White Wolf

Night.

It was time to rise and take her place with the others. Merge with the darkness, and demand her fill from the sheep skittering along the dank streets.

The cold tiles of the rooftop pressed into her haunches. But Anya did not feel the chill, or the dampness. She looked to her partner, the dominant one. His eyes were red and focused on the warm bodies moving below them. He eyed them with keen intensity as they exited the side door of the theatre. Humans. How he hated them.

He threw back his head in silent scream, then rose and shook the rain from his glossy black coat. The others followed his lead, their gray fur blending with the mist. But Anya remained still, wearied by their nightly hunts.

“Grrrrr.” He snarled at his mate.

Anya extended her powerful legs and lunged forward. Her lithe form, soaring from the building’s roof, plunged toward release. Release from the unyielding hunger.

She would feed tonight….

******

“Fulbright!” Edward Marconi, the rotund chief of the Metro Daily, barged into the newsroom threatening to knock over the flimsy gray cubicles. Spittle flew from his mouth. And the brown belt beneath his belly, looked as if it were about to snap open and hit Tommy Fulbright in the face.

Fulbright clutched his cheese sandwich and tea to protect them from Marconi’s spray.

“How the hell did we miss this story?” Marconi continued, as he waved a rolled up paper. “Channel 2 has it, every morning paper has it. My mama knows about it.”

The entire newsroom fell silent. When Marconi started the morning off sniping, it was bound to last an hour or two.

“And you,” Marconi turned his rage on a small woman who entered with her morning coffee. “Where were you? How many times do I have to tell you people to keep your police radios on at night? Huh?”

Kathryn opened her mouth to speak, but then thought better of it. Marconi couldn’t be reasoned with when he was in a snit. She was a camerawoman, or cameraperson as she called it, not a reporter. And she certainly wasn’t going to leave some damn radio on all night. But Marconi expected his people to do everything he asked like good little soldiers.

Tommy looked deathly pale, and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down in a dance of terror. He was about to open his mouth too, but Kathryn shook her head. He smiled weakly, slicking back his sand-rust hair.

She asked Marconi, “What did we miss?”

Marconi held up his rival’s paper. “This.”

SLAUGHTER PARTY IN HOLDMAN’S ALLEY

The bodies of nine men and one woman from the cast of “O Beatrice!” were found hung by the feet from a steam pipe in the alley behind Holdman’s Theatre….

Kathryn was sickened as she read the gory details. She gulped her coffee to calm the rising bile. It was time to make her exit while Marconi was still wrapped up in hassling Fulbright. Tommy was a big boy, and he certainly made more money than her. Let him swallow Marconi’s crap.

She backed out the doorway, and grabbed her friend Tobias by the arm.

“Let’s go.” Kathryn tugged his sleeve to get him moving.

Dismay was etched on Tobias’ handsome brown face. He was the resident weatherman for the Metro, and a keen science buff. Even though his legs were longer than Kathryn’s, he struggled to keep up with her fast clip to the elevator.

When they were seated in Cromwell’s deli, Kathryn asked, “Did you hear about the murders last night?’

“Which ones? The world is full of murder. It surrounds us. It-“

“Holdman’s,” she interrupted. “That’s only five blocks from me.”

Having left her coffee upstairs, she ordered a new one from the waitress. Tobias sucked his teeth. The woman knows nothing about breakfast. He ordered eggs for them both.

“How many times have I told you to move from that lousy walk up?”

“Can’t,” she said, stabbing a fork into the undercooked eggs. “Too expensive.”

Tobias arched an eyebrow. He wouldn’t admit it, but he was hurt. Kathryn was having a tight time with money, but still refused his help. “What are you doing in? I thought it was your day off.”

“It is, “ she said with her mouth full. “I came to borrow a couple of lenses.”

Tobias grinned at her. “I smell coffee table book. Still bent on being the next Leibowitz?”

“No, just Kathryn Jansen,” she answered. The murders were troubling her. “No blood. How could there be no blood?”

“What? Oh. Poison?”

“No.”

“Hit and run?”

“No, means blood. They were drained.”

“What?”

“Read the paper.” She stood, and took a piece of toast off his plate. “Grab a photo lens for me and bring it by later?”

“Sure, and I’ll check out the real estate section.”

“Find something cheap, old friend.” She winked at him and left money for her portion of the meal.

******

Damien watched her sleep. She was his favorite, his jewel, his Anya. But unlike the others, she tired too easily of his world. He moved his hand when she turned slightly on the overstuffed mattress. Golden locks fell, covering half of her face. The half that he could see was not smiling. She never smiled.

He had taken her when she was a small child. Reached into her little bedroom and dragged her out while mommy and daddy were drowsing in sleepy land. Now she was a grown woman-almost as powerful as he.

Damien stroked his dark beard. He had grown it to please her when she had said that she loved his wild black hair. That was back when she used to talk with him.

He looked at the thin sheets of blue plastic covering the windows of his Manhattan loft. It filtered out most of the light, allowing his golden eyes to see without pain.

“They think we’re myths.” His mouth was close to her ear. “And those who believe say we cannot walk in light. But we know better, my Anya.”

She stirred and opened her eyes. They were clear blue like the plastic covers protecting his white skin. She bared her teeth. Though the fangs were retracted, her message was clear:

“Release me.”

Annoyed now, Damien tightened his hold on her slender wrist. He was top…he was alpha. How dare she challenge him?

Last night had been the third time he had to finish one of her kills. She drank and left the woman alive, thinking he would not notice. Ah, but I ripped her throat out.

“You disappoint me,” he told her.

“Then seek another.”

Anya rose from the bed, stretching her long body to further inflame his anger. He desired her, but she would have him in her bed no longer.

Damien reached for her when she moved toward the exit, but she eluded his grip.

He said, “Cover yourself.”

“No need.”

Damien sighed, knowing what she would do once she reached the walled-in garden.

“Damn you.”

He rolled onto Anya’s bed and covered himself with her sheets. He needed her scent on his skin.

******

Anya slipped past the cops guarding the entrance to Holdman’s alley. They were so busy drinking coffee and chatting up passing women that they didn’t even notice her.

She rubbed vigorously against the brick wall, and then used one of her hind legs to scratch out a few more hairs. That’s when one of the detectives looked up with a start.

“Jesus! Now we got contamination. The whole scene’s ruined.”

“Outta the way, stupid mutt,” said a young cop, trying his best to help his partner seal off the alley with yellow tape.

“You ever see a dog like that? Looks half wolf, man.” His partner laughed at his startled expression.

Mutt. She had had enough of these two. She licked her white fur as if purging it of their stench. At least they hadn’t touched her. With a flick of her tail, she loped across the street and took up a post directly in front of them.

Anya pawed the ground, clicking her deadly nails against the wet cement. And she waited, but for what, she didn’t know. Why return here? What existed on these cold streets to free her soul? But she would wait, and watch them work.

******

Kathryn walked with a bag of groceries in one arm, and a heavy duffle bag slung over her shoulder. When would she learn to leave the darn thing home, and walk with money in her pockets? It would make it easier to move through the City.

When she came close to the theatre, she crossed the street. No one could convince her to walk past that place ever again. She stopped in her tracks when she saw the white dog sitting up on the ground. It was staring at the alley, watching the uniformed policemen and detectives milling about.

Kathryn slid her digital camera from her pocket and took a few shots of the dog.

The dog turned its head and looked straight at her. She had never seen such a beautiful animal. Bright blue eyes, and lustrous fur, drew her closer.

“Hello…” Kathryn bent and took a closer look at the dog, “girl.”

She held her hand out, and the dog stood, wagging its long tail. It sniffed her hand then drew back. Ears flat, and tail tucked; the animal whimpered.

“I’m not going to hurt you, girl.” Kathryn tried to soothe the poor animal with a soft touch.

To Kathryn’s surprise, the dog turned and fled, narrowly missing a black sedan barreling down the street.

“Dear God,” Kathryn dropped her bag.

“Hey lady,” One of the cops called to her. “You all right? Did it bite you?”

“No, Officer,” she said. “I’m fine.” Kathryn picked up her scattered groceries, and then headed back to her small apartment.

******

Norman Van Helsing pressed his back up against the entrance of a small bistro. He tugged his hat down, and lowered his head so the woman wouldn’t see him as she passed. He had watched her drop the groceries. And in a fit of gentlemanly conduct, he had almost come to her aid. But it wouldn’t do to approach her now. Not after that white beast spotted him.

He watched as she moved briskly down the street, her frame much smaller than his own. Her auburn hair, delicate and fine, reminded him of what once sat upon his balding pate. Norman blinked his gray eyes, and coughed.

The rain began to fall in a light mist. He would have to move before the dampness seeped into his bones. Before it made him utterly useless. He looked at the retreating figure, wondering if she suffered from the same affliction.

Norman pushed open the heavy door of the bistro with his aching hand. Hope these Americans serve good tea.

******

The six-foot gate was no match for Anya. She glided over it easily and landed gracefully on the green turf. She rolled on her back, using her long legs to wiggle her canine body in the thick grass. Then she reared up, black nose twitching.

The woman’s touch was alive on her fur.

Anya lay on her side panting from exertion. Her hind legs burned as they took on human form. Then she felt her front paws lock. Nails flattened, fangs retracted, and fur dissolved.

Anya crawled on her hands and knees toward Damien’s beloved fountain. Her features floated on the slick surface, and she slapped the water with her hand. She captured my image!

She washed her face in the cool water, and ran a shortened tongue over blunt teeth. The taste of copper made her wretch.

“No.” She rubbed her stomach until the heaves stopped. If she succumbed to the pain, she would have to feed again.

******

“What did you learn?” Damien said as she entered the loft.

“They know nothing.”

He raised his head and inhaled the earth on her skin. “Waylaying squirrels, or was it a pigeon this time?” Disgust visible on his face, Damien retreated from her bed and stretched on the floor.

When she failed to respond, he asked, “Do you think me beautiful?”

“You are.”

“Your flesh is warm.” Damien stroked the fine hairs on his chest and felt his blood pump like fire through cold marble. The chill aroused him.

From a child, she had grown. And that disturbed and delighted him. Unlike the others, her body had not died. What would it take to convince this rare creature to bear his child?

He sprang to her side, and bit her ear. “Submit to me.”

Anya moved to the corner window, as was her custom. “They sent another agent.”

Damien rubbed his beard along her pale throat. Squinting, he followed her gaze through the blue plastic. Humans moved like bugs on the street below. “How can you feel such compassion for them?”

“Did you hear me?” Anya pressed her nose to the window. “I won’t hunt with you.”

He held her warmth against him, but said nothing.

******

The next day, Edward Marconi sent three reporters off to chase down family members of the unlucky “Ten”. Kathryn knew Tommy Fulbright was his best, but the poor sap didn’t have the right touch when dealing with grieving relatives.

And now, she found them both strolling along the cold tiled floors of the City Morgue. She wrinkled her nose. Everything smelled like formaldehyde and washed-over death.

“In here.” The morgue assistant held back a stainless steel door.

Kathryn swore, mumbling something unintelligible under her breath. Ten gurneys were lined up against the wall. Feet with toe tags were visible from the shortened bleached sheets.

Kathryn moved her camera into action, focusing the lens to capture the grim line of death. She stopped abruptly when the assistant pulled back one of the sheets.

“Doctor Plymouth, have you determined how the blood was drained?” Tommy asked.

“No.” The coroner pointed to the first victim’s neck. “These are the only marks on him.”

Kathryn peered at the tiny pinpricks. “And the others?” She couldn’t help speaking up, but Tommy didn’t seem to mind.

The Doctor turned his rheumy eyes on her. “Young lady, I have something for your camera.”

He walked to the last gurney and snatched up the cover as if performing a magic act. A young woman lay on the gurney with her mouth opened in a hideous silent scream. Deep claw marks ran the length of her chest to where her throat once was.

“This one fought,” Doctor Plymouth dropped the sheet, not bothering to cover the woman’s twisted body.

Kathryn could smell decay rising from the hole in the woman’s neck. She lowered her camera.

“How was the blood siphoned?” Tommy got to the heart of things with steel calm. Nothing seemed to bother him but Macron’s foul moods.

“It’s hard to tell. There’s no plastic residue. So it wasn’t pumped out using tubes.”

“Did you run a DNA check on the saliva?” Kathryn asked.

“Yes…” Doctor Plymouth hesitated.

“And?” Tommy touched one of the bodies, and his Adam’s apple bobbed with excitement.

“It unlike anything I’ve ever seen before,” replied the doctor. “It’s not human. Yet- ”

“Are you saying an animal did this?” Tommy withdrew his hand and wiped it on his pants leg.

“And strung ‘em up by the feet when it was finished? C’mon man.” The young morgue assistant’s hand flew to his mouth too late. The words were already out to the annoyance of Doctor Plymouth.

Tommy asked the Doctor a few more questions about time of death and so forth. Then he closed his notebook. “Do you have enough shots, Kathryn?”

She was too stunned to speak, but managed to nod. Her eyes were focused on the savaged remains of the young woman.

“Guess I won’t be having pizza tonight.” No one laughed at Tommy’s remark.

When they were in the corridor, Tommy said, “Just wanted to apologize for dragging you out so late.” His look was sheepish. “Want me to walk you home?”

She gazed at the wall clock, its red dials casting an eerie glow in the morgue. “What was her name?”

“The girl? ” He held her coat for her to slip into. “Mary Shannon.”

Mary Shannon. To know made it all too real. And it stung.

“So, walk you home?”

Oh no. There goes the moon face smile. “I’ll be fine, Tommy.”

Kathryn walked to the door faster than she’d ever walked in her life. There was no incentive like death and an unwelcome beau to get you moving.

******

The rain dropped like fine spider webs on the dark streets of Manhattan. It was the kind of rain that hung in the air, waiting to surprise pedestrians with a quick splash. Kathryn pulled up her collar, cursing the lack of an umbrella in her oversized bag.

She spied a man across the street darting in and out of doorways. His clothes, bowler, and handlebar mustache made her think of a modern day Ripper. The man stopped to stare at her, then wiped his glasses of rain.

He waved his hand.

Kathryn closed her eyes for a moment, hoping it was her imagination. Was this creep following her?

“Miss. Please Miss, wait.”

That confirmed it. She picked up the pace, breaking into a fast trot.

“No! You don’t understand.” He let down his umbrella and tore after her with aching muscles. “You are in grave danger!”

Kathryn’s heart pounded as she ran down the street. Just when she thought she was free, she felt his gloved hand on her shoulder.

She turned to smack him with her bag, but was pushed out of the way by a flash of white fur.

The dog had a mouthful of the fallen man’s coat, and was shaking its head back and forth. “Pl-please. Call off your dog!” He shielded his face with his hands, but regretted the move when he felt Anya’s large fangs slice through his glove.

“Down, girl,” Kathryn said. “Down!”

Anya released him, but she kept her guard up. And she snarled as he scrambled to his feet.

“I think you’d better get the hell out of here.”

“Kathryn Jansen.” Norman straightened his hat, amazed that it had stayed on during the fracas. “My-my name is Norman Van Helsing,” he said in a rush. “I mean you no harm.”

“Leave now,” Kathryn’s voice was as low as Anya’s accompanying growl. The creep knew her name, and most likely where she lived.

Norman retrieved his umbrella, then limped away. How could I be so stupid?

“You again.” Kathryn reached down to pet the dog, and this time it didn’t pull away. “What am I going to do with you?”

No tags. The hound was clean, well fed, and its nails were long. Definitely not a stray. “Where’s your owner, girl?”

Anya cocked her head.

“Are you hungry?” Kathryn straightened. “Well, come on.”

When they reached Kathryn’s home, Anya sat on the cement steps of the old brownstone. She was wary of being trapped inside with this human, even if she did have a nice smell.

Kathryn touched the dog’s black nose. “It’s not filet mignon, but it’ll fill your belly.”

Anya refused to budge. She’d come for what she wanted and had found it.

“Okay, suit yourself.” Kathryn took the stairs, and entered the building alone.

Anya waited. From the street, she could hear the sharp click of the woman’s heels on the stairs. She raised her head, blue eyes gazing at the second landing. And she thumped her bushy tail on the cement when she saw a light flicker in a room on the third floor.

******

The young wolves romped and yipped, bringing their muzzles together as if in a kiss. Their short barks and woofs stung Damien’s ears.

He threw back his head and howled.

They stood, frozen in play. On his signal, they bayed in unison, bringing forth the others. Six gathered now-their howls relentlessly calling to his mate.

But Damien knew Anya would not come. His eyes glowed green with anger, and his muscles rippled beneath his glossy black coat.

His pack tried again.

One last howl and they were off, racing toward the seaport for an early morning special.

******

“Tobias, come in.” Kathryn held the door for him. “At least I’ll have one dinner guest tonight.”

“What do you mean?” Tobias handed her a bottle of merlot.

“Follow me.”

Kathryn led him to her makeshift dark room. Tobias felt weird sitting on the toilet in the flat’s second bathroom. It was claustrophobic, and the water splashing in the sink made him want to take a leak. His crossed his legs and asked, “So, what’s up?”

Kathryn removed the clothespins from a wet glossy and handed it to him. “I met this beautiful dog yesterday, and again tonight.”

“Met?” Tobias brought the photo up to the light. “Looks like an American Samoyed.”

“Beautiful, huh?” Kathryn squatted by the toilet, bumping against his stiff shoulder. “And she saved me from a mugger.”

“What!”

“Some man-he was chasing me, and she came out of no where and knocked him down.”

“Sorry I forgot the real estate section.”

“And she obeyed when I called her off.” Kathryn raised her body, leaning on his shoulder for support. “I invited her in, but she refused.”

“Lord, spare me.” Tobias shook his head. “I simply must move you to Riverside Drive.”

“Tell Marconi to pay me more.” They both laughed and headed toward the kitchen for dinner.

“Oh no, not now.” Kathryn lifted the ringing phone. Her answers were strained with a few “yes” “no” and “whys” thrown in. Tobias asked, “Is there a problem?”

“Someone robbed a blood bank down in the Village.”

******

Norman used his teeth to pulled the glove from his swollen right hand. He chastised himself for leaving the confines of his hotel room unarmed. Blast, serves me right.

“You’re not to approach him. He has allowed himself to grow old and infirmed.”

The static from the overseas connection hurt Norman’s ears, and for once he wouldn’t’ mind engaging the speakerphone. But he was under strict orders never to do that.

“Use the woman instead.”

He cradled the phone in his left hand, and told his commander, “I doubt she will receive me in her home. Not after today.”

Norman dabbed his hand with iodine, and flinched from the sting of the red liquid. Then he braced himself for the inevitable hailstorm of curses.

“Yes, sir. I know.” He lifted the small daguerreotype of his great grandmother from the night table. Her steely eyes bore into him.

“Norman, you have but one opportunity.”

He sighed heavily and laid the scowling image gently in its place.

“I won’t disappoint you, sir. I will find a way.”

******

Anya stored the stolen blood in Damien’s refrigerator. It was enough to hold his entire group for a fortnight, if she could persuade him. For now, it would be safe. He would not think to look there. She never saw him drink water, and he liked his wine warm.

She snapped open one of the plastic bags and let its contents flow into her mouth. Then she grimaced and held her stomach. The fluid was cold, but it would eliminate the need to kill...the need to be held in Damien’s possession.

“Where’s your owner, girl?”

Anya’s head whipped up as if the woman named Kathryn was standing before her. The recall of her mind sent a terrifying chill down her back.

“Kathryn.”

She felt the need to sleep, and headed toward her bed. My bed. Anya stripped the sheets to rid it of Damien’s smell.

******

“You two amaze me.” Marconi chomped on his bitter cigar, and fought the urge to throw it at Fulbright. “Five dock workers got turned into chow mein last night, and what do I get from you?” He slammed the early edition of the Metro on Kathryn’s desk. “A lousy blood bank heist!”

Kathryn said nothing, but Tommy sputtered out a weak apology.

“Davies, Foreman-your turn now.” Marconi snorted like a winded hog. “See if you can clean up the mess these two hotshots made.” With one last look at Tommy, Marconi stormed out of the newsroom.

“Let’s go, Davies,” said Foreman. “Hey Fulbright, make yourself useful. Go donate a pint or two.” Foreman tilted his hat at rakish angle, and winked at Kathryn. “Honey, just remember how to get my name right when you put me in your book.”

Kathryn wrote two short words on a piece of paper. “How’s my spelling?” She smiled demurely.

Foreman snatched his coat and shoved Davies toward the exit.

“Umm, thanks, Kathryn,” Tommy said. “But you shouldn’t antagonize them. If things get any worst, Marconi may ask you to work with them.”

“Those clowns?” Kathryn held his hand. “Have more faith in yourself, Tommy. You’re onto something good.”

“I don’t see how.”

“Well, did you see how agitated Doctor Plymouth was? Just connect the dots.” She could see he didn’t follow her. “Draining blood, stealing blood-don’t you see that there may be a connection?”

“Vampires?”

“Let’s stay on the road of sanity here. There’s a logical explanation for what’s going on, and we’re going to find it.”

“Maybe we can find it over dinner tonight.”

Kathryn dropped his hand. “I’m afraid I’ve already made plans.”

“It’s Tobias Cooper, isn’t it?” Tommy slumped in his chair. “Rich guys. Everything comes easy for them.”

“We’re just-“

“No, it’s okay.” Tommy dipped his head. “I’ll still help you with your book if you want.”

“I do.”

“Enjoy your date.” He shut off his computer.

Kathryn gave him a sympathetic smile. She thought he looked as forlorn as the white dog that sat outside her window last night.

******

Bertha’s Pink Zone rocked tonight as Kathryn’s friends, most of who had tin ears, sang happy birthday to her.

“Thirty-five candles.” Her friend Leticia held up a chocolate cake. “Bertha said it’s a fire hazard.”

“You had your fire ten years ago, right Leticia?” Tobias ducked Leticia’s mean right cross, but he ended up splashing the birthday girl with over-proof rum. “Now look what you made me do.”

He brushed at the straps on Kathryn’s silk dress, careful not to touch the liquid running down her bosom. After this, he knew the women would be unmerciful. They would taunt him all night for being the only man in the joint.

“Lick it off,” Bertha said.

Kathryn’s face flamed as red as her hair.

“Hey, Bertha, maybe we can get gorgeous over there to do it,” Leticia said.

All eyes fell on the tall blonde at the bar. And Anya met their liquor-soaked gazes with cool indifference-all except that of Kathryn’s. Hers was a gaze of keen interest.

Kathryn had been easy to follow tonight. All it took was weaving in an out of doorways with more skill than that clumsy Van Helsing. Kathryn hadn’t bothered to look left or right, a dangerous habit in Manhattan. Just looked straight ahead, like she did now as she made her approach.

“Please excuse my friends. They’re a little high-spirited tonight. Or maybe just high.” Kathryn smiled at her. “Would you like a drink?”

“I have one.” Anya poured a drop a seltzer on her wrist and offered it to Kathryn. “For the benefit of your friends,” she said when Kathryn hesitated.

The catcalls and low whistles egged Kathryn on. She touched her lips to the pale skin, marveling at its warmth. “Who put you up to this?”

Anya sipped her drink.

“May I at least know your name?”

Anya put her glass on the bar, ready to leave.

“Don’t go.”

“I finished my drink.”

“Look, I know how this is going to sound, but,” Kathryn withdrew a card from her purse and pressed it into Anya’s hand, “I would love to photograph you.”

She gave Kathryn a slight nod, then headed for the Pink Zone’s exit.

“My name is Anya Tepis,” she said before leaving.

******

She pressed her mouth on the red lipstick staining her wrist. Kathryn. She detected the scents left behind-bourbon, mint, and woman. And Kathryn’s touch had thrilled her too. But it had also frightened her, though she could not reason why.

“What-“

Anya clutched at her neck. She felt her breath cut off as if a powerful serpent had wound it’s way around her throat.

Damien lifted Anya off her feet with very little effort, tightening his hold.

Anya struggled to break free, dismayed at failing to hear his footsteps. Desperate to breathe, she dug the spiked heel of her shoe into his shin. And Damien growled. But he released her.

He should not have.

Anya flew at him, slamming his heavy body to the loft’s stone floor. She struck him twice, knowing the force of her blows would have killed a mere human. But Damien shrugged her off and bared his fangs.

“You think you can bite me?” she asked. “Blood whore.”

“Who were you with?” Damien grabbed her wrist and licked the bruised skin.

“We’ve been exposed, Damien.” she said, pulling them both to their feet.

“Ah, because I crap where I eat? But it’s all the same to you isn’t it?” He took in her calm demeanor. There was no pout on the full lips, no lingering hate-filled gaze-she took him for what he was, and dealt with him accordingly. “Worried about the little man?”

She stared at him.

“Oh, how precious. I amaze you.” Damien opened a cabinet over the kitchen sink, and withdrew a tiny fork. “Mmmm, spaghetti,” he said, raking his tongue across the silver tines. “You’re learning more about yourself. Slowly.”

“Because you won’t tell me what you know.” If indeed he knew anything at all. She grabbed the utensil from his hand, wondering how he had found out. She had taken great pains hiding food, and disposing of any remains. Doing things the human way, he would call it.

“Eating. It won’t help you,” he said. “You will only suffer more.”

“Then I will suffer.” She tossed him a pack of chilled blood. “And so will you.”

******

Tobias slipped into Kathryn’s cubicle, plopping his six-foot frame in the extra chair. “Strange bird you caught last night.”

“What?”

“The sulking princess in the white dress.”

“Anyone would seem dour next to our crazy group.” Kathryn looked down at her desk.” I gave her my card.”

“I saw.” Tobias rolled his chair back. “Did you set up a photo shoot with her? Or ask for a hot date?”

“Do you ever work? What’s the weather going to be, rain?”

Tobias licked his finger and raised it in the air. “Can’t tell.”

“If you two are finished yapping,” Marconi popped his large head into Kathryn’s cubicle, “I got a job for you, Red.”

Red. I’d like to give him something to be red about. But next month’s rent was due, and a cardboard box on the sidewalk didn’t seem too appealing right now. “What kind of job?”

“Got a call from this guy who knows about the Holdman murders. Says he wants to give it to you.”

“Me? Where’s Tommy?”

“Out talking to Doc Plymouth.” Marconi leaned his thick arm on the cubicle wall. Kathryn swore she saw it buckle. “Anyway,” he said, “here’s the guy’s card. Van Helsing. Staying at the Meridian.”

“Van Helsing? He tried to mug me!”

“I don’t think it’s advisable for Kathryn to be alone with him.” Tobias said. “I’ll go with her.”

Kathryn couldn’t believe what her friend was suggesting. “I don’t want to be with him at all. But I’ll do it on one condition: You give the byline to Tommy.”

“I don’t care who gets it.” Marconi said. “Just bring me a story.”

Tobias took Van Helsing’s card and waived Marconi away.

******

“Mr. Van Helsing?” Kathryn asked of the bespectacled man. He had cracked the door open an inch. “This is room twenty-five. Are you Norman Van Helsing?”

He stared at her with owlish eyes. “Mr. Marconi promised that you would come alone.”

“After our last meeting?” Kathryn put her hand on the doorknob. “Do you have a story for me or not?”

Norman scanned the hallway, and the fire exit then he opened the door.

“I’m Tobias Cooper, and I promise not to suck your blood.” Tobias held out his hand, and winced at Norman’s surprisingly strong grip.

“You understand that I’m not a reporter,” Kathryn said as he poured them all a generous helping of tea. Though she was a coffee hound, the Earl Grey was quite good. “May I tape you?”

“I think not. And I do not give you permission to use my name.” He looked at Tobias. “Mr. Cooper, I’ve become a great fan of yours since I’ve been in the city. Your science columns are excellent.”

“Not to mention the weather.” Tobias said.

“Sir, your talents are wasted there.”

“Call me Tobias.”

“Look, since we’re all on a first name basis, maybe we can get down to business,” Kathryn said. “What do you know about the murders, Norman?”

“So like her,” Norman said under his breath.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Oh, nothing. Shall we start at the beginning?”

“Please do.” Kathryn hoped the story didn’t start with his childhood.

“Many years ago,” Norman began, settling into a chair at the table in his elegant suite, “a band of near humans roamed the country side of Hungary….”

******

They looked like the worst sort of trash. The kind mothers warned their small children to avoid. The whole lot lounged on her furniture like home training went out of style. All except Kinrew-she lay on the floor thumping her tail. And she was the only one who had refused to change form.

Sullen bunch.

But they were her family. And Anya would be damned if she saw one of them killed because of Damien’s wild antics.

“So, it’s back to hobos and streetwalkers?” This was said by Martin, the youngest of the original pack, even though he was Anya’s senior by two hundreds years.

“No.” Anya pointed to the refrigerator.

“Like sucking on a teat. I won’t do it.”

“Martin,” Damien loomed over him, “I grow tired of moving. Don’t you?”

“No!” the twins, Shale and William shouted along with Martin.

Kinrew barked, and Anya poured the red liquid in a bowl sitting on the floor. She lapped it up and thanked Anya with a wag of her gray tail.

Martin, despite his stubbornness, licked his lips. Anya saw this and filled his glass.

She knew it wouldn’t take long before the others came round. Times were changing and they had to change too if they wanted to survive. She was Anya’s favorite, unlike Penelope.

Penelope sneered at Anya and Kinrew. She considered them both suckling pups.

Damien said, “Only a temporary setback, my friends.” He rolled a plastic container between his hands, trying to warm up his supper. “Only temporary.”

******

“You expect me to believe there’s a bunch of geriatric blood suckers running around Manhattan?”

“That is not what they call themselves, Kathryn.” Norman opened the top button of his jacket. “They are many things; shape shifters, for example.”

“Oh sure. Now it’s all starting to make sense,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You should have chosen Thomas Fulbright for this…this story of yours. You two have a lot in common.”

“Not as much as you and I.” Norman handed her the small black and white image he carried with him always.

Kathryn focused on the heart-shaped face, and upswept hair. “Who is this?”

“Your great aunt, Sarah Van Helsing.”

“That would make you two-“

“Nothing,” Kathryn cut Tobias off. “I don’t have anyone in my family by that name.”

Though the woman did look a great deal like her-the slight lopsided grin, the slender body. Who was this woman her mother never told her about?

“Young lady, I almost wish we weren’t related.” Norman’s smile was sympathetic. “You were born into a family with great power, and many enemies.”

“And you led them right to her door.” Tobias sighed.

“Why should I believe any of this?”

Norman raised his owlish eyes at her. “Ask your father.”

She hadn’t seen her father in years. How could she ask him anything?

“How do you propose to stop the killers?” Tobias asked.

“I haven’t a clue. They destroyed my predecessor. But with Kathryn’s help, it may be possible.”

“Who was your predecessor?” Tobias asked.

“Well, um, that’s a story for another time.”

Not a long one, Kathryn hoped. She got out of her chair, and said. “It’s been a pleasure, Norman. And you were right not to have this on tape. I wouldn’t dream of handing a fairy tale to Marconi.”

“Kathryn, I wasn’t joking when I said you could be in danger.”

“I’ll hang a clove of garlic in my window.”

******

Now she was suppose to be Joan D’Arc? “Norman is a crank,” Kathryn said.

“Are you going to call your mother?” Tobias took her arm on their leisurely walk to her home.

She didn’t talk to her mother anymore. It was a divorce as far as Kathryn was concerned. Her mother didn’t approve of her lifestyle, or her job. So, she couldn’t very well come out and ask her if there was an Auntie Sarah who slew vampires. Funny thing about the ‘lifestyle’ though-she was dry as a nun, but mommy thought she lived in an oasis of sin.

“You have to check out Norman’s story. So ask your father instead. ”

“I’m not approaching either of my parents with this nonsense.”

“Do you know of any other way to find out?”

“Come on, Tobias. Even if we are related, it’s clear that Norman should be locked up.”

“He may be delusional, but he went into great detail about the condition of the bodies,” he said. “You were at the morgue. Was Norman correct?”

“Yes, but you don’t actually believe the rest of his ridiculous story?” She hoped not. Losing her friend to Norman’s lunacy was more than she could stand.

Tobias ignored her question. “Well, we’ve arrived at you posh walk-up, Madam. What plans do you have tonight, a swim perhaps?”

It sounded like a good idea. Going to the club would invigorate her. The club. Her membership had been his Christmas gift to her. Tobias, ever practical, refused to give his friends expensive toys and jewelry. No, his gifts were for the nourishment of the soul and the mind.

“Join me?” Kathryn asked.

“No, my dear,” he bowed with the elegance of an Old World suitor. “I have a date. Adele’s baked eel and raison sauce awaits me.”

Kathryn laughed. And the husky sound drifted on the cool wind, catching Anya’s alert ears. She lifted her nose and caught the stench of Van Helsing on them. But unlike Kathryn, the man called Tobias was a believer. Anya saw it in his eyes.

Anya moved deeper into the shadows, watching Tobias as he passed by. He stopped for a moment as if sensing her presence. Then his handsome features relaxed into a smile, and he continued on down the dark street.

******

The swim had done her good. One hundred laps, and her body felt relaxed. Kathryn pulled off her bathing cap and tossed it into her locker. Though the club was only ten blocks from her home, she couldn’t wait to wash the stink of chlorine off her skin. That was the only drawback to swimming in a pool. The nasty stuff surrounded you in a medicinal cloud.

She grabbed her towel and headed for the showers.

The hot water sluiced over her body, forming curls of steam in the glass-enclosed stall. Kathryn’s eyes flew open. She felt a touch on her back, as if being embraced. Norman’s stories have warp my senses.

She passed the soapy sponge over her belly, and tried to think of something mundane-like what she would have for dinner tonight. There. Another touch. This time, she felt a hand linger on her waist. And she sighed from the rippling pleasure of the light caress.

I must be losing my mind. Kathryn cut off the water, and stepped from the stall. No one else was in the shower room.

She rubbed herself vigorously, wrapped the towel around her flushed body, and headed for the locker room.

In her haste, she bumped into a young woman and nearly lost her hold on the towel.

“Excuse me, I didn’t see you.” Kathryn looked up, startled by the baby blues regarding her.

“I thought I would be hard to miss.”

“Anya, isn’t it?” Kathryn watched her draw a pair of jeans over her long legs.

“Yes.”

“I didn’t know you were a member.”

Before today, she wasn’t. It had been child’s play to pass by the receptionist with the persuasion of a large check, and the power of her mind.

“My offer still stands.” Kathryn felt ridiculous saying this to the woman while standing naked beneath a towel. She felt her face grow warm, and hoped Anya would attribute it to the hot shower.

Anya finished dressing.

“I would pay you.” Not a smart thing to say in a locker room. “I mean it would be worth your while.” Even worst. Kathryn bit her tongue.

“Art photos?”

Kathryn caught her drift. “God, no, nothing at all like that. I-“

Anya frowned, closed her locker, and hefted a gym bag onto her shoulder. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

Kathryn was thankful for not having to dress under the cool gaze of the young woman. It was bad enough that her skin was still on fire from the strange shower, but to have the young woman appraise her over-heated body? No, that would never do. She dressed quickly before another phantom touch could burn her skin.

******

“Open up, little man,” Martin whispered as he pounded on the door to room twenty-five.

“I said I was not to be disturbed,” Norman sneered at the young man in blue coveralls. “Who are you?”

“Pest Control,” Martin responded. “Got a problem with bugs.”

Norman moved back from the doorway. “Well, what are you waiting for? I haven’t all day.”

Martin hesitated. “You have to invite me in first.”

“Fine, come in.” Norman stared at the thick gray hairs sprouting on the back of Martin’s pale hands. “Dear, God.” He held up his cross, and tried to close the door.

Martin snatched the holy emblem from Norman’s neck and kissed it. “Trying to poke my eye out?”

Martin held him in a tight embrace, crushing the scream in Norman’s throat.

******

“How did you find this place?” Kathryn was seated with Anya in an Italian restaurant.

“On one of my walks.” Anya twirled the pasta expertly around her fork; using a spoon the way Kinrew had shown her.

“The food is wonderful.” Kathryn took a sip of her wine. “I don’t often do this with strangers.”

“Dine? Or accost them in locker rooms?” Anya raised her eyebrow, but she didn’t smile. “You know my name.”

“I don’t know where you live, or what you do.”

“I’ve never modeled,” Anya said, tasting a bit of garlic in the sauce and liking it. “What do you do?”

“I’m a photographer for the Metro Daily, when I’m not doing my own work.”

“Do you enjoy working for someone else?”

“No.”

“No artist does.” Anya finished the last of her pasta. “I will pay you.”

“What?”

“This is the number to my cell phone,” Anya said, handing her a wrinkled piece of paper. “Call me when you are ready.”

Before Kathryn could speak, Anya paid the check, and then she pressed Kathryn’s shoulder before leaving the restaurant.

That touch! Kathryn rubbed her shoulder. I really must be losing my mind.

Kathryn’s own cell phone rang out a weak version of William Tell. She hated the thing. It was a major annoyance to anyone within a ten feet radius, and your privacy was shot to hell when you had to talk on it. But at least it came out of Marconi’s budget.

Tommy’s number was on the tiny screen. “Where to, master?” she asked.

Kathryn’s face fell, and she could hear three women at the next table clucked in sympathy.

“I’m on my way.” She slipped the contraption back into her bag.

“Is everything all right, young lady?” One of the threesome asked with a sad smile.

Kathryn said, “Yes.” It was easier than indulging the woman with long story.

******

He hung from a lamppost. And his black coat billowed in the wind, making him look like a bird in flight. A pedestrian noticed the morbid suspension when a drop of his blood splattered her nose.

The sky was gray, but shifting toward the side of darkness. And the crowd below shoved in close on the tree-lined street for a better look at him.

“Damn!” said a delivery boy on his bike. “That’s his guts hanging out.”

A collective gasp came from the crowd. One woman actually touched the blood running down the post, so strained was her belief.

By the time Kathryn reached the Meridian, an ambulance was parked out front. She raced toward the paramedics and stopped them from zipping up their unfortunate patient.

“Wait! I know this man.”

“Who is he?” Tommy leaned over the stretched, and his ballpoint pen fell onto the body bag.

“Move back! This is a crime scene.” A burly cop pushed them away.

“You don’t understand. I’m his…cousin.” Kathryn said.

The cop backed off when he saw the stricken look on her face.

But one of the paramedics grabbed her arm. “Believe me, ma’am, you don’t want to see this.”

Tommy asked, “Cousin?”

“Yes...well, yes.”

“You didn’t tell me you had family in town.”

“I didn’t know. I still don’t-well not really.”

“Which is it?” The cop asked.

“You’ll need someone to identify him at the morgue,” Kathryn said this in a low voice. And the cop strained to hear her words.

Tommy saw the other reporters move in like vultures. So, he steered Kathryn to the side.

“I’ll take care of this. Go on home.” Tommy stuck his arm out to waive down a cab. “We’ll talk about this later.”

“No,” she said.

The paramedics covered Norman’s face and lifted him into the back of the ambulance.

******

The next day, Kathryn and Tobias sat in the lobby of the Meridian waiting for the bellboy to bring Van Helsing’s belongings. It didn’t matter what she had thought about the little man, or if she believe their blood connection. He didn’t deserve to be slaughtered like a sheep-no one did.

“Miss Jansen, please,” a desk clerk called to her.

Tobias caught up with the bellboy. Between them, they loaded four large suitcases into the waiting cab.

Kathryn approached the front desk. “Yes?”

“Mister Van Helsing left this for you.” He handed her a black journal. Kathryn stared at the ornate lock on the side. “The key is in this envelope.”

“Thank you, but why-“

“He feared someone was after him.” The desk clerk bowed his head. “I can’t recall him leaving his suite yesterday, and now…I’m so sorry, Miss.”

“It’s not your fault. Thanks again for the journal.”

Kathryn caught up with Tobias, and they road in silence to her apartment.

******

“Why didn’t you tell me you have a dog?” Leticia asked Kathryn. Leticia had been sitting vigil at Kathryn’s apartment the entire day. “She was about to lose her mind scratching at the door. She wouldn’t eat any meat, but I gave her some of my tomato soup. That’s okay, isn’t it?”

“Absolutely not okay!” Tobias said, spying Anya in the corner.

“Well excuse me, Miss Manners.”

Tobias walked over to Anya, and cautiously held out his hand. She sniffed it then she rested her snout in his palm. Tobias examined her face, shocked to find that his assessment of Kathryn’s photos was incorrect.

“Where’s her bowl? Where’s the newspaper?” Leticia asked. “You don’t even have a chew toy.”

“Canis Lupus Arctos, white wolf. See here,” Tobias said, “the head is wider than a dog’s and look at the paws-they’re huge. She must be four feet from head to tail. There’s one thing I don’t understand though.”

“Did you say wolf? Did he say wolf, Kathryn?”

“I believe he did.” Kathryn knelt in the corner by Tobias, and stroked Anya’s coat. “What don’t you understand about her, other than the fact that she very far away from home?”

“All wolves are born with blue eyes, but as they mature, the eyes turn golden or brown in color. Yet, her eyes are still blue.”

“Then she isn’t a wolf.” Kathryn touched Tobias’ arm.

“Well, she’s all right by me, aren’t you, puddin’?” Leticia rubbed Anya’s head.

Anya didn’t like the “puddin” part, but she loved how gentle the humans were with her. She had never been touch like this by one of them, unless it was an accidental bump on the street. Even Kathryn had not touched her while she was in human form. Nor did she hold such intimate eye contact as she did now. A girl can get used to this, Anya thought.

“I have two more bags in the cab,” Tobias grabbed Leticia by the arm. “Come help me.”

“See that’s why you can’t keep a woman…”

Leticia’s voice trailed off, and Kathryn was alone with the white wolf.

“You’re hurt,” Kathryn said, gently touching the scratch on Anya’s nose. “What have you been doing, chasing cats?”

Squirrels, but Anya would die before admitting this to anyone living, or dead.

She pulled away and began to whine when Kathryn dropped Van Helsing’s journal on the floor. Kathryn looked deeply into her eyes and saw so much sorrow. The wolf didn’t look away, or take her stare as a challenge.

She kissed Anya’s snow-white head. “What am I going to call you?”

“How about Maya?” Tobias asked upon entering the living room with a heavy black suitcase.

Anya almost retched, smelling Van Helsing’s scent on the bag.

Leticia said, “She looks like a Topaz.”

“Maya it is. You like that, girl?”

“Why do you always take his side?” Leticia gave Kathryn a hand up.

Anya stayed in the corner on her pink blanket and watched the three settle in on the sofa. She liked them all, but found her allegiance to her family called into question. These people could have hauled her off to the pound. Instead, they treated her like a welcome visitor. A poor pup that needed respite from the cold.

She listened as they read a few of the passages in Van Helsing’s journal.

“Their leader goes by many names, and travels with his minions to the far reaches of the earth. He called himself Vlad during Sarah Van Helsing’s time. She was my great grand mother, and he killed her….”

“Jesus.” Leticia took the book from Kathryn. “It goes on to say how he stole children from their parents. And he returned them to die when they sickened from his daily bites.”

Tobias said, “He tried to turn them, but it didn’t work.”

Until he met me, Anya thought.

“Norman was killed by a madman. I’m sorry, but I can’t believe what’s in his journal.” Kathryn sighed deeply. “If you two don’t mind, I’m a little tired.”

“There’s food on the stove.” Leticia said. “Are you sure you don’t want me to sleep over?”

Anya raised her head at the question. How the hell was she going to protect two humans, let alone one?

“I have Maya to keep me company.” Kathryn petted the wolf’s head.

“Call me if you need anything.” Tobias kissed Kathryn’s forehead then ruffled Anya’s fur before leaving with Leticia.

******

Damien brooded in the loft with the slovenly members of his pack. Martin was sprawled on a leather divan, and even Kinrew made a special appearance in human form. Her unkempt hair would make Medusa weep with shame.

Kinrew ruffled a black tendril and said, “Why the deep funk, Damien? We got our turf back.”

“Did we really?” Damien had drawn his black mane into a ponytail. He flicked it at her in disapproval. “Anya is right. They will send another.”

“We’ll kill him too,” Martin said. Shale and William nodded along with him like two grinning monkeys.

“Shut up, Martin.” Kinrew sidled up to Damien. “Where shall we go next? I’m up for a warm climate.”

Martin snickered. “He’ll have to find his mate first.”

Damien pounced on Martin, and threw him ass over head into the nearest wall. Then he calmly took a seat on the sofa next to Kinrew and watched Martin crawl from the beneath the broken plaster.

“Why the beat down, darling?” Kinrew kissed Damien’s cheek.

Martin, still a heap on the floor, scowled at Damien. “He’s sore because I got to Van Helsing first.”

Penelope came to Martin and wiped the grime from his face with her bare hands. Then she kissed his bruised forehead.

Damien found their open display of affection revolting. “Did you think to search his room?” he said. “No, you damn fool. You were too busy making a garish statue out of him.”

Martin asked, “What did he have that was so important?”

“The key to everything we are,” Damien said. “Everything Anya is.”

“It’s always about her,” Martin said, rubbing his sore elbow.

“Don’t worry about Anya,” Kinrew said to Damien. “She’s a clever girl.”

“Too clever. She uses rosewater to mask her smell,” Damien whispered in her ear.

“Let her play, Love. She’ll be back.”

“Yes.” Damien said, wanting to believe her.

******

Kathryn insisted on feeding her again. This time, it was a bowl of Leticia’s stew. Chunks of meat Anya couldn’t define, and potatoes with carrots and peas clotted the small bowl.

After swallowing a chunk of the boiled meat, and disliking it, Anya picked carefully around the rest of the beef, and ate the potatoes and carrots. She licked her chops and headed back to her blanket.

As she passed the bathroom, she watched Kathryn sink into a sudsy bath. Anya closed her eyes though she knew humans were rarely self-conscious around animals.

“You certainly heal fast,” Kathryn said, regarding Anya’s tomato stained muzzle from the comfort of her bath. “Come here, girl.”

Anya came round to the side of the tub and rested her head on Kathryn’s wet shoulder. Van Helsing’s journal sat open on a tray over the tub. Anya strained to read his sloppy handwriting. She surmised from the smudges and splatters on the cream bound paper, that Van Helsing was an old fashioned sort-he preferred to dip his pen in a bottle of ink.

One particular passage caught her attention, and she almost yipped upon reading it:

In the year 1910, Sarah had become one with them. Leaving the auspices of the Guardians to lie in their den, and even sup from their decadent banquets. Yes, she ate: Butter and corn, fruits and nuts from the far reaches of the world. And she drank from silver goblets, overflowing with blood-mixed wine.

“How is this possible?” she asked him. “What need do you have of earthly sustenance?”

“Is blood not of the earth?” Vlad’s amber eyes flashed with mirth. “If you believe in your God, then you believe man was made from clay, and woman taken from his side.” He rolled on his belly, and caressed her. “All that is earth sustains us-except that which is flesh. Never partake of it.”

But her God, and his mortal angels, had forsaken her for doing this damnable thing. Yet, she wanted to believe this beautiful man she had come to destroy.

Yes, she thought, her way was better than that of the Guardians.

Anya eyes moved back and forth rapidly, taking in the horrid adventures of Sarah Van Helsing. Granny had even managed to turn herself into an eagle by page nine!

Anya stopped reading when she felt Kathryn move. Her “owner” had a puzzled look on her face.

“If I didn’t know any better-“ Kathryn sat up, and shook her head, flinging water on Anya’s coat.

Kathryn stepped out of the bath, giving Anya a view of her slender body. She’s too small to harm us, Anya thought-nothing but a pint-sized warrior. But Anya knew that Van Helsing’s journal held secrets Kathryn could put to good use. And this knowledge made Anya tremble.

“Cold, Maya?” Kathryn put on her robe. “It’s a rumor that we have heat in this old place, isn’t it?”

Kathryn looked at her as if expecting a response. The name Maya didn’t seem to fit the wild creature. She knelt and wrapped her arms around the wolf. “We have to give you a new name.”

Anya felt the stew work its way through her digestive system. If Kathryn didn’t come up with a new name soon, she could definitely use Sick Puppy for a moniker.

Anya slunk from the bathroom, and lay on her blanket. She wondered how long she could hold the canine form while ill. If this human doesn’t go to sleep soon, Anya thought, she’s going to witness one heck of a scientific anomaly.

******

The next morning, Tommy placed a tall café latte under Kathryn’s nose. “Didn’t get any sleep?” he asked.

“No, I was up reading Nor-um a fascinating book all night.” Kathryn smelled the coffee. It wasn’t her beloved black brew, but she was polite enough to take a few sips of the sweet stuff.

“About?”

Well, you see, it’s about my ancestor who tracked a pack of hellhounds by soaring through the air like an eagle. And like the finest of carrier pigeons, she brought back news their deadly secrets to an ancient cult known as Guardians. Just another day in the neighborhood.

No, it wouldn’t do to tell him she came from a long line of psychos.

“Oh, it had lots of sex and violence. Not your cup of tea.”

Tommy snorted. “You should have seen what was in the tea at the morgue. Doctor Plymouth found gray hairs all over Norman Van Helsing’s body. And what’s more-“ He stopped when he saw the expression on Kathryn’s face. “Sorry, he was your cousin, right?”

“It’s all right, Tommy. You were saying something about hair?”

“Yes, well, apparently the same type of hairs was on the other corpses too. Different colors- black, white, gray. Animal in makeup.”

“What kind of animal?”

“Doctor Plymouth said it doesn’t match anything he’s encountered before.”

“Maybe it’s synthetic.”

“No, there were hair follicles.”

“Maybe the good doctor needs a new profession.” Kathryn sighed. Why couldn’t the job go back to what it used to be? Snap a picture, eat lunch, call it a day and go home.

“Find out anything more about your cousin?” Tommy intruded on pleasant thoughts of real coffee, and turkey sandwiches.

“Not a thing,” she lied. He’d never believe it anyway.

“Where’s he from? What was he doing here?”

“Don’t know, and don’t know.”

“Did he have any enemies?”

“Apparently.” She regretted her answer when Tommy flushed the color of his silk tie.

Tobias entered the office, and Kathryn was grateful for the interruption. “What’s in the bag, darling?” she asked, realizing the endearment would get Tommy’s goat.

“A specially made bowl, two cans of food, a collar, a leash, and a rawhide chew for Wolfie.”

“Wolfie? I don’t like that name. It’s undignified.”

“Who’s Wolfie?” Tommy asked.

“Her new roommate,” Tobias said, handing Kathryn the small shopping bag. “I’m off to chart the weather.” Tobias went over to the window. “I’d say it’s cloudy today.”

Tommy said, “If I had known meteorology was so easy, I’d never have taken up journalism.”

“Journalism? We all know you slept though your classes, and with your professors.”

“Yeah? Well, I got my story on the front page this morning. That’s more than I can say about you, meteor man.”

“Boys, no fighting,” Kathryn said.

“You like milk now?” Tobias asked, taking a gulp of her coffee. “Dinner at your place tonight. And don’t invite Leticia. She doesn’t know how to feed our Wolfie.”

“That’s Maya, for now.”

Kathryn kissed Tobias on the cheek, thanking him for “Wolfie’s” presents.

******

“Kinrew, bring my clothes.”

“You should get a girlfriend your own size.”

Anya stood in Kathryn’s flat with a sheet wrapped around her freezing body. For once, she wouldn’t mind taking a bite out of somebody, preferably Kathryn’s cheap ass landlord.

“Where is Damien?”

“Still on the prowl with his homeboys. How’d you dial the phone? Use your nose?”

“Very funny.” Anya almost dropped the receiver. A horrible pain snaked its way through her belly. “Damn stew.” She groaned.

“What?” Kinrew asked.

“I feel sick. Call me back.”

“Sure thing, baby. Go suck the porcelain queen.”

******

Kathryn gasped when she entered her home with Tobias. The place looked like a major league hockey game had taken place. Every article in the four black bags, right down to Norman’s underpants, was strewn about the carpet. And passages from his journal had been ripped out.

“And you thought a chew toy would do it,” Kathryn said, “Here girl, come on.”

“Maya!” Tobias yelled.

“Not so loud. We don’t want to scare her.”

“Scare her?” Since when does someone scare a seventy-five pound wolf? He would have work on domesticating the little brute, if that was possible.

Kathryn searched the rest of the apartment. “She’s not here.” Her trashed home didn’t seem all that important now. “Whoever did this took her.” Kathryn could feel the blood boil in her veins.

“I’m calling the police.”

“Wait.”

Kathryn bent over the sink and lifted two strands of long blonde hair from the porcelain surface. “Anya,” she whispered. It couldn’t be. But that’s what the best thieves did; they shadowed their victim then found the best opportunity to take what they wanted.

Kathryn walked into the living room and took the receiver from his hand. “Did you call?”

“No,” he said, looking puzzled as she stared at the white phone. “What is it?”

“There’s stains on the dial-as if someone tried to clean up a mess but didn’t quite finish.” She dialed star sixty-nine, hoping her hunch would work. “We’re going to need Mama Bell’s help.”

“What can Leticia do, other than get on our nerves?”

“She can have someone on her staff match the caller’s number with an address.”

“And I thought her talents were wasted at the phone company.”

“If she help me get my girl back, I’ll never call her Mama Bell again.”

******

“Way out in Suffolk County,” Leticia had told them. That’s where the call had come from.

Kathryn had wanted to take the Long Island Rail Road, but Tobias had insisted on using his driver. Kathryn had argued, thinking it was an opulent waste. But he knew there were still streets in this state where black man couldn’t walk without casting suspicion.

“You know who the mystery caller is, don’t you?” asked Tobias.

“No, I don’t know her,” Kathryn glanced at the back of the chauffeur’s head. When reasonably convinced he couldn’t hear a thing through the glass partition, she continued, “but I know whom she’s hiding.”

Norman had warned her twice, but she had to know the truth. Either that, or become the next Mary Shannon in the City Morgue.

******

And now, they stood on the porch of a beautiful pale blue house.

“We must be crazy,” said Tobias. “You called my home Madam Burglar-where’s my stuff.”

“Just knock on the door.”

“What if they’re not home?”

“There’s only one way to find out.” Before Kathryn could knock, the door opened.

Kinrew smelled the sweet jasmine on the woman and knew her immediately. “Well, you’re clever.”

“Who are you?” Kathryn asked.

“Come in. We’ve been waiting.” Kinrew led them to the den. “Who’s your handsome friend?”

“Tobias Cooper,” he answered. “And you are?”

“Very pleased to meet a fellow descendant from Dahomey.” Kinrew took Tobias by the hand. “Anya’s in the garden,” she said to Kathryn. “Don’t worry, I’ll take very good care of your man.”

Kathryn saw her standing near pink roses. Her golden hair hung loose to her shoulders. And the lace on her white dress reminded Kathryn of times gone by. Kathryn withdrew her camera and snapped the tall beauty’s picture.

Anya presented her with a pale bloom.

“You were in my home.”

“Yes.”

Anya circled Kathryn, and stopped just behind her. Close enough to hear her breathe.

“I don’t care about anything else you took, or what you’ve done,” Kathryn said without turning. “Just give me my…wolf back.”

“Maya?”

This made Kathryn turn. “How do you know her name?”

Anya cocked her head, and leaned against the ivy-covered fence. She reached out and touched Kathryn gently on the face. How easy it would be to seduce the woman-to run her tongue along the slender neck, or kiss her brow.

Kathryn was stunned by the brazen touch. Yet, she felt rooted to the ground, clinging to the caress like green ivy on a picket fence. “What have you done with her?”

“She is here,” Anya placed Kathryn’s hand over her heart, “inside.”

“Right…you are Maya.” Kathryn smirked and removed her hand. “Show me. Change-o, presto, do it now.”

Anya nodded and took Kathryn’s hand. She returned the kiss Kathryn had once given her on the wrist.

“Are you sure?”

“Damn sure.”

Kathryn laughed. The woman was a thief, and most likely a blood sucking nut job, but shape shifter? No.

Kathryn’s face froze when Anya remove her dress and lay on the grass.

******

“Mmmm, this is the best Cuban I’ve ever had,” said Tobias as he puffed away on the aromatic cigar. “It’s illegal to bring these into the States.” But that didn’t stop him from enjoying the fine smoke. “You’re a naughty girl, Kinrew.”

“You have no idea.”

Tobias looked at the ancient oak writing desk. If he didn’t know any better, he would say the entire room was filled with antiques from two centuries ago.

“You have lovely things.”

“I am a lovely thing.” She slipped her arm around Tobias, and exposed her teeth, ready to nip him.

“Move away from him.” Kathryn had entered the den with her face looking pale and drawn. She flinched when she felt Anya’s wet nose press against her trembling hand.

“Kathryn?” Tobias straightened his jacket. “You found Wolfie.”

“I found Anya.” Kathryn pointed downward, almost touching Anya’s fluffy coat.

“What?” Tobias crushed his cigar in the crystal ashtray. “You can’t mean-”

“Ask her. “ Kathryn said this while glaring at Kinrew.

“You were lovely in the shower, darling.” Kinrew practically purred the words. “Don’t look so shocked. We need exercise too.”

Anya hopped up on the sofa, nudging her furry body between Tobias and Kinrew. Then she bit Kinrew’s hand.

“Ow! Jealous mutt.”

Even as the blood dripped on Kinrew’s dress, Tobias could see the wounds close. The amazing healing process frightened him, and he scrambled off the leather sofa. “What the hell is this?”

“They…they’re not h-human.” Kathryn faltered.

“Norman was right?” Tobias lost his fear, allowing the scientist in him to emerge. “Not human,” he repeated, examining Kinrew’s hand.

“Anya’s human enough. Aren’t you, baby?” Kinrew petted the sleek wolf’s coat, forgiving her for what she considered an unwarranted attack.

“Let’s get the hell out of here.” Tobias grabbed Kathryn’s arm. “Now!”

Kathryn pulled away from him. “They won’t hurt us.”

“They’re killers!”

“You need our protection.” Kinrew said.

“Why is that?” Tobias asked. “You took what you wanted from us.”

“We did that so no harm would come to you.” Kinrew smiled indulgently as one would to a small child.

“From what?” Tobias asked. In spite of himself, he rubbed Anya’s head, finding comfort in the unnatural beast.

“Your reporter friend,” Kinrew pointed to a copy of the Metro Daily, “writes dangerous stories. The others are not pleased.”

“God, no,” Kathryn whispered. “Tommy.”

******

“One more drink, old boy.” The man sitting next to him in O’Malley’s bar filled Tommy’s glass with whiskey.

Tommy wondered how he had struck such rapport with the kindly man. He was never what you would call comfortable around strangers. And here he was, sitting with a total stranger who had ordered a whole bottle for them-and top shelf at that.

“What did you say your name was?” he asked the stranger.

“Tepis, Damien Tepis.” He raised his glass in a silent toast.

“And what do you do, Mr. Tepis?” Tommy was crocked, so the name came out sounding more like Tepeez.

“I’m a doctor.” He lips curled into a smile behind his raised glass. “Hematology.”

“Bloody work, huh?” Tommy laughed, and raised his unsteady body, almost upsetting the bar stool. “Gotta take a piss.”

Piss. The word offended Damien. Just about everything these humans did and said offended him.

“Whining about some woman he loves,” Damien said in a low voice. Mortal scum. They knew little of pleasure, and usually made their own misery.

He watched Fulbright weave his drunken way to the toilet. He would wait, have another drink then wait some more.

******

“He’s not answering.” Kathryn said.

She sat in the back of the black limo with Tobias, Kinrew and Anya. Anya was opposite her with her knees pressed against Kathryn’s. And the touch disturbed her. How did this young woman make her feel things she’d thought were buried long ago? She tore her gaze from the cold eyes and tried Tommy’s number again.

“Maybe he’s at home,” said Tobias.

“I tried there.”

The chauffeur stopped for the red light, and huge crow settled on the car’s hood.

Kinrew touched Kathryn’s cell phone. “Do you believe in portents?”

Why not, she thought. What did it matter when you were sitting in the back of a car with two vampires? Kathryn stared at the bird’s glassy eyes, and it stared back, letting out a retched caw-caw before flying away.

Anya followed the bird’s flight. Heading west toward the city, she thought. “We’re too late.”

******

The stone cobbles in the small alleyway behind the bar were bathed in blood. But Tommy was nowhere to be found. And hideous graffiti drawn in the life fluid dripped down the brick wall, pooling around his cold heart.

Kathryn, he loved you, it read.

The scrawled love note had frozen her senses, rooting her to the cobbled ground. Her friend was dead-his life made a mockery. Yet, she could feel nothing but a dull ache in her bones.

“Kathryn, let’s go back inside,” Tobias said.

“Are you next of kin?” A cop young cop leaning against the bar asked Kathryn. His soulful brown eyes seemed too old for his youthful body.

“No,” was all Kathryn could say.

“We found his wallet out back,” the cop said, careful not to mention Tommy’s damn heart. “This card said to call you in case of emergency.”

The cop’s words shocked her. Was Tommy so alone in the world, so lost like her that family had no place in his life? Or was she his only true family? Kathryn braced her sagging body against the polished oak bar. The bartender poured her a shot of brandy. “Go ahead,” he told her. “It’s on the house.”

But Kathryn insisted on paying.

“Don’t matter now, honey. We’re closed off for a while. He jerked his thumb at the young cop and scowled. “They already roped off the back.”

“When did you find his body?” Tobias asked the bartender.

“Three hours ago. Went out back to put some garbage in the dumpster. Man, I never saw so much blood before. And the bastard tore out his heart! Scared the shit out of me.”

The bartender’s hand shook as he poured drinks for Kinrew and Tobias. Anya asked him for water.

Kathryn downed the bourbon in one gulp, allowing it to burn her throat. She wanted to feel something other than the numb grayness clinging to her skin. They’d put her poor Tommy in a rubbish bin. Human garbage-that’s what we are to them, she thought.

She felt Anya’s cool touch.

“We must leave here,” Anya told her. “It isn’t safe.”

“It wasn’t safe for Tommy either.”

“Was Mr. Fulbright with someone?” Tobias asked the bartender.

The bartender gave him a strange look. “That’s the thing. This guy he was with bought a whole bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue. But I can’t remember what his face looked like- just those weird looking eyes. Black rim, and real light.”

“Amber,” Anya said.

The young cop stared at her, his broad features full of excitement. “You know this man?”

“I-“

“No,” Kinrew interrupted Anya. “Barkeep, pour some more of that bourbon.” She grinned at the cop’s open face, knowing his people had been taken from their family many years ago in Ghana.

******

Ian Jansen regarded the young woman sitting opposite him at table in his library. His offspring. Yet she made him feel uncomfortable in his own home. How long had it been? Ten, maybe twelve years since he’d last seen her.

Now, she wanted answers, hard ones. Ian figured the least he could do was to talk with his estranged progeny. How much could Norman have possibly told her?

“Tell me about Norman and the Guardians.”

Norman, Norman, Norman, he sighed. The little miscreant.

“You’ve become a lovely woman, ”Ian told her, totally ignoring her question. His daughter’s steely eyes chilled him with the memory of Sarah. Sarah.

“I have seen things that defy scientific explanation,” she said. “I’m not here for a family reunion, Father.”

“Perhaps not, but it’s a part of what you want to know.”

Kathryn sat up straighter in her chair feeling like she was still a child in this little house in Westchester. She would sit in her small room in the cool evenings, and read ghost stories. Right now, if she closed her eyes, she could smell the smoke from her father’s pipe drifting up the stairs, and hear the sound of her mother softly crying in her parents’ bedroom.

“Was he related to me?” Kathryn asked, passing him the news clipping of Norman. She saw her father’s eyes crease with pain, and his mouth open as if sand were trapped in his throat.

“Do you mind if I light my pipe?” He struck a match when she urged him on with an impatient flip of her hand. “You have my blood. That is enough. ”

It wasn’t enough for Kathryn, but she could see from the hard glint in his pale eyes that it would have to do.

“Poor Norman,” Ian said in a faraway voice. “I could have taught him the beauty of many creatures-to soar and hunt. But I could not save him.”

The confession hung in the air between father and daughter like the puffs of smoke from his cherry wood pipe. Ian admitted something to her he had never told a soul outside the Guardians. But this young woman was his blood. And he knew she was the daughter who carried their ancestral stain.

“But what about the Guardians?”

“I left them when your mother divorced me. They made me do terrible things, child. But they’re not going to get their hands on you.”

“I thought they were-”

“Kind? The Guardians sent Norman out untrained. They even forbade the man to see me.” Ian sighed deeply. The hurt in his chest had worsened over the years. And his daughter’s presence made it tightened with even more pain. “And they removed his body from the morgue.”

“You should have tried to helped him.” Kathryn gave him a Sarah Van Helsing glare.

Ian shook his head and pulled a leather bound book from the end table drawer. “This woman Anya you spoke of,” he said, opening the book, “she protects you?”

“Yes.”

“Why? She knows you have the potential to destroy her.”

Kathryn did not respond, but she stared at the faded photograph pasted in the ancient book. It was baby Anya in a yellow lace dress, as beautiful as the one she had had worn in the rose garden. She sat upon her daddy’s lap. And mommy leaned forward, touching her little girl’s blonde ringlets.

Kathryn spied a much older picture of a handsome young man- his Edwardian suit, cut to fit his broad shoulders. Of all the outrageous things, he sported a dueling scar over his left eye. But the young man gently held a small raven-haired boy on his knee. “Who is this?”

“No one of importance.” Ian regarded her carefully. “Damien took Anya from her home in Norway when she was four years old.”

“Why didn’t you tell her parents?”

“It would have increased their suffering.”

“Do the Guardians know about her?”

“No.”

“How did Damien manage that?”

“It wasn’t Damien, but Kinrew. She trained them to be a cautious group. And she gave them the limited ability to transform into wolves. But Kinrew, fiend that she is, can change her identity like a snake sheds its skin. At this very moment, she could be anything, and anywhere.”

Kathryn loosened the top buttons on her shirt. “Show me how to defeat them.”

“Alone? Even with my blood, that’s impossible.”

“If you won’t help me, then I’ll damn well do it on my own.”

“If you cannot convince Anya to make war against him, then you will be on your own no matter what I decide.”

“Do it.”

Ian regarded her for a few moments then he withdrew a switchblade from his pocket. When he held it up in the smoky room, sunlight glinted off the pearly handle. He struck another match and warmed the tip of the blade. Then he sliced his wrist.

“Drink, daughter.”

******

The old man perched on the windowsill in the guise of Damien’s most disdained creatures-a pigeon. He despised them almost as much as Damien. Tree rats, he had called them. But he couldn’t possibly sit on the sill with the wingspan of a crow and go unnoticed. And the small winged form allowed him to effectively see and hear everything going on inside the loft.

“Awwwoooo!” Damien hugged his chest and rocked back and forth on the polished floor like a madman.

Shale and William dropped to his side, holding his arms outstretched to stop him from harming himself. But Kinrew sat on the sofa crossed-legged, studying him like a bug under a microscope.

“Another has awakened.” Damien broke free, prostrating his form like a penitent monk.

“So what the problem?” Martin said.

Martin sat on the kitchen table with his knees drawn up. His scowling visage reminded Kinrew of the many gargoyles atop some of the older buildings in Manhattan. She asked him, “Are you too dense to understand the power that moves against us?”

Martin stood on the table, pounding his chest like an agitated gorilla. “Go find your Judas goat, bitch!”

Kinrew lifted her eyes to the window and met the pigeon’s steady gaze. “Make haste,” she said.

“We will,” Damien answered, thinking Kinrew had spoken to him.

******

“God, you’re burning up!” Leticia bathed Kathryn’s face with cold water. Then she tucked the covers under her friend’s chin. “Why didn’t you call me Monday?”

“I’m always calling you.”

Kathryn held onto Leticia’s hand much the same way she had done when they were dorm mates at university. She remembered that time when Leticia had sat on her bed and fed her tomato soup. “Chicken ain’t got nothing on this,” Leticia had said. That day Kathryn had shyly told Leticia how much she loved her.

“I wish I could love you like that, baby girl.” The words had crushed Kathryn’s young spirit. But they had remained friends, and nursed each other though hard times.

“I don’t know who I am anymore.” Kathryn sat up and wrapped her arms around her friend’s neck.

“You’re my Kathryn, and don’t forget it.”

“I forced Ian to give me his power.”

“High time he gave you something.” Leticia sucked her teeth. “If you divorce the mama, don’t divorce the kids.”

Kathryn wept. “I missed Tommy’s funeral.”

“Been sick a week, woman. It couldn’t be helped.”

“I’m feeling better, so you don’t have to stay the night again.”

“I’ll pretend like I didn’t hear that. Just be thankful you have a pull out couch. Otherwise, I’d have to set up house on Anya’s old blanket.”

“You didn’t take it up, did you?”

“No, but if she comes up in here, I got my crosses and my water, and garlic in the window.”

Leticia laughed, then walked from the room muttering something about she-wolves, and hell bound girlfriends.

******

Anya entered the third floor of the brownstone, securing the pick in her duffle bag. There wasn’t a door in the city she couldn’t open. She slipped quietly into the dark living room, and held her breath when her keen hearing picked up the faint snores.

It was Leticia-the woman who called her puddin’, and scratched her ears. The woman lay on a day bed. And Anya sensed from her breathing that Leticia was in a light sleep.

Anya tapped her warm hand, and Leticia’s eyes flew open.

“What-“

You will sleep untroubled tonight. Anya’s thoughts reached her mind. Dream deeply, my friend. Anya passed her hand over Leticia’s face, and waited for the steady rhythm of sleep to settle in.

******

Kathryn felt a weight on the mattress. “Leticia?”

“Anya.”

She was nestled in Anya’s arms, and her fevered brain could make no sense of this. She felt her face flame, and was deeply embarrassed when Anya turned on the bedside lamp.

“You are ill,” Anya whispered. “Lie back.”

“No.” Kathryn struggled to get up, but her weak limbs wouldn’t obey.

“Why do you resist me?”

“You shouldn’t be here-not in my bed. Not like this.”

Anya stroked Kathryn’s hair, and brushed her thumb on that tender spot just beneath her ear. “I’m here to help you, Kathryn.”

She licked the skin on Kathryn’s neck, sinking her teeth into the soft flesh.

******

“Welcome back, Red.” Marconi slung his heavy arm over Kathryn’s shoulder. Grieving females made him nervous, so he backed his large frame out of her cubicle.

Kathryn stopped him before he could snake his way from the newsroom. “I guess I’ll be working with Foreman and Davies?”

“Uh, no.” Marconi scratched the thin hair at the back of his head. “Cooper’s been assigned to the cult murders. He wants you to work with him.”

Assigned? No one ever assigned Tobias to anything. “Who’s on the weather?”

“He can do both,” Marconi said defensively. “By the way, we had them clean that shit off the brick wall before anyone could snap it.”

Marconi saw her horrified reaction, and he scratched his head again, this time grazing his scalp with a ragged fingernail.

Kathryn felt more alone than ever, after Marconi left the newsroom. She looked at Tommy’s empty space, expecting to see a cup of tea and a cheese sandwich on his barren desk. No more silly jokes, or wounded smiles…no more Tommy.

Kathryn sat at her desk and touched the sore spot beneath the dark blue turtleneck she wore. She had risen alone this morning with the thought that Anya’s visit had been a dream. But there it was in the mirror: a purple bruise with two little crusted-over holes on her pale neck.

I don’t feel any different, she mused. The same old hurt of human concerns knotted in her stomach like a fist.

“I decided to take over Tommy’s assignments.” Tobias touched her shoulder when he realized she hadn’t heard him. “Come, Kathryn. You’ll work with me in my office.”

She didn’t look at him, but said, “My girlfriend’s a wolf.”

Tobias raised his eyebrows. “I told you about hanging out at Bertha’s Pink Zone,” he said gently.

“She was with me last night.” Kathryn knew she was blushing.

“Which is all the more reason this is out of Foreman and Davies’ grubby little hands.”

“She-I may not be the same.”

“Whatever she did to you, you’re still my family.”

She hugged this warn man in gratitude for his acceptance. “Leticia said something along the same line.”

“That woman,” he sighed. “She lacks good taste in clothes, but not in friends. I guess she’s not so bad after all.”

For the first time, Kathryn could see the torch burning his soul the way it had once burned hers.

******

“Ah, the prodigal returns.” Damien walked toward Anya clapping his hands. He wore black pants, and little else. And his chest looked as cold as the stone floor beneath his bare feet.

He watched her catlike moves. The way she tilted her head to the side, trying to read his thoughts. Though he could not sense the human she’d lain with, he knew he had been replaced in her affections.

“Nothing to say for yourself?” He sipped from one of the pouches of blood she had stolen.

Yes, I can be cautious too, he thought. Damien hadn’t been harmed by mortal hand in years. But the time was drawing near when humans would once again believe in their kind. And there was nothing more dangerous than an enlightened human.

“You must leave New York,” she said.

“A new enemy has been born.” He smiled sadly.

Damien watched her pupils dilate just a bit-nothing a human would notice. And her blood rose. But it wasn’t anger he detected on her face.

Damien drew his forefinger across his chest, opening the white marble with his sharp nail. Blood ran like raindrops against his pale skin. He sunk to the floor on his knees and held out his arms to her.

Anya came to him and suckled at his breast like a child.

“Is Kinrew with you, then?”

“Yes,” she answered, nearly choking on the sustenance he gave.

“They will come for you.”

That she knew. And she took the warning as one would a prayer offering. “Will you interfere?”

“Will you return to me?”

He saw the hesitation in her eyes. But she bowed her head and whispered yes.

******

After working with Tobias in his office all day, Kathryn squirmed beneath the pink sheets in her carved oak bed. It had been a gift from her mother- a nest for making babies and dreaming sweet thoughts. She turned to the strangest gift of all: Anya.

“Not like this.” She moved away from Anya’s exposed neck and kissed her lips. Anya thought the touch was soft like Kinrew’s when they’d played as pups in the streets of Paris. “Gently.” Kathryn demonstrated by kissing her way down the surprisingly warm skin.

Anya was too impatient for this. They were one now. What need did they have of light caresses when mind and blood could satisfy them? Her senses reeled from the urgent need to soak in the life liquid.

“Please,” said Anya.

She did not want to be tamed by this new immortal clinging to the old life. But Anya let Kathryn kiss her mouth again, and love her in the way humans understood best. Kathryn stroked her breasts then gently buried her head between Anya’s thighs.

Anya ran her tongue over her teeth, willing the sharp fangs to retract. Her breath danced in wild spurts as the feel of Kathryn’s tongue became more enjoyable. Then Anya’s blood rushed like fire from her throat to her sex, giving her the most terrifying orgasm. Kathryn’s last touch leeched the tension from her body, leaving her drained and sleepy.

******

“Kathryn, open your eyes.” Grayness had settled over the Manhattan skyline. Anya turned on the bedside lamp, and it bathed her face with a soft pink glow. “Please?”

“No,” Kathryn said, stretching her body atop the damp sheets. “You’ll disappear.”

“Look at me.”

Kathryn obeyed, and Anya gazed deeply into the gray orbs, silencing the question held within. She watched as her lover’s small body rose in the air. And a knowing grin lighted her normally stoic features when Kathryn’s back arched, and her toes curled in the most delicious way. Anya listened as Kathryn’s breath came in gasping heaps. Then she pressed her hand to Kathryn’s belly and lowered her to the bed.

Such pleasure she gave, all from the touch of her mind.

Kathryn’s grip was painful on Anya’s shoulders. “Don’t ever do that again.”

“You enjoyed it,” Anya said, propped up on an elbow. “As did I.”

“But it was so…” Kathryn couldn’t find the word for the strange psychic connection between them. She stroked Anya’s face, and touched her lips with a feather-light kiss. “This is alien to me.”

“You are no longer human, ”Anya said, truly puzzled by Kathryn’s reaction.

Kathryn drew back as if being slapped by an iron fist.

Anya let her fingers trail the length of Kathryn’s slender neck. “Your wound has healed, and there is such power in your hands now.” Anya rubbed the red marks on her left shoulder. “Soon, you will welcome more than touch to heighten feeling.”

“I don’t want to lose this.” Kathryn wrapped her arms around Anya.

Kathryn’s embrace warmed Anya’s skin. Better than a scratch behind the ears, she thought. “We have to make preparations.” Anya slid her long legs over the side of the bed. She stood by the small window, peering at the damp streets below. “They will come for us soon.”

“Here?”

“No. We will make it a place of our choosing.”

******

Kathryn was determined to live her life as she had before. She couldn’t feel the power Anya spoke about, nor could she taste the air or see the stars in a different light. So with casual awareness, she left Leticia’s apartment and strolled down the dark streets to Bertha’s Pink Zone.

But the transformation had already begun: she didn’t hurry as she normally did. And she didn’t jump at every back firing car, or menacing Romeo.

Kathryn rounded the corner, and the Pink Zone’s orange sign came into view, lighting up the night with neon tackiness.

“Why is the light orange?” Kathryn had asked Bertha.

“Does it have to be pink? People think bad things when they see pink. ”

And so went Kathryn’s introduction into the Pink Zone’s odd world. One more step, and she was at the front door, bracing herself for one of Bertha’s bone crushing hugs.

“I’m glad you’re on time, ‘cause Mr. Pretty isn’t use to being ignored by the ladies.” Bertha said.

“What makes you so sure the male of the species is my cup of tea?”

“You don’t drink tea. And I’ve never seen you come in with a lady, or leave with one.”

“Leticia counts.”

“Leticia’s a lady now?” Bertha snorted. “Your man’s in the back room, honey pie.”

Kathryn held Bertha in a tight embrace, and touched her lips to her cheeks.

“What’s that for?”

“Can’t an old friend hug you?” Kathryn said as she walked to the back room.

******

Tobias pulled a chair out for Kathryn. “Why did you insist on meeting here?” he asked when they were both seated.

“There are certain things I can’t say to you at the office, and my apartment is off limits.”

“You two doing it all day now?”

Kathryn blushed. “It isn’t safe for you to be seen there.”

“Since when?”

“Since I’m going after them.”

“With what, a peppermint smile and a tube of lipstick?”

“Tobias.” He winced when she gripped his hand too hard. “I assure you, it won’t be lipstick.”

Kathryn showed him the arsenal of weapons stashed in her duffle bag. Tobias whistled low at the forty or more pounds of contraband nestled inside. Thank God Bertha had a liquor license. If the place were raided, they’d be wearing prison fashion for years.

“Norman’s?” He rolled his eyes when Kathryn nodded. “You don’t even know how to use half that stuff.”

“I’m not the one who’s going to use it.”

“The police should handle this, Kathryn.”

“Damien and his pack will slaughter them,” she said. “Besides, the police wouldn’t know where to look.”

“But you do?”

“Anya does.”

“Anya does. Has it ever crossed your mind that Anya may be setting a trap for you?”

Kathryn grasped his hand, but he let it flop like a wet fish on her palm. He had every right to be angry. He hadn’t been there when Anya drew the stained blood from her system.

“Ian gave me his blood. But it didn’t work,” she said. “I wouldn’t be sitting here now, if it weren’t for Anya.”

“Your own father?” Tobias took three deep breaths to control his anger. “Even if Anya’s on the up an up, what can you do that the police can’t?”

Kathryn rolled up her sleeve, and removed the blood stained bandage from her arm. Tobias stared, fascinated as he witnessed the rapid healing process taking place before his eyes. The deeps ruts in her flesh were closing up. New skin formed, leaving dried flakes of blood on the table.

“Damn!”

“You should have seen it hours ago,” she said.

“All this for me? Some women bring me flowers, you know.”

“Tobias, you have the means to get everything I need.”

He tore his eyes from the horror show on the tabletop. Though sometimes she needed it badly, she’d never asked for his help in the past. He could tell from her expression that it was painful for her to ask him now.

“I’m with you if you promise not to turn into something weird.”

Weird is part of my life now, she thought.

Kathryn smiled and clasped his hand. And this time, Tobias squeezed back.

******

Kinrew peered out the window of her dark kitchen. She had expected her family to come as wolves. But they were hiding in the garden behind the thick rose bushes like unholy wraiths. All except Martin: he stood in the center of her patio whistling an eerie tune.

“Thinks he’s calling the family pet,” Kinrew said as she raised the spear gun level with Martin’s head. He stared at the window, but couldn’t see her dark form. “Show time girls.” She nearly chuckled.

Kinrew fired the gun. And a silver spear whizzed its way through his open mouth, punching out a molar and smashing through his cheekbone.

Martin screamed and tugged the sharp metal protruding from his marred flesh. He tried to warn the others when two wolves loped into the garden. But the sound died in his raw throat as Penelope pounced on the smaller of the two wolves.

Penelope tore at the animal with her sharpened nails, finding purchase in the wolf’s thick red coat. The wolf shook her off, its gray eyes flashing with pain.

Martin was on the ground now, trying to dislodge the hunk of metal. The silver tip burned like hot coals with each frantic tug. “Nooooo!” His scream turned into a howl when the red wolf’s fangs ripped Penelope’s throat.

That’s for Norman and Tommy, Kathryn thought. She joined Anya in rooting out Shale and William from the safety of a large oak tree.

They circled the two men, weaving small patterns in the grass around their shaking bodies. Anya flicked her white tail and growled at William.

Shale said, “Hit the ground!”

Shale’s sudden move startled Kathryn, and she leapt on his chest, holding him in place with her sharp claws.

William followed his brother’s lead. He rolled forward, exposing his neck to Anya.

“Worthless!” Martin stood, free of the hideous metal. His gory visage silences the chaos.

“Help us, damn it.” William reached for his leg.

Martin shrugged off the foul touch, and snapped William’s neck. Then he moved toward the red wolf, extending his hand.

******

The red-tailed hawk strained to soar higher. Drawn by the blood of his child. The climb had weakened him, but he chose to ignore the expanding pain in his chest.

The battleground came into view.

He would end this war…a war created by his own hand.

******

“Come, little sister. ” Martin bade the red wolf.

Kathryn snarled, moving her body to shield Anya.

Kinrew used her bow this time, and shot an arrow into Martin’s back. He turned. She shot another, pining him to the ivy-covered fence.

Anya and Kathryn attacked Martin from both sides. He wailed with pain from their bites as Kinrew continued to shoot arrows into his blood soaked body.

“Go to hell.” He found the strength to lift the red wolf by the throat, delighting in her strangled cries. But her cries stopped when Martin’s powerful hand tightened on her throat.

Kinrew sailed through the broken window with a long knife in her hand, bypassing cowering Shale.

Kathryn lifted her back legs, thrashing her head about. God, she thought, I’m going to die. She struggled for air. Suddenly, her body went limp, and she felt the cold ground meet her face.

In her confused state, Kathryn hadn’t seen the large bird swoop down and tear at Martin’s eyes.

But she heard the flapping wings. And the bird’s hideous screech, mixed with Anya’s yelps, tore at her heart.

Blood dripped from Martin’s sightless eyes, but he reached out his hand and managed to swipe the hawk on its underbelly. “Take that, blasted devil!”

Anya used her powerful frame to slam Martin to his knees. Then she sank her teeth into his shoulder.

“I’ve got him, baby,” Kinrew said, severing Martin’s head with the long knife. Then she held the gruesome trophy in the air, waving it at the retreating bird.

Anya raised her head, and a mournful sound filled the air. A night call, unlike anything Kinrew had ever heard. But her piteous wail was not for her fallen family, but for Kathryn. Anya’s eyes clouded with tears- a most unusual and human thing-as she cleared the ivy-covered fence.

Kathryn tried to follow, but Kinrew held her tightly. “Let her go, little one. Let her go.”

******

Damien knelt on the stone floor of the loft. One bloodstained tear ran down his cold cheek. Unlike his kindred, he suffered from the harsh light of day. Yet the room was devoid of the protective blue film. Now his blood boiled, nearly burning out the unbearable loneliness.

Anya had lain with the young immortal. And he had felt their every touch stir within his loins-the blood they’d shared in their horrid union. Then he’d felt nothing. Her mind was lost to him.

“Anya,” he said, hearing the soft steps behind him. He smelled the other’s scent on her-Kathryn’s touch. “Come no closer.”

Anya froze. The morning sun streamed through the windows, scorching the flesh on Damien’s exposed skin. Anya looked down at the crumpled plastic laying on the floor.

“Why?” she asked.

“I tore a man’s heart out for weeping over a woman.” He raised his head to the ceiling. “Now I weep.”

“Don’t do this.”

Flames burst forth, and acrid smoke filled the loft. Anya moved to save him, but heat of the fire held her back.

“Kathryn can’t love you.”

His last words, spoken so softly, dissolved in the blackened air.

******

Ian Jansen lay sprawled across the leather divan in his small library. He was as young and beautiful as the old sienna photo he’d shown Kathryn. His long auburn hair was combed neatly back from his face, revealing the ragged scar bisecting his left eyebrow.

He grimaced from the pain of his dying blood. But he raised his head when he heard the creak of the front door. She’d come to release him….

“Vlad,” Kinrew gently called his name.

She entered the library clutching the silver knife he’d given her centuries ago. So much she had learned from him-fiendish things he’d never taught Damien.

“Sarah.”

Kinrew frowned at the call of her old name, a name steeped in innocent blood and betrayal. “I’ve scattered their ashes,” she said. “Just as you requested.”

“What of the Shale and Anya? Will they leave with you?”

“Shale is mine now-he’ll do as I tell him.” Kinrew ran the knife beneath his jacket, ripping the buttons from the ancient cloth. “Anya disappeared.”

“Keep her from my daughter.” He bared his teeth, even though he was too weak to harm her. “You must find her!”

“No. She’s grieving,”

“For that hell spawn, Damien?”

“You made him.” Kinrew laughed bitterly. “Is he not as precious as your dear Kathryn?”

“Please. Let Kathryn have her life back.” Ian moaned. “Take Anya with you.”

Kinrew parted his silk shirt to reveal the cold flesh underneath. “Anya knows her life is not with me.”

“Nor is mine, Sarah.” He placed his hand over hers, holding the knife in place.

With a sharp twist of the blade, she released him. And he smiled as the pain left his body.

******

“I don’t know where she is,” Kathryn said, holding Tobias’ large hand in hers as they neared her apartment. Was this evil now resident in her body? A curse to spend eternity watching loved ones die? “It’s my penitence, isn’t it? To be alone?”

Tobias took Kathryn in his arms. “You don’t have to be like your father-you don’t have to be alone.”

“What are you saying?” But she knew what he meant-Tobias offered her eternal friendship. Perhaps…when I know myself better, she thought. Kathryn stroked Tobias’ slender face.

From the corner of the darkened street, Anya watched as Tobias tenderly pressed his forehead to Kathryn’s. Kathryn-how gentle she is, how…human.

Anya felt Damien’s last words float from her body like a leaf adrift on cold waters.

Kathryn still loved.

Anya waited until Tobias took his leave. Her breath caught when he stopped and turned his head. For a moment, she thought he’d seen her lurking there in the darkness. But her blonde hair and pale skin was shrouded in the blackness of her wool cloak.

Tobias shook his head slightly as if clearing it of ghostly images. Then he continued on with his journey.

Anya walked to the old brownstone. She listened to the weary footsteps on the second landing.

And she waited.

Finally. Anya gazed briefly at the light suffused window then ascended the stairs to a new life.

******