CHAPTER FIVE

 

 “Of all the weird things we’ve done on cases, searching out bars with a vampire has got to be the weirdest.” Lundy
sighed 45 minutes later.

 Leaving the ‘Raiders and Marius, Lestat’s 5000 & some year old mentor, to watch over Zach’s concert, Lundy &
LaFiamma agreed to go with Lestat to check out a local Houston bar.

 “I can’t believe we’re even working with real vampires much less that vampires even go to bars.” LaFiamma was
shaking his head and vowing never to complain about the Queens Court Raiders.

 Sitting in the back of one of Harrison Enterprises Cherokee blazers with his arms stretched out across the seat,
Lestat quietly observed the two mortal cops while lightly playing with Morgan’s hair.

 “Actually Detective LaFiamma, bars are the perfect place for my kind to gather for the same reason mortals go
there. It’s dark, crowded and loud.” Lestat declared calmly.

 LaFiamma couldn’t help but turn in his seat to look at the former singer/author, slightly surprised by the
unexpected emotions he got when he saw the vampire’s fingers toying with the ends of Morgan’s hair as she slept.

 “I wouldn’t think you guys would like the crowds in bars.” Joe was still amazed at how normal their companion
looked.

 “A public misconception. My kind actually love to be around humans. We can blend in with the crowds in bars
very easily these days. That’s why I loved my singing career.” Lestat explained.

 “You loved your singing career cause it fueled your ego. The very same reason you wrote the books.” Morgan
yawned, blinking blue eyes awake fully. “Cause you’re an ego maniac.”

 Lundy moved his eyes to look in the rearview mirror to make sure his cousin hadn’t angered the vampire but the
other’s gray eyes remained light.

 “Calm down Detective Lundy. I’m used to Morgan and her sarcasm. She’s never in danger from me.” Lestat
assured the Texan as they pulled into a packed lot of the Raven’s Wing. “She’s immune to vampires anyway.”

 “How exactly is that, sport?” joe asked, unbuttoning his jacket for easy access to his Colts.

 Morgan’s elbow hit Lestat in the ribs as she got out of the blue and silver Cherokee. “Luck, Joe.” She smiled
while reaching for his arm. “I was born lucky.”

 The Houston native seen Lestat roll his eyes but before he could ask about it the vampire held up a hand to them.

 “You two are going to stick out like a werewolf at a full moon party.” He muttered, looking over both cops with a
sharp eye. “the people in here will spot a cop in a flash.”

 LaFiamma frowned and was about to respond to that jab when Morgan shot a look toward her friend.

 “We need to get in and out quick, this is their case and besides you aren’t very popular with vampires since that
last deal happened.” She reminded him.

 “How do we even find these guys?” Levon wondered as they entered the near pitch black bar with ear deafening
music and people all around. “LaFiamma and I can’t tell a vampire from a…human.” He winced.

 His eyes adjusting to the dark much faster than theirs, Lestat looked around the crowd with a low hum.

 “Morgan can sense vampires, the way she did when Zach arrived at the hospital and if there are any of the Harker
Clan in here they’ll stick out worse than you two.” He declared almost in a distracted tone.

 LaFiamma had never been in a bar this crowded, even in Chicago. “These people are nuttier looking than some of
those hippies we busted last month.” He muttered to his partner, having to be right next to him to able to get him
to hear in this noise.

 “The concert starts soon.” Morgan stepped closer to Lundy as the sudden wave of people seemed to close in
around them. “Levon.”

 Lestat swore, nudging Joe’s arm. “We’ll split up. Take Tex and the kid and move towards the bar. I’ll go around
the room the other way and meet you there.” He told the dark haired Italian then snagged Joe’s sleeve.

“Any trouble, once you make sure the problem isn’t mortal then remember to shoot for the heart and I’ll get to
you as soon as I can.”

 “Oh yeah, that was real comforting.” LaFiamma muttered, catching up to his partner and Morgan as they fought
through the crowds. “Lundy, I got a bad feeling about this idea.”

 “Me too, partner.” Levon assured his Italian friend when Morgan suddenly stopped dead in front of them, her face
going pale again.

 Both cops were instantly alert for trouble but in the crowded bar, seeing a threat before it was too late was nearly
impossible.

 “What’s wrong, sugar?” he asked, feeling her shoulder shake as he pulled his cousin back closer to him as
LaFiamma went ahead of them a little. “Morgan, do you sense something? See anybody?”

 The girl slowly looked toward the bar. “Sean.” She whispered, eyes glittering suddenly and she headed toward the
bar. “Kinely, you double crossing--.”

 Both Houston detectives quickly sought to follow the girl as she approached a tall, thin long haired young man
leaning against the bar sipping a drink.

 “Sean.” Morgan spoke lowly but the man looked up and froze when he seen the girl.

 Sean Kinely had been a part time operative of H.E. down in New Orleans until he disappeared a few months ago.

 Now, at the site of his former employer his hazel eyes went wide in panic. “Morgan.” He backed away from the
bar when Lundy’s hand closed around his upper arm.

 “Not yet, son.” He advised in his typical, down to earth Texas drawl he used on suspects. “I think my cousin wants
words with you.”

 “Who’d you sell Zach out to Sean?” she demanded in anger, concentrating on the suddenly edgy young man in
front of her. “The council or these wacky vampire hunters?”

 Kinely squirmed, obviously terrified when LaFiamma came around the bar. “It’s not like you think, Morgan.” He
sputtered, wincing as Levon put pressure on his arm. “Exactly.”

 “Who did you sell him out to?” she asked again, stepping closer to meet the scared hazel eyes. “Sean, Lestat is in
here someplace and he won’t be as nice or polite in asking if he has to get the answer outta you. Now, who did
you sell Zach out to and why?”

 “I’d answer her kid. Morgan has some wicked temper and even meaner pals.” Joe commented, trying to get sight
of their vampire companion but had lost sight of him.

 Slowly, realizing the position he was in, Sean Kinely sighed and nodded. “Nobody.” He finally replied, adding
quickly as Morgan reached for his throat. “I didn’t sell St. Johns out. It wasn’t him they’re after but they know
they could use the kid to get at….”he stopped suddenly.

 “Who?” Lundy demanded, not liking the sudden change of atmosphere in the bar. “Who are you working for and
who’s the real target if not Zach? I thought the Harker Clan….”

 “The Harker Clan works for the Council.” Sean laughed when he suddenly moved with a speed and strength that
clearly wasn’t human, pulling a stun gun out from under his coat and igniting it into Levon’s side.

 That was when things went bad.

 

 “Levon!” Morgan yelled a second before the taser blasted her cousin and the Houston cop screamed a second
before the whole bar erupted into chaos.

 Joseph LaFiamma had been looking around for Lestat when he heard Morgan yell and his partner scream. “Damn!
I knew I’d hate this job!” he swore, reaching under his coat for his Colts when a hand grabbed his wrist in a bone
breaking hold.

 “No!” Lestat had a hold of Morgan’s arm even as the girl struggled uselessly to get to Lundy as he laid prone on
the floor in the midst of a sudden riot. “We need to get out of here now.”

 “Not without Lundy we aren’t!” Joe snapped, when the vampire tightened his hold for effect.

 “In case you haven’t noticed this place is about to turn into an all out battleground, Detective. We’re leaving
NOW.” The vampire intoned firmly, not wanting to hurt the cop but also knowing what was going to happen if he
didn’t get the 2 mortals to safe ground.

 Morgan twisted to look back at a smirking Sean as he lifted her unconscious cousin up over his shoulder. “Lestat,
I…Levon needs…”

 “We can’t help him if we’re dead too, sweetheart.” Lestat cut her off then finally growled under his breath and let
out a yell. “Luke!”

 LaFiamma only saw a shadow as he was shoved out the door a second before a sword slashed behind
them. “Damn, what about Lundy?” he demanded.

 “Later.” Lestat urged, pushing Morgan into the Cherokee and then turning on him. “Two choices Joseph. The first
is go in there and get killed whereas your partner dies. Or two, retreat now, get back to Kel and the others and find
a way to finish this before the sun rises. Your choice?”

 The former Chicago native glared at the vampire even as he heard sirens coming closer and screams from inside
the bar even as a brown haired man appeared from the smoke coming from the bar.

 “No way. Sean booked with the human before I could get close. The council set us up, L.” he spoke quietly and
soon LaFiamma realized why.

 Morgan was curled up in the back of the Cherokee, bleeding again from the head but in shock.

 “This isn’t over.” He growled, accepting what had to be done but not liking it as he got in the back seat with
Morgan and Lestat took the wheel.

 “No, it isn’t over.” The vampire agreed softly, not mentioning what else might be over if they were too late.

 

   CHAPTER SIX 

 “If you knew they weren’t after Zach why didn’t you say something sooner?!” Morgan Harrison demanded
angrily, whirling on Marius and throwing the first thing she could reach. “You let me endanger Levon and Joe!”

 LaFiamma wisely kept quiet as he leaned against the wall in Morgan’s living room. He understood the girl’s
anger because he was feeling his own. He had yet to report his partner’s abduction to his Captain cause he knew
she’d never believe him if he told her Lundy was taken hostage by vampires.

 The elder vampire easily stepped to one side to avoid the antique vase as it whizzed past his head. “I wasn’t
certain they weren’t after Zachery and that’s why I didn’t mention it. I felt confident that Lestat could keep the
danger to your cousin and his friend to a minimum.” Marius calmly explained.

 “Oh yeah, that’ll help.” Lestat muttered, choosing to enter the war zone. “That might’ve worked if you would have
told me.”

 “Alright, things are now royally screwed up. What’s going on if these attacks weren’t centered on Zach?”
Robinson demanded, knowing they needed to get down to work. “Who warned LaFiamma to ‘Beware the night’?”

 Lestat raised his hands and sat down on the couch, obviously staying out of this one.

 “Obviously someone used Zach to lure us here, but why?” Morgan wanted to know, still glaring at Marius. “You
know. You know everything that goes on anywhere so what or who is doing this?”

 Marius’s blue eyes met the girl’s for a long while. “The Shadow council has always had their twisted
members. Rumors have been going around that certain council members created the Harker Clan to rid
themselves of vampires that caused trouble or wouldn’t follow their rules.” He stared at the night sky in thought
before turning to look at LaFiamma. “Had I know for certain what the true goal of these attacks were Detective
LaFiamma, I wouldn’t have let you or your partner get involved.”

 “So, what is their true goal?” Joe asked warily.

 “The council would have been delighted with Zach’s death cause he, like Lestat, has a habit of inviting trouble but
he wasn’t their true goal.”

 LaFiamma waited until it hit him like a brick. “Morgan.” He whispered, glancing at his friend and seeing that
she’d realized the truth as well. “Kelly said the ‘Raiders always gave St. john protection so they knew if they went
after him that eventually Morgan and the boys would come.”

 “The rumors I’ve heard have it that certain council members feel that Morgan’s involvement with Lestat, Zach
and others is a danger.” Marius nodded grimly. “Threatening Zach would bring the child. Her obvious, open
adoration for Detective Lundy gave Sean and the others the perfect thing to use against us.”

 “I really don’t like this job anymore.” Joe swore, hating the next question. “Now what?”

 The Italian cop’s question hung in the air until finally Morgan spoke in a voice he’d never heard her use before.

 “Now we finish this.”

 

 “Hunting vampires in a packed arena at midnight is not my idea of a fun date.” LaFiamma was muttering to
himself as he double checked his Colts for a fourth time.

 “What would be?” the question surprised him but he couldn’t blame Morgan for wanting to take their minds off
the present situation.

 The dark haired young detective thought for a second. “Dinner for starters. Italian, of course. With music and
candles.” He paused to look over at her.

 The two were sitting in a hidden alcove above the arena where Zach was performing. It was decided that splitting
up to cover the whole place was risky but needed.

 The Queens Court Raiders and their vampire help were scattered throughout the building which viberated with
Zach’s music.

 “Remind me to dump Lundy on the boys one night and I’ll show you my idea of a real date.” Joe grinned,
expecting some sort of comeback and frowned with concern when it didn’t come. “Morgan?”

 “I always seem to get him in trouble.” She murmered, half to herself rather than him. “I’m no good for him
Joe. I’m the one they wanted but Levon….”

 “Would start one of his 4 hour Texas loyalty talks if he heard you now.” Joe cut in, reaching over to brush her
cheek lightly. “He loves you and would have ripped someone’s heart out if it was you missing. Of course, he did
mention scalping Kelly if anyone tried turning you into a snack.”

 Morgan snickered at that image, running a hand over the earphone she wore. “Nothing up here, Kel. I’m pretty
sure they’d be someplace lower anyway.”

 Joe let morgan talk to the boys as he prepared for his 3rd walk around of the rafters. “No vamp in his right mind
would hang around up here.” He decided right before he got shoved from behind, losing his balance and falling off
the rafter toward the 60 foot fall to the stage.

 

 Zachery St. john had always loved being on stage. The lights, the noise and the cheering girls weren’t bad
either. Right then, on that night, he hated it.

 Hated knowing that he was causing his friends so many problems. That he’d been used to lure his friends into this
trouble and that his best friend’s blood family was probably dead because of him.

 Singing and performing on instinct, Zach’s senses were more alert than usual which was why he happened to look
up in time to see Joseph LaFiamma as he fell off the rafter and was helpless right then to help the mortal without
ruining his cover.

 

 “Shit!” Joe swore harshly as he was barely able to twist and grab the edge of the rafter before he fell fully. “I hate
this job.”

 “You should’ve heeded my warning Detective.” Sean Kinely spoke from above the struggling cop. “It would have
saved both your life and that of your partner.”

 LaFiamma gritted his teeth as pain shot through his arms as he fought to hang on when he saw the smirking punk
lift a ruby handled sword, prepared to slash it down and end the Italian’s life.

 “Why’d you do it, kid?” he asked, figuring it couldn’t hurt to stall a little. Assuming he could hang on that long.

 “Why?” Sean laughed. “I was a small time thief who worked occasionally for H.E. Now, I have all the wealth a
thief with vampire talents can amass. In exchange for wealth, power, strength and immortality all I had to do was
lure my former employer to her death.

 “Your death first, or second if your partner’s succumbed already and then Morgan.” Sean raised the
sword. “You’re Catholic, Detective. Pray that your soul is forgiven for working with such sinners.”

 LaFiamma could have laughed in the man’s face but was too busy trying to figure a way out of this one when the
sword began to swing.

 Expecting the blow, Joe looked up again after a second and was surprised to see a look of complete shock on the
young man’s face as he looked down at the arrow protruding from his heart before he fell forward off the rafter
and toward the stage.

 “Well, that should cut the concert short.” Morgan Harrison let the mini crossbow drop to kneel down to try and
Joe back up on the rafter as the crowd below them started screaming as the dead body of Sean Kinley burst into
flames after landing. “Joe? I need help here.”

 LaFiamma was still a little shocked but could feel Morgan’s hands pulling him up when another hand reached
down, grabbed him under the arms to pull him up to safety.

 “You two alright?” Lestat demanded with concern, swearing that he was too slow again.

 Morgan just nodded but concentrated on her friend. “Joey, you in there? Joe?” she called again, beginning to
panic.

 “We’re seriously going to talk about your lifestyle, babe.” He finally responded, looking up slowly as the girl’s
blue eyes showed their relief and Lestat helped him to his feet,

 “Sean’s surprise entrance has ended the concert which has caused a mass panic.” He announced dryly, going on as
he motioned Morgan ahead of them. “Kelly’s people and the local boys are trying to control the crowds and that
leaves us trying to find Lundy.”

 “He’s not here Lestat.” Morgan was sure of that. “Something that Sean said about if he succumbed already…he’s
not here.”

 The vampire cursed soundly in French as he dropped silently the last two feet to the ground, off the ladder. “then
where?”

 “ ‘Beware the night’.” Joe repeated slowly. “Why say that? What does that mean?”

 Morgan had been walking ahead of them when she stopped. “Stereotypical.” She muttered, getting blank
looks. “The quote, the threats against Zach, all normal behavior for movie vampires. Where do vampires usually
gather?”

 “Ohhh, have I lived so long only to go sulking around graveyards now in my golden years?” Lestat groaned.

 “After that mess in Paris you hibernated underground for how many hundred years, mate?” Morgan countered
swiftly, daring him to argue that. “Should I call Louis and ask?”

 For the first time LaFiamma saw Lestat show his fangs to the girl but Morgan only waved him off with a mild
retort. “Lets go before they find out about this mess.”

 “I love her but at times I wish I could throttle her.” The vampire sighed almost fondly, then looked at Joe with a
wicked grin. “But then you know all about loving Morgan don’t you Joseph?”

 LaFiamma was left speechless as Lestat went to catch up with Morgan. “I HATE him.”
 
 

    CHAPTER SEVEN

 “Lundy and McCandliss told me that the city closed this cemetery about 20 years ago for being unsafe or
something.” LaFiamma spoke quietly, absently feeling for the cross his aunt had given him.

 Lestat found the young cop’s ‘protection’ rather cute and as such didn’t bother telling him that vampires weren’t
really affected by holy relics or garlic as the movies and television let on.

 “The old city maps show that this place had underground tunnels built into it for some reason.” Robinson was
looking at a small wrist map and trying hard to ignore the snap of the littered bones all around them. “I think some
dogs got loose in here.”

 Marius had knelt down to examine a set of bones, fingering the claw marks. “These weren’t made by normal
canines. These were chewed on by the Council’s hybrids.”

 “Like the thing at the hospital?” Joe asked, surprised by how long ago that seemed.

 “An excellent memory.” Lestat grinned, frowning at a sound. “They know we’re here.”

 Morgan took two steps back, her face pale. “Bad vibes.” She whispered as Joe’s hand closed around hers. “If it’s
too late?”

 Neither Lestat nor Marius had an answer for that. “If the council has decided to turn him then…” Marius left the
rest unsaid.

 A falling down building was in the center of the graveyard. Standing there, in front of it was a white skinned
woman with blood red lips in black leather.

 “Callistra.” Lestat spat the name like a vile curse, his fangs showing as he yanked Joe back a few steps. “I should
have known you were in on this.”

 “Of course. Who else would be able to manipulate so many to accomplish so little?” the soft drowning French
lilt would have been musical if not for the fangs she had and the two monster sized wolves beside her.

 “The mortal has no part in this.” Marius declared firmly as the ‘Raiders spread out, a few encountering and
dealing with enemies. “let me go.”

 The raven haired woman smiled, black eyes looking at LaFiamma. “The partner I presume? Humans tend to stick
together like that. The one you seek is inside but to get to him you must go through my pets.”

 “I told you we should have brought the marines.” Joe muttered, pulling his Colts. “Lady, you’re holding a
Houston cop. My Partner. To get him back, I’d go through hell.” He stated, then added. “Just don’t tell him I said
that.”

 “The council has ruled Callistra.” The same black haired young man who had been at the hospital appeared from
the shadows. “You acted without cause or orders. You attacked Zach and my employer to whom the Council has a
standing agreement with. The ruling is you are to be banished or killed. Your choice.”

 Callistra lips curled back in a snarl. “If that is to be then I will take all of you with me! Kill!”

 The attack brought an instant response from the wolves cause they immediately lunged.

 “Yep, should have gotten the marines or the dog catcher.” Joe nodded, figuring he might at least slow a dog down
with his bullets when Lestat shoved him out of the way.

 “Joseph, you do not kill these things with tiny mortal weapons.” He chided, pulling a silver dagger from under his
jacket and throwing it at the head of the oncoming animal. “That is how you do it. That and cutting its head off but
we’ll do that after you and Morgan go check on your …Morgan.”

 The vampires reminder had them both looking for the young woman.  “Oh, damn.” Both cop and vampire cursed
simultaneously,

 “Why?” she asked, standing in front of the lady vampire.

 “Because you live for the light and sought to protect the brat prince when he should have fallen.” Callistra
replied, raising a hand that would easily kill the young Federal agent if it connected. “You will die and he will
know the pain of loss that I’ve felt since he took my beloved away.”

 Morgan blinked a second. “You’ve done all this just because Lestat killed some guy 300 years ago?” she
scoffed. “Calli, get a life but you won’t take mine or my family.”

 She turned to walk past when the female killer went to reach for her as shots fired and a hand grabbed Callistra’s
throat.

 “LaFiamma, take Morgan and find your friend. Lestat will deal with Callistra.” Marius instructed calmly,
mentally ordering his young friend to finish this quickly and silently.

 Morgan hesitated before stepping into the crumbling tomb. Several ‘raiders were already there with lights. “Joe?”

 “I’m right here, kid.” He assured her, hoping what they found wasn’t too bad. “Pat?”

 The ‘Raiders 2nd in command motioned them over, meeting Joe’s eyes slowly.

 “Levon?” Morgan broke from LaFiamma’s side at the sight of her cousin laying still on the bloody
cement. “No.  Levon?”

 Joe looked at his friend, biting off the curses he wanted to throw because he knew that would upset the girl more.

 The blond, native Texan had been beaten badly, his hair was matted with dried blood and dirt and the burns and
other marks were obvious that he had suffered horribly.

 “He’s alive but….Joe, it’s bad.” Pat spoke quietly. “We’ve radioed for a helicopter to airlift him out.”

 LaFiamma nodded his thanks before kneeling next to Morgan as she gently wiped a shaking hand across Lundy’s
bloodied, bruised face but got no response.

 “He’ll be o-kay right Joe?” she asked almost hopefully, a childlike innocence in her eyes that he hated to
hurt. “Levon’ll be fine once we take him home.”

 “Sure he will, kid. Couple of days he’ll be making my life miserable again.” LaFiamma forced a smile but knew
eventually he’d have to deal with the girl on a truthful level if his friend didn’t recover. ‘Damn you Lundy, don’t
you make me have to break her heart.’ He swore silently.

 

 “Zach is continuing on with the tour, Marius and I are leaving soon but Kelly’s boys will be staying here until it’s
seen whether your friend wakes up.” Lestat spoke solemnly 24 hours later out in the hallway of Houston general
where LaFiamma was sitting. “Joe, I know it won’t mean much but…I’m sorry this happened.”

 LaFiamma didn’t answer right away. He’d only gone home long enough to shower and change before returning to
the hospital where he was forced to detail the night for Captain Joann Beaumont, minus a lot of the unbelievable
stuff.

 “So am I.” He finally sighed, standing up to look into his partner’s room. “We take risks everyday but this
time…this time I don’t know it wasn’t right and she doesn’t deserve this.”

 Lestat glanced in to where Morgan was sitting beside her cousin’s bed where she’d been since he’d been brought
to the hospital. “She a strong girl Joe but she’ll need you. Morgan’s been alone a long time and doesn’t trust many
people. She trusts you LaFiamma. Be there for her.”

 The Houston detective turned to meet the gray eyes that were watching him. “She’s my partner’s cousin,
Lestat. That is all.”

 “Sure Joe.” Lestat smiled and slapped his shoulder before heading for the elevator. “Just take care of her or I’ll
be back.”

 “Stupid vampires.” Joe muttered before entering the silent room.

 Levon Lundy, the doctors said, had been beaten badly. Along with the lack of water, food and the constant
beatings and other injuries they were surprised he’d still been alive but they doubted he’d ever regain
conciousness.

 “He’s going to be fine Joe.” Morgan hadn’t left his side. Instead, the girl had sat with her cousin as he’d sat with
her. Talking to him about anything but this time when she looked up the hope was dimmer in her eyes. “Right?”

 LaFiamma slowly pulled a chair closer to her, sitting down to take one of her hands. “The docs say it don’t look
good, kid. Lundy’s hurt bad and may not wake up.”

 Morgan blinked several times. “My fault.” She whispered. “I never should have let you guys get involved in this. I
knew the dangers of anything involving vampires but…”the words broke as she stood up to stare out the
window. “He dies and it’s my fault.”

 “No. We’re cops and St. John was our case.” Joe moved behind his young friend, gently turning her to face
him. “Lundy wouldn’t want you to blame yourself Morgan.”

 The girl swallowed the tears but couldn’t hide all of them as she sat back down, letting her forehead rest on the
bed as Joe sat down for the wait to see who was stronger: his muleheaded Texas partner or Death.

 

 Joe wasn’t sure how long he’d been asleep as he jerked awake to check on Morgan but the girl was still sleeping
with her head laying on her arms next to her older cousin.

 “Damn Lundy, don’t do this to us.” He muttered, moving to gently pick the girl up to lay her down on the cot the
boys had brought in when a movement stopped him. “Lundy?”

 “Don’t move her.” The voice was ragged and weak but to Joseph LaFiamma it was the best sound he’d heard in
days.

 His partner was awake. His friend was going to be o-kay. This day was looking better.

 

    EPILOUGE

 

    SIX WEEKS LATER 

 “You’re hovering, sugar.” Levon Lundy smiled as his cousin adjusted the pillows under his leg. “Morgan, stop.”

 The Houston detective had been released from the hospital four weeks earlier and was feeling 100% better but
Morgan insisted he rested until Stanley Blackwell, the ‘Raiders medic, said he was fully over his ordeal by the
vampires.

 Lundy really had no memories of his capture and could just remember the sounds of his cousin’s voice and that
of his partner. He’d have to bring that up to LaFiamma and see how he’d react to that.

 “There’s still swelling, you have to keep it elevated.” The girl argued until finally Lundy grabbed her hand and
pulled her down to sit on the couch beside him.

 “Darlin’, I appreciate everything you’ve done. Taking care of the ranch and all but you aren’t sleeping right. I want
you to stop hovering over me and relax.” Levon gently brushed a thumb across her cheek and for the first time
noticed the earrings she was wearing.

 For that matter, the Texan noticed his cousin was wearing a dress. A rather modest but short dress made of blue
silk with silver trim, cut up the side and off the shoulders. The earrings were the ones Levon’s late wife Carolyn
had given Morgan and matched the dress. As did the 2inch heels.

 “Well, you look very pretty this evening.” He leaned back on the pillows to watch her face. “Date or business?”

 Morgan bit her lip as she heard the car pull up in the drive and could hear the Queens Court Raiders outside
hooting and whistling at the new arrival.

 “Actually Levon, I have a date. Is that alright?” she asked quickly, beginning to panic when her cousin’s warm
laughter made her look up.

 “Morgan, you’re 25 years old. You don’t need my permission to go out on a date.” Lundy laughed, grinning. “So,
who’s your date?”

 The girl was about to reply when a footstep sounded in the living room door of Lundy’s ranch.

 “Me.”

 Joseph LaFiamma, dressed to kill in his best Italian suit and loafers, wished he had a camera to catch the look on
his partner’s face. “Ready, doll?”

 “You’re going out with LaFiamma?” Lundy wasn’t sure if he should be stunned, angry or amused. “Morgan?”

 “Yeah, he asked me and I knew Kelly and the guys would be here with you so I figured it would be alright.”
Morgan frowned, wary. “It is alright, isn’t it Levon?”

 The Texan hesitated a bit, looking between his anxious, scared cousin to his partner.

 The Italian was looking back at him with calm, amused eyes. Almost expecting this reaction. “I promise to have
her back before dawn.” He joked to break the silent tension in the room.

 “Levon?” Morgan watched his eyes, waiting for the yelling and nearly recoiled when he lightly reached out to
kiss  her cheek.

 “Have a good time, sugar.” Lundy whispered, pretending he didn’t see or feel her frightened
movements. “LaFiamma.” He called to hold his partner back as Morgan went out to find her jacket and give the
mercs final orders.

 “I want her to have a good time. You control your. Alright?” the warning was there, as was the concern in Levon’s
blue eyes. “Joe, she’s scared.”

 LaFiamma smiled reassuringly as he accepted his partners handshake. “Lundy, I won’t hurt her.” He promised,
heading for the door and pausing to look back and added. “In fact, I think I may be falling in love with her.”

 “LaFiamma!” Lundy shouted even as the front door slammed and he was left to muttered under his breath until he
stopped and laughed. “Wonder if Joe realizes that if he dates Morgan that’ll mean Kelly and the boys full time?”

 With that thought, the Texan laid back and relaxed. Figuring his cousin was safer with Joe than his partner was
with her if he made her mad.

 “Guess I should have mentioned she’s a witch.”

 

    THE END
 
 

WARNINGS: Mild language, violence and other things children probably shouldn’t read. All characters except
for Joe, Levon, Lestat and Marius along with any other mentions of famous vampires are my own creations and
are not to be used by anyone else. The inclusion of Anne Rice’s people was merely for entertainment and not for
profit, I hope she doesn’t mind and think I portrayed these fine gentlemen in true light.

Thanks.

Also, this author appreciates any and all feedback. Thanks.

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