'Then from those dismal depths arise
Blaspheming yells and strident cries
Re-echoing through the murky air.
And, like a serpent from its lair,
Brandishing high a blood stained glaive
The Vampyre rises from his grave !'

- Wm. Beatty-Kingston

Chapter One

The party was in full swing, the revellers welcoming in the year 2000, and anyone who turned up on the doorstep hoping to join in. The beat from the stereo pulsated down the street, but other houses were involved in similar celebrations (although not as large), and so as yet no one was complaining.

Casey moved from the shadows, crossing the street and pausing on the path in front of the open door through which more revellers were entering. She slipped in amongst the others, no one at the door bothering to stop her, everyone too busy making merry to care about an uninvited guest. That did not mean she went unnoticed, and it was what she counted on. Almost as soon as she entered the packed living room, Casey knew she was being watched. She helped herself to a drink from the long table at one end of the room, and as she sipped it, her eyes scanned the gathered people, resting on a man who stood near the fireplace, talking with a large group. Every now and then his eyes met hers, and when he caught her glance, he raised his eyebrows, openly questioning. Casey turned away, satisfied at the ease with which her ploy always worked, she was a beautiful woman, with long straight light brown hair, the paleness of her skin enhancing the blue of large eyes set in a heart shaped face. She had that lost waif look about her that was much sought after, and a body which Eleni had taught her to show off to best advantage. In the black leather trousers and royal velvet blue top which perfectly moulded her form from head to toe, she knew she looked incredible. She turned back to the man smiling seductively at him, and then made her way out of the room, back through the front door, not walking too fast, making sure she would be followed.

In the alleyway opposite the house, not well lit so an ideal place where she felt sure she would not be disturbed, Casey felt the rough stone wall scratching her back, as her fingers ran through the locks of hair on the head of the man passionately kissing her neck. He had wasted no time upon introduction, and she preferred none, pushing her against the wall, quickly finding the zip to her trousers, whilst his mouth found hers. She let him enjoy the moment, knowing it would not last long, raising her face to the moonlit sky, watching the clouds as they crossed its full orb, groaning softly when appropriate, until she knew the right moment was at hand. And then, she felt her pulse quicken, the urges she fought so hard to keep in check now rising unabated, growing out of control, as she fastened her teeth upon the man's neck . At first he did not comprehend what was happening, thought it an erotic continuation of the erotic seduction he was taking part in, sure he was up for that, the realising of his fantasies as the glorious creature moved beneath him, but he felt the sharp pain as the teeth pierced skin, sinking deep, and a growing sense of alarm when he suddenly found himself held immobile by the strength of her deceptively strong arms. The feeding did not take long, she had learnt through necessity to be very quick and efficient, and when she released the limp form, carefully moving him to lie upon the floor, only half an hour had passed since Casey had first entered the small alley. She leaned down and pressed her fingers at the man's neck, detecting a faint pulse. She felt the blood at her mouth and wiped it away, straightening and departing, making sure no one observed her as she left the alley and made her way down the street, keeping to what shadows there were. Moments later, a companion of the man stood in the doorway, scanning the area hoping to spot his friend, lucky swine had probably scored with the stunning bird they had seen. 'Well get on with it', he thought, 'we have to leave soon'.

In the early hours of January 1st, 2000, Casey closed the door to her basement apartment behind her, with a small sigh. It had been a good night, easy, and removing her clothing, she climbed beneath the cool sheets of her bed, soon falling into a deep undisturbed sleep. The first rays of sunlight were beginning to streak the sky, heralding a new day, and a new year. She slept soundly, invigorated by the fresh blood she had received.

Doctor Foyster put the chart back and tapped a biro against his teeth. He was a specialist in the field of infectious diseases, and a consultant to Midfield General. He was now admitting to being greatly puzzled. A patient had been admitted to the hospital in the early hours of the morning, and although the staff knew what was wrong with the patient, how he had gotten that way or why had been a big mystery, and one the Head of Casualty knew Doctor Foyster would have loved to dig into. A guest at a party, friends had discovered the victim unconscious, and tests showed he had suffered an incredible blood loss, though none had been found on the casualty, or in the area he had been discovered. Two obvious puncture wounds, swollen and red, had been found upon his throat. Foyster had spoken with the police, detailing his findings so far, now they were centering their investigation around the person seen escorting the patient from the party. Not necessarily a suspect, this person could perhaps give substantial clues to help in the ongoing investigation. Descriptions were collected from patrons at the party, all whom clearly recalled the stunning woman but none of whom knew who she was, least of all the couple who had thrown the celebration in the first place, and who had been very distressed to learn one of their friends had been attacked.

Inspector Grantham read through his notes again and sighed wearily. Unbeknown to Doctor Foyster, this was not an isolated case, in fact being added to a previous seven that had occurred in the general area in the last month alone, that the police knew of. Although the Modus Operandi was the same in all cases, the victim being caught alone, attacked and drained of blood through puncture wounds to areas were major arteries would be located, good descriptions which as yet failed to turn up any leads, the victims, attacks and even the attackers themselves were not always the same. The ages and sex of the victims was not always the same. The first victim had been a young caucasian school girl and investigators had assumed the victim of another sex offender. Although she had died of the terrible wounds and blood loss inflicted upon her, she had not been sexually assaulted. Some were elderly, a coloured male, who obviously worked out, a young bank clerk. Some survived, some had not, like the fitness fanatic. In these cases, it appeared from the amount of damage sustained, that no regard had been taken whatsoever for their safety. Whether they lived or died, and in how much pain, had not seemed to matter in these cases. Yet in others, as little damage had been done as possible, and although the victims had been terribly weak, they had gone on to recover. These victims could remember only the vaguest of details, almost as if they had been drugged. Some did recall the photo fit of the stunning woman Grantham had drawn up, but the attacker had been so strong, and it always happened so fast, they never knew where it came from. It was very baffling, and top profilers were unable to pin down a description of a suspect who would be committing these crimes. They could not rule out the possibility of a gang either, the woman may or may not occasionally be used as bait, to lure men to an area where there might be others waiting. At other attack scenes, men had been described and the woman had not been seen at all. This was the lead Grantham was more inclined to follow, an organised gang, who took turns at various aspects of their attacks, in order to take blood, possibly for some ritual.

Back at his desk, Grantham dumped the case file amongst the clutter, staring at the white board containing photos of all the victims, dead or alive, clippings that had made their way into the press, for a news blackout was in effect for the time being, all placed around a large map of the city, with little flags marking the spots where the attacks had occurred, yellow ones to show victims who had survived, red ones for those who had not, just in case it had a set pattern. Unfortunately there did not seem to be one, but maybe he was just missing it. He had to check into the blood, since that was obviously the desired object. Whoever was taking it obviously didn't worry about aids, and luckily as yet none of the victims was infected.

Casey yawned, and stretched languidly in bed, the tingling throughout her body slowly beginning its nightly cry for sustenance. Drinking was like being an addict, be it to smoking or worse, something she no longer could do without, and how she had tried. She had almost gone insane, and the thought plagued her that maybe she already was. She had stayed locked inside her flat for almost two weeks, not venturing out, ignoring the door when some representative or another knocked, taking normal food in an effort to build up her strength and perhaps flush the disease from her veins. It had not made any difference. There had been voices, or the shadow of voices, whisperings in her mind each night, that grew over the passing days into hysterical screeches and babbling that became a constant source of migraines. It had eaten away at her energy, her resolve, as the days wore on, when she heard people going about their business outside her apartment, it was taking more of her resolve not to throw open the door, drag the person inside and suck them dry. The worst part had been the knowledge that those two weeks may have weakened her, but she knew she would not have died. Death would be a welcome release, but she had felt with an amazing clarity that she was not capable of death. If she chose not to feed, not to take the blood that gave her extraordinary strength and vitality, then those two weeks she had endured would be her future, for a foreseeable eternity. An endless suffering from which there would be no escape - unless she fed. As she dressed, choosing her outfit carefully for her next venture, she thought back, as she did so often, to the evening when her life as a human had ended, and a new breed had come into being.

It had been a work dinner, the office, where she had served for the last six years as receptionist clerk, had organised a meal to say farewell to a long serving employee who was retiring. At that time Casey had been slightly overweight, an average nondescript woman, who could enter a room without attracting attention, neither ugly, nor striking. She usually avoided work dinners, and in the years that had since elapsed, she continually regretted not following true to form. The meal itself had been okay, not too rich and heavy, but for the most part she was ignored, and so concentrated on enjoying her food, and on the time passing until she could return to her apartment.
That had been a comfortable semi-detached up north, with a mother, a father and a brother she all adored ... and missed terribly. She had just started dessert when the man at the bar had came to her attention, or rather the fact that he stared at her so openly had. She had unselfconsciously raised her hand to her hair, incase it was out of place, or perhaps her makeup was smudged ? He had been handsome in a strange way, not photogenic, but good looking in a way that was enhanced by the dark suit he wore, and that whilst the room was full of people laughing and chatting, he kept his face sombre, and seemed to be alone. She had left at the end of the meal with the others, but she was still intrigued and had checked to see where he was, blushing when she saw that not only was he still watching her, but that he was following them out at a discreet distance. Despite her usual wariness of men she did not know, she was pleased by his apparent interest, and slowed down until he came up to her.

He had introduced himself as Rowan, and her work mates had continued on their way taking little notice of the fact she was no longer with them, and to be honest their departure went unnoticed as Casey gazed into the most amazing blue eyes she had ever seen. He was attentive to her for the rest of the evening, they talked, and he actually listened, and they walked the city streets together, as he pointed out to her how alive the city became at night when humans left and it was able to shed its human mask.
He had hinted to her then as to his true nature, she had not understood, in this day and age it was cool to be gothic, dark and mysterious, so she had thought he was like that, but she had liked it all the same, and so when they ended up in the park, beginning to make love, going further than she had ever gone, she had no thoughts of resisting. She lost her virginity the way she had always dreamed, it had been a beautiful experience, despite what she had now become, and was the one moment in all of this madness that she would never regret.

During their lovemaking, Rowan had held her so fiercely, almost painfully, and when he had bit into the soft flesh of her throat, the pain had been a part of the pleasure he was giving her. And the way he held her had conveyed such protectiveness, she felt no alarm, simply a gently pulling sensation at her neck, she felt no wish to struggle. Rowan had finished, and they had continued together, although she felt very weak. When her strength began to return, he took the thin flesh of his wrist in his mouth and making a small wound, pressed it against her mouth, so that Casey tasted his blood. Startled she tried to back away, a little afraid, was this a natural part of love making, she didn't think so, but his hand came to the back of her head, pressing her more urgently against his wrist, and Casey fed, taking into herself the disease which now controlled what she was, who she had become.

He had said good-bye at the door to her home, once inside her parents had asked if she enjoyed her meal, and distractedly she had described it to them. But once secure in her own room, trying fitfully in her bed to sleep, her body had throbbed all night, from the physical and emotional effect making love to Rowan had caused, and from his blood coursing through her veins, changing and mutating.

Chapter Two

The next few days had been a terrifying ordeal for her. Firstly, the realisation that apart from a first name, she had no idea who Rowan really was. And was that his first name anyway ? Although they had talked alot, he had seemed more interested in her, which had been wonderful at the time, but it now dawned on her that she knew virtually nothing about him. Realising that had brought on new fears, they hadn't thought about protection, what if she were now pregnant, or what.... what if he had some disease ?

It had been the fourth day following their interlude that Casey learnt of Rowan's death, when a murder was reported on the news, a brutal stabbing and the body left terribly mutilated before being set alight. Casey had barely paid attention, the news these days was always full of such ghastly tales, but when a partially burnt photograph of Rowan had appeared on screen believed to be that of the unknown victim, Casey had sat in numbed shock, her coffee spilling to the floor unnoticed. When she had finally managed to pull herself together, she had done as the news bulletin asked, and telephoned the police to report that she had known, albeit briefly, the victim. When two officers called round her information was limited and of no real use, but they thanked her for her assistance and that she should phone if she thought of anything else. It had been embarrassing enough to admit to them that although they had a physical relationship, they had only just met, and she still didn't know his surname. After that, Casey carried on as if she were in some kind of dream. Rowans' killers were still being sought, and as the months wore on, the tragedy stopped being newsworthy. In the meantime, Casey began to feel increasingly unwell, and scared all the time, she had gone to her local clinic for tests, and while she waited anxiously for the results, she lost weight, and grew paler each day, which only added to her concerns that she had contracted some sort of illness in her fit of passion, a sudden moment of weakness that could now result in her death.

Walking down a darkened street, Casey ignored the drunken cursing from the figure huddled in a doorway, and continued on, searching out a place, somewhere from where she could lure her next donor. She couldn't bring herself to call them victims, she felt bad enough as it was, she had never had to be rough with anyone she took blood from, even though she now knew she was strong enough to handle any problems that arose easily. She just didn't like to think she was being anymore unjust than she already was.

When the doctors tests had resulted in her being only slightly anaemic, Casey had been over the moon and for a few days had felt her strength return, had felt great in fact. But it seems that this had probably just been through the stress leaving her with the good news, her parents had also been worried and especially at the news that Casey had gone for tests, although she couldn't admit to them that she was no longer a virgin, after all the warnings they had given her about aids, unwanted pregnancies and so on. But as the days passed, after receiving the test results, her health kept deteriorating and the changes had started; a severe burning sensation in her eyes during the day that even dark sunglasses only partially relieved, being able to eat, but always feeling hungry, and strangest of all, Casey had always been an early to bed early to rise person. Now she seemed to be endlessly tossing and turning at night unable to sleep, and in the mornings she could hardly drag herself out of bed. She went back to the doctor after a co-worker cut her finger and Casey found the urge to suck upon the blood almost too much.
The doctor referred her to a psychologist who listened to her story, but his understanding was that spending one night with a man she knew nothing about gave her justifiable fears, which were heightened by her shock at the terrible way her lover had died. Casey left his office feeling far from satisfied. She knew she was different, that some changes were occurring, she didn't know what or why, but felt it came down to the night she had spent with Rowan. The psychologists' parting words had been that only time and counselling would solve her problem. Feeling depressed, Casey went home to try and get on with her life, hoping that these expensive words of wisdom would act as some sort of exorcism, freeing her from the darkness that seemed to be enveloping her. It was only a few days later that Eleni entered her life.

Eleni was a beautiful willowy blond, the type of woman usually found upon the covers of some glossy magazine, or in the papers gracing the arm of a superstar. Casey had been returning home from a long hard day at the office when a woman walked calmly up to her, and stopped in front of her, forcing her to come to a surprised and sudden stop. Gazing up into the classical and extremely striking features, Casey had taken an automatic step back, thinking that perhaps she had not been concentrating on where she was going and should apologise for almost bumping into her, when she just closed her mouth. Her senses were reaching out, senses until now that had been untapped, a keen sense of intuition, that now told her that what she was becoming, this woman already was. Casey closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, opening them to find the woman smiling at her in obvious understanding. They walked towards the city park, the same park where only a few months before, Casey had made love to Rowan. Eleni introduced herself. "I read about Rowan," Eleni said softly "I couldn't believe he was gone." Casey started, shocked that this woman should know Rowan. "I only met him once...." she started but Eleni interrupted "and he embraced you did he not ?" Casey blushed, for he had done so much more than that. Seeing her colour, Eleni laughed. "No my sweet, what I mean is, did you take his blood ?" Casey gasped, it was not something she liked to remember from that night, the wounds on her neck had healed quickly, but two minute red weals still remained and itched occasionally.

Drinking someone's blood during the throes of passion seemed now, in the cold light of day, such a perverse thing to do, when at the time it had seemed natural and she had accepted it. Slowly she nodded, wondering what Eleni would do with such information, what she did do was take Casey's chin, and gaze deeply into her eyes. "And so now still you are turning. Do you feel the changes ?" Again Casey nodded.

What Eleni went on to explain Casey could only listen to in horrified fascination. Rowan, herself, and many others were undead, feeders off the living, vampires, and now Casey was becoming one too. The changes she was going through would continue, whether she wanted to or not, the alternative was death by being impaled by a blessed object, it was now the only release. It was probably how Rowan would have died. Eleni offered to help in her transition, and Casey wondered at that. "Why do you want to help me, why seek me out ?" "Because, " Eleni replied patiently "we are family now, you and I, we share a common kindred spirit, without proper guidance, you will not last long. The changes are mild now, but in weeks, days perhaps, you will change so much, your own family will no longer know you. You have to leave them behind, you know that don't you ?" Casey jumped up "What are you talking about, leave who ?" Eleni sighed. "Casey, if you stay, you will hurt them, or be killed and hurt them that way. If you leave them now, before its too late ....." "No, leave me alone, you're crazy, this is crazy" Casey turned and ran home, terribly afraid, leaving Eleni to stand and watch her go.

Only a few days after, Casey sat in her room, her eyes red and puffy from the amount of crying she had done. She had tried so hard to go on normally, to pretend that what Eleni had told her was just some crazy teasing or some twisted idea of a joke. She was overly protective of her family now, her world had disintegrated around her but she didn't care less, and she had long stopped eating well or sleeping at night. The final straw had been that afternoon, her parents sat together in the living room watching television, so Casey had gone to her own room, to try to rest, something she was doing more often now during the day. On the way to her room, she had passed the open door to her brothers, to see him lying on his back, obviously asleep. At first she had crept in so that she could turn down his television and let him sleep on, but then she had stopped, leaning over to sniff at his neck. A vein pulsed there, and she could actually smell strongly the very blood coursing though it, her mouth began to open and that was when her brothers' eyes had opened. He had yelled out and she had screamed, falling to the floor in her surprise, covering her mouth as her brother calmed himself down, getting over his initial shock. "What the heck are you doing ?" he said, ruffling his hair, and sitting up.

"I was checking you were okay, that's all, you looked dead." "Yeah you wish, just so you can have my room." he mused and Casey forced a laugh, then got up to leave, hoping her brother would think nothing more of her actions. He didn't, for he was used to having his sister around, and they got on very well, but he did remark "And what happened to your teeth ?" Casey reached up, but found them to be as they had always been. She shrugged, and left.
She had broken down the moment her bedroom door had clicked shut behind her, sick at what she had been about to do, to her own brother. No thoughts had been in her head, certainly not about it being a brother she loved, only the overwhelming desire to feed, the urge to take blood, to taste and swallow, to feel it revitalise her, as she knew it would, and she began to tingle and shake, as she fought to surpress the craving that now began to rise again inside her. Eleni had been right, she would hurt them, no matter how hard she tried, because she was no longer like them, and needed to feed. She had to leave, and without risking further delay. But where to go, what to do. In the days since her talk to Eleni, she had not seen her again, and besides, had hardly accepted Eleni's assistance graciously.

She packed a backpack, and with the tears still burning her eyes, wrote out a long letter, saying good-bye, and how much she loved her family, and that she would miss them and could never make them understand why she had to go, except that their lives depended on it, and that they must never try to find her, she would never come back. She knew that they would look anyway, so she would have to get as far away as possible, to somewhere no one knew her. She waited until it was dark, and was sure no one was still up, then quietly climbed out of her bedroom window. It wasn't an easy climb, she still thought of herself as mortal, that those ills suffered by humans were still hers to feel, so she wasted time making sure she would not get hurt. Eventually she made it, and with one last tearful look at her home, a silent farewell to her loved ones, then she was off.

The streets about her home were familiar, but now, at night, although well lit, they were deserted and she felt afraid. A laughing couple passed by, paying her little attention, too wrapped up in each other to note the huddled figure. A cat ran out, startling her, and a car screamed past. Casey had to find somewhere to spend the night fast, she was too scared to wonder about aimlessly, and until the morning, there would be no buses. In the end, she found a house, still under construction, that had rooms upstairs offering some shelter. One room contained a large stock of building materials in one corner, and she found these would be good to sit behind, so that if anyone else entered, she would be hidden from sight, even if she happened to fall asleep. Still, she was too tense, and didn't manage a good nights rest. She was up early, as soon as she heard the first bus running, and caught one to the city centre, getting off near the busy shopping district. Although it still wasn't too far from where she lived, she knew no one there, if she were careful she could stay for a while, at least until she figured out where to head for. Were there others like her she could seek out, where should she start looking ?

She had been in the city a while, wondering aimlessly in the early hours of the evening, sometimes venturing out during the door, but not often - that was when she was most at risk of being seen by anyone who might be looking for her. The craving that had begun in her brothers' room had yet to subside, her nights were haunted by terrifying visions of her quenching her blood lust, unable to stop herself, with people she loved, friends and family, as her victims, and she would rise in the morning almost demented from the wanting, and terrified from the needing. Once she tried to catch a cat, but it got away, and if she were to be honest, the thought of getting a mouthful of fur to reach the blood beneath was hardly appealing. A vagrant asleep in a doorway had attracted her attention, but when she had ventured closer, the nauseating smell drifting from him had made her gag, and she had turned and ran, to throw up not too far away. She had to get food, nice clean healthy food ..... soon.

The idea had come to her at the local tourist office, where she had gone to collect maps on the local area, and a bus schedule for the towns nearby. A man there had been changing currency and had goggled at her. He wasn't well dressed, but seemed clean enough. What mattered was that he was alone, and seemed interested in her. Swallowing hard, Casey grit her teeth, and smiled at him, trying to make it seem not as strained as it actually was. Then she stood and left the office, looking back to make sure he still watched. She didn't need to worry, for he was hot on her heels, grabbing her arm and pulling her into the shadows of the alleyway to one side of the office, wasting no time on pleasantries like 'hello'. His hands where everywhere, pulling at her hair, her clothing, and his language, though spoken with a heavy French accent, was still understandable, and demanded she satisfy him. Casey panicked, unsure of what to do next, still not comprehending the power and strength she could command, but as the Frenchman struggled with the belt of her jeans, she pushed him away trying to gain a little control and to think straight. She had to remain in charge or this would turn out very nasty for her. He slapped her hard, stunning her, as he called her a tease and a slut, then reached again for her belt. This time, furious, Casey grabbed his wrist and jerked it back, the crack very audible in the still night. He screamed in agony, nursing the broken wrist, swiping out at her with his foot, but she dodged, bringing up her leg to send him crashing to the ground. Eleni pulled her clear, and to the sound of French shouts and curses, they fled into the night.

Chapter Three

Eleni's flat was like a palace, large and decorated with amazing and obviously expensive items, it suited Eleni perfectly. When they had run, a car had appeared, a magnificent classic with a chauffeur no less, that Eleni had dragged her into and had sped them directly to the flat Eleni now showed to an amazed Casey. In another room, a woman prepared tea and some hot food for Casey, and soon brought it all in on a silver tray. Casey sat before the welcoming fireplace, holding the tea cup with both hands, absorbing its warmth. She had managed a little food, but it wasn't the nourishment she needed, and the glum look upon her face as Eleni entered the room was testament to her feelings. Eleni sat beside her, and pushed a stray strand of hair behind Casey's ear. "Sweet, listen, you are no longer human, mortal. But that doesn't mean you can risk taking stupid chances. That man today didn't know how to hurt you, but there are some who do have the knowledge to wound us, also his cries could bring unwelcome attention, from police, or our enemies." Casey put down her cup. "Do you mean vampire hunters ?" Eleni laughed, but it was hollow. "If that were a joke, but yes there are such who seek us out. It was a group with the blessing of the church who found Rowan. They like to leave a calling card, as a warning to other vampires to expect the same. Everyone of us know who it was. But even other vampires may not always be trusted. There is competition amongst even ourselves, to be Masters. Rowan was a Master, he turned you among others, and there are many who wish to be like him, to wield the power he possessed by whatever means it takes. There are some humans who do not fear us, like the hunters, the rest are made weak by the tales they read, the images they see on film, and fear makes them easily controlled."

Eleni kicked off her shoes, and raised her feet to tuck them beneath her on the chair. Casey was deep in thought, on what Eleni had said. "But I will help you, like others once helped me. It might not be so bad if you learn the ways like I did." Casey tried to smile, but couldn't make it convincing. "How did you get all this ?" she asked, her hand indicating the opulence of the room about them. Now Eleni did laugh openly, "Oh sweet, I am so very old, you would not begin to guess. And with teaching we have an intuition that can be very lucky, it will save your life if you learn to focus it, learn how to use it wisely."
Casey slowly got up and stretched, then doubled up in pain, as a searing jolt struck her midriff. Eleni was on her feet instantly, holding Casey until the pain subsided. Then she lowered her to the couch, comforting her until Casey was able to speak, she coughed and gasped, "Oh Eleni, what's happening to me ?" Eleni tutted "You must eat, you have gone far too long without. We must find you food quickly."

The two women got cleaned up. Eleni showed Casey to a sumptuous bathroom, and then gave Casey a dress to put on that was simply heavenly. Once dressed, Casey was shown how to do her hair and makeup, whilst Eleni happily chatted about the club they would visit, a private, members only club where Casey would now be welcome. As Eleni had promised, the club was exclusive, full of beautiful people, mostly wealthy, all of whom welcomed Eleni like a long lost relative. And it was a family of sorts, kindred brought together by a sharing of blood, vampires, brought into the fold by the same Master, who had been the one to embrace Rowan, and gave him the knowledge to be a Master himself.
Eleni introduced Casey, but she did not feel like one of them. She had not come from a wealthy background, she had no idea how lovely she looked, but it was a mask, something created to go with the person she was becoming. It was not who she wanted to be, she was not Eleni.

When she could, she excused herself and found a bathroom, exhaling deeply as she stood before the mirror. She felt like such a fraud being here. The door opened behind her, and someone came in. He had seen her enter the club, she looked small, pathetic, and an easy target. He didn't care less about these mutants, these freaks. He wasn't one of them, he was human, and he liked to think that by sucking up to them, accepting them and doing as they asked, happily accepting the financial titbits they occasionally threw his way, he was doing mankind a good service, well for himself anyway. He had seen the way they flaunted their wealth so openly. And yet he had never seen them at their full strength. Here they felt safe, amongst friends, so as he moved towards Casey, he had no idea what he was dealing with, thinking only that he was about to have a little fun.
Casey sniffed the air, and spun round as the man neared her. She instantly knew he wasn't her kind, and she saw the arrogant sneer upon his lips, a challenge born of sucking up to them for the past years, swallowing his pride, hiding behind a fixed smile, the false laughter, the fake pleasure with which he always greeted.

Casey saw all this in the sneer, in his dark eyes, and for a moment was stunned by the clarity with which she had seen so much. And the knowledge it gave her diminished her fear. He sensed this and faltered. Casey took her chance. She was upon him swiftly, pinning him against the wall, her arms encircling, trapping him. Before he could make more than a shocked squeak, she bit into him, her hunger so great that it was only moments before she was done. He wasn't dead, but it would be some time before he could stand again, let alone think for himself, and he would certainly need time in hospital. Casey thought it well past time she left, she checked her reflection in the mirror, cleaning the blood she saw, and left quickly, to find Eleni, whispering to her what she had done, when she located her. Eleni giggled, but decided it best that they leave. Eleni did not know the man herself, he had always been hanging around, bothering everyone, but someone let him into the club, so he had friends somewhere here, or at least someone who made allowances for him. They laughed about it later, as Eleni hugged Casey and welcomed her into the fold.

Casey stepped into the cafeteria, seeing a few people seated here and there at different tables. Her head hurt, thinking about Eleni again made her so terribly sad. She went up to the counter, ordered a cappuccino, and then sat at a table placed well away from the main lights, where she could think without their brightness hurting her eyes too much. Eleni had become like a sister to her. She was warned severely about the club incident, and though Casey never returned there, Eleni like it, knew the people there, and so returned a few times more. Casey also never dressed that way again, she had loved the dress but it had been too much, like something Crystal from Dallas might get away with easily but not her. Eleni accepted this graciously. She taught her many valuable lessons, about appearance, how to attract humans in order that she might feed without running the risk of being caught. How to scent out other vampires, how to tell which were to be trusted .... and so on. There was a whole network of vampire sects out there, each run by a different Master, and the club they had visited had been at the classier end of the scale. Eleni went on to introduce her to some, and to warn her about others.

She also began to explore what it meant to be an immortal, a vampire. At first, she had pictured a world not unlike a Christopher Lee movie, where she might turn into a bat or a whisp of smoke, but these were fantasies dreamt up for the benefit of cinemagoers and only possible with the aid of special effects artists. Her strength was more pronounced, especially when she kept herself well nourished. She was indeed now immortal, although any blessed item could prove harmful, and if such items were to pierce her flesh, she could still die. Her main ally would now be her heightened senses, her eyesight was vastly improved at night, her hearing more sensitive. She could, with a great deal of practice, use telepathy, more commonly with other vampires, occasionally with humans. Most of all, her intuition was stronger, and would serve her well if she learnt to use it, to be able to control it and expand upon it.

And so, when she returned one evening to the flat and found everything turned upside down, that the place had been ransacked, and Eleni was nowhere to be found, she trusted her instincts, packed her things and left quickly. She never heard of Eleni after that, she learnt the flat was sold off, and her friends at the club also never heard from her again. Most of them were of the opinion that the vampire hunters had gotten lucky again.
Casey didn't hang around long after that. She began to notice that the same people always seemed to be waiting around the places she visited sometimes. She sniffed worriedly at the air, they were humans, and she could sense their attentiveness towards her, despite the fact they tried to look casual, she could sense their tension, their readiness, sometimes their fear. She should have known that whoever had grabbed Eleni, would have seen the two of them together, and would have realised Eleni and herself were friends, that if the persons responsible for taking Eleni knew she were a vampire, they would probably now believe the same about her, and their beliefs would be justified. Carrying only what she had arrived at Eleni's with, Casey left the area as quickly as possible, doing everything she could think of to make sure no one followed her.

Armed with the new knowledge Eleni had instilled in her, Casey felt more confident now she was once more on her own. She fed when she could, she wasn't always successful, but had learnt how to dress, how to present herself, so that she attracted attention and sometimes tempted someone away from the safety of their friends, or wherever they were at that moment. She never killed, she could never justify taking a life, but there were times when her strength was called upon, when she had to subdue her donor.
And so, here she was. It was hard to believe that already more than a year had passed since she had been embraced. She finished her cappuccino, and headed back out into the night ..... her night.

'Man, a cross, a stake - and a vampire. A man armed with a wooden stake
and crucifix went hunting in a London graveyard last night - for a vampire.'

Doctor Foyster gathered the clippings and put them away in the top drawer of his desk, then removing his glasses to tiredly rub his eyes. Following the unusual casualty with the alarming blood loss, one other patient had been brought in with similar symptoms. Both patients had recovered, and had since gone home, but the Doctor had set about contacting other hospitals to find that in almost every hospital in the United Kingdom had received patients like this. More disturbing were the cases where the victims did not survive, those who received such extreme violence to their bodies that little chance stood of their surviving. What surprised the Doctor was that nothing of these cases had ever been reported in the press, obviously when examining an isolated case in one hospital, it was easily dismissed, but when collected all together, the numbers were alarmingly high. It was also uncanny how long this activity had been going on, much longer than could possibly be attributed to just one person. The Doctor sipped at his stone cold coffee, and then got up and left his office. He had earlier phoned Inspector Grantham, who was still involved in an investigation on the attacks, they had since met up, the Doctor was able to see medical records that were useful to Grantham's' investigation, and what the Inspector knew could help the Doctor maybe begin to understand what was going on. The two worked well together, finding a camaraderie born of mutual determination, their thoroughness in their respective fields. They met to compare notes, and argued in good nature about what they believed was behind these attacks.

Grantham was of the opinion that a gang was behind it, that the reason the attacks had been going on for so long was because it had started with one or two people, who then involved others who now continued these activities, perhaps introducing more people as time passed. He was however at a loss to explain why the blood was being taken, other than it might be a cult of some kind. Foyster had warned all the hospitals he had talked to to inform him of any black market blood deals that might be going on, and checks had proved that there no cults currently at work who used blood in any rituals, that is at least that they knew of. On the other hand, the Doctor had a different theory, and the clippings he now spread before Grantham hopefully leant some substance to his idea. Vampires did not necessarily have to be the fanged, shape shifting creatures portrayed badly in the movies. Someone who attacked a person to rob them of their blood found themselves being dubbed vampires, such as in the case of Peter Kurten, the legendary vampire of Dusseldorf, who had liked to drain victims of blood in order to drink it himself, these cases existed and although were rare, was it such a stretch of the imagination to think there could still be individuals, or worse whole gangs going round believing themselves to be such creatures, thus leading them to commit the acts of which popular fiction accused them ? So strong was his convection that it was a gang of would be vampires, that Foyster could not ignore it out of hand. He had once arrested a woman who believed she was a witch, who had cursed someone and had then murdered them, thus ensuring that the curse had taken effect.

Casey gasped for breath, hidden in a darkened doorway, hoping to have lost the two men who had been hot on her heels for more than half an hour. What scared her most was that they were kindred, like her, and she could tell they were not interested in making friends if they caught up with her. These were the bad seeds Eleni had warned her about. They cared nothing for human life, to them humans were the cattle upon which they were to feed, and they were not about to lose a days' sleep when their victims didn't live through their attacks. With these fiends, very few survived, and those who did were terribly scarred, both mentally and physically for life. Casey didn't know what they wanted with her, but she was terrified of finding out.

She had been feeding when she had first felt their presence. One of them had been in the shadows, just watching. She had pushed the human upon she had been feeding away, wary as the stranger had stepped away from the shadows, soon to be joined by the second at the further end of the alley. She had bolted then, her senses urging her to get away, the presence of these two causing her inner power to cry out a throaty warning within. Humans were hastily pushed aside, as they tore down the fairly crowded streets, but this was her area, her turf, she ran round twisting alleys, through well known abandoned buildings, jumping obstacles she knew that they unwary would easily fall over. They were tremendously agile, readily bounding over the objects she pulled into their path, throwing people aside in their haste to reach her. It took all her strength and will power, but as she fought to control her racing heart, she felt sure, perhaps, that she had lost them ? Her eyes scanned the street, no one was about, she would wait a bit longer, but then would have to feed. She hadn't had the chance to take enough nutrition before she had been disturbed, and this mad dash had taken any benefit she had gained from that.

Father Andreas wrapped the scarf around his neck, and pushed his way out of the crowded hall to the cold waiting outside. Tonight was Father Klaus' birthday, his 65th, and local residents were throwing a party for him, since he was due to retire at the end of the month. Andreas saw the young woman standing in the shadows and smiled a welcome to her. She wasn't local, he couldn't recognise her, but standing back in the corner as she was, he couldn't make her out all that clearly either. "Peter!" A young girl bounded toward him, and laughingly he caught her to swing her up into his arms, turning to greet her parents who walked not far behind. "Mighty cold this evening ain't it?" the father commented.

Chapter Four

At the doorway two other strangers entered, and soon disappeared amongst the people. Casey had waited in the doorway, until a group of people had passed her, and she had been able to leave the shadows and enter the hall without rousing suspicion. She couldn't sense the kindred close by, but her nerves were very much on edge, and she jumped when someone bumped into her from behind. She had heard the singing coming from the hall, and had stood outside, deciding if it would be safe to come in here or not. Then the man had appeared, glancing her way and sending her way the first smile she had received in a long while, the genuine warmth behind his eyes touching her and making her eyes smart. Here was a chance, the others had appeared, but she didn't feel unduly perturbed, the man had shown interest in her, perhaps he would give her the nourishment she needed to get away.

The hall was very large, oblong in shape, with tables set up along the walls on each side, and a choir singing at the farthest end to the door, singing a selection of hymns they had listed as being Father Klaus' favourites. Casey mingled easily among them, the room was crowded, but not uncomfortably so, amidst them, children ran and laughed, people talked, it was a real sense of community, and she felt such an intruder. Then Father Klaus arrived, to collective clapping, and the choir took up a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' which everyone joined in with. Casey continued her way through them, the man she had spotted earlier was at one of the tables, rocking a baby in his arms as he talked with the new-born's mother. Father Andreas was in his element here, and felt such elation and unity. He wore his church garb, but it was hidden beneath the colourful pullover a pensioner had painstakingly knitted for him. He was a handsome man, the jumper flattered him a great deal, and though he knew one or two of his parishioners had crushes on him, he took it all in his stride, and now that Father Klaus was to retire, having served as his assistant for the last three years, he felt he would be chosen to take over here at Highgate. It was a prospect that filled him with some trepidation, he had at one time been committed wholeheartedly to the church, but the city had taken its toll on him, what he saw on the streets, and trying to help the many who tried to survive here, he had been questioning his faith and had had a long talk with Father Klaus. At times like these, he felt he had made the right decision, but times like these were growing more and more rare. If he did become the next head of the church, the people would look to him to be their spiritual leader, to guide them and help them keep or find their faith, but could he accept that responsibility when of late he continually questioned his own ?

When he again spotted Casey, she was stood to one side, not singing, not evening smiling. He recognised her as the one he had seen before, but it had been dark, and now that he could see her clearly, was taken at how striking she was. Her face clean and unmade, her long hair slightly askew from her earlier exertions, she looked scared and pale, a condition heightened by her recent lack of feeding. Father Andreas coughed, and handed the baby back to his mother, hoping no one else had noticed his rather frank staring. Casey certainly hadn't. Her veins had started tingling again, the warning growing, and with increasing alarm, she was scanning the room, so many people here, she couldn't spot them, but she knew they were nearby. The two men went into the hall, using their senses to guide them. They had been directed by their Master, and though they had located Eleni, they had been unaware of Casey until they received information that she had been asking questions about Eleni's disappearance. They knew their Master would not be pleased to find there was another of Rowans' kind out there, when they were still far from completing their task of eliminating those they already knew about. And this one was fairly fresh too, didn't know all the ways, although they saw that Eleni had taught her some. Casey spotted one of them, not even aware she could do it, she found herself mentally blocking them out. Though they were using their senses, as she knew they would be, she was blocking them so they would not be able to home in on her. Somehow they had got here anyway, they were much more adept, and she could feel how very old they were, and could not even begin to imagine the powers and knowledge they possessed. And now there was little time for her to think, she realised that coming in among these people may have been a stupid thing to do, she had to find another way out, before something happened and people were hurt or killed.

The main entrance was impossible now, she would have to pass too close to them to reach it and would never be able to without being seen, there were two other choices, two other doors, one of which was effectively blocked by the choir, the second was relatively clear, although she had no idea where it led. She would just have to risk it. If it turned out to be a dead end, she could always hide out there for a while. Perhaps if they had a good look around and did not see her they might go away, she could only hope. Ducking her head as one of the kindred turned almost spotting her, she made her way towards the door, and after a quick try on the handle, pushed her way in, relieved to find it unlocked. Father Andreas had still kept note of the newcomer, and when he saw her enter the door, he wondered what she could be up to. Knowing the building personally, he was aware that only a small office and a bathroom lay within. Perhaps she was a thief, thinking that there might be something she could take, a safe perhaps that she might locate ? He took a deep breath, preparing himself for whatever confrontation lay ahead, and went through the door after her. Casey had the office window open, and was slipping out when Father Andreas entered. She did not hear him, but he saw her leaving, and his curiosity grew, glancing quickly about the office, he could see nothing had been disturbed, and anyway there hadn't been time, he didn't hesitate in climbing out of the window after her. If she was in trouble, then he wanted to know, to try to help if he could. A few minutes later, he was beginning to think that his hasty actions may have been totally stupid. She had climbed a wall, fairly easily, whilst he struggled and just made it without breaking an ankle, she then managed to get through a padlocked gate just by pulling it apart.

She didn't slow down, nor did she seem very much out of breath. Then he lost her. He was in a car park, sheltered amongst high rise flats, with only a few of the parking spaces taken. She had been there one minute, and then ... gone. He stood stunned, when she struck him from behind, a blow to the centre of his back that effectively winded him, and sent him to his knees coughing to regain his breathing. Casey wasted no time, she was upon him, feeling her teeth lengthen as she prepared to attack, her fingers finding the polar neck of his jumper, pulling it aside, to reveal the holy collar beneath.
Casey gasped, her turn to be stunned, and she backed away startled. A priest ! She wasn't a religious person, and had never gone to church, even when she had been human, but that didn't mean she had no respect for faith.
Father Andreas sucked in deep breaths, his back searing with the pain. Casey wasn't hanging round. She couldn't take from a priest, no matter how much she needed it right now, she found her feet and turned away, but his hand managed to grab at her long coat, and pulled her back "No," he gasped "Let me help you." Casey swiped at her coat, pulling it from his grasp. "Priest be thankful I respect your beliefs." Her senses kicked up, and she felt the kindred approaching, looking down at the father, she realised he was in great danger, the two men behind them would have no qualms about killing him. She dragged him to his feet, and pulled him with her. "Get moving." she hissed. "If you value your life at all."
They made it to a bus, and climbed quickly on board, just as it was pulling away. Father Andreas sat beside the window, and Casey sat beside him, continually checking the road behind them. The bus wasn't going fast, the moments distraction with the priest had allowed her to slip, and she had felt the kindred reach her with their minds. They had located her. She turned to the priest. "Where can we go, where will we be safe ?" Andreas saw the fear in her eyes, but also the determination. "I live not far, two stops more and we'll be there." She nodded satisfied. She was blocking them again, and if they hadn't managed to keep up with the bus, then hopefully they wouldn't find them so quickly, but they were fast.

They dismounted, and arrived at Father Andreas' flat, a modest one bedroomed flat that wasn't much to look at from the outside, but was surprisingly charming within. She pushed her way in past him, and immediately pulled the curtains shut. Father Andreas wasn't afraid, whatever her intentions, if she had meant to harm him, she had the chance and didn't take it. His back still ached tremendously, and he groaned as he pulled the pullover off. Casey went to help, seeing the struggle he was having releasing his arms, and lifted his shirt to reveal a small but nasty bruise in the middle of his back. Filled with guilt she touched the damage, and they both jumped at the contact. Andreas turned to face her, as she pulled her hand away, holding it as if it hurt. "Who are you ?" he asked. Casey looked at him, and saw the interest there. And so she sat upon his couch, and when he was seated before her, she told him everything, about Rowan, Eleni, all that Eleni had told her, and about the men who followed her now. She wept when she spoke about her family, it had been a long time since she had even allowed herself to think of them, she missed them so much. Despite feeling less afraid, now that she knew some of her ability, she still hated the hunted feeling she had. No matter how strong she got, there would always be someone stronger.

Now, seeing the pain she had caused this man, she thought of all those she had drank from, how had they suffered from her actions ? She knew that to turn someone had to be a voluntary act on both parties side, when Rowan had turned her, it had not been, but part of her had wanted to be special, different, and she had gotten that.

Patiently, Andreas listened. And when she cried, he soothed and calmed her, until she could go on. Was she insane, he had worked at a home for the mentally disturbed before taking his vows, so was used to people who spoke believing what they said to be totally true. But he didn't think that applied here, and that she was telling him something more terrible than the worst nightmare could invent. This was way beyond him. Father Klaus had to be consulted, a man from the old country, his advance years of experience was what was needed now. "Casey can you trust me ?" he asked. Casey wiped her eyes, and nodded. "Yes," she agreed "You can be trusted, I can see so much of your soul in your eyes." Andreas took her hand soothingly. "Then come with me tomorrow, to speak with Father Klaus. I think that he is in a better position to help you. He may know what to do."
Casey wasn't sure about involving another human. "And what about Father Klaus. Can he be trusted ?" Andreas thought so, but wasn't 100 % sure that the old man would believe Casey's story, without witnessing for himself what Andreas had seen her capable of.

Father Andreas spent the night on his couch, thinking about what Casey had told him, that went everything he had ever believed in. He had tried to call Father Klaus, but the party must have still been going, and as yet no phone had been installed at the hall. It certainly wasn't safe for Father Andreas to take Casey there, and from what she had told him, he prayed no one else would be hurt. At one stage during what turned out to be a very long night, he had gotten up to fetch himself another blanket, it was colder than usual tonight, and he had peeked in to make sure Casey was sleeping. It had taken some time, but Casey had managed to fall asleep. The shirt Father Andreas had given her to sleep her had been huge upon her, and with the extra blanket he had placed upon his bed, she was very snug. He had stood silently in the doorway, watching her sleep, trying to come to terms with, to believe, that lying in his bed was someone who claimed she was no longer alive, no longer human. And the oddest part was that he wasn't repulsed by her, even if she turned out to be what she said. He shook his head, and crept from the room, pulling the door closed behind him.

The next morning, bright and very early, Casey and Andreas left for Father Klaus' home, situated adjoining the church. Casey was back in her long coat, despite the early morning warmth, and dark sunglasses shielded her eyes. It had been a few years since she had been up and about at this time. Andreas mused that indeed, this morning, she certainly looked vampish.
Father Klaus was at his desk preparing a sermon when Andreas knocked and led Casey into the large room. "Peter, my boy! Where did you slink off to ?" The old man was on his feet, a smile welcoming them. Casey reached up and removed the glasses, Father Klaus noted the casual action, but looking into Casey's eyes, the smile faded, and he moved back, the chair scraping rudely on the floor. "Get thee back, foul creation !" he shouted, grasping his crucifix as if he felt safer. Andreas was speechless, "Father , she needs your help, how did you know she's not human ?"
Father Klaus moved quickly, around the desk away from Casey, to come next to Andreas and quickly pull at his collar to check his neck. Casey blushed, and found the situation humorous despite her circumstances, and completely understanding the old mans' fears. Andreas looked sympathetically at Casey. "She hasn't hurt me Father, whatever she is, there is still human decency in her."
Father Klaus returned to behind his desk, to open a drawer and remove a flask from its top drawer, which he quickly unscrewed. Now Casey did flinch, jumping away, realising that it was holy water he carried. "No !" she said "you'll wound me, please." Andreas had seen enough. "Father, for Heaven's sake, will someone tell me what is going on ?"

Klaus recapped the bottle, but kept it at the ready. "Life leeches. She is vampire is she not, did she tell you this ?" Andreas nodded. "But how did you know that ?" he questioned. "We were performing an exorcism, way back in 1964," Father Klaus said, his eyes never leaving Casey. "The parents had found him as if dead, and then they claimed he had attacked them, and was like a madman. But when we tried to exorcise him, he attacked my assistant Philippe and killed him. He feasted upon the blood before our eyes. Although we managed to destroy him, we were too late and Philippe died."
"I have never killed," Casey spoke, and again Father Klaus raised the bottle, as if by speaking Casey was reminding him of her possible threat. "I take, but only because I have to, I could never kill."
"Your kind are abhorrences of nature, and must be wiped out." Klaus said vehemently, "I will not help you, or any of your kind." Father Andreas stepped forward to reason, but Klaus turned on him, stopping him in his tracks. "You are foolish to keep her near. No good of it will come, send her far away, protect yourself."
"Father, please, I must help her, but I don't have the knowledge to deal with this." But Klaus shook his head. "After what I have witnessed these fiends being capable of, I spent my youth helping to route them out, to destroy as many as we could find. There are people who will deal with this abhorration Peter, and I will see to that." Andreas sat heavily in a chair, stunned that this mild mannered man was not at all as he had perceived. "And you agree with such actions ?" Klaus looked again at Casey "I do whole heartedly, and she'll kill you given the chance, or make you like her, and then I must come after you both." Casey looked away from the accusing glare in the old mans' eyes. "He is right Father Andreas, it is madness for me to stay, and for me to have involved you at all." Casey walked out, her shoulders slumped resignedly. "I cannot turn her out Father." Andreas said. Klaus nodded. "Then there is no welcome place for you here Peter, and should you choose to help this woman, you can no longer be blessed by the church." Father Andreas was angry. "And you think helping kill what are still fundamentally people is ?" Andreas shook his head and left, slamming the door behind him.

Chapter Five

Casey was way ahead of him, walking at a brisk pace, but he ran and caught up with her, taking her arm and pulling her to look back at him. He didn't miss the tear that slipped from beneath her sunglasses. "I will do all I can to help you Casey." But she shook her head sadly. "You are very kind but he was right. Your place is here, amongst these people, they all need you too." Andreas took a deep breath, before reaching up to remove his collar. "Father Klaus made it clear that whilst I help you, I can no longer have the blessing of the church. My faith teaches me to accept all creatures, how can I now go against my beliefs ?"

Casey reached her senses out to him, and what she felt in return settled the matter. Andreas had such determination, such strength, that whether she wanted his help now or not, that was what she had. Their first stop was to the library, where Andreas started going through numerous news clippings. They were of little help, although it did amaze Andreas how common mention of vampires in the papers actually were. Although some did turn out to be attention seekers, or people in need of medical treatment of one kind or another, there were a large percentage that the journalists gave no explanation for. However there was nothing to help an actual vampire, all these stories showed was humankind's misconceptions and ridicule towards the subject. He did however find reports of recent attacks which might be of help, a young man had been attacked, and left severely drained of blood. He pointed it out to Casey "One of yours ?" he asked, and noting the date and area, Casey nodded. "That was last year, not far from here."
It mentioned the name of the Inspector who was being called in to head the investigation, by the name of Grantham. Back at his flat, Andreas put it to Casey that perhaps it would be a good idea to go direct to the Inspector themselves. After all Casey was probably the suspect they were after, if not in all cases, at least in this one. "And tell him what ? That you have an undead woman in your flat who attacked these people, in order to drink their blood, what is commonly known as a Vampire ?" Andreas nodded, understanding her frustration, "He might be able to help you, or can perhaps lead you to others who can, I don't know."

They discussed on into the night, then went separate ways to rest and prepare for further investigation the following day. When Andreas woke, he wasn't sure of his surroundings at first. It was only 3 in the morning according to the clock on the mantel piece, but usually a sound sleeper, something had disturbed his sleep. A sound came again, a loud rustling from his kitchen. Reaching for his towelling housecoat, he crept into the dark room and flicked on the light, startling the figure that sat at the table. Casey sucked upon the steak, the blood tasted foul, and the meat was cold from the fridge, but at least it dampened a little the craving she had tried to ignore the last couple of days whilst she stayed with Andreas. When the light came on, and she saw Andreas standing there at the door, staring at her in amazed fascination, she was totally ashamed at being caught like this, and looking at the piece of meat in her hands, she ran to the sink to be sick. He was at her side instantly, pulling back her hair, rubbing gently at her back to calm the sobs she was starting. Then he led her back to sit in the chair, cleaning away the meat. He took a tea towel and wet it under the tap, sitting opposite her and wiping the blood that was marking her face. "I tried not to think about it Father, I swear, but I need it so badly."

She sobbed again and buried her face in her hands. Andreas put down the tea towel and lifted her chin, "Then take from me Casey, take what you need. I trust you not to kill me, and I see that you need this or you may go elsewhere, and I cannot allow you to attack anyone else."
Casey shook her head, looking horrified. "No I cant do that, you will turn if I bite you and you accept it, I wont do that to you." He wiped the tears from her cheeks. "My name is Peter. There has to be a way. And I will do all I can to help you." Casey sighed and hiccuped trying to stem her crying. "I should have never stayed. It wasn't fair of me to allow to become involved. I will leave in the morning and you wont be worried by this anymore." Andreas placed a finger upon her lips. "I am involved, and do you honestly think that by leaving you would end it for me, I would be worried sick wondering what was happening to you." Idly his finger traced the contour of her lips, he wasn't intentionally doing it, or even aware of what he did, but when Casey kissed the tip, his eyes flew to hers. They were on their feet, embracing each other, kissing deeply. They couldn't get enough of each other, touching, tasting, giving in to their passion. They moved to the warmth of the living room, without knowing they did so, and made love before the fireplace. Casey couldn't get enough of him, the more he gave her, the more she wanted. When he nipped playfully at her neck, she arched against him, giggling in delight. "Casey, sweet Casey .... make me yours Casey, I am willing." Casey turned away from him, but did not let go. He whispered into her ear "Casey I want to stay with you." she fought it, fought how strong wanting his blood was, knowing that to bite him was to do what Rowan had done to her.
It was a struggle she didn't win. He kissed her, and gently encouraged her to proceed, placing his throat where she had easy access. She kept shaking her head against it, trying to stop him going on with this, he didn't know what he asked, what he would be risking and giving up. "I love you Casey, it didn't take me long to feel it, and I know I cant lose it, or you. Please." His gentle nips at her own neck grew more urgent, and constantly his neck would be there before him, and she could smell the blood that coursed through the veins that pulsed there, revealed to her for the taking. She licked at it and he groaned, and then she bit, holding back the full force of her teeth, she didn't want to hurt him anymore than was at all necessary. Just so deep that she broke the skin and tasted his blood. She drank, not even taking as much as she knew would totally replenish her so that he wouldn't be too weakened. Then she lifted her wrist and bit into the soft flesh, holding the wound to Peter's mouth, feeling his light suckling as he took her blood into him. They made love again, closer than two souls could ever be, then slept together, cradling each other. Sometime later, he stirred, and as she gently woke, he kissed her face and neck, the blood now begin its course through him, already heightening his vitality. Vaguely he thought about what he had done, that the man who had become a Father to him, would now hunt him down too once he knew what he had done. But he still couldn't accept there was anything unholy about the beautiful creature who was now awake and gazing so adoringly at him that his heart melted. He leaned down to lose himself in her kiss, and prayed that God would not turn his back on them, and that he had chosen the right path.

The following morning, an insistent ringing at the doorbell stirred them. Carefully moving away from Casey, trying not to wake her, Andreas put on his robe and went to answer the door. Father Klaus stood there, his finger about to reach the doorbell again, when the door opened. "Father Andreas, I am sorry I was too abrupt, too hastily dismissive, I ...." he noticed the redness at Andreas' neck, and with trembling hand, reached up to move the material aside, revealing the puncture wounds that marked the bruised skin. "Oh dear Lord what has she done ?"
Andreas removed the old mans hand and covered the wounds, "Nothing I didn't allow Father. " "But why, after I warned you ? People will hunt you, you will be like her, one of them." Andreas nodded, "Yes but we'll be together. I couldn't stand the thought of losing her, and wouldn't let her go on alone, which is what she wanted to do." Father Klaus removed his glasses, and rubbed the tired eyes wearily. "I cannot help you now. This is not something I know how to reverse. This was suicide Peter, for a woman you hardly know. I hope giving up your life, God, was worth it." Andreas frowned and nodded. "I made the choices and will have to go on with them. I will always be faithful, Father Klaus, but my place is with her. Believe that had I known of any other way, I would have taken it." The sadness in Father Klaus' eyes added years to his features. He turned away from his former protégé, then looked back, "Leave the city Andreas, take her far from here. Even I cannot know where you are." He straightened, then walked away. Returning to the living room, Andreas found Casey up, and wonderingly waiting for him. He kissed her, "Casey we have to leave, its time." Casey's features fell, as the weight of their situation hit her. "Oh God what did I do ?" She reached out and touched the sensitive skin at his throat. He took her hand, and turning it, placed a tender kiss upon the palm. "Only what I willingly accepted. Did you see me putting up a fight ?" he smiled. "But now we go on, and its time to go from here. Father Klaus came to warn me, so we mustn't waste time."

They packed some bags, and Andreas filled his small car with all they thought they would need. It was small and modest, but hopefully it would get them far from here, to .... well that remained to be seen. He had some things he could give Casey to wear for the time being, they would stop later to get her more. The two men watched the car when it pulled out of the drive, and talked amongst themselves. The Master would be pleased, this one was strong, and she would make a fine gift to the Master. Killing the priest would be an added bonus.

Foyster and Grantham listened to the old man's story with mounting disbelief. The tramp had been asleep in an alley, and the sounds of a struggle close by had disturbed him. Taking a peek from his position behind a dust cart, he had witnessed a teenager, a scrawny kid no more than maybe 15, attacking a much older and fitter man. The youth had the man by the neck, and was completely in control of his helpless victim. Now the police had a corpse on the hands, one to add to their growing list of deceased in this investigation, and a tramp who could either be a witness, or a suspect.
Grantham was having serious doubts, he had tried rational thought, always the sceptic, using all his years of training, and his own reasoning, viewing the evidence over and over, until the witness statements were virtually something he could recite by heart. But the paths all led to the blood, it was the vital component here, the reason for it all. Why the blood loss, doctors had been unable to explain the puncture wounds or what might have caused them, but why, and to what end ? Grantham had heard of many cults, and had in fact met up with some of them as a manner of routine, to eliminate them as possible suspects, there were the Satanists, who used blood for their devil worship. These days they tended to play it safe and use animal blood. It still gave them the thrill they needed, and a few screeching animal rights activists made them feel dangerous. Their acts were never all that well planned, usually lame attempts copied from a film or some book one of them had read, over loudly proclaiming they believed in and worshipped Satan.

Then there were the Vampire fetishists. They usually kept it amongst themselves, finding groups who liked letting each other drink a little of their blood, mostly perfectly harmless. Occasionally but very rarely one of these would perhaps get a little carried away, but again their methods of extracting the blood was crude, they had to use implements which left recognisable wounds. Unlike the weapon, if there was one, they now sought. Whatever created these wounds as far as Foyster knew was not yet known to medically exist. However, Foyster on the other hand, had latched on to the vampire theory with a conviction that even now Grantham was beginning to pay more attention to. He had grown to greatly respect the Doctor, they made a good team, and the wise man certainly didn't let anything fool him easily. He was extremely thorough, truly someone in the habit of making sure the job got done. They made their way to the car, and were climbing in were the radio went off. Grantham picked up the receiver "Go ahead" "Inspector, a Father Klaus has just arrived in your office, he says its extremely urgent he talk to you regarding your investigation, and refuses to talk with anyone else." Grantham signed off, and together with Foyster they hurried back to the main office building.

Father Klaus was nervously pacing the office when they both entered, and he eyed both men warily. Grantham introduced himself and Foyster and they shook hands. "I believe you wanted to discuss something relating to our case Father ?" Father Klaus seated in the chair opposite the large desk, and both the Inspector and Doctor waited expectantly for him to begin. It was obviously that something weighed heavily on his mind. "When I first arrived here, from Bavaria, I was so young and excited. In my country, particularly in the lowlands where my home was, we had old ways, traditions, and beliefs that dated back centuries, so I thought when I came here it would be different, new and exciting, a grand adventure. But all I saw was death and hatred. No one here cares about their neighbour, I came to join the priesthood, and was directed to work in the poor districts, and the things I saw. And evil feeds upon that, waiting to take hold." Grantham coughed and settled himself on the corner of his desk, a favourite resting place. "And what about the murders Father, what of them ?" Father Klaus coughed. "I was only 20 when I first arrived here, and immediately trained to take my vows, that was why I had come. 45 years ago now, but even then, when I first arrived, there were deaths."
Foyster shot a glance at Grantham, as the Father continued. "And then some years passed and a group of people came to me for help, knowing where I was from, they had lost friends, relatives .... but there were many among them who claimed to have seen their lost ones since, that they could not have died. But they weren't the same either, I went with them to see for myself. I saw a woman, whom I had buried a month before, she attacked her own brother to feed from him, she killed him, and though she had been shot, she still got away. I knew immediately what she was, a vampire."

The silence that followed was broken after an uncomfortably long time when Grantham spoke. "How do you expect us to believe this Father, is there anything you can show us as proof ?" Father Klaus went on, relieved that they had not shouted him out of the office for wasting police time, "The church refused to help these people, to even acknowledge what I told them I had seen. Aside from an exorcism, there was no other service the church could perform that would be of any help, and they told me from the start that they would not give permission for me to get involved. But my conscience told me to help these people, that they had been guided to me and I to America to help them. I gave them blessed water and oils, crucifixes and silver crosses they could use to make bullets out of .... "
"Isn't silver bullets for killing werewolves ?" Grantham put in. It was Foyster with his quick thinking who answered. "Is it that its blessed, that as a bullet the blessed article will be able to pierce to the heart of the creature." Father Klaus actually managed to smile. "That's correct. As far as I know it is the only way that they can be killed. We stopped many vampires that way."

Inspector Grantham straightened, "You mean people were killed ?" Klaus rose too. "Those were no longer people, Inspector, these are passed beyond death, to become blood drinkers, who murdered the innocent to satisfy their need." "How long did those go on for ?" Foyster asked. "It never stopped, even now it goes on, this you both know and have seen for yourselves, yes ?" Grantham and Foyster answered by the looks upon their faces. "The people no longer come to me for help, now they deal with things alone, as everyone does these days. I believe the church is more accepting, finally accepting their role to route out these demons, but very secretly off course. But now, my assistant Peter has been infected, I failed to help him when he asked me, and left him unprotected, unprepared for what would happen."

"What, who ? What do you mean ?" Grantham was intrigued, and Father Klaus continued. "A few days ago, there was a party for my birthday, the people gathered together for that and because I am soon to retire. There was a woman, I saw her in the hall a few times, but I did not suspect what she was. I did not see Father Andreas go, but during the evening they met and he came to me the following day to ask for my help. But I turned them both away." "And she infected him ?" this from Foyster.
"No not then, he wanted me to assist her, but I guess I was prejudiced and by the time I realised how foolish I was being, they had left. But I knew that others would find out about them, and come after them."
"Others, Father ?" "Yes. As well as those people I personally assisted to seek and kill vampires, there were others who liked to think of themselves as some kind of hero, they were dangerous, even to us, one time we were fighting a teenager when these two showed up, nastiest people I ever met, they threatened us, and wounded one of our group. In the end we left them to it. We also discovered that, perhaps for the benefit of safety, vampires prefer to stick in groups. On their own they are terribly strong, mentally and physically, but in a group .... and they follow a Master, who is stronger than all of them, and usually the one who has turned all the group. What I learnt recently, is that there is a group who are purposely seeking out other vampires. They are killing all of them off, I think unless you accept to join them, but I am not sure why, its not the usual behaviour."
"And the woman who infected your assistant, is she in such a group ?" Foyster asked. "No I don't think so. I asked one or two people I felt I could trust, and they don't know anything about her, who she is. I was careful who I spoke to, I didn't want to get anyone dangerous onto their trail, for Father Andreas' sake. I know he is one of them now, but I still feel there is something I could do."

Chapter Six

Grantham still couldn't grasp that such a thing could exist, and in his district too. "You don't think this could be a prank, or perhaps someone teasing you, picking on your beliefs ?" Father Klaus shook his head "I have seen too many things myself, to still believe this could be some twisted joke, Inspector. And my assistant would never be part of anything like that, nor is he easily fooled either. I saw the wounds upon his neck, he may have feasted himself already, if not, then it will only be a matter of time. He will have to, soon."

In the relative warmth of the small car, Casey was worrying about the very same thing. Andreas was shivering, and though she reached back to tuck a blanket a bit snugger around him, she knew from first hand experience that his shakes weren't being caused by cold. Andreas would be feeling the cravings now, and would need blood to dampen them, she knew he was fighting against it, she had wanted to stop, but he insisted she keep on driving. She knew she could only keep going for a few more days, soon she would have to get him to feed.

When Andreas woke, a little over an hour later, he didn't feel refreshed at all. He felt weak and disorientated. Casey had told him if he fed he would feel much better, but the thought repulsed him. Drinking from her had come naturally to him, at the moment when they had been at their closest, making love, it had just seemed an extension of that. To go out and purposely attack someone, to drain blood from them - he just couldn't accept that, and wouldn't do it. But he was slowing Casey down, holding her back. She hadn't fed either, because she didn't want to leave him, and though he was deeply touched, he didn't know right now whether to hate her or himself for his predicament. He didn't blame her, he had made the choice, and she had tried to dissuade him, but now in his current weakened state, he thought over those choices until they tormented him, and wondered if Casey hadn't put him in some kind of trance, like Dracula used on his female conquests. He shook away the silly thought, and leaned over to see Casey. She had pulled into a car park so that she could have a rest, and now lay curled up on the front seat. Everytime he looked at her he felt his chest tighten. He could never leave her now, he realised he loved her, maybe too much for his own good.

She stirred, and her eyes flickered open. She caught him watching her, and smiled, and Andreas felt his heart jump. "Hi," she breathed, "What time is it ?" He reached up to switch on the car interior light, so that he could see by his watch that it was only just gone three in the morning. Casey yawned and stretched, feeling the last of the tiredness leave her. She was hungry. "Peter, can you come tonight, are you able to feed with me ?" Andreas closed his eyes, as if by doing so he could shut out the inevitable. But he nodded. Casey had told him of her own failed battle against it, he knew he had no option. "Okay I'll come."
When it came down to it, Casey easily found them the source. They went together to a bar, where they separated. However, wherever Casey was, Peter Andreas was never far. A man stood at the bar watching her, and when she went outside, he was quick to follow. Casey walked on, but the man caught up with her, and pulled her around. "Hey sweetheart, you wanting some of me ?" Andreas was there in an instant, protective, pulling the mans' head back to deftly sink his teeth into his neck, feeling and tasting the blood entering his mouth, and the vibrance it brought with it. Casey watched in satisfaction, but then jumped as a shrill scream filled the air. They had remained too close to the door, and a woman leaving the bar had a clear view of their actions. "Andreas move!" Casey shouted, "We've got to move it, now !"

Father Klaus had spent a few hours filling out description forms of Father Andreas, and what he could remember of the woman, then he had left, that perhaps something had been accomplished, and that maybe these men would believe what he had told them, at least he felt the doctor might, he wasn't so sure about the practical Inspector. Still he had done what he could, if Peter came back to him now, he wouldn't make the mistake of turning him away again. If not, he hoped that Grantham and Foyster got to him before anyone else would, and that they would try to help him, if he would let them.

Andreas gripped Casey's hand and they ran full pelt, jumping bins, dodging startled people. A group from the bar had taken after them, exiting the bar to see what had caused the startled woman's cries. Casey had been quick to act, having the memory of her dash from kindred still fresh in her mind. But Andreas had been startled, and had been slow to realise these people would save questions for later. Casey had grabbed, dragged him after her, and though they ran faster, the mob in pursuit didn't show any signs of slowing or giving up. Casey was desperately thinking, trying to remember the place they had left the car, if she thought right, they were heading away from it. "We have to try and double back." she called to Andreas "We're heading away from the car !"
Grantham had been tidying up his desk in his study at home when the phone rang. It was his office, a call had come in, a, attack had taken place down town, the suspects male and female Caucasians, chased away from the scene by a crowd.

The case was too similar to those currently on file to be ignore. Grantham grabbed his badge, and mobile and ran out to his car, calling Foyster as he climbed in. Despite the hour, the two men met up within a short space of time. Casey pointed at the balcony ahead, the metal rail type that worked its way up the sides of most of the high rises in this area. She sped up a little, gaining momentum, and upon reaching beneath the balcony, she jumped, grabbing the railings, and numbly pulling herself up. Andreas followed suit, although inexperience made him a bit clumsy and he fell into the balcony rather than executing the smooth landing Casey had managed. Then as he made to rise, Casey crouched down next to him, as the pursuing crowd rounded the corner and passed noisily beneath the balcony that helped to conceal them. They watched until the crowd was well up the street, and then they jumped back down, this time Andreas a little more neat in his landing. They didn't waste time in contemplation, Casey ran back the way they had come, with Andreas close behind, even though the sound of sirens was already reaching their ears.

"How do we get by the police ?" Andreas called. Casey slowed and pulled Andreas with her towards the nearest doorway. They leant against the cold wood, breathing heavily, their harsh breath misting the cold night air. There was quite a commotion coming from the area of the bar, as the wounded man was being stretchered away. But at least Andreas could breath a sigh of relief that he hadn't killed the man, so great had his anger towards him been at that moment. Police were everywhere, and crowds gathered quickly to watch in delight as events unfolded. Cheaper than cable. Keeping to the outer rim of the crowd, with their heads ducked down, Casey and Andreas made their way slowly, circling round to get to the back of the bar from where they had so dramatically left just a short time ago. They succeeded without drawing attention, and walked to the end of the alley before picking up the pace and taking the turning that would hopefully lead to their car. "Hold it, or I fire !" Inspector Grantham held the pistol steady, standing next to the Father's car. Armed with a description and the licence plate number, it had been remarkably easy to find, parked as it was so close to the scene, although Grantham was surprised that they had made a break for it so soon.

Doctor Foyster stood close to the Inspector, his calming voice calling out to Andreas, urging him to give up. Andreas looked down at Casey, the question in his eyes. They walked towards the Inspector, who lowered his gun, but did not put it away completely. Casey found Andreas' hand with her own, and received a squeeze of reassurance.
"Father Andreas ?" Doctor Foyster asked. Andreas nodded. "Are you arresting me ? It was I who attacked the man, not Casey." Grantham nodded, "We know all about it, Father Klaus has spoken to us." "Father Klaus ?" Andreas thought Father Klaus had turned his back on him, and felt ashamed at losing faith in the old man so readily. He was glad to have been proved wrong. "What now ? How can you possibly help us ? Or do you intend turning me over the medical profession for examination ?" Although Foyster knew that they weren't aware of his profession, he still reddened, after all medically he couldn't deny being fascinated at the prospect of learning more about creatures that until now had been confined to myth status. He also couldn't ignore the fact that tests would have to be done on them, that would possibly result in curing them.
Grantham turned to address the small female clutching the Fathers' hand. "And you are ?" "Casey." she eyed them warily, she had no trust in them, and was only here for Peter's sake. He had given up everything for her, and she would stay by his side, whatever he chose to do. Her instincts had reached out to sense these men, and had told her that they meant well. They were exceedingly curious, but they were very open to belief, to accepting the creatures before them were no longer human, and that perhaps there was a way they could help. She wanted to laugh at the situation. If they were unable to help themselves, what could mere mortals hope to achieve ?

A squad car arrived, Casey and Andreas were helped into the back, and whisked away for further questioning. There were a great deal of answers needed, and Grantham hoped that some of the cases he had on file could be closed. In the back of the car, Andreas and Casey felt the humming warning, and both turned to look out of the back window, at the street as they pulled away. They didn't fail to see the two figures step out from the shadows to watch them leaving. "Who are they ?" Andreas asked. Casey turned large eyes to him, her face deathly pale. "Kindred, and now they will know where we are going to be."
As soon as they could, Grantham and Foyster finished their inspections at the crime scene and hurried to the detention cells, eager to speak to the Father and woman. These had now been placed in two separate interrogation rooms, and it was the father to whom they went to first. He was a bit preoccupied, finding himself in a situation that only a few weeks ago would never have been believable, and he obviously wasn't sure how to handle it. He could also sense Casey. She was nervous, and he knew it had nothing to do with where they were. The two they had sensed bothered her a great deal, but she hadn't had a chance to explain why. From his own senses he had felt very threatened, a deep foreboding that left him nauseous. Her tension infected him and he fidgeted in his chair restlessly. "Father ?" He turned his attention back to the two men looking expectantly at him. "Oh forgive me, I didn't hear your question." Grantham repeated "Why did you attack this man, to feed ?" Andreas nodded, his head bowed. "I didn't want to hurt him, had never intended to, despite knowing that I needed it, and would never have touched him if he hadn't gone after Casey, I saw red after that and went for him. I lost control." He fell silent, worried if he said the wrong thing. He wondered if they saw him as an evil creature, something insane and demonic, something to be reviled. So far, the Doctor had taken a few samples of his blood but that had been it.
"How is Casey doing ? What will you do with us when you are through questioning ?" Andreas had always been direct. Grantham didn't know. Charges had been filed by some of those who had attacked, but those didn't apply to the father, although he might now possibly be indicted as an accessory, due to the fact Casey was wanted as a suspect, and he had willingly harboured her. The latest victim was still out cold, they would see when he came to, if Andreas spoke the truth, then they doubted he would press charges, but it was very much Andreas' word against his and all his friends at the bar, who had been quick in pursuit.
They finished their session with Andreas and moved to the room where Casey waited. She sat straight, her senses in overdrive. She was reaching out to Andreas, but she was also trying to sense the two men who she had come across, or rather had ran from, before. Being trapped here bothered her. If they decided to come for her here, there would be nothing the police could do to stop them. It would be a blood bath. She tried to smile, but felt far from calm. The Inspector had pulled out a map, marked with names at various locations. Grantham told her it was where people had been attacked, and some killed, she immediately denied ever killing, so those cases could not involve her. Only one of them she knew about, a woman had been found, she had the trademark puncture wounds all over her body, and had died violently, apparently putting up one hell of a struggle before she died. Casey bowed her head and wept, knowing it had to be Eleni from the description. She had always known that some terrible fate must have come to her, it was so hard to hear now what that fate had been, and came as a terrible shock. Eleni had felt like a sister to her. "And what of your family ?" Doctor Foyster enquired. "Do you want us to contact them for you ?" "No !" Casey was adamant. "They will never learn what I am, what I have become."
She answered all their questions, gave them her history, so that more and more leads were added to their investigation. Rowans death, for example, and Eleni's. Then she began to tell them about the Kindred. "They have been on my trail for some months now. I know they mean to harm me, and now they will want Andreas too. I don't know why, but they know we are here." "They do?" Grantham asked. "They arrived at the bar this evening, when all the commotion was going on, they watched us as we drove off in your car, so they would know we have been brought.
Doctor Foyster asked "Do you think these men are behind the deaths of those who did not survive ?" Casey nodded. "Perhaps. And there are probably others like them. We are still human in many ways. Just as humans decide what is good and evil, so vampires decide how they will utilise the powers they gain. When I sense the men, I feel such hatred from them, such arrogance. Whoever it is they follow, their Master, has led them to believe they are the ultimate power, and see death and destruction as their alleys to achieve their aim. Their feeling towards humans is one of tolerance, as a farmer tolerates the pig he takes to the slaughter house. Their attitude towards vampires is one of pure hatred, as you saw in the murder of Eleni. It gives them great pleasure to destroy another great power like them selves, and they see it as proof of their greatness." When Foyster and Grantham left, Foyster headed for the forensics laboratory with the blood samples he had taken, whilst Grantham headed for his office, to brief his team, and to add all the information Casey and the Father had given, to that he and Foyster had already collected.

Chapter Seven

Meanwhile, Casey and Andreas had been escorted to two secure rooms, where they would spend the night awaiting official charges which would probably be made in the morning. Allowed one call each, Casey had declined, but Andreas had called Father Klaus, to thank him for talking to these people, and trying his best to help, and to beg forgiveness for leaving the faith, and the people, hoping God would forgive him. He knew there would be many at the church, parishioners and clergy alike, who would not have taken too kindly to his actions, though he doubted they would ever knew the full extent of what he was involved in. Father Klaus was touched that Andreas had called him, and promised to be at the station to offer whatever help and guidance he could offer. Father Andreas thanked him, and looked forward to seeing him again.
Casey spent the night pacing her 'room', she was hungry, and hadn't fed for days, too worried about Andreas to think of herself at the time. But her restlessness also came from the waiting, the possibility that somewhere in the night, as other kindred stirred, some headed in their direction.
Andreas felt and shared her restlessness. Not yet sure of who the Kindred were, or why they were interested in two vampires who wondered together, it still bothered him to be in this small room, although after attacking that man earlier, he thought it might be safer this way. He didn't want to think about that too much, it shamed him, but it also brought his craving for blood back to mind, and that was something he didn't need at the moment. He had enough on his plate.

The men passed by the dogs, reaching out a finger to lightly touch the criminals nose. The beast whimpered, but made no move to attack, to follow through on their training and prevent the intruders from entering the Police Headquarters.
Andreas sat up, feeling that powerful tingling in his veins. He could not understand why he did not have the same sensation around Casey, though she did have a magic of her own, this was different, far more powerful, and definitely not friendly and inviting. Just from how bad it felt, he knew it to be a warning. He stood and went to the door, trying to see out of the small reinforced glass panel. His thoughts reached out to Casey, and in her room a little way down the hall she showed him what to do, taking the door in her hand, and pulling it open, the lock splintering easily under the touch. Andreas had to grin at the ease with which he opened the door, they had been prisoners of their own choice, and he wondered why he hadn't thought of that. He would never get used to this. Casey hurried over to him. "They have arrived." "Now what ?" Andreas commented. "I don't know what they want, but I don't think it wise to hang around and find out eh ?" They headed down the hall, pausing at the end to check their options. Outside the door, a young officer sat engrossed in a novel. He looked up, and unnoticed the book fell to the floor. Casey smiled. She could feel the officers fears , alone, she had little ability, but Andreas knew what she wanted to do, and together they reached inside the young mans' mind, forcing him to sit, unable to speak, watching as they quietly opened the door, and made their way to him. "We must feed, even just a little, it wont hurt him." Andreas stopped her "But will he turn ?" Casey shook her head. "No.. no, that is, well you choose to turn, I bit you, which in itself could not have turned you, but when you took my blood, that was voluntary, and it was that which made you turn. Its called Embracing." She quickly kissed Andreas, then turned back to the officer, lifting his chin so she could nip gently at his neck. His eyes showed his terror, so as she fed, she let him feel a calmness that soothed him, and then when she and Andreas were done, they lowered the weakened man to the floor, he would recover in time.

Revitalised, they ran down the hall, as Doctor Foyster, Inspector Grantham, and Father Klaus arrived at the opposite end, finding the rooms Casey and Andreas had broken out of. They couldn't understand what had happened, when it had seemed that these two intended to cooperate. However Father Klaus was quick to defend his assistant, and aired his own opinion. "If, as you said, the young woman believed other vampires were following her, perhaps she felt threatened enough to do this. Andreas would go with her." A shout from outside the door at the other end of the hall sent them running to investigate. The limp form of the officer had been discovered, and the alarm went up. Grantham informed the officers gathering that two suspects had escaped and should be apprehended safely. He also warned them of the possibility of intruders in the building who posed more of a threat than these two and should be approached with extreme caution.

In the forensics lab, the technician was examining a vial upon which a little blood had been smeared, part of the sample taken from Father Andreas. Although not as unusual as the previous sample she had seen, it was still intriguing and unique, highly active, the red cells remaining active far longer than was normal for cells removed from a body. From what she was able to establish, the cells were in a state of hyper activity, and would remain that way for some time. She had added a little normal blood from a screened batch, and the cells had absorbed them, and the whole process had speeded up their frantic bubbling upon the small glass plate. There were greater iron contents, and oxygen. Whoever possessed this blood, would be stronger and physically more adept. She couldn't possibly begin to imagine what manner of being these blood samples came from, or to what extent their differences to humans could be, even though the basis of the blood sample was human in origin. She lifted the receiver of the phone close to her, and dialled Inspector Granthams' extension, hoping to find Doctor Foyster there, when a clatter from behind her made her swirl around, the receiver falling from her hand. It reached the ground moments before her body fell to join it.

Whilst one man leant to take advantage of the supply of fresh blood now spreading to cover the white tiles, the other reached up to remove the glass vial from the microscope, sniffing at it. "Well he is here." he let it fall, and then ground it into splinters with the heel of his boot. Straightening to walk calmly from the room, leaving his associate slurping hungrily behind him. Casey and Andreas were experiencing difficulties in getting away, there were officers everywhere, alarms created a din that only served to heighten the chaos. Both of them felt the warning inside themselves, and knew that great danger was close at hand. They counted on getting out quickly, to relative safety, but were now concerned about the people who would be left at the mercy of the creatures closing in. Andreas hated to think of the Father being at risk because he had come to help him. He said in silent words to Casey that rather than flee, they should turn and face their pursuers once and for all, and end it.

Foyster took off his coat and draped it over the body of his friend in the lab. As a doctor of many years experience, still the extent of damage to her had stunned and nauseated him, Father Klaus stood to one side bestowing the last rites, while Grantham examined the shattered glass, and the petri dishes that had been knocked to the floor, whilst everything else in the room had remained untouched. They didn't stay for long though, now certain that there was another presence in the building, here for the purpose of hunting down Casey and Andreas. The discovery of this body had confirmed Father Klaus' suspicions, whoever had done this had no regard for life at all, it certainly couldn't have been Andreas, and probably not the young woman with him. Andreas stopped Casey, "We have to find Father Klaus, he may have something with him that we can use, like oil, or holy water, even his crucifix pendant will help." They moved through the hallways, hiding in rooms as officers ran here and there, also mentally trying to search out those who hunted them, whilst at the same time, trying to locate Father Klaus. He sensed this, like a feeling that warns you of rain, and he told the others what he felt, that he was sure that Father Andreas and the woman wanted to find them. "They need my help, do you have a small Chapel here, a room where the presence of God will be at its strongest ?" Indeed there was, a small room where those who wished to could come for spiritual solace and guidance. It was also available to offenders, and to their families who sometimes spent hours here whilst awaiting verdicts.

There was a small font, containing holy water, and a small altar to one side, set with candles and a small crucifix bolted to the table. Father Klaus took out his Bible and placed it on the altar, preparing himself, awaiting Father Andreas' arrival. Grantham had his gun and bullets blessed, now as long as his aim remained true.

Father Andreas led Casey into the small room, as Father Klaus was blessing a small handgun kept in an ankle strap. Their abrupt entrance made Foyster jump, but they were all relieved to see each other unharmed. They had little time to waste, a commotion down the hall alerted them to the Kindreds' arrival, a small burst of gunfire rang out, but was abruptly cut off to be followed by a hoarse yell. They could only guess what had happened, and that it didn't bode well for them.
Father Klaus crossed himself and prayed to God that they would come out of this unharmed. Casey and Andreas positioned themselves nearer to the door, hoping that their strength would be enough to prevent the Kindred from killing them and the humans in the room with them. When the two men did appear, it was with such anticlimactic quiet, that Foyster wondered what all the dramatic build up had been about. The two men appeared fairly young, perhaps in their late twenties, but he saw the truth in their eyes, they looked ancient, and sneers of arrogance at this display of braveness showed the teeth they used with such deadly and brutal force. These were an ancient tribe, Casey had been turned by a breed much mutated and changed down the centuries, and here stood two of the race of forerunners of the vampires, the Master of these two must be truly powerful indeed.

"You dare to assume that you can stop us ?" one of the men threatened "That presents a challenge in itself." Casey spoke up "Why us, what possible interest are we to you ?" She hadn't failed to notice that neither men were making any effort to step into the room. The that it was a chapel made no difference, religion had long stopped posing a powerful threat to these beings. But they knew the danger the blessed items themselves posed in the hands of the faithful. Faith itself was a powerful weapon, and they knew that foolishness would only bring about their downfall. "Rowan was created by the Master, and he created you. If you come with us and become part of our group, you will be spared. Our Master wants to make sure there will be no one out there to challenge his authority, his leadership. There can be no other Masters."
Casey shook her head, trying to understand. She had never wished for power, for the control her powers could bring her. She would have said as much, but was prevented from doing so. "You created him," one of them pointed at Andreas "You are very strong and this makes you dangerous. The Master wants you both with him, or both dead, whichever you prefer." From the feline smiles lighting their faces, Andreas saw that these men wanted a fight, were looking forward to one. "You have gotten away from us time and again, it has been a fair and enjoyable match, so whatever you decide, know that the sport was very pleasurable." Casey frowned at their tasteless humour, yet still they did not enter the room, and she knew she had to make her choice obvious. She looked at Andreas, and felt his agreement. Whatever this Master wanted of them, they would never join him. To do so, they would become all they abhorred, the type of vampire cinema goers had been terrorised for so many years. They did not need to speak their revulsion aloud, the two men read it clearly for themselves, and visibly they both straightened, their grins widening in sickly anticipation of the coming battle. Their attention fixed upon Grantham, as he turned to face them, his small handgun still in his hand. Andreas saw the action, and saw what would occur, moving to stand protectively before the Inspector, he placed his hands over the older mans' eyes, and focused on blocking. "Shut them out, don't let them in. Come on, fight it." The gun shook in his grasp, as he struggled against raising it, finally managing to drop it to the floor, and then kicking it away. Only then did he feel released from the grip that had been placed on his mind and free will. Andreas turned back to face the men, it had been a small victory, far too soon to mean anything of vital importance, and far too easily concluded. The next instant, flame shot from the candles, igniting the table cloth on the altar. It spread faster than was possible, spurred on by powers not of this earth, Inspector Grantham grabbed at the cloth, hoping to be able to pull it free and put out the flames, but with the crucifix being secured in place, he only succeeded in ripping the cloth, and helped the flames to spread, engulfing the back wall, filling the room quickly with smoke. Doctor Foyster rushed to the window and pushed it open, sending some of the thick smoke billowing out, and making breathing once again a little easier. But their eyes smarted, and in the confusion, Casey could hardly make out the others in the room. She was still aware of the two figures standing ominously at the doorway to their safe haven, but did not see Father Klaus straighten and begin to walk purposely towards the door. Andreas did though, and could feel the pull on Father Klaus' senses, urging him towards the door. He grabbed the old man from behind, holding in place, preventing him from continuing. The Father turned, the light in his eyes not that of the old man Andreas knew, as he raised his small crucifix pendant and embedded it in Andreas shoulder. There was a howl of pain as the object began to smoke. Casey ran forward and pulled the small object free, bringing burning pain to her own skin as her hand briefly grasped the holy pendant, quickly she pulled it free, and placed it into her pocket.
They both fell back hurt, unable to stop the priest. Grantham left the burning altar and ran to prevent the old man leaving, but one of the men reached in to push him back, sending him crashing against the wall to land in a crumpled heap. Doctor Foyster had stood in shock at the window but now moved to help Grantham, seeing the Inspectors' gun close by and reaching for it. He aimed at the man nearest to the rooms' entrance, and shot, catching him in the arm. Blood spurted, and quickly a hissing sound, which accompanied smoke, issued from the wound. The man growled, clutching at his wound, then turned and ran after his companion, taking the entranced Father Klaus along with them.
The commotion didn't last long, and when the air cleared, it was accompanied by a stunned silence. Inspector Grantham groaned, severely winded. Doctor Foyster had wounded the attacker but regretted he wasn't a better shot. As for Casey and Andreas, they nursed their own injuries, angry at themselves for failing to prevent Father Klaus from being taken. "He wont be hurt Casey, they are using him to get us." Andreas said, but it was a hope he was trying to himself of. "We're with all the way." Foyster said, and nursing his stomach, Grantham agreed.

Chapter Eight

Grantham, Foyster, Casey and Andreas stood in front of the old warehouse. They had left the police headquarters, some order had been restored, Grantham would have much to explain to his colleagues later on. Andreas had bandages on his shoulder, and Casey sported the same upon her hand, for them both, the wounds smarted nastily. What little relief they both got came from the knowledge that the Kindred servant had been shot with a blessed bullet and so his pain would be a great deal worse. However, under the current circumstances, it was little consolation to Andreas. They entered the warehouse, wary of the fact that they had seen no one yet. But both Casey and Andreas were certain that this was the place. The warehouse stank, and it had hit them almost as soon as they had pulled open the huge double doors, they were assailed by a musty smell, a smell Grantham knew from every murder scene he had ever been to, and which Foyster associated with the morgues he had had the misfortune of having to visit. This place reeked of death, and heightened their trepidation as they stepped inside. People sat on cases, up in the beams, or stood, simply watching as they walked in. Their eyes were lifeless, these were the subservients, minions, turned by the Masters own leeches. They did not move, yet their very stance was unnerving. In this place, surrounded by these people, these vampires, Casey and Andreas were unable to sense out the two they sought. There was too much interference here.

Then their answer was received, when the two they wanted stepped forward from the shadows, their grins menacing and taunting. Father Klaus was no longer with them.
They leapt from their place, high above the group, to land smoothly a few feet before them. That was when Andreas realised that in the minutes they had concentrated on the men's actions, the others in the room had come to slowly close in on them, but their faces remained impassive. But Andreas was aware of the terrible danger, and the obvious threat now surrounding them. "Casey" he whispered, drawing her attention to the ever closing circle of vampires.
The four people turned out to face the circling net. Grantham was armed with two guns, and slowly leaned down to release the clip on his ankle brace, removing the gun from the holster so he could pass it on to Foyster. Foyster smiled, hoping to be a better shot this time. Like some unknown signal had been given, the people at once fell upon them. Grantham managed to let off a shot, knocking someone to the ground, but two others immediately took his place, grabbing him before he had a chance to aim again. All around, struggles were taking place. The two men had also joined in, to take on their vampire equals. Teeth bared, Casey was struggling to fend off one of these men while a woman tried to hold her arms back. Andreas was attempting to concentrate on controlling a mans' will, and managed to turn him on the vampire who had turned his attention on Andreas. But the mindless slave didn't stand a chance. The vampire swiped at him, and he fell to the floor, a gaping wound across his throat. The struggle didn't last much longer after that. Both Grantham and Foyster had been knocked unconscious, and whilst Andreas and Casey were subdued and dragged away, they both hoped that their human friends would be spared too much pain in their final moments.

Of all places, they were taken to a church, albeit an abandoned one. The darkened building was cold and the shadows contained the gossamer fronds of long established cobwebs. Here and there ancient vampires glowered from the nooks and crannies like almost living gargoyles.
Andreas looked to Casey, whose pale features spoke of her great fear. He could sense it, she believed that they now would meet their eternal rest here.

Grantham moaned, feeling a stickiness upon his forehead, reaching up gingerly to find blood trickling in a steady stream. Beside him, Foyster lay pale and immobile, but in the coldness of the night, a slight mist rising from his slightly parted mouth proved he still breathed. The people stood about them, still immobile. It hadn't been that long, since Casey and Andreas had been dragged away, but Grantham had lost count of the time, his watch was useless having been smashed, his head still fuzzy so that he couldn't quite get his bearings. He reached over and gently shook his friend, clamping his hand over Foyster's mouth when he woke with a start. He indicated the people about them. It could be like before, and they simply awaited some sign to pounce once again. They weren't waiting to find out. Dragging themselves painfully slowly across the dusty floor, they pulled themselves the doors, ignoring the bodies they could see littered about the place, long discarded corpses that had served their purpose and lay scattered like twisted mannequins. They almost made it too, a howl broke up amongst the people, and as one they turned to face the men crawling desperately away. Foyster heard the din, and felt the hair on his neck stand, he looked back fearing the worst, raising to his feet, dragging Grantham with him. It was a terrifying sight, and as they fled, they knew it was for their lives.

Foyster ran and pulled the door after him, as Grantham went for the other side. They just made it too, arms reaching through the narrowing gap to claw at them. Grantham struck at the vice-like grips upon his jacket, knocking the people away so that he and Foyster could shut the door completely, trapping the monsters inside. Grantham didn't think anything could be done for them. He knew of no cure, and what could the police do in a situation like this, read them their rights ? For now their main concern was finding Father Klaus, Father Andreas and the woman, that was if they happened to still be in one piece.

In the lower levels beneath the old church, Andreas and Casey were being led down corridors of what looked like old catacombs. Most of the tombs were empty, the place having been vacated long ago, but there were narrow stairwells cut out of the rock itself, which led down to increasingly older levels. As they descended, they passed tombs that had been used, containing the shrivelled corpses of monks who, years and centuries before, would probably have served in the church above. Down further still, to a level virtually in darkness. If it had not been for their acute eyesight, Casey and Andreas would not have been able to see the area about them, but they could, and saw clearly the bodies of the monks, that had been pulled from their final resting places to make way for new inhabitants, the Ancient ones, the original in the vampire chain, and also those who served and protected them, mostly resting for the moment, the few who were awake watching the new arrivals with open interest.
Despite the power emanating from these beings, Casey felt something else, much more powerful. They were being led towards the Master of all these creatures, she could feel him so strongly, the fear coiling within her, so that she began to feel hysterical, wanted to run, scream, anything but go on. They were pulled into a large vaulted hall, lined either side by the tombs which the higher legions now used, the higher echelons of these beings. Here below, some sort of society had developed, were the leader ruled supreme, and respect was commanded or death followed with swift execution. It was to this leader Casey and Andreas were now being led. He sat, at the end of this immense hall, upon an ornately carved chair that had been laboriously dragged for him from upstairs, a bent and frail visage surrounded by howling and yipping beings that scampered this way and that. Casey did not want to look, but could not avert her eyes. The creature rose from his throne, and made his way towards them, surprisingly agile, the passage of years clearly defined in the thin wispy hair that fell in great lengths down his back. He wore a suit, but it was faded and musty, like the man himself. Great nails curled like talons from his fingers, and his teeth grew long, yellow and rotting.

Andreas swallowed dryly, as the figure moved towards them. He wasn't fooled for a second, he too could plainly see the ease of the old beings movements, he knew this creature could snap them like a twig if he so chose. The creature reached them and ignoring Andreas completely, his sunken red rimmed eyes boring into Casey. He reached out a gnarled hand, and closed it about her throat. Andreas clenched his teeth, readying himself. Those holding him felt his strength, and tightened their grip. Casey shuddered under the leathery grip, repulsed to her very core. She tried to pull away as his hand lowered and grasped her breast, slavering at the touch of her soft skin. Casey struggled, and the beast released her, a low cackle escaping him and echoing about the hall. He muttered to the creatures holding Casey, and she was released, the vampires moving away hurriedly. "I have waited many months for you Casey, anxiously. You have no idea how long I have yearned for you to join me." Casey gulped, looking to where Andreas was still being held firm. "What do you mean, join you ?" she felt to compelled to ask. "Oh Casey, when I saw you all those months ago, I was driven insane wanting you. It gave me such pleasure to hold Rowans' beating heart in my heart, and to crush it to dust. I wanted no one to touch you." He moved to stand before Andreas, placing his hand upon the mans' chest, over his heart. Casey panicked. "If you harm him I will never be yours, ever." she screamed, and he stilled, smiling wickedly.
He turned to look at her, seeing where he could lead this. "So if I were to release him, you would give yourself to me, willingly ?" Casey lowered her eyes. To do that would make her his for good, like the mindless zombies around them, the loss of her free will, and an eternity doomed to remain here in this hell. To do that would secure Andreas' release. Slowly she nodded her agreement. "No" Andreas shouted. "I wont leave you behind." He was knocked to the floor, and a foul smelling foot was placed upon his neck holding him to the ground. She crouched down, to plead with him "Please, leave this place, and forget me, forget I exist." He shook his head as much as possible. "Look to God Casey for guidance, let God be your weapon." Casey was confused and stood. She turned to face the Master. "You have my word, I will be yours if you set Andreas free." The creature thought about this, and let out a laugh, that resounded about the room. Uneasily, creatures shifted in their nooks, disturbed by the sound.
Andreas didn't much like it either. And the Maters' next words confirmed his fears. "I don't have to promise anything. Why should I free this feeble being when he would be of use to me. You would still be mine regardless. You are here because I chose it. I have shadowed you all along, watched and waited, as you came closer. Now that you are finally here, nothing can allow you to leave. And as for this waste of effort," his attention returned to Andreas, and he pushed the creature holding him away, so that he could drag Andreas to his feet. In her mind, Casey heard the words 'the weapon of God' over and over, and sought to understand what it meant. Something nagged at her, she knew that it meant something important, but it was on the tip of her tongue, annoying elusive, weapon of God, weapon of God.
And then the inspiration came, as Andreas was raised higher, his feet dangling inches above the ground, the Masters' fingers curling about his windpipe, beginning to squeeze. She reached into her pocket, momentarily stinging her fingers upon the cold metal that lay within. The pendant she had pulled from Andreas' shoulder earlier, had been left all but forgotten in her pocket. Now she reached deep, gripping the crucifix where her hand was bandaged, and could not be burned again by the blessed silver.
With his attention diverted, the Master did not see Casey throw herself at him, and with all her might drive the pendant deep into his back, her hands sinking deep into the aged and fragile flesh, to ensure the crucifix dad as much damage as possible. Andreas fell heavily to the ground, as the hand about his throat relaxed its grip. Blood began to gush from the Master's mouth, and he whirled about, trying to reach back for the crucifix and pull it free. Already smoke was rising from his back, and about them, creatures howled and screeched in horror. Then from elsewhere, another commotion rose, as Foyster and Grantham arrived in the upper levels. Not far from the warehouse, Grantham had easily followed the scuffle marks that had led them directly to the church. Once inside, they had great difficulty finding their way about, their human eyesight letting them down. They had, however, discovered the mangled body of Father Klaus, his corpse almost decapitated. Doctor Foyster had to move away quickly when they realised what it was, to stand retching in the darkness. Grantham searched the Fathers' body, finding in the pockets some small bottles, which he collected and placed in the breast pocket of his jacket.

They had found their way to the hall where Casey and Andreas were being held, and at that moment as they entered, Casey had her hands apparently buried in some foul demons back, and a howling commotion was rising from the creatures scampering about the hall and corridors.
They had been unseen and unnoticed, and Grantham passed some of the bottles bottles to Foyster, warning him to use it wisely, obviously there was little to go around. However they were soon to learn that it was remarkable what a single drop of water could do, when it had been blessed, and what a mess it could make. Like acid, it began to burn upon impact, leaving the vampires writhing in agony, foul acrid smoke rising as the holy fluid burned its way deeper into their foul flesh.
It gave Andreas the edge he needed. He struck the Master below the chin, a powerful blow that sent him crashing backwards. The screeching rose to a new fevered pitch, as Master and servants alike succumbed to the greatness of God, to the powers of belief and faith. Smoke began issuing from the stomach of the Master, as the crucifix worked its way deeper still, and began to emerge from his chest. Then it finally exploded, sending dark blood up in a cloud. Around them creatures suffered similar fates, as Grantham and Foyster sprayed their small bottles around. Although they didn't contain much, a great deal wasn't required. But still there remained many vampires nestled inside the catacombs, were they remained unharmed waiting for the chance to come out.

Grantham and Foyster pushed their way to Casey and Andreas, urging them to their feet, and to make good their escape before they were swamped by the threatening vampire presence. Their way back up top was still fraught with danger. At every turn, creatures hurled themselves from the darkness, slashing out with their talons, pulling, dragging, determined to prevent the foursome from making it to safety. Andreas took the lead, using his strength to forge a way ahead.
Casey brought up the rear, while Foyster and Grantham used what little holy water they had left trying to keep the encroaching vampires at bay, at least long enough to let them keep edging their way, bit by bit, to freedom.
At the door of the church, the dim light of day was beginning to make its way over the horizon. Casey saw it, and she winced, already unable to take the light. She and Andreas had to get to shelter and quickly. Grantham pulled the door to the church shut behind them, but the terrible screeches could still be heard, like the maddening wails of banshees.

"I have to notify someone, we have to make sure all these creatures are destroyed once and for all." Grantham could hardly speak, struggling to regain his breath. The night had seen him get as much exercise as he usually did in a year. The banging at the door behind them reminded them they were not alone. "We have to get out of the light." Casey told them. Foyster urged them back the way they had come before entering the church, and briskly they made their way back to the station, permanently checking behind them in case the vampires had managed to find a way out.

Chapter Nine

At the station, some order had been restored, although Grantham's team had been frantic not knowing where he had disappeared to. He also had a nasty gash upon his forehead that required a few stitches. In fact the whole group looked battered and bruised. Grantham told them about the warehouse, and the old church, both not too far, amongst the buildings of the old dockland area. He advised the teams to go heavily armed, and ordered they only use the more expensive silver tipped rounds they had in stock. Eventually, only two people wound up injured, no other casualties, except for vampires. The police went through the area thoroughly making sure none survived.

Inside the station, Casey and Andreas were able to forget about the rising sun, and had their wounds tended to. Soon enough these wounds would heal, of that they would be certain, but what their future was, was not so clearly defined. Casey let out a weary sigh, she felt physically drained, and though they had escaped, were they any better than what they had escaped from ? Did they have any more right to remain wandering the earth ? Andreas wandered over, sensing her sorrow. They embraced, and he kissed her forehead, mindful of the bruise she had there. The doors opened and Foyster and Grantham entered, their faces showing that all was not well.
"They're cleaning up the warehouse and the old church." Grantham said, "Before the press gets a sniff and has a field day with this." "What did you tell the officers involved ?" Andreas asked. "Well, my team already knew about the murders, and some of the others were fully aware of our investigation, apart from the fact that the deaths are unusual, they were informed that its a gang who have been involved in ritual style slayings. That was as close to the truth we could get without giving too much away." "But there must have been alot of bodies, they must think you are super heroes to have escaped from that lot." Casey mused. Grantham and Foyster exchanged glances before Grantham broke the news. "We cleared out bodies, but there weren't that many, I doubt there were more than about twenty. The rest vanished, got out somehow, we haven't located them, or how they escaped, but now that we know about them ... "

"What about the one that came after Casey ?" Andreas asked quietly, he sensed her intake of breath as waited for the reply. "Oh he was toasted alright, you were pretty spot on with that crucifix." Grantham said to Casey. Casey released the breath she had been holding. At least that was one fear from her mind. "But will the others now come after us ?" she wondered aloud. "I shouldn't think so," Grantham said "They were servants, without their Master their only thought seems to have been survival, but now that they are out there, we have to be ever watchful. At least you have those senses to warn you if any of them ever get close."
"But now what, what about us ?" Andreas asked the question directly of Grantham. Clearing his throat, Grantham replied "Okay. Well regarding the various charges, none were ever officially brought about, we know the deaths were probably the work of the creatures we encountered, so it effectively clears you of any suspicion, although attacking people to drink their blood is still, I believe, against the law."

"And I have an idea on how to solve that problem." Foyster put in. "I can guarantee transfusions if you give your word not to attack any more people. I assume the blood type doesn't matter, so I can set it up for you. It will mean regular visits to the clinic, but that will be no problem." Casey and Andreas instantly agreed, their only stipulation being that the blood must be as fresh as possible, since the older the blood, the less energy it would provide them. If there were any reasons for them to stay away from the clinic, any dangers, then he would warn them well in advance. They readily agreed.

Grantham also made a deal with them. "These creatures are deadly, and I fear that until all of them are caught, I am afraid of more deaths occurring, and no doubt more vampires will be created. With your abilities, your unique senses and powers, we could work together to seek them out, and perhaps one day wipe them out altogether." It was an idea that worried Andreas a little, he never wanted to see Casey in any danger ever again, but she insisted that it was the right thing for them to do, besides they knew how truly bloodthirsty and violent the ancient beings were, so really they had no other choice. Well satisfied, Grantham arranged a new identity for them as a married couple, a new home, and Doctor Foyster arranged for them to be able to visit the clinic and receive blood whenever they needed it, with the legal authority required kindly supplied by Grantham. At the same time, he would use their visits to seek out any possible reversion of their affliction, which they were only too pleased to assist in.

Chapter Ten

In the snooker hall, the two men conversed in whispered tones, watched by the denim and leather set who normally spent their evenings there. To these hardened men, the two strangers looked like cops, their suits placing them in the bureau, if not something similar. It was downright bad manners for them to arrogantly come in here as if they owned the place, that's what it was. The men finished their bears, threw change onto the counter, and left. This was a rough neighbourhood, the roughnecks knew there was no way these assholes had parked a nice car anywhere close by. They would undoubtedly have a few blocks to walk, and if they thought that by being two they would be safe, well this group was hoping to show them otherwise. Unanimously they followed, spilling out into the darkened street, sauntering after the two suits, intent on showing them how to pay the proper respect, and who in fact was boss around these parts. Up ahead, the men turned a corner, disappearing behind a building. The gang speeded up, knowing that a playground lay just around the corner, unsafe for even the toughest kids at this hour, usually frequented by whores and crack heads.

Turning the corner together, the group were stunned by the sight that met them. It was a very badly lit area, most places in this area were, but the full moon showed the hunched creatures, who were everywhere, sat on the benches, on top of the surrounding wall, in the lower balconies of the overlooking buildings, even on top of the climbing frame. They made no noise, no movements, their very number threatening. As one they attacked, and used to the crimes of the area, no one living within ear shot paid much attention to the yells of terror, although the shrieks that filled the air were a little unusual. The discovery of the corpses was blamed by the inhabitants on just another gang rumble, and no one wished to come forward with information that would suggest otherwise. Grantham closed his briefcase, shaking his head as he left the terrible scene. He knew otherwise. He would call Andreas when he got back to the car.

The ancient ones nestled in their new sanctuary, their bellies full, biding their time. For now it suited them to work together as one, their moment of weakness still fresh in their minds, when the strongest of them had been annihilated. They would not be so foolish again. They would feed, and grow stronger, until the day would come when one of them would dominate, and become the new Master.