Denise stood a few steps outside of her barn watching Dusty play carelessly in the snow that peacefully blanketed her farm. Events of the evening played in her mind and Denise felt her heart beating with excitement knowing what was coming to her doorstep. “It won’t be long now, love.” Denise stared out over the expanse of her farm and then to the trees bathed in moonlight. “I can almost feel you.”

“Excuse me, Loved One?” Heather had silently walked to stand with Denise. “I saw you come outside, and I wanted to check on you.”

Turning to face the doctor, Denise pointed to Dusty. “He wanted to play for a little while.” Dusty rolled back to his feet and barked once at Denise. “Yes, boy. I know you love the snow.” Denise shook her head and then concentrated on Heather. “You should go back inside; I am about to present everyone with a few tokens of gratitude.”

“Loved One…” Heather zipped up her blue leather jacket and looked at Denise with regret in her brown eyes. “…I hate to say this.” She scratched her light brown-gray hair nervously, “..I honestly don’t know how to say this, without it being difficult.” Heather knelt down and whistled and waited for Dusty to run up so she could pet his head gently. “…I have to leave.” Heather pulled her officer pin from her pocket and handed it to Denise. “I know I have served the cause for quite a few years, mended and tended to the wounded as we’ve conducted operations all over to stop the vampires.”

Denise watched as the little captain’s pin was placed in her hand. “But?” Denise offered and closed her hand around the little decoration. “I still need you, Heather. What is coming to us now is likely the biggest threat of them all.” Holding out her arms and slowly spinning in a circle to indicate the farm, Denise continued. “The five of you remain. Through all of it..” Denise tapped Heather, “…You have kept us safe.” Pausing and then pointing into the open barn, “Captain Jonah would be long gone without your inventive infusions.” Denise took Heather’s hand into her own. “We still…”

Heather closed her eyes and shook her head, pulling away from Denise. “…No, Loved One.” Heather finished petting Dusty and the dog ran off to snap and bark at the snow once more. “I haven’t felt whole since Derek died.” She poked her finger at Denise’s art smock. “I know we blamed it on Wendy, but the truth is we don’t know what killed him.” Heather started walking towards her blue and white motorcycle, with the BMW symbol missing and replaced with a caduceus on the gas tank. “I know you claimed he was drained by a vampire…” Heather grunted and pushed her heavy bike from the garage and pulled the helmet from the seat. “… Yet, I get the odd feeling that that wasn’t the complete truth.”

Denise took a breath as she noticed that Heather’s motorcycle had all of the doctor’s personal belongings already strapped to the frame. “You pre-planned this little disappearing act?” Dusty sensed the tone shift in Denise’s voice and hurried to his master, nudging her thigh. “Just five more minutes, please. Let me give you the token I made for you.” Denise smiled and pointed to the artwork on Heather's bike, “It will match what you have there.” Dusty barked and shook himself off, throwing water all over Denise. “Dusty…” Denise laughed and pointed to the barn. “...Go, enough snow for you. Get warm.” She looked at Heather, “It is a medical cross made from the left over kyanite. I thought it might come in handy for you.”

Watching as the playful puppy ran inside and howled, Heather unbuckled the chin strap to her helmet and pointed to the lettering on the side of the gas tank. “I will do no harm.” Heather then tapped the other side, “I will keep pure both my body and art.” Heather placed the key in the ignition, “There are many other factors that I could go into, but I think it is enough with the loss of Derek and what we did to Wendy, that I have a few things to think about and rediscover about myself.” Holding up her right hand and allowing the soft white glow to appear, Heather smiled. “I don’t even match the green you and the others have, Denise.”

“At least let me give you the token, It is the least I can do.” Denise then pointed at her kitchen. “One last chance? Some tea perhaps?”

Flicking down the foot petals, Heather climbed on her bike. “No thank you, Denise.” She pulled on a set of matching leather gloves after she fastened the helm properly. “Give the cross to your next doctor.” Heather watched as the other four walked up to the barn entrance, their features hidden by the light emanating from inside. “Good luck, Denise.” Heather waved to the others and sped off down the dirt path.

Watching as the bike sped down the driveway, Denise silently cursed the fact the other four had come to the barn entrance. -Damn it.- Denise thought and felt Raollet come up behind her. “Captain Mattson, you are one more soldier down.” Denise handed him the officer pin from Heather, “She resigned and left.”

Raollet caught a glimpse of the bags strapped to the machine as Heather turned onto the main road. “She must have packed while we were out there fighting.” Taking off his hat and tipping it once to the disappearing Heather, Raollet smiled at Denise. “Don’t think too much about it, she didn’t really fight anyway.” He put his baseball cap on backwards once more. “What are we going to do about blue-eyes?”

“Right to the point is it?” Denise lightly laughed and spun her wiry smile. “First, We go back inside.”

Raollet offered his arm for Denise and the two started walking to the barn opening. “You know the rest of us stand with you, Loved One.”

Making their way back into the barn and to the table that held the few remaining scraps of food, Denise motioned for the others to sit. “I have good news and bad news.” The Darla waited for the few groans to come from her companions. “Twin bad news. Heather left.” She pointed behind her to the open barn doors. “You all witnessed it, you just don’t know why.”

“Coward.” Kino muttered.

“Weak minded.” Jonah added.

“Nothing to fight for.” Brian magically covered his hand in rock. “Want me to stop her,

Loved One? Bring her back, explain how we all love her?”

“Easy there chief.” Raollet laughed and handed Brian a glass of peach tea. “Drink that and let’s hear what The Darla has to say.”

Denise walked up to the third floor and grabbed a small stack of boxes. “The secondary bad news is that the vampire queen is coming.” The Darla seemingly floated back to the table with the four small boxes in hand. “I will need all of you to help me wrangle her in.”

Brian grimaced and hit the table, “I thought the point was to kill this vampire, not wrangle…”

The Darla flashed her devious hazel eyes at her student. “Brian.” She half snarled, “Refrain from interrupting me with your hatred.” Taking a deep breath and walking to Brian first, she handed the big man his box and patted him on the shoulder. “Your vigilance and determination to save Casey from the fiend is commendable. Please be calm, you are among family here, we love you.” The Darla winked. “Pick your battles, my novitiate. You will have plenty of time to get Casey back, don’t worry.”

Brian felt the words from his teacher start to soothe his mind, “You are right, Loved One.”

His eyes scanned the red box with a gold ribbon tied to it. “Thank you for your generosity, My Loved One.”

“You’re very welcome, Brian. You have come a long way in only a few days.” She handed a black box wrapped in gold ribbon to Jonah. “Captain Charles Jonah. This is for you.” The Darla smiled and spoke to the group, “He has distinguished himself among us by selflessly sacrificing his own body in some cases, in order to facilitate intricate spells that protected all of us. Like tonight. Without the extreme use of his skills, we wouldn’t have escaped in time.”

“Loved One.” Charles bowed his head wearily. “I don’t have much magic left in me. Look.” He raised his sleeve and exposed the pale skin on his arm. “It has fed on me too much. I didn’t heed your warnings about maintaining food stores.” He flicked the gold bow on the box. “I love magic too much.”

The Darla leaned over and kissed her fellow mage on the cheek, “Don’t worry my friend, I know how low your reserves are and have accounted for it.” Denise walked and handed Captain Kino a deep orange box with the same gold ribbon. “Captain Angelie Kino.” The Darla began, “I never expected to have a woman of such strength and determination within my humble home. I realized your potential after your first hand to hand fight with one of the night stalkers. You have developed into a machine that can cleanse the battlefield clear of them given enough time. You fight with such grace that I sometimes believe that you missed a calling earlier in life.”

Humbly accepting the box, Angelie studied the meticulous way it had been covered and tied. “You dote on us too much, Loved One.” Captain Kino looked up, “I love and serve you. I don’t do this for gifts or accolades. I am protecting the others out there and protecting you, Loved One.”

Finally, Denise set a green box in front of Raollet. “My oldest disciple. My oldest friend.” She pointed to the silver wrapping on the box. “I wanted yours to stand out a little from the others.” The Darla turned the old farmer’s head slightly and kissed his lips. “My confidant. You have been at my side, unwavering since I awakened you all those years ago. I couldn’t have imagined your whole dedication to the cause. You’ve seen the struggles over the years and every time, plotted and planned ways to keep the path alive. Tonight’s attack was a crowning achievement in the history of the Awakened.”

“My dedication is my love for you, Denise…” Raollet paused and looked at the others,

“...Loved One.” Reliving some of the more tender moments between himself and Denise, Raollet blushed when the woman kissed him on the lips. “I’ll never leave your side, Loved One.” His brown eyes shone with admiration, “I love you. Always.”

The Darla nodded and walked to the end of the table. “Please.” She held up her hand, “Open your gifts. Crafted with my own hands, those boxes hold my love for you four.”

Captain Kino pulled the delicate gold ribbon free of her burnt orange box and lifted the top. “It’s a feather.” She pulled the little card that accompanied the gift. “Hawk’s feather. The hawk symbolizes protection, guile and dedication.” Angelie put down the card and lifted the feather for the other three to see. “Thank you, Loved One. I will treasure this always.”

Captain Jonah slipped the gold ribbon off without pulling the bow, and slid it onto his wrist. “You took the time to make it perfect, why destroy the art?” He lifted the top from his black box and picked up the trinket slightly confused. “It’s a scythe, Loved One?” Charles chuckled when The Darla pointed into the box. “Right. The card. Let’s see now.” Captain Jonah sighed and read. “The scythe, the source of power for the Grim Reaper. Harbinger of Death. Quietly leading the ghosts to the next realm, the next life. The end of one cycle and the beginning of another.” He tumbled the trinket in his hand for a couple seconds. “Ceramic? I love it.” Charles bowed his head, “Thank you, Loved One. I lived to serve your love and wisdom.”

Brian gazed longingly at his red box. “This is almost a waste of time, Loved One.” He jerked the ribbon free and flicked the small box open. “I would prefer to save Casey…” He lifted his little object and turned it over a few times to figure out what it was. He looked up and saw one of The Darla’s slender eyebrows raised. “The card.” He haphazardly dug out the little card, “Flame. The symbol of purification, inner illumination and in some cases destruction. The flame is both helpful and hurtful, provides warmth and can burn.” Brian squinted and dumped the object back in the box. “Loved One, You promised me that I will save Casey, bring her back to me. Remember? Tough love?”

The Darla held up one of her slender fingers and pointed to Raollet.

Captain Mattson held the box up to Denise and let her graciously pull the bow away from his green box. “My thanks, Loved One.” He winked and lifted the top to reveal a bright red heart. Raollet felt a rush of emotion and a tear slipped down his cheek when he lifted the delicate object from the box. He wiped the tears from his eyes and chuckled, “Gimme a minute and I will read the card.” He laughed, “I knew you loved me, D…” He stopped and picked up the card. “The Heart. A symbol of all that is steady and beating with purpose. The shape denotes love and caring, it is the central part of the body and without it the body is unable to survive. Provides the pulse and rhythm within. Delivers what is necessary to maintain balance, delivers the cure to plague and disease.” Raollet finished reading the card and palmed the red heart in his wrinkled hand. “Thank you.”

The Darla clapped for the small group. “They are more than symbolic, my friends.” Closing her eyes, Denise summoned the black and green tendrils of magic and lifted the four trinkets so they were eye level with the group. “Brian. To answer your question, These are more than objects of valor. They contain a part of my own magic to imbue you with more power so that you can face down the coming vampire queen.” Easing back her magic, The Darla forced the items into each of their palms. “On the count of three, break them and breathe the magic into your bodies.”

The four sat quietly and watched The Darla.

“Three…two…one.”

All four of them broke their tokens at the same time and breathed deeply.

Unfamiliar with the terrain below her as she flew across, Vivienne had begun using the highway and bigger roads to lead and guide her closer to the farm that held Faye. Thinking about the moment that Faye turned into an Osprey, Vivienne dreamed about gliding through the sky as a couple. -It will be us soon, mon amour.- Vivienne told herself. Seeing lights ahead, Vivienne noted that the lit area wasn’t a set of homes, but a bigger set area with a few different stations for fuel and food. -Blood.- Her mind begged and her body burned. Angling to the right, the little raven used the uplift of the current to allow her to circle the well lit area. She counted over a dozen trucks and twice that many cars. Diving between the furthest two semi-trucks that were in partial darkness, Vivienne landed and assumed her human form. “It is a place to refuel, afterall.” Vivienne chuckled to herself and could hear Faye telling her that the joke was horrible and to stop trying. Vivienne shook off the fun little memory and scaled one of the trailers and watched the people that were walking casually back and forth into the main building.

Keeping low and to the shadows the best she could, Vivienne made her way to the side of the main building. -Cameras.- Vivienne told herself and spotted the four that were angled at the parking lot and the gas pumps. Scaling the brick wall, Vivienne gracefully hopped onto the roof and counted another six cameras. “Covers most every space, except the roof.” Vivienne took a deep breath and smiled once more thinking about how easy of a task it would be for Faye to do something with the cameras. “Tigerlily, I will have to do this the old-fashioned way until we are reunited.”

It was the sound of a motorcycle that interrupted Vivienne’s stalking and feeding plan. Curious, Vivienne made her way to the front side of the roof and watched the little bike make its way to the closest pump and shut off. When the wind shifted, Vivienne was bathed in the scent emanating from the rider. -Doctor Addison.- Vivienne told herself and confirmed her senses when Heather removed her helmet and started pumping gas. Backtracking until she was closer to the semi’s, Vivienne kept her eyes trained on her former ally. -Interesting turn of events, Ancient one.- Her dark void spoke. -Things are not what you thought, humm? Delightfully wicked.- Vivienne shook her head and forced the voice to the recess of her mind. “It was right though, my conclusions are not accurate since she is here.” Vivienne spoke to herself softly.

Watching as Heather paid for her gas at the pump, Vivienne was pleasantly surprised when the woman started the bike and drove it to an unoccupied spot close to the side of the food mart. Vivienne made her way over to a shallow spot where the camera’s couldn’t see and it was dark enough to hide in at first glance.

A few minutes passed before Vivienne spotted her target exiting the store eating a rather large sandwich. “Heather.” Vivienne confidently spoke when the gray haired woman had reached her bike.

“Oh holy fuck!” Heather jumped and dropped her food on the ground. Heather instinctively raised her hand and the rune on her palm started to glow white. “Who the…what..” Heather quickly stammered and took a few steps backward. “You won’t attack me in front of everyone, you leach bitch. I can see your fucking yellow eyes. You can’t hide from an awakened.”

“You wound me, my old friend.” Vivienne calmly stated and walked partly from the shadows. “I have tracked your magic from the attack back in Petersburg, Heather.”

Once in the light, Heather watched as the yellow dots faded away and a set of almost magical blue crystal eyes appeared. “V..Vivienne?” Heather questioned and kept her hand up in defense. “I should have guessed you were the one behind it all. The vampire queen, the one that made them all.”

Vivienne heard the words and could hardly believe what Heather was saying. “Queen? Hardly.” Vivienne dropped her fangs into place and extended her claws from her fingers. “Do not presume that the small population here will protect you.” Vivienne took a menacing step forward. “You and your ilk have someone dear to me and I aim to get her back, starting with you.”

“I’m pregnant.” Heather sighed and lowered her hand, letting her rune fade. “I thought I could escape before the master vampire arrived, I never knew it would be you.”

“It isn’t me.” Vivienne crouched as though she were going to strike. “Your little attack back there erased about every vampire in the city. Minus myself and my only progeny.”

Heather shook her head, “You’d destroy this entire place just to kill me? Some doctor.” She sighed and picked up the destroyed sandwich. “Can we just let this be the only casualty?” Heather tossed the mess into a garbage can.

“I can be civil, of course.” Vivienne took one more step forward but stayed out of the camera. “I surmised that you aren’t the leader of that group.” She pointed at Heather’s rune.

“However, your..ability left residue that I remembered.” Vivienne paused, “The shootings just before graduation. You used it.”

Heather laughed and sat down on her motorcycle. “I had nothing to do with the attack this evening, they collectively left me behind to look after..well, look after someone and to tend to the wounded.” Looking up at the moon as the clouds drifted by, Heather gave a light sigh. “There were only two wounded, I assume the rest died at the hands of the other piranhas.” Heather shrugged and picked up her helmet. “The thing.. you call a progeny, is still with them.”

“Her name is Faye.” Vivienne corrected.

“Was Faye, bitch is undead now.” Heather added and slipped her helmet on.

“You call this civil?” Vivienne raised one of her eyebrows and opened her hands. “Perhaps you would like to end the armistice?”

Heather shook her head, “No, let’s keep the peace.” She touched her stomach, “I desire my baby more than I desire killing you.” Heather pointed at the vampiress, “That doesn’t change the fact that your entire existence is abhorrent to me.” Heather tightened her chin strap, “Your kind killed my child’s father, feed off of our fears, charm us into complacency.” Her tone sharpened, “Make us beg for you to consume our very life, without even a thought of who that person is.” Heather huffed and shook her head, “You even swore to save life, Vivienne.  A doctor.”

“Ever consider the fact that there are some of us that weren’t given the choice to become the creatures you hate so much?” Vivienne asked and saw the look of disgust in Heather's brown eyes. “I suppose not. Let me start with the obvious. I had nothing to do with the events of this city. I didn’t create the business or drag the people there on their own free will.” She blinked her crystal blue eyes, “Much like yourself, I am here for love. My interest lies in saving Faye.” Vivienne took a step into the shadows and stood upright, in the effort to maintain some semblance of peace. “Perhaps you could share what awaits at this farm?”

Heather snorted and turned the key to start the engine, which began purring softly. “I’m not betraying my family or The Darla. I am a lot of things, but I am not a traitor.” Heather clicked her foot to put her bike in reverse. “I care less if either of you die at The Darla’s hands.”

“Until our paths cross again, Doctor?” Vivienne crossed her arms and watched as the motorcycle slowly moved backwards.

“Perhaps they won’t.” Heather said and drove off.

Vivienne stood where she was and waited until the thrumming sound of Heather's bike faded into the distance before she turned and spoke to the darkness behind her. “Brilliant. The both of you.” Vivienne watched as a set of kids started running around their mother’s car playing tag. “I am thankful that you both held back and didn’t interrupt.”

“I said I had your back, Viv.” Casey walked up and hugged Vivienne. “Who was she anyways?”

Vivienne softly ran her fingers in Casey’s wavy auburn hair. “Old companion.” Vivienne quickly explained how she knew Heather and the connection that she’d made before arriving at the manor. “One thing is for certain, I was incorrect about the leader and the number of people that could be at this farm.”

Wiping her lips free of excess blood, Sylvie seemed to form out of the shadow itself. “You said that there were five that got away from you?” She pointed at the open street that Heather had taken, “She wasn’t among them?”

“No.” Vivienne smiled, “I saw a set of yellow orbs from the location where they escaped from. Miss Addison’s eyes are normal.” Vivienne pointed to Sylvie, “Weren’t you concerned about the cameras?”

Sylvie chuckled and shook her head, “Nope.” She mentioned triumphantly, “I have a working knowledge of..” She held up her hands and made quotes, “..camera systems.” Sylvie noticed the confused looks on both Casey’s and Vivienne’s faces before rolling her eyes and explaining, “Kody showed me the different surveillance cameras, how the shutters worked, where the lenses were flawed, which cameras were the best or worst.” She pointed at the bold white shapes on the roof. “Those aren’t even digital. They are old and still use a VHS tape. Odds are they aren’t even working.” Sylvie changed the subject back, “Tell us what you initially thought, Vivienne. Also..Did I hear her call you a vampire queen?”

Casey saw Vivienne hold up a finger, then speed off. “I heard that too, vampire queen. Odd.” Casey spotted Vivienne quickly feeding from a couple that had simply been talking as they pumped gas. “She does that with such elegance.”

“Both a curse and experience.” Sylvie offered as her eyes phased to match the moon overhead. “It takes a while to be able to do it like she does.” Sylvie gently pulled Casey’s hair into a ponytail and secured it with a hair tie. “It burns, you know.” She watched as Casey’s chocolate eyes filled with curiosity. “I will explain it later.” Sylvie pointed to Vivienne as she came back to their gathering spot.

Vivienne pointed at the family who had been playing around a few minutes before. “Vampire queen. I am familiar with the concept, though it is flawed.” Vivienne held up four fingers to match the family, “The idea is that I would have created say four progeny.” She then poked her thumb out, “Say I am the thumb. Take me out and the other four die instantly. A domino effect, that couldn’t be more incorrect.”

“I wonder where they got the idea from?” Casey flipped her hair over her shoulder and nodded to Sylvie, “Thanks.”

Vivienne watched the two for a few seconds, “It isn’t an unfounded claim, however…I would rather focus on Faye. The longer we wait the longer she goes with that thing in her chest and loses blood.”

“You know this confirms that The Ripped waited for us to send Drake to find you, Vivienne.” Sylvie mentioned. “The timing of the attack was the night after you arrived. I wonder if Issac captured that commander or he came to us.”

Vivienne’s eyes widened, “The man did say he was under a white flag and delivered a speech to the council.” Vivienne paced back and forth, kicking a couple rocks as she did so. “He did call me blue eyes, like he was confirming something.” Vivienne picked up one of the gray and black blended pebbles and lightly tossed it across the parking lot. “I think we keep going with the plan, except we have to acknowledge that there could be more of the Ripped there than we know. My assertion was that their numbers were depleted because I only saw a few escape.”

“I think it would be best if Casey and I stayed back in the woodline close to the farm itself. Once you give us the layout, we can go after Faye.” Sylvie raised her eyebrow and waited for confirmation from Vivienne that never came. “Vivienne, don’t go in there alone. You did ask us to help you know.”

Seeing the concerned looks on her companions' faces, Vivienne shook her head slowly. “I agree. I will not go in by myself.”

Casey started hopping in place and stretching her thighs, “Let’s get going!”

Deciding to stay with the others, Vivienne winked at the both of them and rather than taking her tiny raven form, she shifted into a small silver haired fox. Vivienne chirp-barked once and pointed her tiny black nose in the direction that she sensed Faye.

Casey couldn’t help herself and reached down to pick up Vivienne. “I was right!” She giggled and saw how the blue eyes from Vivienne’s slender fox form almost glared at her. “Adorable in every way. I could just..” Casey squished Vivienne against her big chest, “Wait until Faye sees you like this.”

Sylvie snickered to herself and pointed to the ground. “You might want to set her down, Her fluffy tail is twitching not swishing.”

Vivienne wiggled and licked Casey’s face, before her ward set her back on the ground. Twisting her pointed ears up, Vivienne’s blue eyes focused on her ward until Casey got the message. Satisfied that the others would follow, Vivienne bounded off into the distance as fast as she could.

–-

Traveling quickly through the different fields of soybean, cotton and wheat Vivienne and her companions stopped at the edge of a dark cornfield. The moon cast an eerie light over the field, highlighting the dusky yellow tops while a shadow fell over the dark green leaves that rustled lightly with the wind from the trees. Vivienne stopped running and shifted back to her feminine form and held her hand up. “Stop. This is the place..but..” She pointed at the tall, creepy corn stalks that she now noticed were surrounded by a heavy and dank green mist that seemed to be petting the crip leaves. Vivienne watched the swirls of the hazy smog turn back just as a wisp would attempt to go beyond the edge of the field. “These stalks have to be over ten feet...Why isn’t it coming into the woods?”

Sylvie wandered up to Vivienne’s right, “Feel that? It’s magical.”

Casey nodded and looked at Vivienne, “I kinda feel it? What do we do Vivienne?”

Vivienne walked along the border of the woodline and confirmed her suspicions. “Whatever this is, certainly isn’t reaching beyond the border of the field.” She held up a finger. “Which tells me that at the very least this is some sort of alarm.” Vivienne took a wide route back to her friends, “I also am apprehensive in walking through as it might break whatever wall is holding it back. The last thing we want to do is see if this thing spreads.”

Sylvie felt an unearthly shiver spread across her body, “The satellite map didn’t show a cornfield here.” She heard something hit the ground beside her and spun to see a husk that held a thick piece of corn start to pop and ooze rancid looking water. Closing her eyes, she shook her head to clear the visual. “Do either of you see an ear of corn exploding with a disgusting substance?” She pointed to her left.

Casey put her hand on Sylvie’s shoulder, “No. I only see the stalks and that mist.”

Vivienne backed up and pulled the other two with her. “I suggest we give whatever that is a wide berth.” She confirmed Casey’s statement, “My ward is correct, I see only the field and mist itself.” Vivienne took Casey’s hand and placed it in Sylvie’s. “Watch her, while I fly up and see how thick this is.” Quickly winking one of her lovely blue eyes, Vivienne shifted once more into her raven form and launched herself straight up.

Desperate to rescue Faye, Vivienne shot up through the branches of the thick pine trees and into the open moonlit sky. She leveled off and followed the edge of the woods to each corner of the farm. Gliding around, Vivienne matched the picture of the map from her phone to the structures below. She mentally marked the farmhouse, pond and the huge barn. Vivienne flew the square a couple more times, noting that the mist covered the barn from all angles rendering her initial plan useless. Flying down to street level, Vivienne swapped to her sleek, silver fox form and sprinted the length in front. Her black paws came to a halt when she saw the driveway and how it was clear of any mist. Vivienne crouched and hid within the long grass and snuck her way to the little opening.

Twisting her sharp white haired ears, Vivienne spotted a very large yellow lab trotting the length of the driveway seemingly unaware of the mist. -Hello there.- Vivienne thought to herself. -Another alarm.- Vivienne considered how to remove the playful dog from the situation when she heard a low croak of a frog. Sniffing the air with her tiny black nose Vivienne silently crept to the little stream of water where she’d heard the frog. A quick snap and Vivienne had the amphibian in her teeth. Trotting back across to the opening of the driveway, Vivienne started to dribble the frog's blood in a tiny pool, then dragged the slimy creature’s husk to the stream. -Come on..take the bait.- Vivienne spit the frog back in the water and waited for the dog.

When Dusty meandered his way to the edge of the driveway he sniffed the air and looked back at the barn. Giving a little whine, Dusty found the blood trail and began to follow it. Vivienne heard the heavy sniffs and panting from the big dog and waited until she saw Dusty’s nose and blank eyes. -I hate doing this.- Vivienne thought to herself and recalled the countless times she’d used this particular method to remove a dog from her hunting. Vivienne made a soft light whine and stood up from the weeds, her crystal blue eyes shining in the moonlight. Locking her gaze to Dusty’s, Vivienne slowly started walking backwards, swishing her fluffy tail playfully. -I really hate doing this.- She reassured herself before, playfully jumping forward and darting around Dusty, dragging her tail across his flanks. Vivienne deftly moved from Dusty’s playful jumps and headed for the dark woodline, forcing the dog to follow.

Once the two little animals were alone in the trees, Vivienne hopped on Dusty’s back and chittered lightly in his droopy ear. Dusty rolled on the ground and exposed his white furred tummy. Vivienne trailed her nose across the white fur and back to his ear and forced her breath deep into the dog's ear. Shifting to her human form, Vivienne crouched beside the docile animal. “Sleep well my new friend.” Vivienne watched as Dusty’s eyes rolled up and the pooch took a deep breath and started to snore.

Wanting to conserve her blood reserves, Vivienne sprinted back to her friends and gave them the information she’d gleaned from the pass over. “It would appear that the mist goes to the treetops and completely surrounds the structures.” She pointed to the entrance of the driveway. “There is a safe passage into the grounds. There was a dog guarding the path.” “Was?” Casey asked.

Vivienne nodded and half frowned. “Yes, Was. I would prefer not to get into the details of how I removed the canine from our path. It was less than dignified.” Vivienne muttered trying to hide her light frustration.

Sylvie let out a light chuckle when she saw the look in Vivienne’s blue eyes. “Sure thing.”

Motioning for the couple to follow, Vivienne cleared the woodline and walked across the street where she’d charmed Dusty. “There. See? That is the only entrance that I could find. The back part of the barn where I wanted to grab Faye, is covered with about ten feet of that mist.”

“We should be fast enough to run in and back out before we even have to take a breath.” Casey offered and raised her eyebrow.

Shaking her long black hair, Vivienne disagreed with her ward. “I believe that would be a bad idea. I haven’t mentioned that in the dead center of the corn is a pile of livestock.” Vivienne wrinkled her nose. “They appeared to all be dead and oozing something, I could see the discoloration from the air.” Vivienne turned and faced her companions, “I have to go in there, you don’t have to follow if you don’t want to.” She placed her hand on Casey’s shoulder. “That is most definitely a trap.”

Casey nodded and swallowed hard. “Viv, I trust you.” Her velvety brown eyes had both confidence and fear glistening outward. “What…if…” Casey watched as the mist seemed to clear near the wooden fence, exposing a rotting cow. “Oh…ugh..” When the stench hit a second or so later, Casey felt her stomach tighten and she bent over dry-heaving.

The green smog hole closed when Vivienne looked in the direction Casey had been staring. “Inventive.” Vivienne started rubbing Casey’s back. “Just take deep breaths, whatever that was is gone.”

“A distraction.” Sylvie mentioned and pointed at the driveway entrance.

Vivienne helped Casey stand up right, though the young ward still looked a bit dazed and sick from the encounter. Vivienne saw Sylvie’s finger and then the tall lanky male form leaning heavily on ash white scythe with a bronze blade. Vivienne noted that the man in question had what appeared to be yellowish fireflies hovering all around his form, along with a soft white light similar to the shine from the moon.

“What do you know, the dog did work.” Captain Jonah tilted his head and spotted Vivienne’s sparkling blue eyes. “The Darla felt her familiar, my blue eyed friend.” The glowing form shrugged, “I didn’t believe her, but I am more and more impressed with her abilities.” Charles closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment, making the light around him brighten.

Vivienne felt her body temperature rising and her blood heating up. When Sylvie hit the ground in pain, Vivienne leaned down in the attempt to help her friend.

“Yes, well.” Captain Jonah laughed and tapped his scythe again, intensifying his light. “The Darla advised me to wait until the right moment.” He walked to the two vampires and squatted. “..That wouldn't be any fun now would it?”

Casey drew her twin daggers and attempted to rush the glowing magic-user.

Charles waved his hand and slung a bright wave of flame from his hand covering the ward in living fire. “Ah, yes. Their little fountain.” Captain Jonah watched Casey roll drop and roll until she went down the embankment then turned his attention to the twin vampires. “You see, Death has many forms. Some can see it as a ghost, some as even the Grim Reaper.” He wiggled his hands like little worms. “However, that wouldn’t work against blood suckers like yourselves.”

Vivienne had experienced this feeling a few times before, when the vestiges of the sun’s rays were pushing away the friendliness of the night. Many nights Vivienne had tested the tales of the sun in relation to her undead form. Every time she’d tried, it caused the same exact feeling she was experiencing. Blood seemingly boiling in her body, her muscles aching so much that she could barely walk, unable to transform into a mist, fox or raven. Vivienne knew it took a vast amount of blood to flood her limbs enough so that she could escape into darkness and survive. She’d confirmed for centuries that the sun was her only true demise and now it was standing right in front of her.

“My intention was to just simply burn you without hesitation, erase you like you do so many of us after your entrancing bite and orgasmic whispers.” Jonah got within arms reach of Vivienne and grabbed her wrist. “However, that would be too easy. I think you should experience what it is like for every cell in your body to turn slowly to dust, like we do.”

Searing flame seemed to rush into Vivienne’s arm, weaving and licking its way through muscle blood and bone. Her blue eyes darted around and noticed the fireflies beginning to encircle her, and linking up with little tendrils of sun rays that threatened to create a net around her. Vivienne forced blood through her limbs and it sluggishly moved to counteract the effects that the mage was currently using on her. -What is the key?- Vivienne felt the blood rush to her mind and clear the near panic and pain so she could think clearly. Jerking her hand free, Vivienne gripped the scythe and started to wrestle for its control.

Captain Jonah lost focus and his brightness faded, when he felt his wiry hand slipping from his trophy. “No!” He screamed and tried to pull back on the large staff. Unable to take a step back like he wanted to, the sunlit captain raised his right hand and his green run flared to life. Taking aim at Vivienne, a flurry of tiny green balls of light rapidly shot out from Captain Jonah’s rune.

A tiny warning went off as the light emanating from her opponent faded enough to give her full use of her body without the overwhelming burning that she’d been experiencing moments before. A quick squat and push, Vivienne leapt through the air. Vivienne released and reached the apex of her aerial cartwheel before she once more grabbed the thick ash staff and wrenched it free of Charles’s grip. Landing without a sound, Vivienne caught a glimpse of the green balls flying harmlessly by.

When she landed at the bottom of the embankment, Casey bounced once and landed in the small creek, throwing water in a small wave and dousing the yellow flames that were burning her treated armor with a slight hiss. Ignoring the scattering frogs, Casey quickly caught her breath and scrambled back up the little hill until she saw Sylvie. Seeing that the yellow light was fading, Casey knew that Sylvie was still in a moderate amount of pain and danger. Conflicted, Casey looked at the battle itself and after seeing Vivienne perform her airborne antics, decided that it was Sylvie that was in the greater need. Grabbing her friend’s foot, Casey jerked Sylvie down the hill beside her. “Hi there.” Casey playfully quipped when she saw Sylvie’s eyes start to resume their phases.

Flipping onto her back, Sylvie managed to bring her hands up to her face. “Blood…I need..” She begged as the burning in her veins started to fade.

Holding the scythe in her tight grip, Vivienne’s huntress took command. Flashing the different ways to resolve the conflict before her enemy could once more bring his magic to bear, Vivienne took the easiest and least blood consuming way. Up and to the side Vivienne swung the heavy curved blade and it sliced through Jonah’s neck, severing muscle and bone without any hindrance. Coagulated blood oozed out from the man's body as his head flew a short distance then rolled down the small hill into the water closest to where Casey and Sylvie sat hidden. Without losing momentum, Vivienne counter swung and carved the falling body into smaller chunks with his runic hand splattering in the street harmlessly. Vivienne took a moment and broke the scythe into seven different parts and threw them one at a time into the woodline. Seconds later, Vivienne fell to her knees and used more blood to cool her body down from the lingering magical light. “Casey…”

Slipping the backpack she was wearing free, Casey fumbled with the straps until she was able to get a few flasks of the extra blood they packed at the manor. Casey popped the cork on one and tipped the contents into Sylvie’s half open mouth. “There you go…..Aaaaaahhhhh!!!” Screaming from shock when Jonah’s head came tumbling down, Casey jumped and poured blood-wine all over Sylvie’s face.

Grabbing the neck of the dark glass from Casey’s grip, Sylvie clamped her lips over the opening until the contents had been drained fully. “Casey..Casey…” Sylvie turned the ward’s face to focus on her moonlit eyes. “Casey…Go see what Vivienne needs, she…” Sylvie quickly wiped the blood that was on her face away and once more tried to get Casey’s attention. “Casey!” She raised her voice sternly. “Vivienne needs you.”

Casey hastily pulled another two glass containers of blood from her pack and scrambled up the hill. When she saw Vivienne slumped on her knees and her eyes shut, Casey nearly broke into tears. “V..Vivienne?” Casey hurried over to her mistress and knelt down in front of her. “I’m here, I’m here..” Placing the blood-wine filled bottles on the pavement, Casey shook Vivienne lightly. “Hey.” Casey once more urged and a rush of relief flooded her when she watched Vivienne’s blue eyes roll down and open once more. “Hello there sleepyhead.” Casey tried to joke. “We probably shouldn’t stay in the street.”

While the searing pain had subsided, Vivienne felt more tapped of her endurance than she had since her last elder hunt. “B…burn the body, Casey.” While her body was sluggish as drying cement, Vivienne was thankful that her mind was still sharp and active. “His blood is congealed. Burn him so he cannot possibly come back.” Vivienne forced arm to move and pick up one of the heavenly filled flasks of blood. Slowly and surely the ancient vampire managed to get the glass container to her mouth and start drinking the contents. Normally, the feeling would quench the burn in the back of her throat and provide the feeling of being fed along with rejuvenation. This time was much different. Blood rippled through her body, repairing the damage done by the magical sunlight. Within seconds, Vivienne had emptied the contents of the first glass vial and reached for the second one.

Casey heeded her mistress’s warning and picked up some of Charles’s clothing as kindling, so she could set the remains alight. “I saw the cartwheel, Viv.” She watched as the parts started to smolder and then burst into flames. “I was going to help you first, but you seemed to have things well in hand.” Casey looked at Vivienne concerned. “Don’t think I was leaving you to fight alone.”

Pulling the cork from the second bottle, Vivienne started to sip the contents briefly before speaking. “I did not have those thoughts, my ward.” Vivienne squeezed more blood into her mouth. “I am glad that you didn’t need my input.” Vivienne lightly tapped her temple and stood up slowly. “Suggestion and control are only a thought away, Casey.” Vivienne started helping Casey set fire to the rest of the remains and gently pulled her ward to the side of the road.

Half embarrassed, Casey’s cheeks flushed. “I..um, right.” Casey giggled and looked at Sylvie quickly before turning back to Vivienne. “I forgot about that, Viv.”

“Safe to say they know we are here.” Sylvie stated the obvious and leaned over to wash the blood from her face. “I’ll say I expected something, but not that.” She patted her face dry with her blouse and looked at Vivienne. “If they started with emulating sunlight, what else do they have in store?”

Discarding the empty bottle, Vivienne sat down on the edge of the ditch and reflected on Sylvie’s words. Whatever the situation might hold, the fact that Faye was trapped inside the border of the farm kept Vivienne from retreating and forming a more logical plan. Shaking her head lightly, Vivienne raised one eyebrow, “I am quite certain we will not appreciate the answer to that question, Miss Miakoda.” Vivienne pulled Casey close, “The variables as I see them are as follows. First, whoever is in there sent their strongest out to kill us quickly.” Vivienne felt Casey wiggle into her arms, “That doesn’t explain why they took Faye in the first place. If the magic just now is any indication, the group could have used that on Phantasmagoria.”

“I don’t like where this is going, Vivienne.” Casey quietly added. “Keep in mind what the sunbeam just said to you.”

Sylvie stood up and looked at the opening at the driveway entrance, “He said he wanted to have fun and that he was told to wait.”

“Which brings me to my next concern.” Vivienne looked at Casey, “Where do we stand on the blood-wine?”

Shaking her head slowly, Casey looked at the two vampires concerned. “None. While we had about six in the beginning, when I went down the hill it broke all but the four you used.” Casey looked away from Vivienne, “Sorry, Viv.”

Vivienne gave Casey a kiss on the top of her head, “There is nothing to be apologetic about, my ward. Unusual things occur in the heat of battle.” Vivienne stood up and headed to the opening in the green tinted fog bank, “It just means we have to spring this trap and work the situation as it presents itself.” Vivienne heard the other two walk up beside her. “It isn’t ideal, but that seems to be the only way we are going to get Faye out of there.”

“For the record, I hate this decision.” Casey quipped as she watched her mistress take a few steps onto the driveway.

Crunching sounds of snow, sand and rock echoed from Vivienne’s boots as she slowly walked into the light green glowing tunnel. “Alas, Casey I am not fond of this approach either.” Vivienne remarked and felt that the mist itself could collapse on her at any time. “You two be careful and be prepared to dart out at the first sign of trouble.” Vivienne slowly picked up her pace and followed the open path nearly to the farmhouse. “Mon amour, we are so close that I am sure you can hear me.” Vivienne turned around and saw Casey and Sylvie a few steps behind. “I..we are coming for you, Faye. Just hold out a bit longer.”

Taking a few more snow laden steps, Vivienne stopped when she felt a change in air. Spinning quickly, Vivienne saw that the pathway back to the street had become blocked by the fog.

“I shouldn’t be shocked by the stupidity of you blood suckers anymore.” Raollet’s slowly whispered from all angles of the soupy mist. “Just a few hours ago, I had the blessing of watching your creations melt and cry in much the same way.” His disembodied voice called out. “The great queen is all alone.” Raollet chuckled, “I can’t let you blood thieves stay as a group, what fun would that be?” He laughed and the voice seemed to fade back into the fog.

“Viv?” Casey hastily called out in front of her. “I am alone in this box.”

Sylvie glanced around her as well. “I can go left or right.” Sylvie saw the wooden fence come into view on her right, “The right side looks more open than the left, but that is where the stink that made Casey sick came from.”

Vivienne felt the fog start creeping up behind her. “I am being pushed forward.” Vivienne turned to the side and started walking so she could keep the cloud behind her in view as she pressed further up the pathway. “I see four directions now.” Vivienne figured out instantly what was happening. “We’ve been entered into a maze.” Hearing the corn stalks start to waiver in the light foggy breeze, Vivienne weighed the different paths into the field. “Casey.” Vivienne’s voice took on its controlling tone, “Do not panic. Think about your decisions.

Fear is not an option, my ward.”

“Fear is not an option.” Casey affirmed what Vivienne had said. “No panic.”

Satisfied that Casey was comfortably numb to the predicament that the three were in,

Vivienne stood and looked at the four openings. -You know there is no safe passage.- Vivienne told herself, and decided that the obvious way to the barn would be the longest and most treacherous. “Going to the far-left path, deeper into this cornfield.” Vivienne announced to her two companions.

“I only have one direction, Viv. It is leading me to the farmhouse.” Casey mentioned and started down the path that opened gently before her. “The mist is keeping about a five foot box around me. As I move forward, it closes.” Casey felt a cold shiver travel the length of her spine when a tree branch scraped against the siding of the house. “I don’t think I want to know what is in this house.”

Sylvie snorted and took the path away from the fence. “Perhaps it is a nice glass of peach tea.” She tied her silky black hair up in a knot and walked parallel to the house. “I can see you, Casey. Look to your left.” Sylvie waved to Casey when the young ward turned in her direction. “On second thought..” Sylvie pursed her lips in moderate confusion, “Don’t drink the tea…now how do I get to you?”

Inherently knowing that the path she was on took her further from her partner, Vivienne felt her hand start to twitch much as it had when she was trying to save Faye from the torture that Drake had inflicted on her. Vivienne felt her chest begin to ache and she stopped walking long enough to clench her fists in frustration. “I feel you so close. Talk to me mon amour.”

“Touching.” Raollet’s voice teased from all directions. “Look at the great creator, the big queen. Reduced to begging in a cornfield.” Raollet laughed again, “Now you know what your kind has done to us. Loss and agony.”

Vivienne pushed the ache in her heart back and thought about Faye’s tiger green eyes as they stared up in wonder. She felt her hand stop shaking and was able to ignore the voice calling from the vile cloud. “Mon amour.” Feeling better as the two little words as they escaped her lips, Vivienne kept walking through the densely packed cornrows.

When hissing sounds started, Casey stopped walking. “What in the…” Corn all around the small box the ward was trapped in started to burn and start popping. Casey gracefully moved to avoid the green tinged kernels as they fell into her little square. “Buried in corn?” Casey muttered and kicked what she could out of her little zone. “Ugh, the smell.” Casey held her breath and walked to the front step of the house where the fog lifted enough to reveal the porch itself. Two oak rocking chairs slowly creaked with the light wind that moved the mist away. “I am on a porch.”

“Can you go inside?” Sylvie asked as she jogged the open path for her. “I don’t like this at all.” Sylvie slowed her pace then stopped and frowned. “My little trail here seemed to just open up. I’m coming back.” Sylvie made her way back to where she’d waved at Casey a few seconds before. “Casey..do..!” Sylvie nearly screamed.

Shrugging and walking to the front door, Casey pulled open the screen door and reached for the knob. When the door opened before she could grasp the brass handle, Casey looked up and into a set of eager and hungry eyes. “Brian.”

Vivienne heard the surprised tone come from her ward, “Brian? Casey, I would advise not to…” She stopped mid sentence as the small path in the corn opened to a large crop circle with a pile of dead cows and sheep in the center, pulsing with the green mist. Vivienne walked into the fair sized ring of broken stalks just as another feminine figure appeared from the opposite side of the mist. “It would appear that I have company as well.”