Title: Knight Life

Author: Luna

Feedback: Loved and appreciated…send it to ambersgrrl@yahoo.com

Archive: Luna’s Night Moves, Tainted Fiction, and Full Moon Romper Room…anyone else please, just ask.

Fandom: Ring of Honor/TNA/Wrestling

Rating: NC-17 (What else would you expect from me?)

Type: Fantasy

Pairings: Too many to list…just read to find out who’s with whom.

Disclaimer: I have not now nor have I ever been associated with Ring of Honor or TNA. All the characters that you recognize belong to Ring of Honor, TNA, or themselves with the exception of the ones I’ve created. Nothing is being gained from this except a need to pass the time.

Summary: They’re tired of being lonely wandering from town to town and living for centuries in the company of their chosen brethren. Now they’re going to do something about it. Will fate play kindly with them or will they be left in misery?

Author’s Note: This is going to be slightly AU. Please people, if that bothers you do us both a favor and STOP READING NOW!

Anything else: Many thanks need to go to my loving sister who held my hand as I worked out the kinks in this idea. My other sister, the one god forgot to give me at birth, much love goes out to her for her most excellent beta work and all the time she spends holding my hand. You girls ROCK!

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Chapter Eleven

The silence in the room was almost deafening. It was so quiet that the old cliché about being able to hear a pin drop rang true. The longer the girls stared at her the more uncomfortable she became. If she didn't know any better she would think they didn't want to tell her.

“Umm, guys you're really starting to freak me out,” Mya said nervously.

Paige was the one to break the stand off. She figured it should be her since this was her area of expertise. “Honey, how much of last night do you remember,” she asked gently.

The multicolor haired young woman frowned trying to recall her last clear memory. “Well, I remember leaving the club...and can I just say that I was not ready to go!” Her arms were crossed over her chest a petulant look on her face. The others chuckled. It was a typical response for Mya, especially if she had been having a good time.

“Do you remember anything after that,” the platinum blonde pressed.

The frown on Mya's face deepened as she searched her memory for anything after leaving the club. She shook her head, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. “No, why do I get the feeling I should,” she asked in a small voice.

Instead of answering her Martina took a seat on the bed near her sister. “How did you hurt your hand My,” she asked as if she had no clue.

Mya scowled down at her hand just noticing the fact that it was bandaged. She flexed her fingers, not because she thought they were broken but because if her knuckles hurt she would know she'd been in a fight. That would explain the white gauze wrapped around her hand. They didn't hurt; in fact her fingers and knuckles felt fine...it was the heel of her hand that hurt like a bitch.

Cautiously she reached out to unwrap the bandage. Her sister's larger hand came to rest on both of hers. “Honey, how did you hurt your hand,” Martina questioned again an edge of urgency in her voice.

Mya's face screwed up trying to recall how her hand had come to be injured. The sinking feeling in her stomach was replaced with an uneasy rolling and the rising taste of bile. Those signs said that she really wasn't going to like what she found out.

The first things she got were flashes of the night like being at the club, meeting the guys, leaving the club. That's where things started to get fuzzy for her. Now that she was actively trying to recall the events of the previous evening she only got even shorter more disturbing clips. There was Punk's angry face his emerald eyes alight with fury and a scowl firmly in place. Next she heard, more than saw, Paige's frantic voice screaming but it was drowned out by pain she could feel once more. There was Ki's face, except his eyes were glowing with an unholy golden light that gleamed on canines longer than should be in any human mouth. The last image she got was of a puddle of sliver flowing away from their knees.

Mya scrambled from the bed ignoring the worried voices of her sister and friends. She ran down the hallway to the bathroom at the end. She fell to her knees lifting the seat as her stomach emptied its contents. Her blue green eyes closed as the first wave passed a sigh escaping her lips. She rested her forehead against the rim of the toilet glad that they had made a habit of keeping it clean.

Slowly she rose from her kneeling position turning on the faucet taps to rinse her mouth out. She met the concerned eyes of her sister. There was a wealth of knowledge in those sapphire orbs, knowledge that hadn't been there the previous evening.

“So have you put it all together yet,” Martina asked cautiously.

Wisps of the young woman's dark hair flew into her pale face as she shook her head. “No but it's right there on the verge of becoming clear,” Mya answered.

“So what was this about then,” Martina asked gesturing to the bathroom.

“Hangover,” the other girl returned cupping her hands to splash cool water on her face. “And the beginnings of denial.”

“If you don't know what happened how can you be in denial,” Martina questioned leaning against the door frame.

Mya grabbed the hand towel off the counter top dabbing at her face. Turning to look her sister full in the face she said, “I don't have to have the whole picture to know that what I remember should have been something out of a horror film. And all of you have been avoiding my questions so it's obvious that I need come to sort of conclusion on the matter by myself.”

She brushed by her sister. On the way back up the hall she motioned for the others still in her room to come out. Breezing into the kitchen she went straight to the fridge to grab a bottle of Naked Berry Blast juice. She opened it as she continued on through the entrance way into the living room, taking her usual spot in the rocking recliner legs folded up under her.

The others came in silently watching her like she was some sort of bug under a microscope. It was a feeling that didn't sit well with the young woman. However she could admit it might have had something to do with her wake up call.

Mya raked fingers through the tangled mess that was her hair. She gave up trying to tame it when she realized nothing short of brushing it would make it presentable. Picking up the remote she flipped the television on to the light classical digital music station. That was a sure sign that she was working her way towards a righteous rage but was trying to remain calm.

The multicolor haired young woman took one more drink from her juice bottle. Lowering it she set it aside on the nearby coffee table. “I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that from what I can gather the guys weren't all they appeared to be,” she began. She hesitated to use the phrase “not human” even though that was probably more accurate than she was comfortable with.

“That would be the case,” Paige said cautiously watching the other girl to see if she could gauge her thoughts. It was difficult when she had that thousand yard stare going on.

The youngest Williams girl rubbed her forehead with the tips of her fingers. “Okay, so yeah...freaked,” she muttered.

“What has you freaked,” Katrina asked tired of the pussyfooting around and knowing Mya would appreciate a direct approach.

Mya's head shot up. “I'm assuming you mean other than the fact that they're something else,” she questioned dryly.

The corner of the redhead's mouth quirked up. “Yeah, I mean other than that.”

“Oh nothing except maybe the fact that now would be a good time for all of us to get a mental health evaluation,” she snapped. “Things like that aren't real! Things like that don't happen to normal people, no offense Paige.”

“None taken,” the platinum blonde returned good naturedly.

“Things like what Mya,” Laney asked entering the conversation for the first time. The dark blonde realized that somehow Ki had wiped the events of last night from her memory. It meant that they would have to start from the beginning or very near there to get her to believe what they did. After what they had witnessed last night there could be no doubt that there was something going on with the young men.

“Lane, you know I love you more than my luggage, but please don't try and be cute right now,” Mya said wearily. She had the overwhelming urge to cry but couldn't say why. She rubbed her eyes viciously to push back the urge.

A pale blonde brow rose at her tone. “Normally I would have a witty comeback for that, but since I wasn't trying to be cute why don't you try listening to what your instincts and we're telling you, rather than what your logical mind is saying.”

“Because feelings and people are fallible, where as logic and reason can not be argued with,” Mya returned tartly.

“Depends on the person using the logic and reason,” Martina muttered shaking her dark head at her sister's obstinacy.

Mya glared at her sister not sure exactly what was said but knowing it was derogatory in nature. She hated that Marti still talked down to her on occasion like the two years that separated them somehow made her more worldly or wise. She winced slightly as her injured hand was jarred as she tried to cross them under her chest.

Once again her eyes were drawn down to the pristine white bandage wrapped around her hand. It hurt like a son of a bitch. She picked at one edge of the tape holding it in place. Part of her wanted to know what was under it while another part was quite sure that she didn't.

“What we need to do is stop dicking around and discuss what happened last night,” Katrina remarked sternly folding her arms as she leaned one hip against the back of the couch.

“Yes, let's, why don't we,” Mya asked snidely distracted from the bandage for the moment.

Kat's turquoise eyes narrowed on the young woman. They had butted heads in the past and were likely to do so again. It still rankled that the other girl was being so damn stubborn about this. It really should tell Mya something if she, of all of them, believed the events of the previous evening. She was like the younger Williams girl in that she wanted to see, touch, taste a thing before she believed it existed.

Seeing the look the redhead was giving Mya the platinum blonde decided to intercede before things could get any worse. “All right honey, since it seems that you're dead set on being a pain in the ass about this...take the bandage off.”

“Paige, are you really sure that's a good idea,” Martina started only to be cut off by her former coworker.

“Yes Marti. This is the only way she's going to believe what we do,” Katrina remarked making a go ahead motion to Mya.

Now that the time was at hand the young woman was hesitant to do what her curiosity had been urging her to do all morning. Nervously she gnawed her lower lip as she picked in earnest at the tape. Slowly she unraveled the bandage then stalling she threw the dressing in the trash. She stared at the back of her hand mental bracing herself for what she may find.

Mya couldn't explain why she was dragging her feet, especially since she had already said that there was nothing truly spectacular about last night's events. If that really was the case she should be looking at the palm of her hand showing the others that they were wrong about the previous evening. Taking a deep breath she turned her hand up staring at the wound near the heel of her hand. “This...this..this shouldn't be here,” she whispered softly fear creeping into her voice.

The others had gathered around to see the injury. Katrina and Martina drew in a sharp breath, Paige swore vehemently, while Laney simply stared. They knew what should have been there; only what they were seeing didn't match that. The wound on the heel of Mya's hand should have been an angry open cross shaped gash; instead what they saw was a partially healed burn mark. It was still angry looking but where a blister should have been was a big ugly scab.

“That's not possible,” Martina said in a choked voice.

Katrina nodded her agreement as she tilted the young girl's hand for a better look. “If I didn't know this had happened last night I would say this is about a week old.”

“What did your contact have to say about this,” Laney asked Paige knowing that Martina would need to hear what was happening to her baby sister and if her instincts were correct would be happening to them as well.

Paige shook her white blond head running her hand through the tangled mass. “She said that she didn't want to discuss it over the phone. She told me that she was on her way over, but she lives on the other side of town so it might be a while,” she explained.

There was a knock at the door making the girls jump followed by the ringing of the doorbell. Paige straightened up flicking the curtain by the door back so that she could see who was on their doorstep. She frowned even as she reached out to let the person into the house. “How the hell did you get here so fast? You shouldn't have been here for at least another fifteen minutes.”

“The speed limit is merely a suggestion,” the young woman answered breezing past the platinum blonde. She removed her coat hanging it over the back of the couch as she assessed the four other young women in the room. “I'm Rhianon,” she introduced herself extending her hand to them.

“It's a pleasure to meet you,” Martina answered graciously taking the brunette’s hand in her own.

“Yes, anyone that can help us shed light on what's happening is very much welcome,” Katrina added shaking the proffered hand.

“Pleasure,” Laney said with a small smile never leaving Mya's side.

Rhianon's eyes were so dark that they appeared black. Her long chocolate colored hair was tied back at the neck with a pale blue ribbon. She was dressed casually enough in a pair of black wool slacks and a matching black turtle neck. The professional vibe she gave off was reassuring to the gathered women. It wasn't that they didn't trust Paige, but hearing the same information from another source always gave it more credence.

She approached the multicolor haired young woman cautiously. The blonde standing near her hovered protectively making it clear that the seated girl was the one Paige had called about. She opened the senses that let her see things others didn't as she took one final step.

Mya had the distinct impression that the young woman was seeing something that the rest of them couldn't. It gave her the feeling of being made of glass because Rhianon seemed to look right through her. By turns she wanted and didn't want to know what the other woman saw when she looked at her. Nervously she chewed her lower lip waiting for the newcomer to say something.

The silence in the room stretched becoming thicker and more oppressive the longer it went on. The other girls shot worried and confused glances at one another. Finally Rhianon gave a deep shuddering breath as she shook herself slightly. She frowned at Mya clearly concerned about whatever it was that she saw.

“Well,” Paige prodded none too gently. “What did you see?”

Rhianon shook her head rubbing her arms as if she was cold. “Do you want the good news or the bad news first?”

Martina bit her tongue until she tasted blood. The urge to yell at the other woman was overwhelming. Her knees refused to support her any longer as she collapsed onto the couch. Her blue eyes immediately sought out her baby sister's unusual hazel gaze. A lump formed in her throat for reasons she couldn't fully explain. She pressed a hand to her stomach as if it would still the butterflies that had suddenly taken flight there.

The newcomer took a seat at the opposite end of the couch her dark eyes trained on Mya. Absently she rubbed the tops of her thighs as she wondered how to broach the subject of what she'd seen. She had been around quite a while and seen things that could turn a lesser man's hair white. Yet she had not been prepared for what she saw surrounding Mya.

“Not to be rude or anything, but it would be best if you just tell us what you saw,” Katrina interrupted kindly knowing that all the waiting was stretching everyone's already taut nerves.

Rhianon nodded knowing that the redhead was right. The longer she dragged this out the more worried they were likely to become. Sighing she folded her hands in her lap as she crossed her feet at the ankle. “Like I said there's good news and there's bad news.” She held up a small delicate hand as the others started to speak. “The good news is that he has only marked her as a potential mate.”

“How is that good news,” Martina screeched her fear gaining the upper hand on her control.

“Please hear me out,” the seer begged of the women. “The reason that's good news is because all that means is he wants her as a mate. The mark, if you will, only lets others of his kind know to keep their distance.”

The others seemed mollified by that answer relaxing their stances slightly.

“And the bad news,” Mya asked partially afraid to hear what she would say next.

Rhianon stared at the young woman intently then nodding as if she had come to some sort of conclusion. “The bad news is that you have chosen him as well.” She waited for the hue and cry that erupted at that statement to die down before she continued. She frowned as Mya shook her head vehemently. “Tell me something; last night, from what I hear, there were several options of young men to choose from, why him?”

Mya opened her mouth then just as quickly shut it again really thinking about the question that had been posed to her. Her memory of those events was fuzzy at best. The only thing she could recall clearly was the feeling of being safe no matter the outcome of her actions. “Because I knew he wouldn't hurt me,” she finally admitted softly.

“Are you sure about that,” Rhianon pressed needing her to realize that whether she was consciously aware of it or not she had chosen that particular young man.

“Pretty sure,” Mya replied looking away from those dark penetrating eyes. She felt exposed under that knowing gaze.

“Why is that important,” Laney asked the question the others were thinking.

Dragging her obsidian eyes away from Mya she addressed the others. “Because whether she realizes it or not, by choosing him as well gives his,” she waved her hands helplessly, “claim more validity. The fact that she didn't, for example, choose one of the others makes it clear that it wasn't an action of opportunity. She singled him out.”

Rhianon stood moving over to where the young woman sat staring dazedly ahead. “She knew, on a level she couldn't explain, that no matter what happened he wouldn't hurt her. How else does she know that except that she unconsciously chose him...regardless of motive she chose him.” Taking one of Mya's hands in her own she touched the girl's forehead.

A deep bass growl filled the room causing all the room's occupants to jump. They looked around for the source of the noise perplexed at finding nothing.

The seer jerked her hands back taking a couple steps as well. “Whoa! So wasn't expecting that.”

“Mya,” Martina called noticing the far away look in her sister's eyes.

“Uh Houston, we have a problem,” Rhianon replied staring at the young woman. She hadn't been expecting that to happen.

“What! What's wrong,” Paige questioned harshly seeing the distant look on Mya's face.

“He's calling her and judging by her vacant expression she's answered his call,” Rhianon answered searching her memory for a way to break the connection without doing harm to either of them.

Dimly Mya could hear the others calling her but it was tinny and distorted as if coming from some great distance. She didn't know where she was as none of the surroundings looked familiar to her. The window directly across from where she stood had heavy drapes pulled tightly against the sunlight. Her gaze moved around the room noting that the dresser was an antique. The dark stained wood gleamed dully in the muted light. Above the dresser was a mirror framed in the same dark finish. In it she could see the thick climbing poles of a huge four poster bed.

Turning she could see that the mirror had done the bed no justice at all. There was enough room for her and all of her roommates to sleep on that bed without fear of crowding one another. In the middle of that vast expanse was none other than Ki. His eerily glowing eyes pinned her to the spot as her heart rate increased. She licked her lips nervously unaware of the tiny whimper she emitted as he mimicked the action.

“Come,” he said in his deep bass drawl extending a hand to her.

Her feet moved of their own accord carrying her toward the bed and the man in it. She stopped when her knees hit the mattress bringing her dangerously close to him. She couldn't explain this burning need she felt around or for him. Her eyes devoured the sight of his bare muscled chest leading down to a flat stomach. Her imagination took flight at the sight of the sheet pooled around his waist. Dragging her blue green eyes back up to his a sigh left her lips at the desire she saw swimming in those glowing orbs.

As she was poised to crawl up on that massive bed she had a moment of disorientation. Her vision swam and her stomach rolled uncomfortably. She wasn't sure what caused the feeling but it was incredibly strong the closer to Ki she got.

“Please forgive me,” she heard echoing in the room. Mya wondered how Rhianon had gotten there considering that even she didn't know where she was. A moment later it felt as if someone had placed a heavy weight on her chest. Just seconds after that there was the sensation of being jerked around the waist. The next thing she saw when her vision cleared was the seer's relieved dark gaze.

“How do you feel,” the other woman asked gently.

“Honestly?”

“No lie to me,” Rhianon drawled sarcastically.

“Never been better,” Mya shot back without missing a beat even as she pressed a hand to her queasy stomach.

The brunette shot a look to her coworker a wide grin on her pretty face. “I like her,” she told Paige.

“We all do, and that's only one of the reasons,” the platinum blonde returned.

“What happened,” Mya asked when she felt like she wasn't in danger of tossing her cookies.

“He called to you and you answered,” the seer told the young woman. “I'm really sorry about the abrupt departure but it really couldn't be helped.”

The young multicolor haired woman waved her off as she rose to her feet heading for the kitchen. She had to get something to settle her uneasy stomach. “Ladies, please just let me grab some animal crackers and we'll be able to discuss this little situation in a moment,” she snapped when the others began to protest her departure.

Martina rose intent upon following her sister. It was apparent that something had happened while she was spaced out like that. The older girl just needed to know that her sister was all right before she could relax. She frowned down at the restraining hand that was wrapped around her wrist.

“Give her some time,” Rhianon told her gently a soft smile on her face. “She just found out what really happened last night and experienced some major paranormal activity. I don't think a couple minutes alone is going to harm anything.”

“Yeah, but what if he tries that stunt again while we're out here,” Laney asked concern coloring her words.

“I understand your concern but it really is unnecessary,” the seer told them.

“Why is that,” Katrina questioned from her spot near the door to the kitchen. While Paige may have a lot of faith in the young woman she did not. So far the only thing that Rhianon had done was take a bad situation and make it worse.

“That talisman I put on her,” Rhianon began.

“The pentacle you mean,” Kat interrupted her turquoise eyes moving over to the seer.

Rhianon inclined her dark head. “The pentacle is acting as a protection barrier. It will keep her from accidentally calling out to him and keep him from connecting to her. As we've witnessed first hand she is very susceptible to his influence. All I've done is kept their contact to a minimum but once the sun sets...” she trailed off shrugging her shoulders.

Each of the girls was very aware of what could and knowing their headstrong young friend would happen once night was upon them. Before that happened they needed to know what Mya would be facing. They needed to know if there was a way that they could help their friend and themselves.

Mya walked back into the room a cookie in one hand the bag in the other, chewing the mouthful she had as her unusual hazel gaze wandered around the room. It was apparent to anyone that looked at her that she had been crying but because she wasn't doing so now they all pretended not to see the evidence. She grabbed the juice bottle off the coffee table taking a long swallow before meticulously replacing the cap. Taking a deep breath she let it out slowly her eyes slipping shut for a moment. “All right, so what are we really facing here and how worried should we be?”

“I'm not going to lie to you; this situation could rapidly spin out of control. The only thing I can do is give you the information you need to make your own decision. Anything else interferes with your free will, which I avoid at all costs,” Rhianon replied solemnly giving each woman serious eye contact.

Paige had been with these women for a long time and she knew when they were about to balk. She had kept out of the conversation this long because she didn't want the others to think she was influencing the direction Rhianon was taking them in. However she knew she needed to say something to give the other woman credence. “Girls, I've worked with her for the past five years. There isn't a more consummate professional in this business than Rhianon. If she's telling you something is bad, you had better be preparing for a fuckin' storm. I have yet to see her be very far off when she's consulted with our clients.”

The platinum blonde could see the grudging acceptance that began to light her friends' eyes. She hadn't been lying when she told them that. Of all the seers that she had worked with in her time as a paranormal investigator only Rhianon had proven right time after time. In this business reputation was everything and no one had a better reputation than Rhianon.

The young seer flushed darkly ducking her head a moment before regaining her composure. “Thank you so much Paige, you're too kind.”

“And you deserved every word of it,” Paige told her resuming her position in the doorway leading to the hall.

“Now to address your question about what we're dealing with the simple answer is vampires,” Rhianon said getting back to the topic at hand. “Yet just saying vampires doesn't cover all that they are or what they truly are.”

“I'm sorry, you've already lost me,” Katrina admitted taking a seat in the recliner opposite the couch.

The dark haired seer rubbed her forehead as she searched for a way to explain what she knew in a way that wouldn't leave these young women confused and afraid. “Okay follow me for a moment without interruptions,” she waited for them to agree before continuing. “Vampires come in several varieties the most common is the made vampire. And just like most movies and media versions it is done through an exchange of blood. This type of vampire is also the hardest to spot because they look just like everyone else.” She waited for this bit of information to sink in before moving on.

“The next type is like what you would see on Buffy,” she smiled as the girls gave a small laugh at that. “The heavy brow ridges, elongated front teeth, not just the canines but the entire front rows of teeth become razor sharp. This type of vampire is the most dangerous because it is basically an animal in human form. It knows nothing but hunger it can never truly sate. These are what are known as Revenants. They are to be feared because there is nothing save fire that can keep them from attacking.”

All laughter died at that pronouncement. Rhianon was glad to see that these young women were taking her very seriously. She would hate to hear about something happening to any one of them, especially if she hadn't taken the time to properly explain what they were facing.

“The last type of vampire is a natural vampire and as the name implies it is born in this condition. They are known to be reared much like a human child, with the exception of being unable to tolerate sunlight. It's only as this type reaches puberty that their true natures become more pronounced. While most children that age are beginning to think about the opposite sex they become more and more aware of their unusual needs and urges. Relatively few of them actually reach adulthood. Mostly because they are either driven mad by a longing they don't truly understand or because they draw too much attention to their clan.”

Rhianon could see the confusion swimming in their gazes so she went on to explain, “The few that make it to maturity turn out one of two ways. One they are extremely good actors making their families believe that they are well adjusted, when in fact they are just sociopaths. Or two they truly are okay with who and what they are. The latter is the norm. Believe it or not most vampires, natural or made, care very much about any children that are produced. So much so in fact that quite a few of them have been trained as psychiatrists specializing in childhood development.”

“Okay, just a really bizarre question but to get children out of a...well union between two vampires do they both have to be born or do they both have to be made, or does it even really matter,” Mya asked a frown pulling her dark brows together. She couldn't even begin to understand why she had even asked the question in the first place. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that she had always assumed that she would get married and have children. In any event she refused to meet anyone's eyes save Rhianon's dark fathomless gaze.

“Actually that's not a bizarre question at all,” Rhianon assured the young woman with a kind smile. “From all the information and research...yes research,” the seer said noticing the arched eyebrow. “From what we've been able to gather it really doesn't matter whether the vampires were born or made. Both seem to be able to produce children though there are quite a few risks involved in that venture. And before you ask we are not going to get into that. The next issue I'd like to address is protection, of your home and yourselves.”

“Should we be taking notes,” Martina broke in. The seriousness etched on the tall brunette’s face said she was more than a little concerned.

“If you would like and you think it would help. I can wait a few moments while you grab a pen and some paper.”

“Thank you,” Martina said rising from her seat on the couch pausing briefly by her sister to touch the younger girl's shoulder. Her sister's unusual hazel eyes met her piercing blue gaze. She was reassured to know that Mya wasn't taking this lightly. She smiled softly as her sister covered her hand with one of hers. Moving on she went to one of the end tables rummaging around for a pen and pad.

“Since we're taking a slight break here, would anyone like something to drink,” Laney asked rising as well from her spot on the ottoman near Mya.

“Pepsi please,” Mya piped up.

“Tell me you already made coffee,” Katrina begged hands folded in front of her chest.

“You know that I did,” the blonde replied with a laugh. She turned amused blue eyes to Martina who pointed absently in Kat's direction. “Paige? Rhianon? Anything?”

Paige shook her white blonde head her eyes going to the window once more. Most of the neighbors had long since gone to work but she still had the habit of making sure that no one was creeping up on their property. This thing last night had her more spooked than she was willing to admit. She did this for a living and yet she had failed to spot them for what they were. She knew, like Rhianon said, that made vampires were the hardest to spot but she felt like she had somehow let the girls down by not knowing what they were sooner.

The paranormal investigator tuned back into the conversation going on around her in time to hear Laney rattle off a list of drinks.

“All right, that makes two coffees, one Pepsi, and one water. Are you sure you don't want something Paige, it really wouldn't be any trouble,” Laney told her.

Again the platinum blonde shook her head.

Laney walked through the living room into the kitchen. The soft sounds of her puttering around in the other room wafted back to them. Ice tinkled as it fell into a glass, the rattle of coffee mugs being taken out, the hiss and pop of an aluminum can being opened seemed unusually loud. Yet over all those sounds was the tall blonde's musical humming. It gave the feeling of normalcy that seemed to be missing from this morning. She reemerged from the kitchen baring a tray laden with drinks, which she passed around as she went.

Once everyone had resumed their seats Rhianon took a small sip from her water, smiling at the serious faces staring back at her. “Now I know I have covered a lot of ground, but keep in mind what I've told you is only the tip of the iceberg. What I've shared with you should be enough to help you identify the different types of vampires, but by no means is it the end all be all of their kind. With that in mind let's move on,” she said brightly.

The seer took one more drink from her glass setting it aside she wiped her upper lip. “All right the best way to keep yourselves safe, obviously is to stay indoors once the sun sets. Since most of us don't really have that option, I strongly suggest that you listen to your instincts. If something seems off, it probably is. Another viable option is to carry around a holy object of your choice. The main thing that you should know about holy objects is that unlike popular culture would like to tell you a cross will not glow in the presence of a vampire. The only way you're going to get that kind of reaction is in a Hollywood film.” She waited a few moments while they digested that bit of knowledge. “Questions?”

“Yes, when you said trust your instincts what exactly did you mean,” Katrina asked with a pointed glance at Mya.

Rhianon didn't have to be a seer to know what that look meant. Apparently Mya was entirely too logical sometimes. “Just what I said. Listen that little voice that says something isn't on the up and up. If, for example, you're walking to your car in a dark parking lot and something stops you, don't try and talk yourself out of it; go back and ask a security guard to walk you out. You may feel foolish at the time but better safe than sorry. Most vampire attacks are done when the victim is alone in a secluded location.”

The seer could see the shock blossom on the young women's faces. She smiled sadly at them. “Yes, even in this day and age there are still some vampires that will attack a lone person. Some of the older ones find it hard to let go of the past. That's why if you're going to be out after dark the best protection is a holy object. It doesn't matter which denomination it comes from as long as there is faith to back it up.”

“What if you have no faith,” Laney asked softly chancing a brief look at Rhianon before staring down at the toes of her scuffed shoes.

“Everyone has faith sweetie,” the seer told the older blonde. “It's just a matter of finding an object that will convey that faith.” Rhianon gave Laney a long considering look. It was obvious that she didn't believe in a God, per say, but there was something she did believe in and had never let her down. “Don't you have a small golden locket with their picture in it,” the seer asked.

Laney jerked her head up startled that Rhianon would know about that, though she wasn't entirely sure why she was so surprised. After all the woman was a seer there were probably all manner of things she saw but didn't speak upon. Slowly she nodded her head.

“That will work for you,” Rhianon assured Laney folding her hands in her lap. She looked around the room studying the worried faces staring back at her. She needed to make sure that they truly understood what they were up against. “As I said a holy object isn't going to glow in the presence of a vampire but they are less likely to attack someone wearing a necklace. For so long people have worn symbols of faith around their necks that most vampires steer clear of people wearing them.”

The seer took a deep breath as well as another sip of her water. She was trying to recall what she'd covered and what she still needed to go over. Once more she raised the glass to her lips as she watched the young women mull over the information she had laid on them. Finally she set the glass aside folding her hands once more she gave them a reassuring smile. “All right, now for the final bits of information,” she told them laughing silently as Mya groaned. “I promise these are the last little nuggets I have then I'll leave you to your day.”

“Promises, promises,” Mya muttered crossly.

“Mya,” Katrina and Martina hissed glaring at the multicolor haired young woman.

Laney didn't even bother to comment just slapped the youngest Williams girl's leg. The reproach in her light blue eyes evident as was the frown pulling the corners of her mouth down.

Rhianon laughed but waved the girls off. “It's all right ladies. It's all right,” she assured them the smile never leaving her face. “She's been dealing with this issue solely since the moment she woke up. She's probably ready to hear about something, anything, other than vampires at the moment. Sadly she'll have to wait a bit longer for that to happen.”

“Figures,” Mya muttered pulling her legs up to her chest as Laney tried to hit her once more. She blew a raspberry at the blonde who rolled her blue eyes in return.

“The last thing I want to cover,” Rhianon said ignoring Mya's latest outburst, “is things vampires can and can't do. Number one, they can not change into bats. It is absolutely impossible for them to shift into something that small. Remember that the laws of physics still apply to them as well. There have been some reported, but unsubstantiated, claims of large dogs or wolves. While it may be possible for them to shape shift I, and none of the others we work with,” the seer said motioning to Paige as well. “Have been able to find proof that the dog or wolf was a vampire to begin with. In that same vein they cannot turn into fog or vapor or mist and come through key holes or cracks. It makes for a nice Hollywood special effect but it's not really plausible in the real world. Next, they can and do cast a shadow and have a reflection. It goes back to the physics rule I mentioned,” she finished sitting back her hands on her knees.

Rhianon checked her watched a bit surprised to find that it was a little after eleven. She knew that it was going to take some time to get these ladies up to speed but she didn't think it would take quite a long as it did. Of course the interruption of Mya's potential mate had taken some time to sort out. In the end it was time well spent especially if they were more prepared to deal with what they were facing. She had no worries about Paige, she would be the most diligent about protection and anything the seer had failed to cover the platinum blonde would fill in.

Rising to her feet she gave the gathered woman another hopeful smile. “Well ladies, it's been a pleasure to meet all of you. And I hope that I have managed to help, at least a little bit. If you have any questions please don't be afraid to ask, either Paige or myself.” Rhianon laid a small plain business card on the coffee table. “Day or night, we are here for you.” She stopped by Mya a small delicate hand placed on the young woman's shoulder. Their eyes met and locked. “I'm going to leave that pentacle with you. Please don't let anything happen to it. It has been in my family for generations.” The seer covered the multicolor haired young girl's hands with her own. “For the time being I would feel better if you had it. Just keep it safe is all I ask.”

Mya nodded a flush rising in her cheeks that she couldn't name, her fingers absently running over the well worn metal. “I will,” she said at last looking up from the necklace. “Thank you,” she added as if it had suddenly just occurred to her. “For everything.”

“You're welcome,” Rhianon replied a serene smile on her face as she reached for her coat. “All of you are most welcome. Remember what I said; please don't be afraid to ask if you have any questions. That's what we're here for. If we don't have the answer we will find one for you.” With that she swept out of the house just as quickly as she had entered.

The quintet of women stared at the front door in a bewildered state. Each of them lost to their own thoughts. They were jerked from their private musing as the answering machine kicked on.

“I know I said we would let you contact us when you were ready, but I'm afraid something has come up which has necessitated a meeting...and soon. We'll meet wherever you would like but please contact me as quickly as possible. The number is...” The five roommates stared at the phone in shock as the voice of Christopher Daniels rattled off the number.

“Son of a bitch,” Paige roared punching the wall. Her glacial blue eyes narrowed on the phone. She wanted to know how he'd gotten the number since she knew none of them had been in any condition to give it to him. Oh they would be meeting and she was going in armed for bear!