THE HUNT IS ON

The three vampires turned to face Asher and myself as we entered the room.
Jean-Claude spared us a polite smile by way of greeting.  "Ah, mes amis, we
were hoping you would join us soon.  Please, have a seat," he waved us
towards one of the sofas.  "I believe you already know Monsieur Vladimir."

Asher guided me to the indicated seat.  "Oui, although it has been many
decades since we met last," he confirmed.  "Ma rose d'acier is more recently
acquainted than I."

"Ja, I had the pleasure of meeting Frau Lowery and her husband while I was in
Georgia," Vlad nodded, eyes never leaving us.

I didn't like the way he kept staring at *me* in particular.  It made me
nervous, but damned if I was going to show it.  I leaned my head over onto
Asher's shoulder, doing my best to look at ease.  I was finding my master's
touch calming.  I realized he must be using the marks to help me fend off my
panic.  I'd heard enough horror stories about the Council and their ways to
make me not want anything to do with them.

Vlad smiled pleasantly at us.  "You have led me a merry chase mein Herr," he
told Asher.  I expected to visit you in your new territory, yet instead I
find you here."  He steepled his fingers together in front of his face,
leaning back in his seat, legs crossed.  "One would almost think you were
fleeing our Mistress' attention."
 
Asher replied, "My apologies that you did not receive my message, informing
you of a need to postpone our meeting.  Belle really needs to get rid of
Claudia as a personal secretary.  The girl is such a scatter-brain."  Vlad
chuckled in agreement to that statement.  Asher continued, "As you know,
though I am master of my own city now, I still act as Jean-Claude's second.
It is at his request that my entourage has travelled here."

That last part was a lie, but Asher had always been able to lie convincingly
to lesser masters, and Vlad wasn't even that.

Vlad must have noticed that Jean-Claude was mirroring his pose, for a look of
irritation briefly crossed his face.  He lowered his hands to the arms of his
chair.  Ramses had removed himself to one of the other sofas, sitting in
shadows.  Something didn't feel right about his presence, but I couldn't
place my finger on it.

Vlad looked about to question Jean, probably to find out what could be so
important as to supercede Council business.  The door opened unexpectedly,
and all four vampires took on that immobile, dead presence that I was growing
to despise.  'Kylie!' I 'heard' Asher cry in his mind a split second before
closing his shields down.

I looked to see the woman in question storm into the room in blood-encrusted
clothes, followed shortly by Richard and Jason.  The pup sported a healing
shoulder wound.  NOW what? I wondered.  I also sensed a power surge from our
"guest" when Kylie glanced at him...he was hiding something.

"Good evening, mademoiselle Everett," Jean-Claude's voice came with silky
seduction dripping from every "innocent" word.  "Is everything all right?"

Her response was clipped, like she'd rather take a chunk out of him than talk
to him, "Fine.  Where's Ramses?"

"Right here, princess," the magi answered softly from his seat, his voice
carrying a soothing edge to it.  She hesitated a moment, then took the seat
next to him, placing her hand on his wrist to show her status.  As her gaze
fell once again on Vlad, I felt the power surge again.

'Asher, he's hiding something,' I told my master mentally.  'Every time Kylie
looks his way he's pouring a lot of extra juice into his shields.  Reckon
there's something the Council rep doesn't want the feds to know about?'

'There could be, ma rose,' he replied.

Richard was speaking with Jean-Claude.  "It's my duty to my people to go on
this hunt, Jean-Claude," he was telling the vampire.  "The last time one of
these creatures invaded our territory, we both lost several good people.
Besides, I know the lay of the land there better than anyone else."

"I understand your concern, Richard.  I wish I could go with you tonight
myself," Jean said with a flourishing sigh.  "Alas, I do not wish to shirk my
duties to our guest here.  I wish you good hunting."

Vlad spoke up, "Pardon.  Who is this preson whom you seek?"

Jean-Claude gave him his best blank stare for the space of a heartbeat before
answering.  "A renegade who's killed people in my territory," he smiled
softly.  Someone who seeks to maintain the vampire's bad reputation in this
community.  But do not worry.  He will be dealt with.  Detective Everett and
her master are here to see to that very thing, aren't you Ramses?"

'I think Jean just offered US an excuse for being here, too,' I shot at
Asher.  'It's safer than coming out and admitting that Anita is out of it and
weakening him.'

'Oui,' Asher agreed.  'Such a weakness being discovered would draw the rest
of the Council to destroy us like blood in the water draws sharks.'

Ramses gave a solemn nod, stating, "And we should be on our way shortly
before the creature hunts again."

"Right," Kylie added.  "And since Sergeant Storr will be waiting for us, I'll
just change and we can be on our way."  She stood and the Ulfric and vampires
stood with her.  A split second later, Jason stood too.  I hid an inward
smile at his lagging manners.

Detective Everett headed for the hallway then stopped short, turning to look
at Vlad again.  I felt his shields surge again, this time noticing that it
seemed to be causing Kylie pain or discomfort.

Jean-Claude noticed it, too.  "Is there something amiss, mademoiselle?" he
asked her.

She blinked at him for a few moments, as if not really looking at *him*.
Vlad's shields continued to thrum with energy.  Finally, she shook her head,
"No.  I'll be ready in a minute."  She then continued down the hall towards
her room.

"This hunt sounds like it might be interesting, Jean-Claude," the Council
representative offered his opinion.  "Exactly what kind of creature is this
renegade?"

Jean-Claude seemed to consider things for a moment before answering.  "He is
a dragon.  Perhaps you would care to join the hunt for him?" he suggested.
"To make up for not having a more appropriate entertainment prepared for your
arrival, monsieur," he added.

The German vampire smiled, just a bit too eagerly to my mind, and said, "What
a delightful notion, mein Herr.  I would indeed find it entertaining to join
you in hunting this rogue dragon."

Jean-Claude smiled apologetically, "Ah, monsieur.  I fear that I still will
not be able to join the hunt personally.  I must oversee the preparation of
your accommodations.  I will also require Asher's services in this.  These
younger vampires have absolutely no sense of style."  He waved his hand in a
foppish manner.  "I am also expecting another guest sometime soon."

"Oh really?  Who would that be?" Vlad raised an eyebrow.

Jean's face took on that courtly mask he used to hide his thoughts.  "No one
of any importance," he replied.  Vlad let it drop, showing no further
curiosity.

'Odd that one of Belle's reps wouldn't know about Musette's expected
arrival,' I commented mentally to Asher.  'She's Belle's second.  Surely
something like that would be well known in her camp.'

'I agree it seems odd,' Asher told me.  'Still, it was always her habit to
keep Vladimir on errands away from court...sometimes for years at a time.
Perhaps he is just, as you Americans say, out of the loop.'

I watched warily as Vlad rose from his seat with that unnatural grace all the
old ones have and glided over to stand before Asher and myself.  I *did*
notice that his walk wasn't as smooth as either Jean-Claude's or Asher's.  "I
am sure you would not wish me to go unescorted about your lands,
Jean-Claude," he told our host.  Taking my hand and raising it to his lips,
he continued, "And since neither you nor Asher will be attending, perhaps the
lovely Frau Lowery would consent to be my escort for the evening."

It took everything in me to keep from yanking my hand away and shying from
this vampire.  He gave me the creeps.  But, I knew we needed to keep an eye
on this one.  So instead, I smiled and inclined my head to him.  "If my
master permits, I would be honored," I lied.

Jean-Claude nodded his approval of my action.  Asher said, "We are honored by
your request, monsieur."

"Good," Vlad beamed.  "After all, Frau, you *are* the reason my Mistress sent
me in search of your master."

I did *not* like being reminded of that.  Belle Morte's attention was the
*last* thing I wanted.  What I said, however, was, "Let me get my coat, and
I'll be right back."  Once again, all the men rose as I got up to go to my
room.

'I don't *trust* him, Asher,' I growled in my mind.  'He's up to something.
He jumped at what was obviously a distraction to get him out of here just a
little too easily.'

'Oui, ma rose,' Asher concurred.  'I intend to speak with Jean about that.
He suspects something as well...I recognize the signs.  Remember that
Vladimir is Council and do not underestimate him.  Be careful, Tamara.'  That
he'd used my real name told me how worried he was, though you wouldn't have
known it to look at him.

'I *intend* to be,' I assured him.  I didn't trust Vlad as far as I could
spit a rat.

I bumped into Kylie as I was leaving my room and putting my coat on.

"Where are *you* going?" she asked.

I kept my voice low, so as not to carry back to the living room, "Vladimir's
joining the hunt, and I get to baby-sit."  I rolled my eyes.  "I think
Jean-Claude suggested it just to get him out from under foot for a few hours.
 I'm surprised that Vlad went for it so quickly."

Kylie nodded, seeming lost in concentration for a while, like she was trying
to remember something.  After a moment she shrugged and asked, "Do you still
have the Firestar with you?"

"Complete with silver ammo and a spare clip," I confirmed, flashing the top
of the inner pants holster.

"Good.  Try to stick close to Ramses and me," she instructed.  We continued
on to the living room in silence.  Once we entered the room, she nodded to
her partner that we were ready.  Then they headed towards the door, Richard
and Jason following.

Vlad and I started to bring up the rear, when Asher caught me by the arm,
holding me back.  Vlad stopped as well, waiting blank faced.  Asher turned me
to face him, eyes searching my face.  One elegant hand reached up brushing a
strand of hair aside.  "Come back to me," he whispered then kissed me briefly.

"I will," I replied solemnly.  Then I turned to the Council rep.  "We better
go now, or we'll get left behind," I told him.  He motioned me ahead of him.
I would have rather kept him in sight instead of have him at my back, but I
didn't see any way politely to say so, so I let it slide.

Once in the parking lot we had to decide who would ride with whom.  Much to
Jason's displeasure, he got to ride with Richard, while the rest of us piled
into Anita's Jeep.  I felt sorry for him, but I couldn't blame Kylie for
wanting Ramses close by with a Council representative in the same car.  I was
sure the ancient vampire was better prepared to deal with Belle's boy than
the werewolf would be.

When we arrived at the preserve where the hunt was to be, there were already
several police vehicles there.  Detective Everett and Ramses went ahead to
clear the way for the rest of us.  They returned shortly with a detective who
dressed almost as badly as Willie and made me think instantly of Columbo, and
a giant of a man, that made my dad look small (which he ISN'T).  Both were
very careful to avoid making eye contact with Vlad.

"I don't like you bringing all these civilians on my hunt, Everett," the
large man glowered.

"Sergeant Storr," Kylie addressed him.  "I've already explained why Mr.
Schyuler and Mr. Zeeman need to come along...one is my official escort, and
Mr. Zeeman knows the lay of the land better than anyone else here."

"That still doesn't explain the bloodsucker or the woman," he stated.

Vlad stepped forward, earning several weapons suddenly trained on him by the
sergeant's team.  He stopped, hands raised to show he meant no harm.
"Perhaps I can explain, Herr Storr," he said.

"Sergeant," Storr corrected absently.

Vlad nodded. "Sergeant Storr, I am a visiting representative from the Vampire
Council.  I have had dealings with draconians several times in the past and
may be able to offer assistance in the capture or elimination of this rogue
dragon," he continued.  "Those I answer to would be most displeased if I were
to allow such a rogue to go unpunished.  It is their wish that all vampires
show we can peacefully coexist with humans.  The actions of such as this
dragon are in violation of OUR laws as well as those of this wonderful
country."

Even though I *knew* it was mostly spur of the moment bullshit, I was almost
convinced by it.  The sergeant still looked skeptical, however.  "Okay, I'll
grant you that...but what about her?" he demanded.

Vlad smiled.  "Frau Lowery is *my* official escort while I am in
Jean-Claude's territory, Sergeant Storr...just as Mr. Schyuler is Detective
Everett's," he explained smoothly.

The Sergeant spared us one more glare, but gave the OK for us to join the
hunt...making sure that Kylie and Ramses knew they were responsible for the
three of us.  Richard was to stick with *him*, being the only "human" not
"mixed up with the monsters."  Plus, his knowledge of the terrain was thought
best applied with the command team.  Jason actually managed to keep a
straight face when his Ulfric was mistaken for human.

Everyone was assigned sections of the preserve to cover, and we headed out.
I was grateful that the ground wasn't marshy.  Idiot me had forgotten to
change my three-inch heeled boots for hikers.

Almost without realizing it, Vlad and I fell further and further behind
Ramses and Kylie.  My night vision was pretty good, but I still found myself
relying on the vampire's sight a lot.  Before I knew it, we lost sight of the
others.

Suddenly, Vlad stopped, looking up.  "Dragon," he whispered, then knocked me
to the ground, falling on top of me before I could see anything.  The thick
layer of leaves cushioned my fall, but I thought I must've landed on a sharp
twig or something.  I felt a stabbing pain in my arm.  I managed one mental
cry to my master, "ASHER...."  Then everything faded to black....