawed on his lower lip, as though weighing his options. He looke d at her pointblank, his expression unreadable. "Susanna is _my_ wife." "You son of a bitch!" The flood of tears unleashed as she flew at h im in a rage, pummeling his chest. She wanted to hurt him the way he had h er. But she never could, not when he belonged to another. She held no powe r over him. "How could you?" He firmly grasped her upper arms and stopped her assault. She went lim p in his hold. "You have a child," she cried. He pulled her into his embrace and she lost the will to fight. She fel l against him, taking his offered support, and his smoothing hand as it trave led down her back. She could hear the heavy thunder of his heart as it beat a gainst her ear. Dear God, how could she have been so foolish to fall in love with another woman's husband? "Becca," he whispered. "She's my daughter." "The family emergency." She felt him nod against the top of her head. "Why didn't you tell me?" "And what would you have said?" "At least I would have had a choice."

"What choice?" She pulled back and slapped his chest. "You son of a bitch, you're so bli nd it's pathetic." He glanced down at her, his eyes brimming with some unidentified emo tion. Had she not known better, she would swear that he cared. "Listen to m e." "I'm tired of listening. You got what you wanted, now leave me alone." He stopped her from pulling away and slightly shook her. "Dammit, Kry s -- you're going to hear me out." "Tell me why the hell I should! You're a liar! Why should I believe yo u now?" "Because it's the truth. I'm getting a divorce from Suz." Hysterical laughter bubbled up her throat. "Now there's a line no woman has ever heard before. Call me when it's final. Better yet, spare me the pain a nd don't call at all. I've had it with your lies!" "You said you loved me." She stopped trying to pull away, hearing her thoughts tumble from his lips. How could she have been so stupid to admit that? Her best form of selfdefense was denial. "I never said -- " "You said 'after you fell in love with me.' I say you already have." She shook her head and finally managed to back from his hold. She acc usingly held a finger at him. "That's no admission! It's nothing more than a _possibility_ of what could have -- " "Now who's the liar." She jerked her head, feeling as if he had actually slapped her. "How da re you?" One brow rose in challenge. "You come in here accusing me of being a lair -- of which I'm not denying. But now you lie and won't admit as much? " "That's not even close to the same thing, and you know it." "Isn't it?" "No!" "Do you?" he asked, his tone softening as he approached. Damn, it would do her no good to stay here. His tone bewitched her mo re than a snake charmer's flute did a King Cobra. She had to run while she h ad the chance, but yet her feet seemed rooted to the floor. "You're not answering me." He stopped mere inches from her. "Do you love me?" The dam broke; tears sprung forth. How could she deny it when the pai n of his betrayal must certainly be etched upon her face? A tiny smile curled up his lips. "You do, don't you?" She wanted to smack the smug look off his face. So what if she loved h

im? That fact didn't change a thing. "You're a jerk!" He pulled her into his arms. "But you love this jerk." "And what good would it do to admit it? You're still married." "I already signed the divorce papers." He tilted up her chin and placed a tender kiss on her lips. But you don't love me, she wanted to scream. "You have a child." Tev sighed. "And I have no intention of giving her up." "I wouldn't expect you to." "Before this, before I met you...she was my whole life. I stayed with S uz because I couldn't bear to be apart from Becca." "And now?" He shrugged. "I still can't stand it, but you make it tolerable." "You're such a liar, Tev." "I'm not lying now, Krys. My papers have been filed. My marriage to Suz is over. It has been for some time, just took a while for the both of us to r ealize it." She stiffened her spine. It was time to lay all the cards on the table. "Did your wife know you were a vampyre?" He sighed, then released her and walked to the sofa. He sat on the arm, kicked his feet out in front of him and stared at her. "I'm not a vampyre." "Then what are you?" Gnawing his lower lip again, she could see his indecisiveness. She kne w he wrestled with the whole truth. "I'm a cop." -------*Chapter Twenty-four* _Women._ Tev would never pretend to understand them. What the hell h ad he said that was so God awful, sending Krys fleeing from his apartment l ike a demon chasing at her heels? Surely admitting his marriage had much mo re impact than admitting to his being a cop. And she had stayed the entire time, hearing him out. Tev had even thought he had made leeway. But after h e had uttered the seemly fatal words, "I'm a cop," she had turned and ran. By the time he took chase, she had fled the building, jumped into her car, and drove away. He had watched the tail lights fade into the distance from his position on the front sidewalk. Why the hell he cared, he refused to contemplate. He needed his head examined. Women were more trouble than they were worth. Besides, he had mo re important issues to deal with than chasing insecure women through the st reets of Chicago. But Krys had said she loved him. And like it or not, that declaration alone had him wanting to explain his actions, his reasoning be hind all the secrets, lies, and deceptions. He had earned everything she di shed out and more. The last thing he deserved was her love.

Pulling up to the curb in front of Azzo's house, he stared at the fo rmidable structure. Not for the first time he wondered at the cost of keepi ng such a place running and the man that seemed to be able to do it. What d id Azzo do for a living? Tev still had no clue as to who the man was or whe ther Evan Thomas was his real name. There seemed to be no public record of the residence, other than the owner's name, or the man. As for now, though, he hoped like hell the enigma wasn't at home. The last thing he needed was a confrontation with Azzo. His cell phone rang, splitting the silence, tak ing his mind off his actions. At the moment, the only thing he wanted to do was exit the vehicle and jog up to the house and find Krys. Her car sat un occupied in the driveway, so he knew she had come straight home. He flipped open the flap on the phone after the second ring and hit SEND. "Zaber," came Whitey's familiar voice over the airwaves, "we're pullin g you from the case. I want you at the precinct now." "I can't, Chief." "What?" he roared. Tev knew Whitey hated his authority questioned. H e'd no doubt pay for this later. "Are you defying me?" "Not at all, sir. I just have something very pressing that needs taking care of. Trust me -- it can't wait. Besides, this case is far from closed and I want it solved. I'm not coming in until I accomplish that. You at least owe me the courtesy." "We have Special Agent Mathers here, Zaber. We've turned the case ove r to the Bureau. It's out of our hands. He's working the case with Lieutenan t Kincaid. The two of them, along with the Chicago PD's cooperation, will so lve this thing. Your job is officially done. I won't argue the point." Tev grumbled. The Feds had arrived, and Tev knew they would take ove r and the last three months would have been for naught. He had risked his l ife and family to make detective. Surely, Whitey would not grant him the pr omotion, not when he hadn't solved the case. Tev glanced at the large home, knowing Krys dwelled within. Was making detective worth losing it all? He had already sacrificed so much. Like a light bulb switching on in his head, he realized the only thing that mattered was the one person he had lied to and making up to her for all of his wrongs. "Zaber?" Whitey prodded when he hadn't responded. "I'm not through here, Chief. Give me one more day -- that's all I ask. A fter all I've done for the good of this case and the precinct, it's the least yo u can do in return." Whitey mumbled beneath his breath. Tev could hear frustration in his g runts and groans. "You stay the hell out of the Bureau's way, Zaber. I hear y ou interfered, I'll have your job. I want to see you first thing tomorrow. No arguing," he added as if to shut Tevan up before he could start. "You want t o help solve this thing, then you will work with Kincaid and Mathers in full

capacity." "Thanks, Whitey. I'll see you in the morning." Tev hit the END button, then tucked the phone in his pocket. Getting out of the car, he reached back and checked for the Glock resting at his w aistband, hidden by his leather coat. Coming to Azzo's no longer seemed saf e, not with the man's animosity toward Tev so apparent. He had a feeling Az zo may have set out to end Tev's life had it not been for Krys. Something a bout the man set Tev on edge. He had seen too many cold-blooded killers in his life not to recognize one standing right in front of him. Walking to the door, Tevan struck the brass knocker against the plat e. The house seemed cloaked in silence as no one answered the call. He chec ked the handle and found the entrance locked. Tev stepped around to the sid e of the house, seeing only Krys's vehicle in the driveway. A glance in the empty garage told him the probability of only Krys being within the house. For once, luck seemed on his side. Around the back of the home, concealed by tall evergreens and bushes, Tev found a rear entrance. A quick turn of t he knob found the door unlocked. He stepped into the pristine kitchen. From memory, he knew Krys's bedroom stood to his right. He found the door to her room closed, a sliver of light coming from beneath it. The rest of the house remained in shadows as dusk fell over Eva nston. Tev tested the handle, and again to his good fortune, found it unloc ked. Evidently, Krys hadn't expected visitors or counted on him following. He thought about knocking, but surely she would bar his entrance. Turning t he knob, he opened the door. Krys lay on a white comforter stained in crimson, her forearms bleedi ng from several self-inflicted lacerations. The bloodied razor blade on the nightstand told the story. No cuts appeared fatal or across the wrist, rulin g out an attempted suicide. She rose up on her elbows to look at him, tears streaming down her face. She tried to hide her arms from him by wrapping her waist, shielding the cuts from view. Tev crossed the space separating them in three large strides. He grasp ed her hands, pulling her arms straight out in front of her. "My God. What th e hell have you done?" She desperately yanked on her hands, but he held fast. "Go away. Don' t you have crimes to solve? Someone to arrest?" His ire skyrocketed. Jerking on her hands, he pulled her from the bed so that she stood facing him. He narrowed his gaze. "I want to know what yo u're doing to yourself?" His eyes again took in the bloodied razor and beddi ng. "If you're not a vampyre or a donor, then what is this?" She glared at him. "Surely God had not made a man more dim-witted th an you." "What is that supposed to mean?"

She finally managed to pull her hands free and held up her forearms for him to get a bird's-eye view. "I'm a cutter. It's what they call Self Mutilat ion Syndrome." He glanced at the wounds. He had heard of SMS, but had never seen s omeone who practiced it. "Why on earth would you hurt yourself?" "I can't answer that and neither can the experts who claim to know th e reasons. All I can say is somehow it makes me feel in control when everyth ing else is so out of control. When the pressures of life seem too much to b ear, it makes me feel something other than numbness." "What don't you have control over? It's your life. No one can tell you ho w to live it." She ran a hand down his cheek. "I can't change you or how I feel about you. I thought I had a handle on it. I haven't cut myself in months. Then toda y -- I guess I couldn't deal with not being able to be in control over you." Tev led her to the bathroom. He pulled a washcloth from the shelf, we t it with cold water and began cleaning the wounds. She flinched as he ran t he cloth over the cuts. He counted two on her right arm and three on her lef t. The superficial wounds had already begun to clot. Tossing the soiled rag into the sink, he turned Krys to face the long mirror lining a wall. He stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Why would you want to control me, Krys?" he whispered into her ear. Her eyes fixed on his in the mirror's reflection. "Because then I could make you love me." His throat constricted, stopping him from uttering the words he knew she longed to hear. He could not tell her that he loved her...not if it mean t lying to her. He had hurt her enough for one lifetime and knew it would be in her best interest if he walked away and saved them both a lot of pain. W ith his undercover work now done, what stopped him from leaving? Soon, she w ould no longer be a part of his life. He placed a tender kiss on her shoulde r, inhaling her scent, preserving it to memory. As he glanced back at her in the mirror, her eyes filled with tears. Moisture grew in his own. "You're a beautiful woman. Any man would be a fool not to love you." "But you're not any man, Tevan," she whispered, her voice catching as his hands slid up her rib cage, stopping beneath the weight of her breasts. " Yours is the only love I want." How the hell did things go so wrong? His job had been to go undercov er, find a killer, and get the hell out. Krystal Braxton was not supposed t o be a part of that equation. What did he know of love anyway? He could not make his marriage work, leaving Susanna distraught more times than not fro m his frequent absences. He could not expect to keep Krys happy either.

Cupping her breasts, he tweaked her nipples between his forefingers and thumbs, watching in fascination as they pebbled beneath her pink ango ra sweater. He no longer wanted to discuss his inability to love, but to m ake love, show her how he felt in a way he could not with words. Soon, thi s world he had become a part of would be over and nothing but a distant me mory -- but Krys he'd not forget. He wanted to remember and savor everythi ng about her. The way she tasted, the way she felt, the way his name rolle d off her tongue when making love. The memories would have to be enough to last a lifetime. Whitey had granted him one last night and he meant to le ave her with a lasting impression. She arched her back, her breasts fitting into his palms as if they wer e a perfect match to his hands. God, he wanted her more now than he did the d ay in the stairwell, if that were possible. He nipped her neck, then soothed the area with his tongue, causing her to groan. He felt more animal than huma n as his desire seemed to rage out of his control. "Not here," she whispered, sounding like a plea. He glanced up and caught her reflection. "Why? I want you to see what I see -- the beautiful woman that you are." "I don't want to. My scars make me ugly." He took one hand and cupped her chin, turning it toward the mirror as she tried to look away. "What are you afraid of seeing? Your scars don't ma ke you ugly, sweetheart. Your beauty inside outshines any imperfections outs ide." He grasped a wrist and held it up with his other hand so the healing c uts on her arm were visible. Tentatively he reached out with his tongue and tasted a bit of the blood still seeping. The metallic flavor filled his mout h, not in a disgusting way, but enticing. A shiver ran down her back as he t asted her again, then placed a tender kiss upon the wound. He released her arm. "You don't need to do this to feel in control, s weetheart. You have more control over me than you will ever realize. You've consumed my thoughts since the day I walked into that tattoo parlor and saw you lying so vulnerable on that table. What I didn't realize was just how vu lnerable _I_ was to _you._ I may not like it, but it's not something I can c hange, nor do I want to." Tev released her chin, then moved his fingers to the row of seed butt ons running down the front of her sweater. He began undoing each one, his fi ngers trembling as hunger clawed at his gut, nearly keeping him from perform ing the simple task. Her gaze held fixed on his actions; her breathing becam e shallow and nearly non-existent. The last of the buttons loosened, he push ed aside the sweater to reveal her white pale flesh and black brassiere, her dark aureoles barely detected through the lace. With a twist of his fingers , the front closure gave way, revealing perfect breasts. His mouth dried as the desire to taste one nearly stole any coherent thought. He covered her fl

esh with his palms and kneaded. She gasped and tilted her head to rest again st his shoulder, but kept her gaze focused on his hands. His tanned flesh se emed in deep contrast, making hers appear more pallid. He teased each breast until he found her sagging against him, using his body for support. He slip ped a hand down the front of her knit pants and cupped her, feeling her read iness. She would not deny him this one last night as she wanted him as much as he did her. Pulling his hand free, he hooked her beneath her knees and ca rried her to the bed. Susanna turned the deadbolt on the back door, then checked the alarm system. Turning out the rest of the lights, she headed for the stairs when a noise stopped her from ascending. Her heart beat heavily as she stood st ationary in the darkness and peered into the shadows. Listening intently, s he doubted she would have heard the simple squeak of a board above the soun d of her thundering heart. Surely it had been her imagination and nothing m ore as Becca had been in bed for hours and no one else could have possibly gotten into her house without her notice. It was times like these that she missed Tev's presence. She had loved him and still did in many aspects, but he hadn't always been there for her. She had wanted to be cherished, to be put first above all else. But with Te v, she knew his job had been his priority and always would be. She might hav e even been able to handle coming in second to his career had his mind been on her and Becca during his down time. But even at home, his thoughts center ed on his job. Sighing, she grasped the rail and headed upstairs. The weight of the day settled on her tired shoulders and she couldn't wait to hit the bed. She doubted her mind would even have time to drift by the time her head hit the pillow. Dreamland would come swiftly. A board creaked from somewhere behind, stopping her again. She sucked in air. Her lungs burned with the need to breathe as she held the oxygen in side, afraid even the tiniest sound might alert whoever was in the house. In stinct told her to run the rest of the way up the stairs, grab Becca, and ju mp out the window. She could flee to the neighbor's and call 911. But fear o f embarrassment kept her rooted. What if the sound had been nothing more tha n the settling of an old house? Surely she was being silly. Susanna turned on the step and tiptoed back to the main floor. If som eone was in the house, she didn't want him aware of her position. A long bra ss poker stood along the wall next to the fireplace. If she could make it to the wall undetected, she'd have a weapon to defend herself. She envisioned herself wielding the brass poker high over her head, looking like a fear-cra zed lunatic. She wanted to laugh at the image, thinking herself nothing but a nervous twit. The article in the _Tribune_ no doubt had her seeing shadows. A vampi

re in Chicago? Ludicrous. Everyone knew they didn't exist. Vampires were not hing but folklore tales told over time. But the idea of a looming serial kil ler within the city was very real. Girls with her hair and eye color were be ing slaughtered. Rubbing her neck, she took a look around the empty room. Moonlight f iltered through the sheer blinds, giving her a good view. She stood alone i n the center of the living room. Yes, she had heard the creaking of an old house and nothing more. Chuckling at her apprehension, she headed back for the stairs. A hand shot out and covered her mouth. A steel-like arm enwrapped h er waist and yanked her flush against an even harder body, knocking the ai r from her chest in a whoosh. She grew lightheaded from the lack of oxygen as the arm about her middle clamped tight and hampered her breathing. The unknown person brought his mouth close to her ear. His breath fanned over her cheek, causing a shiver to snake up her spine. A male voice hissed. " _Then the beautiful eyes of the fair woman open and look love, and the vol uptuous mouth present a kiss -- and man is weak._ Ah, but Bram Stoker had such a way with words, don't you think, love?" Susanna nearly fainted as blackness threatened to engulf her. Dear Lord, it couldn't be. She struggled wildly against the steel hold. She tried to bite the ten der flesh of his hand but couldn't get a firm hold on his palm. He laughed, m ocking her efforts. Raising her leg, she stomped his foot, then threw back he r head, feeling the crack of his nose as she made contact. His hold loosened and she ran for the kitchen, hearing his curse, "Bitch," from behind. Making it past the swinging door, he grasped her ankle and yanked. Sh e went sprawling to the linoleum. Her mouth smacked the cool surface and spl it her lip. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. She clawed at the slippery floor, trying to grasp anything to pull herself away. He grabbed he r legs and pulled her toward him. She bit her already sore lip to keep from screaming and waking Becca. If nothing else, she prayed for the girl's safety. Where the hell was Tev when she needed him? Tears slipped from her lashes as he flipped her over. She kicked, cat ching him square in the chest, knocking him backward. But all too quickly sh e found him sitting on her midsection, her arms trapped beneath the weight o f his thighs. Dear God, she was going to die. "Please," she whispered, hearing terror in her voice. "No need to beg, my sweet. I shall be quick and merciful." His teeth flashed brightly in the dim light as his lips turned up in a grin of pure malice. Blood ran from his nose and spattered his face. He dragge d the back of his sleeve beneath his nose, further smearing the dark fluid. "Why me? What have I done?"

"There's the sad part. You haven't done anything -- I just need to prove a point." "A point?" she asked, tears running down her cheeks and pooling in her ears. He sighed. "That wayward husband of yours and the Chicago PD...well, l et's just say they go too far. I need to teach them a lesson. You, my dear, a re that lesson." Susanna stared into his eyes, and even in the darkness could see the y were the eyes of a dead man. There would be no pleading, for this man car ried no soul. The most she could hope for was her daughter's safety. Dear G od, what would he do to Becca? It was clear he was insane. She tried to struggle, a last-ditch effort to free herself. He raised a large serrated knife. "If you believe in the God of Heaven, I suggest you start saying those prayers." Susanna had always been a Christian, but she hadn't gone to church r egularly. She reached into her memory for the simplest of prayers and came up empty. Instead, as his hand moved toward her throat, the only thing she could think of was Psalm 23..._Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow o f death, I will fear no evil...._ The searing hot pain that flashed across her neck stole her breath and h er consciousness. -------*Chapter Twenty-five* Unable to sleep, Krys rolled over and draped an arm over Tev's chest. Her first clue at Tev not being a vampyre should have been his ability to s leep at night. This household never did. Tev's chest rose and fell with his shallow breathing. His brown hair fell onto the pillow. It had grown conside rably in the short time she had known him and the tiny bit of whiskers benea th his lip she adored. Asleep, he looked so innocent. She thought back over the past couple of months, at all the lies and deceptions, and knew she coul d forgive him anything. The fact remained she had fallen hard for him, and t hat wasn't about to change, whether he reciprocated her love or not. He had shown her how to love another, but more importantly, he had also given her s elf-worth. She had been so wrapped in her pain to see beyond it. Nothing ever m attered as she wallowed in self-pity and hatred, never caring for another. Tevan had showed her the self-destructive path she had taken since leaving home years ago, and what she had been missing out on in her anger. Being ab le to love another. Her father had caused her to distrust all men, to despi se them, thus making her crawl into her shell. Something for which she'd ne ver forgive him. But that was okay -- now she never had to. Someone had tak

en Frank's life, a life this world would not miss. Krys no longer had to wo rry about him finding her. The terror that notion brought had kept her lyin g awake many nights. Whoever killed Frank had given her a new lease on life and she would do everything in her power to try and make Tevan a part of t hat life. Tracing the long scar across the side of his chest, she caused Tev to s tir. He wrapped an arm beneath her and drew her into his embrace. She placed a tender kiss atop the faint line. He draped his free arm across his forehead. "Don't you ever sleep?" "It's hard when I'm with you." He chuckled. "Then maybe spending a lot of time together isn't such a g ood idea. No sleep can't be good for your health...or mine, for that matter." She teased one flat nipple by drawing circles around it with her finger. "But just think of the fun we could have." "I'm all for fun, sweetheart, but a man does need his sleep." He kissed her forehead. "I have to go to the precinct first thing this morning. The chief is pulling my cover." "So your job is done?" Krys's heart clenched. Where would that leave them? Although she fought the rising panic, she could do little to stop the tears moistening her eyes. She tried blinking them away. She would not cry; she would not beg him to stay. Tevan had to want her on his own. "No, we still haven't caught the killer. But after today, looks like I' ll be working alongside the FBI instead of vampyres. Come to think of it, smal l difference. The Bureau will likely suck the life from me as they take away m y case." "This must be a big case if the FBI is involved." "The dead girls found in the park -- and Amber Briggs. We have a seria l killer running loose in the streets of Chicago. Good thing you're a blonde. " "Meaning?" Tev ran a hand down her hair, smoothing it, then briefly kissed her. " He's only attacked brunettes with brown eyes." Krys saw the news, knew about the cases. She shivered at the thought of Amber falling prey to the madman. "And the police think the killer's a vampyre? That's the reason you posed as one?" He shifted, righting himself so his back rested against the headboard. "The perp is drinking their blood, Krys. It's his MO. He slices their throats then bites them. It's not pretty. Yes, it's the reason we thought he might be hiding among them." "And Amber? He drank her blood?" "I'm sorry. I wish I could tell you differently." He embraced her. "The s

on of a bitch is a sociopath." A tear slipped past her lash. "Oh God, what Amber must have endured. I can't even begin to imagine. It all seems so unreal -- like when I return to w ork she'll still be there. Her smiling face. Her bubbly personality. She seeme d to enjoy life to its fullest. Unlike me." He rested his cheek against her head. "Remember what I told you, swee theart, Amber more than likely didn't suffer. She never saw it coming. I'm s ure it was over in a matter of seconds." "Did you see her?" "Yes." "How'd she look?" Krys felt his shiver. "Be thankful you will never have to know. Crime scenes can haunt you." "Do you have any clues who might have done this?" "Better. We know the son of a bitch's name. Sandy Brown. Ever heard of him?" She shook her head. It didn't sound familiar, and a name like that she d idn't think she'd likely forget. "You have a picture of him?" "At the apartment." "Then why hasn't it been posted in the paper? Maybe it could have preve nted -- " "What? Amber's death? Possibly. But we can't live our lives on 'what i fs.' It wasn't printed because we wanted to catch him, not send him fleeing. I thought I could find him underground, hanging at the clubs." "But you didn't." "Not even a clue. But he's out there. We just don't know where. I prom ise you, though, we'll find him. He can't stay invisible forever. He'll trip up along the way and, when he does, I'll be there." He tilted her chin. "I ha ve to come clean with Azzo and Raven. They'll likely hate me. Can you handle that? It's not going to be pleasant when I bring them in for questioning." "You actually think one of them might be the killer?" "I don't think Raven would hurt Amber. On the contrary, I think he lo ved her. Azzo, on the other hand -- I don't know what to think. He doesn't r esemble Sandy. But something there is not right." Her brow furrowed. "You think he could kill a human being?" "I don't know what Azzo is capable of. But I do believe the man is lethal ." "That's where you're mistaken." Surely Azzo could not be guilty of taking a human life, Krys though t. He had been so kind to her, been there when she had needed someone. Fra nk came to mind. Just how far would Azzo go to protect her? Azzo's words h aunted her -- _"The bastard you call Father should have to pay for that."_

Had he been the one to make Frank pay? "Azzo has been nothing but kind to me. He's been like a big brother." "To you, Krys. But I've seen enough cold-blooded killers in my day to know when one is standing before me. He's ruthless and I pity the man that crosses him." "He took in Raven." "He _tolerates_ Raven." No longer being able to dodge the question plaguing her, she asked, " So what happens to us?" "What do you mean?" She sat up, setting herself apart from Tev. The coldness of the gap s eeped in. It felt as though the Grand Canyon separated them. "When you go ba ck to being cop, where does that leave me?" He glanced down, his hands fiddling with the white sheet draping his la p. "I honestly don't know." Tears welled in her eyes again. "You'll go back to Susanna?" His head jerked up; his gaze was tortured. "It would be a lie to say I d idn't love Suz, but what was between her and I is over. I told you that." "And Becca?" "She's my daughter. What do you want me to say?" She chuckled, feeling none of the humor. "I know that, Tev. But how wi ll she handle us?" "Us?" "As in you and me." More tears slipped unheeded down her cheek. "Unl ess there is no us when you leave here. I have to know, when you walk out t hat door, will there be anything left?" Silence lay between them, heavy and thick. Tev opened his mouth to spe ak when the ringing of his cell phone cut off his words. He rolled to the sid e of the bed, located his jacket, and extracted the phone. He flipped open th e flap, punched a button, then held it to his ear. Even in the dimness, Krys could see the color drain from his face. He uttered the words, "I'll be right there," and closed the phone's flap. "What is it?" Krys asked, her voice shaky. By the look on Tev's face she knew something dreadful had happened. He glanced at her, his eyes filled with pain. "It's Suz. She's been murd ered and -- " he swallowed heavily " -- Becca is missing." "Ah, dammit," Tev cursed as he looked down on his wife's lifeless f orm. Blood had pooled beneath her, stemming from a gaping hole in her slen der neck. He ran shaky hands over his mouth and chin. "Son of a fucking bi tch," he said as Whitey came up behind him and laid a hand on his shoulder. Tev jerked from Whitey's touch. The last thing he wanted was consol ation. Self-hatred prevented him from receiving sympathy. He fought the ur

ge to throw something as tears slipped down his cheeks. He swiped away the wetness and cursed his weakness. Falling to his knees beside Suz, he foug ht the desperate urge to embrace her, somehow convey how damned sorry he w as. He had failed the department by not finding the elusive Sandy Brown an d, in turn, failed her. How was he to know the bastard would take her prec ious life? She lay on the linoleum, staring blankly as if in accusation. H e closed her eyelids, his fingers trembling. Dear Lord, he wanted to take back the last twenty-four hours. Turn back the time. Stop Brown from steal ing her life. And where in hell was Becca? His shoulders shook in despair as he feared finding her dead as well. "It's not your fault, Zaber," Whitey said. "The hell it isn't, Whitey. I failed her, dammit! If I had only found the s on of a bitch. If I had only -- " "You can 'if only' all you want, but it won't bring her back." Tev stared up at Whitey's concerned face. "And where the hell is Becc a? Can you answer that? My God, am I to lose her as well? She's only ten, fo r crying out loud." Whitey clasped Tev's shoulder. "We'll find her, Zaber. I'll put every ma n we have on it." Tev stood, blood staining the knees to his jeans, and stared Whitey i n the eye. "You can't promise me that. You have no fucking idea where she's at any more than I do. She could be dead in some god-forsaken alley. This pi ece of shit is far from merciless. The life of a ten-year-old would be of no consequence to him." "Both Lieutenant Kincaid and Special Agent Mathers are looking for he r. They left about an hour ago, leaving the scene processing to the CSU. Off icers, on duty and off, are combing the streets and back alleys." "If this asshole hurts Becca," Tev spat, "I'll make sure he suffers when he dies. As it is, he'll die by my hand. I promise! I don't care if I spend th e rest of my days in prison. This piece of crap is going down." Whitey handed Tev a bloodied scrap of paper sealed in a plastic bag. Black, poorly scrawled words were visible. "We found this shoved in Suz's mouth." _There is reason that all things are as they are, and did you see wi th my eyes and know with my knowledge, you would perhaps better understand. _ "Lieutenant Kincaid looked up the last two quotes. He was right; they came from Bram Stoker's _Dracula._ We're betting this one did as well." Tev's hand shook as he held the Ziploc, his eyes fixated on the ink. " This son of a bitch is insane. He thinks to justify this -- to say that I mig ht understand?" He sighed, despair weighing heavily on his shoulders. Suddenl y, he felt zapped of strength and energy, numb. "I need to find Becca, Chief.

" He wiped the moisture from his face with both hands, then grabbed his cell phone from his pocket. "Who are you calling?" "Casey Black." Tev wanted to rant, to rave. Hell, he wanted to kick C asey's ass. "I need to know what the hell he was doing when he was supposed to be protecting them." Whitey cleared his throat. "And just where were you last night, Tev? Here with Suz and Becca?" "I was still undercover. You know that." "I pulled your cover. You could have been here just as easily -- " "I had no idea -- " "You think Casey did? He was probably working at Mack's. He couldn' t be here twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week any more than you cou ld have." The voice of reason. Whitey always had a knack of getting Tev to see b eyond the simple facts. Tev punched in Casey's number as he attempted to swallow the lump tha t had lodged in his throat. It had taken up residence from the time he had w alked through the front door and the smell of death hit him full on. "Hello?" came from the other end. "Where the hell are you, Black?" Like a cloud lifted from his brain, the names "Black" and "Brown" sift ed through his thoughts. Dear Lord, Tev thought, it couldn't be. The blood drained downward, leaving him light-headed and wobbly. Bl ack's features came to mind. Although different in many ways, he did resem ble Brown. Tev just hadn't seen it until now, or rather, had refused to. B lack's hair was much shorter and neatly combed back from the forehead, whe reas Brown's was parted in the middle and hung well past his shoulders. Bu t they had the same light, sandy-brown coloring. Black wore a beard, proba bly to hide most of the similarities, which, for the most part, had worked. What Cole Kincaid had predicted had come to light. Brown had been rig ht beneath Tev's nose the entire time. Hell, Tev had even commissioned the s on of a bitch to watch over his family. Tev's gut clenched like a vice, feel ing as though someone had delivered a powerful blow. Looking at Suz's lifele ss body as the coroner's office began to bag it, he knew the blame rested so lely on his shoulders. He, alone, had delivered Suz and Becca into the hand of a heartless serial killer. "What's the problem, Zaber?" "Where the hell are you, you son of a bitch? More importantly, where' s my daughter?" "I don't know what you are talking about. You're losing it, man." "When I find you, you sick bastard, I'm going to cut off your balls!"

Laughter came from the other end of the phone, cold and maniacal. An icy chill seeped into Tev's blood and froze him to the marrow. He knew there would be no reasoning with Brown. "Where is my daughter?" Tev grow led. "Ah, the good detective gets an award for being astute. Took you long enough. The Chicago PD is full of imbeciles." "Where the hell is my daughter?" Tev's grip tightened on the tiny pho ne. He wanted to crush Brown's skull with his bare hands. "Well, Officer Zaber, let's see how good you really are. If you can fin d her, you can save her. But I wouldn't take my time if I were you...not if yo u want her back alive." "Son of a -- " "Careful! I might just tire of these mindless games. Then I'd have to send your precious little Becca home to you in a box -- one piece at a time. I wonder if her blood is half as sweet as her mother's? Just the thought make s me lick my lips." Tev's jaw ached with his rising ire. A vein throbbed in his head. "If you h arm her, I'll -- " "You'll what?" Sandy laughed. "You have to find me to harm me. And I t hink you will be too busy searching for your little girl to come looking for the likes of me. By the time you find her, I'll be long gone. Another state, another alias. You cops are too stupid to keep me down. If they catch me, I'l l just escape again. I'll never see the chair. That I promise." "I catch you, Brown, I'll help you keep that vow! You'll never see the ins ide of a prison cell again if I can help it!" "Ouch -- the officer who has sworn to uphold the law threatens my lif e. Remember, Zaber, find her soon and you'll get her alive. But Chicago is a big city -- you'll need all your manpower looking for such a precious littl e angel. Waste your time looking for me and she dies." "If I don't find her alive, I'll spend my days hunting you down and send you to hell!" Sandy laughed again, causing a shiver to snake up Tev's spine. "I'll tell Satan to prepare a place for me then." "You do that, because this world isn't big enough for you to hide in." "I'll take that into consideration. In the meantime, happy hunting." The line went dead. Tev stopped short of whipping the phone across the room and shattering it into tiny black pieces. The activity in the room had ceased. All eyes stared at Tevan. He ran his hands down his weary face. He was in danger of going insane. His daughter 's life depended on his ability to find her and he had no idea where to start .

"Zaber?" Whitey asked, his tone soft. Tev looked at his chief. "Casey Black is Sandy Brown," he said, his ton e betraying his tired and beaten status. "I gathered as much. You know where Casey was living?" "Sure -- although I doubt it would do much good. By now he's probably long gone." Obviously seeing the guilt Tev shouldered in his expression, Whitey said , "This isn't your fault." "The hell it isn't. I handed my wife and daughter's welfare over to a luna tic." "You couldn't have known. I'll contact Mathers and Kincaid right away . The PD will find your daughter." "If it's not too damned late." Whitey swallowed. Tev detected a bit of moisture in his blue eyes. "Do you have any idea where he might have taken her? Someplace he talked about? Somewhere he may have access to? Anything?" Tev sat on a kitchen chair, his gaze falling to the black bag the coro ner's office placed on the stretcher. How the hell had his life turned to a p ile of crap? Suz did not deserve to die. In his lifetime, he'd never be able to right his wrongs against her. Never be given a second chance. While he sho uld have been there for his wife, protecting her, he had been in the bed of a nother. How could he expect his daughter's forgiveness when he couldn't forgi ve himself? Becca wrapped her wet coat more tightly around her as freezing rain continued to drizzle down on Chicago. With her hands and feet tied, she cou ld do little more than grasp the lapels and try to hold the opening closed. She leaned toward her knees in an attempt to stop shivering. She knew hudd ling would keep her warmer in the frigid morning air. Her teeth chattered; her jaw ached. She wanted to go home. The cast on her leg kept her from hop ping or doing more than sitting in the park where Casey had left her. He had pulled her from bed in the middle of the night, threw her coat at her and ushered her from the house, with no words about where they might b e going. Truth of it, he frightened her. He had a weird gleam in his eye. At first, she feared he might kill her. Instead he had tied her up and left her on a bench in one of the city parks. She wished Casey had given her time to change from her pajamas. Clo thes might have kept her warmer. As it was, she could no longer feel her t oes as numbness spread down her thighs, making her skin feel prickly. She had heard of frostbite, watched on TV how fingers and toes could fall off. Tears sprung anew. _Mommy._ Becca whimpered behind the tape, fearing what Casey might have done with her mother. Duct tape across her lips kept her from crying out. Her bi

ggest hope was for an early morning jogger. But on a day like this, who wen t out for a run? Her mind seemed sluggish. She had trouble focusing on her thoughts. Gritting her teeth, she tried to stop their chattering. Wind whipped around her, making her shiver more. She was tired, so very tired. Maybe this was nothing more than a vicious nightmare and, when she awoke, she'd be home, s afe in her bed. The thought comforted her as she lay on the bench. She knew she should try and stay awake, try to get attention. But the only thing sh e could concentrate on was the cold. _Mommy,_ she thought again as he eyes drifted closed. -------*Chapter Twenty-six* "Looks as if the place has been cleaned out," Cole said as he slammed a drawer. The apartment appeared as though it had been ransacked. Clothes l ay strewn about; dresser drawers hung open. "Like he took necessities and sp lit, leaving the rest. Must have been in an awful hurry to get the hell out of here." "You expected anything different?" Jim asked. "The question is, where the hell would he go? It's a big world out there. He took Rebecca in the mi ddle of the night. He could be miles from here by now." Cole grimaced. "That's the problem isn't it? It's too damned easy to g et lost. But I doubt he left in the middle of the night -- it would have been more planned, then. This room looks like he left quickly. Whitey said Office r Zaber spoke with him on the phone a few hours ago. I say he packed his shit and hightailed it out of here after that conversation." "He'll trip up, Cole. He'll kill again. It's his nature. We'll nail him." "How many more deaths have to occur before that happens, Jim? One m ore is too many." "I agree. But it's not our fault Brown escaped from Orient. Let's not f orget the two guards who forfeited their lives trying to prevent that. Sometim es things are just out of our control, Cole, and our best efforts aren't good enough." "But it _is_ our fault he left Chicago alive," Cole said in disgust, then walked into the bathroom and opened the medicine cabinet. Nothing had b een left behind but a few dirty towels and a drinking glass. Surely they cou ld process the place for prints, but that would be a waste of their time. Th ey already knew the perp and the fact he had occupied these rooms. "Son of a bitch," Cole mumbled. "Excuse me?" Jim asked as he stepped into the doorway. Cole shook his head. "Nothing. Frustration, I guess. We were so close to nailing the bastard. When the hell is this piece of shit's luck going to run o ut?"

Jim pulled on the knot of his tie. "I sure in the hell wish it would hav e been yesterday. Now we have that little girl out there...somewhere..." Cole thought about Officer Zaber's wife. Two years prior, it could h ave been Laurie, but Cole had lucked out. Now, with the killer loose in the city, Cole didn't like the plaguing thought that Brown might know where La urie was. Or the fact Brown might not leave Chicago without settling the ol d score. Second time around, Cole might not be so fortunate. "What's wrong?" Jim asked, obviously detecting something amiss from Cole's expression. "I ought to call Laurie and make sure she and Gabby are fine. Can't b e too cautious where this piece of shit is concerned." Cole grasped the cell phone and punched in the hotel's number. "Room four-o-three, please," he sa id, then the ringing resumed. "Hello," came Laurie's calm voice, stilling his fears. "Everything all right there?" She laughed. "Why wouldn't it be? Gabby and I are playing a game of m atch. You'll be happy to hear she's beating me." Cole chuckled, the tension easing from his shoulders. "She's a genius like her mother. Do me a favor and don't leave the room." "Why? What's wrong?" Apprehension crept into her tone. "Is everything all right?" "I'll be out most of the day. Brown is on the run again. We found him, bu t a bit too late." "A bit too late...?" "He killed a cop's wife last night." She gasped. "It gets worse. This time, he took a child with him. The cop's daughter." "My God," she whispered. "We have reason to believe he took her somewhere and left her. A divers ion. Get the cops looking for the little girl. As they rush to save her life, he has plenty of time to get away." "How old is she?" "Ten." "You have no idea where to find her?" "None. Mathers and I are in Brown's apartment. He split, and there's no sign of the girl. I have a bad feeling about this, Laurie." Cole paused. "Sta y inside today. Bolt the door." "You think he might come here?" "If he's smart, he's long gone. But I don't want to take chances wher e you and Gabby are concerned. Answer the door for no one." ****

_Watching from the shadowed doorway, the soul sees Cole Kincaid and the FBI agent leave his apartment complex. Fools. Fucking imbeciles. He knew the d etective would eventually play into his hand and come looking for him, the soul's reasoning for leaving his apartment in chaos. The morons no doubt th ink him hastily gone; his trail already growing cold. The soul laughs at th eir utter stupidity. For he has other plans, plans that include shadowing t he detective until he reveals where he left that bitch of a wife._ _Laurie Kincaid's time is but short. He'll make sure she meets the sam e end as Officer Zaber's wife._ Susanna. _And he had actually begun to like t hat one. Too bad the fucking cops and that bitch of a reporter had to force h is hand into action. Teach them a lesson. For that reason alone, his retribut ion will not stop until they all pay._ "Vengeance is mine," sayeth the Lord, _the soul thought with a maniac al laugh. Hell, vengeance_ is _mine!_ Tevan turned the sedan down what felt like the hundredth alleyway. W here would Brown have left Becca? A huge gaping hole had taken up residence in his chest, something time would never be able to fill. It seemed as tho ugh hours had already passed and he couldn't help but feel desperate, alone . He had lost Suz; though he may not have been _in_ love with her, he had l oved her on another level. Hell, she was the mother of his daughter, a more precious gift she could not have given. _Dear God, please don't let me los e Becca, too._ A small, cool hand came to rest atop his on the seat. Tev glanced at Krys across the small space separating them. Turning over his hand, his fing ers intertwined with hers. Her presence offered him comfort. She had called his cell number, had pleaded with him to allow her to come along in his sear ch. "Don't turn me away," she had said. "You need me." At first he had meant to refuse. But she was right; he did need her. The selfish part of him overruled his stubbornness to go it alone. He desire d her comfort and wanted her at his side more than anything. Her worried exp ression told him how much she truly cared, not just about him, but his daugh ter as well. Somewhere along the way she had gotten beneath his skin. And li ke it or not, he had fallen in love with her. She had become as important to him as the air he breathed. "We'll find her," she whispered now. "We can't give up hope." "How can you sound so sure, Krys? I want to believe that with all of my heart, but the odds are against us. I know all we have right now is hope, but it's beginning to wane." A tear slipped down his cheek. "I can't lose her. Sh e's all I have." "It may be small consolation, Tev, but you have me. I'm not going anyw here."

"You can't know how much that means. But now, all I can think of is f inding Becca." "We have to have faith. Something will lead us to her." "I prayed for the first time in a long while. I just hope God is still liste ning to me." Untangling her hand from his, she ran it down his cheek. "Have faith." He drove past the Eastside entrance to Homboldt Park, memories flood ing his thoughts of the night Susanna had met him there. More tears filled his eyes. He had a hard time accepting the fact she was gone. Had it not be en for the crime scene and her lifeless body lying in a pool of blood, he m ight not be able to believe it. How had everything gone from bad to worse? He had handed Suz into the arms of a madman. He was to blame for her demise . Would he have to live with the blame for his daughter's demise as well? He brought the car to a jerking halt in the middle of the road. "What are you doing?" Krys asked. "Back there -- I met Suz to give her the divorce papers. Casey -- " he paused, then shook his head " -- Brown knew I was meeting Suz there. You think he might have brought Becca here and left her? An end to my marriage , an end to my family. It might seem fitting in his twisted mind." Looking into his rear view mirror and seeing no oncoming vehicles, h e threw the car into reverse. The tires squealed on the wet pavement as he hit the gas, then swung the car around and headed for the entrance. The par k seemed empty and gray, lifeless. Not many would be around on a dreary day like this. "If Brown left Becca in the cold, she'll die of hypothermia. He wouldn 't even need to lay a hand on her." The thought of Becca near death scared th e hell out of him. "There!" Krys shouted, jabbing a finger toward a distant bench. "Some one is laying down." "Probably a homeless -- " "In this weather? They'd have sense to get under cardboard or in an a bandoned warehouse somewhere -- not stay out here in the open." Tev hoped like hell she was right. He rounded the curve in the road. H e recognized Becca's tiny features, her broken leg stretched out on the bench . His heart clenched at the sight. His breathing nearly stopped. What if they were too late? He threw the car into park. It rocked on all four tires as Tev leapt fr om the vehicle and ran toward Becca. Freezing rain pelted his face as he heard Krys's steps close behind. "Get some blankets from the trunk," Tev called as he scooped the unc onscious Becca into his arms. "She's barely breathing. We need to get her w arm."

Krys grasped two heavy wool blankets from the trunk, then opened the back door of the sedan and stepped back as Tev laid Becca on the seat. Tak ing the blankets from Krys's outstretched hand, he firmly tucked them aroun d his daughter. He meant to crawl into the car and give her the aid of his warmth when Krys's hand on his shoulder stopped him. "I'll sit with her, Tev. Get us to the hospital." Wanting to hold Becca himself, Tev nearly objected. But as he watched Krys cradle his daughter's head in her lap and try to wrap the girl in warmth , his throat tightened and he couldn't utter a sound. Instead, he jumped into the front seat and threw the car into drive. Laurie flipped over a playing card. "Not a match," she told Gabby, her eyes looking toward the door. Ever since Cole's strange phone call, she had been more nervous than a hen about to lay eggs. Fear slithered up her spine at the thought of Sandy Brown ever getting his loathsome hands about her neck again. She shivered. "Match, Mommy," Gabby said, bringing Laurie's attention to the clappi ng little girl who bounced on the bed with glee. "Very good, sweetie." She smoothed back the riot of dark curls from he r forehead. "You get to go again." Gabby flipped over one card, intently studied the remaining ones, th en picked another. She bounced again, sending Laurie nearly toppling off th e bed when the cards came up another match. Laurie couldn't help but laugh at her daughter's enthusiasm. A noise from beyond the door caught her attention. Her hearing, it s eemed, had become more acute in her uneasiness. Even though the hotel had a n excellent security system, she could not dismiss Brown's intelligence. He would no doubt find a way into the building. "Hold on a second, Gabby," Laurie said as she stood and padded acro ss the plush carpet to the door. She peered through the peephole and saw a maid stop just outside. Even though Laurie clearly saw the woman, the mai d's knock made her jump. She barely opened the door more than a crack. "Would you like me to clean?" the Spanish woman asked. Laurie shook her head. "Just fresh towels." The woman retrieved a stack of wash, hand, and bath towels, giving t hem to Laurie through the small opening, then went on her way. Laurie shut the door and leaned against it, willing her frazzled nerves to settle. She was being silly. Since Cole had registered them under an alias, Sandy Brown had no way of knowing where to find them. "Mommy, Mommy...another match," Gabby yelled from the bed as she h eld up two identical cards. Laurie stepped toward the bed. Another knock came and caused her to sq ueal. Gabby's bottom lip protruded. Laurie had to get a hold on herself or sh

e'd likely frighten her daughter half to death. "It's okay, Gabby. It's just someone's at the door again. It startled, Mom my. That's all." Gabby sniffed. A fat tear rolled down her round cheek. "Match, Momm y." "Very good, sweetie. Draw again," Laurie said as she peered out the peephole. Cole and Jim Mathers. Thank the good Lord! She thought they'd n ever show up. She opened the door and rushed into Cole's arms, knocking him off bal ance. "Whoa, there." He chuckled, catching his equilibrium. "Something hap pen that I need to know about?" She stepped back and greeted them both. "Sorry. I'm scared to death Sa ndy will find me. I'm not sure I could handle it again, Cole. It's taken me t wo years to work through the last time." "Trust me, he doesn't know where you are. He doesn't even know you'r e in Chicago," Cole assured. "How do you know? Why tell me to bolt the door if you weren't worrie d yourself?" Cole draped an arm about her shoulder and led her into the room with Mathers following. "Never hurts to be cautious." She placed her fists on her hips. "Why are you two here and not out lo oking for him?" Cole dropped his hold on Laurie. He picked up a giggling Gabby and ki ssed her on the cheek. Gabby grasped his ears and pulled him tightly against her. "Daddy, Dad dy," she squealed in delight. "Okay, sweetheart, show Uncle Jim how to play match. I need to talk to Mommy." Once Cole placed her back on her feet, Gabby grasped a red-faced Jim 's hand and pulled him toward the bed. She started flipping the cards backs ide up and shuffling them before again placing them side-by-side. Cole walked toward the window with Laurie. "You don't have a clue, d o you?" she stated more than asked. He let out a weary sigh. "We don't even know if they found the little gir l." She wrapped an arm around his waist. In turn, he draped his comforting arm across her shoulders. They both stared into the distance as freezing rain continued to fall about the city. Laurie felt his shiver. "Let's hope he put her someplace warm, Cole." "Damn, Brown! I want to wrap my fingers around his throat. I should have killed him when I had the chance."

"Don't beat yourself up over this one, sweetheart. You had no idea." "His kind can't be rehabilitated. I _knew_ that." "And you also know, had you killed him, you'd have been on trial." La urie looked into her husband's haunted gaze. "You uphold the law. You're not the judge and jury." He kissed her forehead. "I know, but how am I to protect you if I can't find him?" "And you aren't going to find him here. Gabby and I will be fine." S he looked back at Mathers, now thoroughly wrapped around Gabby's finger, fl ipping cards. "You better rescue Jim." He chuckled. "Looks that way." "Cole," Laurie said, regaining his attention, "we'll be fine. I'll keep t he doors locked and order room service for lunch." "I don't know how soon I'll be back tonight." "Don't worry about it." She placed a quick kiss on his lips. "We'll also order out for supper if we have to. You have a job to do." Cole's cell phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and hit the SEND. "Hello?" "Whitey here." "What do you have, Chief? Please tell me they found the girl." "Better. Tevan found her and got her to the hospital on time. She was suffering from hypothermia. With IVs and fluids, they're getting her temperat ure stable. She's going to be fine." "Thank, God!" "I tried to tell Tevan to take a few days off, but he wants to help na b this piece of shit. I gave him your hotel and room number. He'll meet up wi th you later tonight, probably once he sees Becca is settled. Krystal Braxton is going to stay with the girl while Tevan's helping you and Mathers. I've g ot the entire PD on the lookout for Brown." "Sounds good. Jim and I are heading out shortly. We wanted to stop an d check on Laurie and Gabby. All's fine here." "Glad to hear it. Now let's nail this piece of crap. I have APBs out. He'll surface." "I sure in the hell hope so," Cole said, then hit the END on the phone. He leaned down, kissed Laurie, and told her the news. "That's great, Cole," she said, wrapping her arms around his middle. " Now I suggest you get out there and finish what you started two years ago." "Keep holding me like that and we won't make it out of this room." He laughed. "Hey," Jim said, looking up from his game. "None of that. We've got a j ob to do." Cole smiled as Laurie dropped her hold. "Then why the hell are you pl

aying games, Mathers? Let's get out of here." Opening the door, Cole glanced back, causing Laurie to laugh. "I know - bolt the door." -------*Chapter Twenty-seven* Krys watched as the IV tube slowly fed fluids into Becca's tiny vein s. She had assured Tev she would stay with his daughter throughout the day, and the night, if need be. No doubt he wanted to be here himself, but he w ould better serve Becca by catching the man who had killed her mother. Krys 's heart ached for the girl. She knew all too well what it had been like gr owing up without a mother, not being much older than Becca when her mother had passed away. Leaning her head against the chair, Krys thought back to the day her nightmare begun. Frank had never been good at keeping an eye on her. He ha d been a horrible father and not a comfort at all when her mother passed aw ay. He drank ungodly amounts of alcohol and allowed her to live her life an yway she saw fit. She had run away several times, only to return when the w eather chilled her to the bones and she had no place to go or found no shel ter from blustery climates, forcing her to seek the comfort of her childhoo d home once again. Her mother had been gone nearly a year and Krys dreaded the upcomin g Christmas holiday. Truth be told, she would have rather passed by the bl essed event, it being anything but joyous that year. A scrawny tree decora ted the corner of the room with a tiny strand of lights adorning it, half the bulbs not working. She was reminded of the Christmas tree Charlie Brow n brought home in the beloved Peanuts cartoon. No more than ten ornaments hung from the branches, weighing heavily on them. The tree looked as if Fr ank had put it up as a last-minute effort during one of his drunken bouts. One package, hastily wrapped, sat beneath the tree, with _Krystal_ scrawl ed across the paper in bold black marker. No bows, no ribbons, just wrappe d in the Sunday morning comics section from the _Tribune._ Krys knew Frank had gone out Christmas Eve morning, more than likely out of guilt, and bought her a gift she probably wouldn't be able to use or wear. What did he care? As long as he had his bottle of booze beside him, no thing else seemed to matter. He had successfully hid behind the bottle for n early a year, why should Christmas be any different? The day they celebrated as Jesus' birthday arrived and that morning, when she sat in front of the t ree to unwrap her lone gift, Frank had a seat behind her, already on his thi rd vodka. "Open it," he taunted. Krys tore into the paper, suddenly excited to get a gift. She had alw ays loved surprises in the past. And after all, it had been far too long sin

ce Frank had even thought of her, or bought her a gift. Her last birthday ha d come and gone without so much as a "Happy Birthday." Tossing the comics to the side, she lifted the top off an old shoebox to reveal a pair of black l acy panties and a matching bra. Far too revealing for a girl of thirteen. Kr ys had seen the exact set in the window of a nearby Victoria Secret when she window-shopped at a nearby mall. Somehow, she couldn't imagine her father e ver walking into the store, let alone buying the set for his daughter. "Well, what do you think? You're becoming a grown woman now. It's hig h time you start wearing some of that fancy stuff." Frank snorted in laughte r, scratching his bare, bulging belly. A shiver passed down her spine at the lurid look she saw in his gaze. She tossed the box beneath the tree, grabbed her coat and shoes by th e door, and ran. She never wanted to go back. Not in a million years. Truth be told, Frank scared the hell out of her by the way he leered at her on occ asions, as though she might be a replacement for her mother. Twelve hours later, with no place to go, she nearly collapsed on her f ront step. Frank dragged her back inside. Her teeth chattered; shivers racked her body. He grabbed a wool blanket, carried her to his bed, and lay down be side her in spoon fashion, giving her of his warmth. Soon, she fell into a de ep sleep only to wake up with her father's hands groping inside her panties a nd brassiere, defiling her. Bile rose up the back of her throat, tasting raw and bitter on her tongue. Now, she shivered at the remembrance of that long-ago Christmas day . Hours earlier, she had not wanted Tevan to crawl into the back seat of t he car with Becca when they found her, did not want him to aid her in gett ing warmth. Although she knew Tevan would never be the man Frank had been, would never touch his daughter improperly, she couldn't help but recall t he old wounds. Wounds that would likely never fully heal, not even with hi s blessed death. Tears slipped down her cheeks when she watched the rouged glow warm Becca's cheeks as the girl slowly regained her health. They had been luck y in finding her when they had. Krys prayed their luck held out and Tevan would find Sandy Brown before he killed again -- or destroyed another fami ly. Tevan pulled the sedan into the hotel parking lot and looked at the address Whitey had given him. Hyatt. Room 403. Tev exited the vehicle and headed for the entrance, taking a quick look at his watch -- 5:15. Hopefu lly, the lieutenant would be back with Special Agent Mathers and they coul d get on the trail of Sandy Brown. Tev checked the readiness of his Glock at the back waistband. He wanted Brown, and he wanted him bad. Not only had Brown taken Suz's life, but nearly Becca's as well. Luc kily, Becca was on her way to a full and complete recovery, no complication

s. And thankfully, Krys had agreed to stay with her while Tev chased phanto ms. That's exactly what Brown felt like to Tev. A ghost. And yet Brown had been right beneath his nose the entire time, had taken advantage of their f riendship. Job on the line or not, Tev no longer cared. Sandy Brown would n ever see trial for Suz's murder. No, Tev would usher Brown to his grave. No chance of escaping if the son of a bitch was dead. Tev walked through the glass doors as they whooshed open, the warm ai r hitting him in the face. Too bad it couldn't warm his chilled bones. He do ubted that would happen until the close of this case. Moving to the elevator s situated to the left of the large registration counter, he pushed the butt on and, with a ding, the steel doors slid open. Tev stepped inside beside a woman speaking Italian to a little boy, who was tugging at her coat. Tev tho ught of the days when Becca had been that age. Life seemed much simpler. At the fourth floor, the doors opened. Tev stepped off, looking for a sign on the wall. Rooms 400-430 were to his left. He walked down the elegan t, oriental-red carpeting until he came to the door marked 403 and knocked o n the solid metal. The door opened a crack. A beautiful auburn-haired woman stood on th e other side, hesitantly peering at him. The deadbolt bar kept the door fro m being opened any further. "Can I help you?" she asked, her voice weary. "I'm Officer Tevan Zaber, ma'am. I've been asked to meet your husband here." "Can I see some credentials?" He knew she couldn't be too cautious, so he took his wallet from his p ocket and flipped open the cover, showing her the badge. Seemly satisfied, sh e shut the door and unbarred it, then opened it and stood back for him to ent er. "Cole's not back yet. I expect him anytime, though. Would you like me to call his cell phone?" "No, ma'am. I'm sure he'll arrive soon." The woman had a warm, teasing grin. Tev could easily see what Cole ha d seen in her. "Please, call me Laurie. I'm a reporter for the Cleveland _Pl ain Dealer._" "You're the one who wrote the article for the _Tribune?_" "One and the same." "You realize you released information that the Chicago PD meant to ke ep under wraps." She cleared her throat and glanced at the floor. "Yes, and I'm sorry. I di dn't mean -- " "Sorry for what? For my wife to become his next victim?" He knew it was unfair to blame this woman. But had she not written th e article, maybe Sandy wouldn't have been pushed into killing Suz.

"I didn't intend..." He jabbed his finger at her when the restroom door opened. A girl no more than two years old emerged. Her dark riot of curls framed her adorabl e face. She had chubby cheeks one couldn't help but want to pinch. Instead of saying the ugly things he had meant to say, he simply said, "You people rarely do." One finely plucked brow raised heavenward. "Meaning?" "Meaning that it's all about getting the story. It doesn't matter whose lif e is put in jeopardy." Laurie crossed her arms beneath her breasts as the little girl left the m to their conversation and went to bounce on the bed. "I know you recently lo st your wife, so I'll excuse that comment." "Please do. I'm not normally this rude." "I should hope not. You wouldn't have many friends." Tev rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ease the tension. "I don't, lady. Mine are all within the PD. Cops have a tendency to keep to themselves." "Don't I know it." She laughed; the sound was rich. "Have a seat whil e we wait for Cole. Gabby, dear, don't bounce on the bed." She turned back t o Tev. "Hungry? I ordered room service a little while ago. I can call and ge t you something sent up." "No thanks, ma'am. I'm not hungry." Laurie clucked her tongue. "You're too skinny as it is. A strong wind would blow you away, I'm afraid." He smiled for the first time since entering the room. "Really, I've eaten . I just came from the hospital." "Your daughter," Laurie assumed correctly. A look of genuine concern c rossed her face. "Is she all right?" "She's going to be fine." "Shouldn't you be with her?" "I should, but she's being well-taken care of by a friend. I want to be t he one to stop Brown." "Who doesn't?" "You don't understand, I don't want to merely stop him...I want to put a n end to his miserable life." She grimaced. "I didn't hear that. You're a cop; you uphold the law. T hough I won't argue with you that the man deserves death." "I read the files. I know what he did to you." "Or almost did. I was lucky. Your wife..." Tev looked at the floor. "She didn't deserve to die." "None of them did, Tevan." "I guess that was selfish of me."

She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Not selfish. Just human ." A knock sounded. "I better get that -- probably room service." "I'm going to use your restroom." "Help yourself," Laurie said as she went to answer the call. Tev walked into the small room, closing the door. He heard Laurie mu mble something, then allowed the man to bring in her food. The door slammed off the inside wall, startling Tev. Laurie screamed, causing Gabby to cry out in the same manner. Tev pulled the Glock from the waistband and placed his hand on the k nob, waiting for the right time to exit the bathroom. He flipped off the li ght switch, hoping the light disappearing beneath the crack of the door wou ld go undetected. The outside door slammed shut. A body hit the wall. The c ries of Laurie and Gabby came through the thin steel door. Tev cracked it o pen and saw Laurie pinned against the wall, a hand around her throat. The b ody belonging to that hand was beyond Tev's range of sight. But something told him that hand belonged to Sandy Brown. He eased open the door with his foot, seeing the knife in Brown's hand, raised above his head. _Give me a reason to pull the trigger, motherfucker!_ He stepped soundlessly from the restroom and leveled his gun. "Put do wn the knife!" Sandy turned and glanced at Tev. His eyes seemed void, as though no so ul resided within the shell of the body. A crazed smile turned up Brown's lips. "Put down the gun or this pretty lady dies...just like Suz." Brown's laugh soured Tev's stomach. He swallowed to keep the raging b ile from crawling up the back of his throat. "You sick son of a bitch. You w on't walk out of here alive. That's a guarantee." Gabby cowered in the corner by the bed, tears streaming down her chee ks, crying out to Laurie. Tev hoped she stayed in her position. The last thi ng he needed was a diversion. "Promises, promises," Sandy mocked. "The question is, Officer Zaber , how many are going out with me?" With lightning speed, Brown turned Laurie in his grasp. He held her as a protective shield before him, the serrated knife at her throat. "You going to shoot me, Zaber? Chance my blade sinking into her pretty little throat?" Tev took two steps forward. He stopped when Sandy pressed the blade f urther against Laurie's throat. Droplets of blood trickled from the small su rface wound. "What's wrong? Don't like the sight of blood?" Sandy laughed again, chilling Tev to the bone. "On the contrary, I would have thought by the c ompany you were keeping, the sight would have made you hungry."

"You really are insane!" He shrugged. "So you say. But in actuality, I'm in full capacity of all my faculties. That's the scary part. Innocent by reason of insanity?" He blew a puff of air between pursed lips. "Please! I'm quite sane." Laurie's hands trembled as she held them limp at her sides. Tev want ed to rush forward, but knew that would mean her death. Brown _would_ go do wn, but Tev meant to see to it without the loss of another innocent life. He leveled his gun on Sandy's face. "Put down the knife or I drop you where you stand." "You'd chance this woman's life? I wonder what Lieutenant Kincaid wou ld have to say about that." "I'm not taking any chances!" He aimed the sight right beneath the tip of Sandy's nose. "Say your prayers, motherfucker!" The shot rang loudly through the room. Sandy Brown's head snapped bac k. The hand holding the knife fell from Laurie's throat. Brown's lifeless bo dy hit the ground with a sickening thud. Laurie clasped her neck wound. Her chest rose and fell as she sucked in huge gulps of air. Shrieking her terror, Gabby leapt to her feet and ran to her mother. Laurie picked up the girl and hugged her as Tev approached th e body and kicked the knife across the room. Brown didn't move. Tev checked for a pulse. Nothing. Their nightmare was over. "What the..." came from the doorway where Cole Kincaid and James Ma thers had used the key card to gain access. Laurie, still holding Gabby, r an to her husband. He checked her wound. "What happened here, Zaber? You b etter not tell me you put my wife's life in jeopardy!" Mathers leaned over the dead body. Gray brain matter and blood spat tered the walls and carpeting. Tev rose from his crouched position and app roached Cole. He nodded toward Laurie and Gabby. "Get them out of here." Cole glared at Tev. "I'll get them another room. Afterward, we're going t o talk." "I'm counting on it," said Tev. Glancing toward the entrance to the hotel's lounge, Tev spotted Mathe rs and Kincaid approaching him. He downed his whiskey, feeling the burn clea r to the toes of his hiking boots. The men pulled out stools and sat beside Tev. "You're in luck. Laurie said, had you not been there, she and Gabby would be dead." Cole glanced at the bartender and ordered two drafts, one f or him and one for Mathers. "But you took a helluva chance where my wife wa s concerned by shooting him. He had a knife to her throat, for crying out l oud!" Tev tapped the bar; the bartender quickly refilled his Jack Daniels. "I

aimed for the spot between the nose and lip. You and I both know it's instant aneous death." Cole raised a dark brow. "And had you missed?" Tev picked up his refilled glass and downed it, then threw a ten on th e bar. "I've never been known to miss. It's the one thing I _am_ good at. Now , it's been nice talking to you boys, but I have a daughter who needs me." With that, Tev exited the bar without so much as a glance backward, sh oving his hands deep within his pockets. A large smile curved his lips. He ha d a good feeling that life, for him, was just about to begin. -------*Chapter Twenty-eight* Tev struck the brass knocker against the plate and waited for someone to answer the door. Pulling his coat more tightly around him, he tried to w ard off the chill from the winter winds. A light dusting of snow blanketed t he ground, adding a bit of peace and serenity. Too bad his soul felt anythin g but. He hadn't seen Krys since she left the hospital two weeks earlier, fo llowing the death of Sandy Brown. He had meant to call her, to thank her for all she had done, but in truth, the last couple of weeks had been a whirlwi nd of emotions and he had not been ready to examine what he fully felt for h er. Suz's murder and Becca's abduction were already overloading his sensors. He had needed a while to recoup. The door suddenly opened, startling him. "Well, look what the cat dragg ed in." Raven clucked. "If it isn't the good Officer Zaber." Not wanting to get into a lengthy explanation of his past actions or wh y he had kept Raven in the dark about his identity, he asked, "Is Krys here?" "In her bedroom. I'm not sure she wants to see you, though," Raven sa id with a smirk. Tev knew Raven relished his misery. Rather than trading insults, he said, "Why don't you let Krys be the judg e of that?" Raven swung his arm toward the living room. "Be my guest. Not like yo u'd go away if I asked." "You don't like me much, do you?" He laughed. "You know, man, I was actually _starting_ to like you. T hat's the problem. I trusted you, introduced you to the covens. Then I find out you're a cop. You think that doesn't stick my reputation on the line? Make them question my judgment? They'll be watching me closely. And don't t hink they won't be keeping an eye on you. You lied to me, man." "I had no choice, Raven. It was nothing against you." "Did you find what you were looking for? Did the killer surface from within the circles you were hanging?" Tev shifted his stance. Raven was right. The Chicago PD had him look ing in the wrong direction. While the covens weren't exactly on the up and

up, they had nothing to do with the murder of those women. "No." "So," said Raven, his tone sarcastic, "in other words, your bloodsuckin g lunatic was not a vampyre." Tev hung his head. Raven could not have made him feel any lower for his actions of the past several months. But what was done, was done, and Te v didn't feel like explaining his or the Chicago PD's actions. They had a j ob to do and had to explore all possibilities to solve their cases. People were bound to get hurt along the way. But for now, Tev had more important i ssues to contend with. He stepped into the foyer and headed for the living room, not giving a damn if the man followed. He was here to make up his abs ence with Krys, not cross swords with Raven. Tev noted packed boxes stacked about the room. Some large, several sm all. "What's this?" he asked, fearing Krys had decided to flee without telli ng him. "I'm moving back to LA," Raven said. Tev's heart started beating aga in. "There isn't much for me in Chicago anymore. Not with my reputation in shambles." "I thought you had plenty of friends here...the band." "Dragonslayer will get a new manager. Either that or I might move them to LA with me, should I find them gigs. As for my friends here," he paused, "they'll stay in touch. Reputation aside, I think it's time to put old memori es to rest." "Like?" "Amber." Raven ran a hand down his lips and chin. Tev noticed that the man had not a trace of the black theatrical ma ke-up on today. He could not remember having ever seen Raven without it. E ven his clothes could be deemed as fairly normal. A black gODHEAD T-shirt and blue jeans. Tev noticed for the first time that, without all the trimm ings, Raven was a rather good-looking man. He wondered why Raven hid behin d it all. Raven sat on the edge of the sofa and crossed his arms over his ches t. "Chicago will be nothing but a painful reminder of Amber. I really liked her, you know? Given time, I might have even loved her. I can't say that a bout any other woman I've ever been with. And there have been many." "I'm truly sorry about what happened to her." "I'm just glad the psycho is dead, man. Too bad it couldn't have happen ed a few weeks earlier and spared her life." Tev couldn't agree more. Too many lives lost. "So just like that -- you're moving on." Raven smiled. "Yeah, just like that. Who knows, LA gets boring again, maybe next time I'll try New Orleans. I hear it's a great place for people li ke us." Raven cleared his throat. "Like me, I mean. I keep forgetting, you're

not a vampyre." Tev chuckled. "Afraid not. But I tried damned hard to convince." Raven stood, walked over to Tev and shook his hand. "You did a grea t job, man. You had me fooled." He smiled, then patted Tev on the back. "G ood luck with Krys. She really loves you, you know? Be good to her. I'd ha te to have to come all the way back from LA," he added with a wink. "Now i t's high time I packed up my car and headed out. I have a long trip." "You aren't even going to tell Krys good-bye?" "Already did. Said my 'catch you laters' to Azzo, as well. All that's lef t is to pack up and move out." "Take care of yourself and keep in touch." Tev reached into his pock et and pulled out a new business card. _Detective Tevan Zaber_ stood out in bold black. "My number and address, if you ever need anything." Raven pocketed the card. "If I'm ever in trouble, you're the first perso n I'll call. I may just show up on your doorstep one day." Tevan's smile grew wide. "Call first." Grasping one of the cardboard boxes, Raven laughed. "I'll do that," he said, then headed for the back of the house. Tevan glanced at Krys's closed door. His breath caught in his chest; h is heart weighed heavy. He cleared his throat, attempting to still his rising nerves. He hoped she would forgive him for his recent silence. With all that he had already lost, he didn't think he could bear losing her as well. Knock ing softly on the door, he awaited her answer. Krys lay on her back, arm draped over her eyes, as she heard a knock. She knew Tev had arrived, had heard him talking to Raven. While a part of h er wanted to run to him, throw herself into his arms, the dejected part of h er wanted to hide, to hold him at bay. He could not simply play with her emo tions and not suffer the ramifications. She was not a toy to be used for his amusement. The pain he had caused by his absence was far too acute to just cast a side. She had worn her love on her sleeve in hopes he might one day return it . But without so much as a phone call from him, her spirit had been broken. H is feelings for her barely scratched the surface, too easily forgotten. "Krys, I know you're in there. We need to talk." She tried desperately to swallow the lump in her throat. "There's not m uch else to say. Please, do us both a favor and go." "Going away isn't doing either of us a favor and you know it. Open the door...please." His tortured tone had her slipping off the bed and moving toward the door. Each step she took made her feel that much closer to her doom. She kne w, once she laid eyes on him, she'd lose her resolve. Still, she turned the lock and opened the door.

Without giving her time to react or to utter a word, Tev grasped her forearms and pulled her into an embrace. He kissed her, leaving her breathle ss. She dare not hope that the emotion she saw deep in his gaze was love. Sh e could not bear to again have her aspirations crushed. "What is it you want?" she asked, backing from his hold. The more dis tance she placed between them, the better. She needed the added space to thi nk, not wanting her desires to keep her from getting to the truth. "To thank you." She laughed incredulously. Dear God, had she made such a fool of hers elf again? "That's it? So now you have. Get the hell out!" He shrugged; a sheepish gleam lit his eye. What was he up to? "You we re there for my daughter when I couldn't be. I can never repay you for your kindness." "You think I did that for payment?" "I know you did it out of love." _At least he had that much right_. "How is Becca?" "Recovering well. I've hired a psychiatrist to handle the trauma she su ffered. She has regular nightmares, but we're working through that." "And you? You look like shit, truth be told. Are you holding up?" With a devilish smile, he grasped her hand and pulled her forward. "I' m trying. Every new day has been a struggle. A lot has happened. I haven't sl ept well, so it's no wonder I don't appeal to you." "I didn't say you didn't appeal to me. You'd have to be dead not to at tract my attention. What has been keeping you awake?" "After Kincaid and his wife left, I made detective, thanks to the rec ommendations given by Special Agent Mathers and the lieutenant. Besides, aft er all I did these past few months, Whitey could hardly refuse." Krys didn't want to cry. She fought the urge and batted her lashes, not b eing able to stop the tear that slipped free. "I'm glad to hear it. It's what yo u sought all along, right?" His grip on her fingers tightened. He used his other hand to brush away the tear. "Not _all_ I sought." She pulled her hand free and put more needed space between them. "I ca n't pretend I don't love you, but your lack of caring about my welfare the la st few weeks -- " "Is that what you think?" His brows drew together, furrowing his forehe ad. "That I didn't care?" "You would have called." "Damn, Krys, my life went through hell. I lost my wife, almost lost m y daughter." He stepped in her direction. "But never _once_ did I stop think ing about _you._ Not once," he repeated in a softer tone. She blew out an unsteady breath. "Maybe you should go."

"Excuse me?" "I've spent the last two weeks thinking about us. I've decided it's just t oo painful for me." "What's too painful?" "Loving you." His voice rose as he spoke. "You can't be serious?" "I'm serious. I think we should go our separate ways. This isn't doing e ither one of us any good." He shook his head. "I came to apologize for abandoning you the last c ouple of weeks, and now you tell me what we had is over? Just like that?" "Just like that." Tev raised his hands in the air, the movement violent and jerky. Krys looked to the floor. She could not blame him for being angry. She had given herself to him freely and completely. There was no one to blame but herself . "I can't believe you. One minute you tell me you love me, the next you jerk the rug out from under me. Was it just a lie? Fun and games?" More tears fell down her cheeks. "I never lied to you, Tev." "You just fall out of love with the drop of a hat? Do you give it so fre ely to all the men you've been with?" Glancing up, she had the desire to smack him. "That's not fair and you know it. I've never slept with anyone else but -- " She stopped herself from continuing as a shiver of disgust passed down her spine. She would not do th is to herself. "You should leave." "Maybe I should," Tev said, nearly shouting. "I came to tell you...to as k...ah, hell, never mind. Maybe you aren't worth it." He walked from the room. Krys sank to her knees, covering her face w ith her hands as her body shook with sobs. Tell her what? Had she forfeited her one chance at love? Frank had cheated her of a childhood. She would be damned if she allowed him to rob her of a future. Scrambling to her feet, she ran from her room. "Tevan! Wait!" He stopped at the front door, hand on the knob, and turned to glare. "M ore taunts?" "No -- no more taunts, no more lies." His expression softened. "What are you trying to tell me?" "That I love you, Tevan. I always have and probably always will. Please don't leave." He placed his palm on her cheek. "Ask me, Krys, and I promise I never will." "Will you stay with me forever?" A smile turned up his cheeks. Never was anyone more handsome. "Sweeth eart, I'll stay with you a lifetime," he whispered, then bent down to kiss h

er. She felt something hard in his jean pocket between them. She backed away with a grin. "And just how happy _are_ you to see me?" Laughing, Tevan reached in his pocket and pulled out a small, black ve lvet box. "I'm really happy, sweetheart." He winked. "But that will just have to wait." She gasped when he flipped open the lid with one finger. A one-carat solitaire glittered at her. "Marry me, Krys." "Marry you?" Her voice shook as she looked into his eyes. He pulled the ring from its velvety holder and slipped it on her third finger. "Marry me and make me the happiest man alive." Tears fell from her lashes again. "Does this mean you love me?" "With all my heart." She could see the truth in his gaze. "When?" He laughed. "Not in any hurry, are you?" "Are you?" "In a hurry?" "Yes." He stole another kiss, this one filled with longing and promise. "Yo u're damned right I am. I can't have you living with me until you're my wif e, not with Becca around. What do you say? Can you handle being a wife and step-mother?" She held up her hand and looked at the sparkling diamond. "I could get used to the idea." "Don't take too long getting used to it. I had to pull in special favors to have a Christmas day wedding." "Christmas day?" She choked back a sob. "That day not good for you?" Krys fell into his embrace. "It's perfect." -------*Epilogue* Heat traveled up the back of Tev's neck as his anger rose. He grippe d the steering wheel, his knuckles blanching white. His gold wedding band s tood out in stark contrast. What was Whitey thinking sending him over to ac company the arresting officers? What the hell would he tell his wife when t his day came to a close? Mere hours ago, Whitey had called Tev into his office and expounded the deal the District Attorney had made with Clifford C. Wyland IV for his agreement to turn state's evidence against the hit man he had hired to kill his father. Though the motive might seem somewhat understandable to anyone who had a chance at saving a child, what the younger Clifford did was agai

nst the law. But he'd wind up receiving no more than a slap on the patties and a few years of jail time for having his old man cut down in cold blood. Though Tevan should have been elated they had one less case to solv e, he was anything but. He had yet to tell Krys that someone she once trus ted with her life -- Evan Thomas, aka Azzo -- was the alleged hired killer . Tev wouldn't have been surprised if he discovered that Azzo was also res ponsible for murdering Krys's father. He thought back to Raven's comments about Azzo. _The most feared of the elders here. A problem arises and that problem conveniently goes away._ Through the eyes of Evan "Azzo" Thomas, Frank Braxton would have been thought of as a problem. Tev turned the corner in his sedan and headed down the familiar bloc k in Evanston. A squad car sat parked along the curb. One of the uniforms l eaned on a SOLD sign while talking to a well-dressed woman. _What the hell?_ Tev parked behind the squad and exited the car. The woman, dressed in a tan suit, turned her attention toward him. "I'm Detective Zaber," he addressed the officer from a neighboring pre cinct. "What's going on here?" The man took the hat from his head and shook Tevan's hand. "I was just speaking with the Realtor, sir." "Stacy Calhoon, Detective. I'm here to help wherever I can." Tev glanced at the officer. "You mind filling me in?" The man cleared his throat. By the looks of his youthful face, Tev w ould bet he was a newbie to the force. He placed his hat on his head and lo oked Tev square in the eye. "We got here right away, sir. But when I arrive d, Miss Calhoon was replacing the SALE sign with the SOLD one." Tev already knew the answer to his question, but asked it anyway as a sense of trepidation surrounded him. "Which means?" "Evan Thomas, aka Azzo, fled town several weeks ago and left no for warding address. We have no idea of his whereabouts." "And the money from the sale?" Tev asked, turning to the real estate agent. Certainly he would not leave town without retrieving what promised to be a hefty sum. "Where are you to send it?" A smile grew on Miss Calhoon's face as though she thought she held th e missing piece to the puzzle. "It all goes to..." She flipped back a few pages in the manila file she held. "Ah, here it is. The money from the sale of said property, in the sum f ive-hundred-fifty-thousand dollars, goes to Krystal Braxton-Zaber." Tev's jaw damn near hit the pavement -- $550,000? He had never seen t hat kind of money in his lifetime, nor did he ever think he would. But he didn't want blood money. His cell phone rang, startling him from his reverie. Pulling it from his pocket, he hit the SEND button. "Hello," he said gruffly, his mind still reeli

ng from the shock. "Well, if it isn't the man of the hour," a familiar voice said. Tev couldn't quite put his finger on the identity. "Who the hell is this?" "Is that anyway to treat the man who gave your wife a half million in c old hard cash?" "You son of a..." Tev stopped himself as the Realtor looked strangely at him. He pointed an index finger in the air to indicate he would be only a minute and turned his back on the woman. Lowering his tone, he hissed into the receiver. "You can take your money -- " "Ah, ah, ah...it's your wife's money, Zaber. You have no say in the matte r." "I don't want it." "Doesn't matter what the hell you want. As a matter of fact, if I had my way, you wouldn't get a dime. But it was Krys's choice to walk down that a isle with you. For some silly reason, she fashions herself in love with you." "What the hell do you want, Azzo?" "Just to let you know, I'll always be near. Watch your back, Zaber." "If I get my hands -- " "Come now, Detective, you think I got where I am by being careless? You won't find me unless I _want_ to be found." Tev briefly glanced at the Realtor, standing patiently on the walk. "Don 't be so sure. You can't go far enough -- " "The Realtor's quite a looker, wouldn't you say?" Azzo laughed into t he phone. "Tan looks good on her." Tev looked up as Miss Calhoon tucked one side of her hair behind her ea r. "What the hell -- " "I wonder if it's a self-conscious gesture the way her hand tucks her hair ." "Son of a bitch!" Tev's gaze swept the neighborhood, the houses, the car s. "Sucks, doesn't it, Detective? This close and you still can't catch me..." The line went dead. -------*Afterward* Often I find myself intrigued by certain people, photos, movies, book s, and the like. I allow the fascination to carry me away into a tale of my own making. Maybe I'll be walking down the street and see an old woman sitti ng on a bench or driving past a dilapidated building in need of being torn d own and a story will strike my fancy. Sometimes a picture will allow me to c reate a character around the person's look and aura. Raven was that kind of character for me, born from a simple picture. I was surfing the web for research, visiting dozens of sites related to vamp

irism, amazed at the wealth of information on the Internet super highway. An d although I had read many message boards, looked through tons of interestin g articles, visited vampyre lists, I had yet to really understand or have fi rst-hand knowledge of what vampirism really was. Upon coming across a picture of a young man named Ashe Draven, his l ook captured my attention. I created Raven in my story off his persona. But soon, the picture didn't seem enough, the articles weren't giving me the k nowledge I sought or what it was like to lead a life contrary to society. S o I emailed Ashe, told him who I was and that I wanted to ask him a few que stions. And he was kind enough to answer. Thanks to Ashe for having answered my questions and putting up with m y curiosity. If you are out there, know that I appreciate your giving of you rself and your time. I hope you enjoyed my story, _The Hour Before Dawn,_ as much as I enj oyed telling it. May the sun always outshine the darkness.... -- Patricia A. Rasey ----------------------Visit www.hardshell.com for information on additional titles by this and oth er authors.