---

---

Caius had immediately mixed the ruffled werewolf a potent drink. Something strong and something that could calm even the most volatile wolf alive. The werewolf glared at him but as soon as he sensed that Caius was a kin, he visibly relaxed. Strange for someone so worked up to immediately cool down but that was Caius' effect on fellow wolves. "Thanks, man," the werewolf gratefully took the drink Caius handed him. "No problem. It's on the house," he would have stayed and said more but he noticed Callie almost by the door. He heard her say something earlier when he had been distracted and being introduced to Piper but he wasn't able to pay her attention given the ruckus that had just taken place. He patted the wolf's shoulder and headed towards Callie. He gave her an embarrassed smile. "Sorry about that. You could...I don't know... maybe stay a bit longer? Or if you have somewhere else to go, that's cool."

Callie was a little surprised that Caius came over to her, not expecting to be stopped from leaving. Once more she was glad for the glamor charm, to hide the blush she was sure was there. Not that, she suddenly realised, that would make any difference. Surely he could smell it when she was abashed. Mortified at her own foolishness, Callie covered her face with her hands, wanting right then too just disappear. It meant he'd know she had tried to hide her blushing and then she'd just look like a fool.

I-I-I don't h-have anywhere to g-g-go" She managed to stammer out

Caius leaned forward and peered at Callie's face. "You're easy to fluster, aren't you?" he straightened up and ran a hand through his hair. "I realize that not a lot of people would want to hang out with a werewolf," he looked embarrassed. "I'm really not gonna force you to stay if you don't want to. Don't worry. I won't mind," he gave her a smile and then gestured back towards the bar. "I suppose I should get back to work."

"No!" She just about shouted, and then that motified her even more. "I don't care that you're a werewolf, why would I?" She seemed to be adept at ruining any sort of relationship. "I like hanging out with you" She said genuinely, "I just thought I was...distracting you...and..." She trailed off frowning slightly at the words that came out her mouth.

Caius chuckled. "Come on. I have a free seat at the bar for you. Although you might need to share me with some of the customers."

Callie followed Caius back, sitting back down, "that's okay" she said softly, and now because she knew the glamor was pointless, she broke the spell; a slight shimmer, the smell of cedar and it was done. Callie was an earth with, her power often came from the earth itself and to the earth it returned. She swallowed, unsure of why she was suddenly nervous.

"Um. So why did you choose bartending?"

"Caius, you don't happen to know how to mix an Avada Kedavra drink, do you?" a pretty blonde customer called out, batting her eyelashes at Caius, obviously flirting.

Caius smiled apologetically at Callie before he turned towards the customer. "Of course I do. You want one?" he asked, flashing the customer a smile. The girl nodded and giggled. Caius went on to mix her drink and in just a few minutes, he was dashing the drink with tabasco sauce and sliding her the glass. The girl didn't get a chance to say anything as Caius turned his attention back to Callie. "You know, I don't really know. Maybe because I thought it was cool being able to mix stuff and coming up with something refreshing and well... intoxicating. I went into it, found out I was actually good at it and the next thing I know I'm doing it for a living."

Callie very nearly said something to the girl-did she realize how foolish she looked actually batting her eyelashes? Callie never could understand that. Seemed like a rudementary form of flirting. But then, what did she know?

Instead she choose to focus on Caius, "sometimes it is that way. I believe everyone has a calling. And if you find it, it's right. It is cool being able to mix stuff. I find it fascinating when I mix potions no matter if it's the millionth time I've made it"

Just what sort of drink was an avada kedavra? Reminded her of something she once read, but for the life of her she couldn't figure that out. "do you do anything else besides bar tending?" she asked, curiously. Just what did werewolves in their spare time?

Several other customers called Caius' attention. "Double Shot from Hell." "Indiana Jones." "Orange Fizz Shot."

"Hold that thought," he told Callie before he turned away. He almost regretted having invited her back to the bar. It wasn't because he didn't want her there but because he couldn't really hold a proper conversation without being interrupted. As soon as he was done, he placed his arms on the bar counter and leaned forward in front of Callie. "Sleeping, I guess," he chuckled and then shook his head. "I suppose you could say I like doing Muay Thai, swimming and reading. What about you? Do you always hang out in bars waiting for werewolves to finish serving alcohol?" he grinned.

Callie cursed to herself, as her cheeks flushed at his words. Why did she have to blush so easily? "I like to read when I can get a book. I use to play video games, but there really isn't much cause for it lately, and I actually enjoy yoga and meditation" she said, "and I don't really mind waiting..." aside from the fact that what else would she do, she enjoyed Caius's company, and was quite content, for the moment, where she was.

"I've never tried yoga before but it looks pretty interesting. Maybe I can join you sometimes," Caius said.

"Hey wolf boy, are you just gonna keep flirting with that girl or are you gonna serve us drinks?" a male vampire called out. "What's wrong with this place? Putting a mangy dog in the bar. Do you even know how to mix drinks?"

The edge of Caius' lips twitched. He was mostly patient with everything and everyone but there were this kind of time. He took a deep breath and faced the vampire. "What would you like to have, sir?" he asked as politely as he can.

"Jail Sentence."

Caius smirked. "Would you like an extended stay?" he asked.

The male vampire stared straight at Caius. The air around Caius seemed to vibrate with heat. For a moment, it seemed as though another fight would ensue...until the vampire laughed out loud. "You've got some guts, wolf boy. Show me what you got."

Caius chuckled. "Coming right up," he said and then began mixing the drink.

Callie dropped her head into her hands again, sure she was blushing furiously at the mans comment, but a little angry too. The way the vampire acted, it didn't make sense to her. What had happened to make werewolves and vampires like this? It seemed like they were on the brink of fighting, but then...it didn't happen.

As everything seemed to calm down, Callie frowned, a little perplexed. "It is pretty cool. Maybe you can, as soon as I...well stop being homeless." She shifted slightly, and seemed to hesitate, watching as Caius's made the vampires drink.

"So...are you flirting?"

As soon as the vampire downed the shot Caius prepared for him, he stood up, leaned forward and clapped Caius on the arm. "I see why they put you there, wolf. One more shot."

Caius complied and the next shot he served earned him an obvious approval and a promise to come back for another round of drinks from the vampire customer. He returned to his conversation with Callie. He gave her one of his crooked grins. "If you think I'm flirting then I'm flirting," he answered smoothly and then raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were staying over at the vampires' house. I don't think being able to stay with a roof over your head is counted as being homeless."

Callie frowned. "That doesn't answer the question because I have no idea. And now I don't know whether to kiss you or not." Opps. That last part hadn't meant to come out. She cleared her throat, and quickly tried to get passed that, speaking a little fast so that some of her words ran together. "NoImean, well, yes, but Ididn'tsomuch mean thatasin...havigneverything that comes with notbeinghomeless. Like a job. Independance. Adultstuff, right"

Caius watched in amusement as Callie was again flustered. "Why not ask Alex for a job here? It's a perfectly good place to spend your time in...well, if you like intoxicated crowds," he gestured towards the dance floor where several men and women were drunkenly grinding against each other. He looked back at Callie and leaned over the counter so that his face was just a few inches away from hers. "And working in the same place will give you time to decide if you really wanna kiss me or not," he grinned at her, his bright blue eyes dancing with amusement, before he straightened up, his attention once again on a customer.

"No offense, but I'd rather not work where I'm likely to get groped by drunk people. Besides, I'm a witch. I want to sell my wares." Callie said, a little relieved that he didn't seem to comment on her slip, "And I'd rather not be more indebted to them then I already am." And then he seemed to tease her, leaning forward, so close, and Callie very nearly closed the remaining distance to kiss him, but then he was gone again. Oh.

"Hey, get back here" again, that just slipped out, and her eyes widened slightly, surprised.

This time, Caius glanced back at her in the middle of mixing a drink. "Decided that fast?" he asked. "Gimme a second then," he winked at her and then turned back to what he was doing.

Her mouth had a mind of its own. Callie knew that. That was part of the reason she no longer had a coven, and was in the situation she was. She should just cast a spell to shut herself up, and never speak again. She knew she could be rash, but this was probably sabotaging a chance at something great. She was seriously contemplating just getting up and leaving, before she could motify herself anymore, when he spoke.

Oh, to hell with it.

She rose, quite smoothly, and walked around the bar, towards him. Surely that would give him enough time to finish.

Caius worked fast and efficiently and in no time, was able to serve several more customers before he turned back to Callie. But when he did, she was standing right behind him. He looked at her and blinked, obviously surprised. "Oh. Hey."

God, she missed simply acting. To not having to think through every move first. She gave him a smile, a little pleased to have been able to sneak up on him like that. She doubted many people could say that, when speaking of a werewolf. His suprise was oddly adorable.

"Hi"

Suddenly not caring that there was a whole bar of patrons, Callie kissed him.

The bar immediately erupted in hoots and cheers. "Kiss him like you mean it!" came a shout from somewhere in the crowd. Caius was taken aback, his eyes wide when Callie kissed him. It took him several seconds to regain his composure but when he did, he reached down and wrapped an arm around her waist. He returned her kiss and pulled her closer to him.

Callie raised a hand, a small spell releasing, and shooting towards the person that had spoken, a small flick ensuring. A simply way of saying shut up, i'm getting to that, as Caius drew her closer, she shifted just slightly. Ah, perfect She kissed him deeper, not quite use to being the instigator of such things, she nevertheless didn't hesitate. Why ruin a perfectly good kiss by hesitating? She blocked out the crowd. Being an earth witch,Callie thrived on such physical contact, but she was never quite so forward. she pulled back after what seemed like an eternity, barely breaking the kiss, she tried not to pant.

Hmmm...I could get used to this... Caius thought as he felt Callie deepen the kiss. The air around them immediately buzzed with heat as Caius felt adrenalin shoot through his system. When she pulled back, he moved forward and kissed her again, slowly and sensually. He could hear mugs and shot glasses being banged on the bar counter and tables. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying the kiss as much as he was. He ignored them and explored Callie's lips and mouth a bit more before he himself pulled back and released her. His lips were red from the kiss and his cheeks flushed bright pink. "Wow," he said in between breaths.

Callie wasn't expecting the second kiss, and it overwhelmed her, taking her completely by surprise. Enjoying the feelings, Callie returned the kiss, faster to respond then Caius had been, she leaned against him, mainly to stop herself from falling on suddenly weak legs. When he pulled back, she held onto him, and nodded, looking up at him.

Oh jeez. She reached up, a little pleased that she could make him flush, gently laying a hand against one cheek. "Magical, huh?"

Caius ran a hand through his hair and grinned. "You can say that."

Callie stepped back, sure she'd fall, but somehow managed to keep from doing so. It might have helped that she leaned against the bar, somewhat. "Um. So I've never been cheered on by a bar full of people, have you?"

He shook his head. "Not like this. I can't say I didn't enjoy it though," his eyes fell on her lips and he stepped forward. "I think I wanna try that again," he murmured before he swooped down and took her lips with his again, barely letting her react.

"Hey wolfie! You can't have all the fun. Where's our drinks?" Someone from the crowd called out amidst the noise.

Caius held up a hand to signal for the customers to give him a few minutes.

Oh, god. Callie responded, quite sure if they kept this up, they might give the crowd quite a show. She clutched at him, enjoying the warm, soft feel of his lips, the taste of him somehow....god, she couldn't describe it. She knew her heart was beating fast, fluttering it seemed to her almost like a hummingbirds wings, sending a warm feeling right out from her chest to her toes, her fingers, as if she were just coming alive, a slow rolling wave of emotion. Desire. Like a hungry man surrounded by food, Callie took all that was offered, and gave back just as much.

The sensations threatening to overwhelm him, Caius could feel the heat build up faster this time. If they kept it up, he might not be able to control himself. And so despite wanting to continue on, he pulled back. He looked at her, his eyes smoldering with desire as he licked his lips. He looked like a predator eyeing his prey. He willed himself to calm down and took several deep breaths to relax himself. "I think I need to get back to work for now," he said after a few seconds before he turned towards the hooting crowd. As soon as he turned towards them, they erupted into cheering chants. Several chanted his name while the rest chanted 'Wolf.' He laughed and ran his hand through his hair again. "Right. Any orders?"

---

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Alex, Piper & Claudia

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Alex followed Claudia and he couldn't take his eyes off of her. He had caught her staring at his torso when he pulled his shirt on. He was not all that sure he wanted to go and live at the house where all the craziness was going on. He walked into the bar in time to see Caius and Callie kissing behind the bar like starved lovers. He groaned and made a quick left and into the area where they were building onto the bar.

Alex looked at the blue prints that they were going by and he made a few changes adding a bedroom, a full sized bathroom and a small kitchen to it. The guys who were working on it were gone for the night but Alex pulled his shirt back off and tossed it onto a clean area that was concreted. He picked up the nearest hammer and started working on the framing for the rooms he was adding. He was a jack of all trades. He got busy working on it and every so often he would go back to the door and check on the bar.

Claudia walked out of the backroom and was greeted by hoots and cheers from the crowd in the bar. Wondering what was happening, she looked towards the bar and saw Callie and her brother kissing like there was no tomorrow. She rolled her eyes. They haven't been in the place too long and his flirting had already landed him a girl. An amused smile curved her lips up as she watched the crowd began chanting his name. Good job entertaining the crowd, little brother, she thought to herself and then decided to just walk around. She didn't really want to walk in on Caius' newfound popularity and love life. She would have to build up her own popularity on a different night. She turned towards the wing that was still under construction, the hammering sounds making her curious.

She walked into the area at the exact moment that Alex walked to the door to check in on the bar. Despite her heightened senses and knowing that a vampire was there, it was too late to turn back. She caught herself just in time that she didn't collide with whoever it was in the room. She blinked when she found herself staring at a naked, muscular chest. Her eyes strayed up to Alex's face. She gave him an exasperated look. "Do you really have to walk around half naked?" she asked in a slightly irritated tone. She didn't really mind seeing men walk around half naked but the fact that she was getting more and more attracted to this particular vampire was grating at her nerves.

Alex caught the look in Claudia's eyes and her frustration and it made him smile knowingly. "Why? Don't you like running into me? Do I look that bad without a shirt on?" He flexed his arms and watched the muscles as they contracted. He grinned and stepped back into the construction area. He grabbed a construction hat and put it on her head. "Don't want that pretty little head getting hit with anything that might fall out here."

Alex walked her through the area and said, "I'm making some changes to the floor plan. I'm adding a loft for myself. Nothing big just a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen." He was holding onto a bean above his head with one hand and in the moonlight he looked almost godlike. His body bathed in moonlight suited him. Alex looked at Claudia and the light played on her face and accented how beautiful she was. His breath caught in his throat and he walked towards her until she was back up against the building. He put one hand on the wall on each side of her.

Alex looked into her eyes and asked her "Do I scare you?" His eyes didn't leave hers and he reached forward and kissed her lips, slowly at first then deepening the kiss.

Claudia didn't speak. Alex's self assured way of speaking irritated her a lot more. But she can't deny that he looked really good. With the moonlight bathing his body like that... It didn't hurt that he was handsome too. She would have swooned over him and the attention he was giving her if he wasn't something she hated. She scowled at him as he put the construction hat on her head. She considered walking back into the bar. Seeing Caius flirt was probably better than being alone with a vampire. She didn't really care if he was building himself a mansion or something. Why would that concern her anyway? She was just about to turn when Alex walked towards her and backed her up against the wall. She looked him straight in the eye. "Scare me? Oh, please. What's there to be scared about? I---" she was cut off when the vampire placed his lips against hers. An angry blush colored her cheeks and she pushed him away, biting his lip in the process. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" she demanded angrily. Her eyes flicked down to his lips for a split second before she stared angrily at him again.

Alex knew he had crossed a line with her. He pulled back from her and stepped back. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again." He walked over to the stoop and picked up his shirt and pulled it over his head. He walked into the bar with a smile on his face. She liked him. He felt it before she bit him.

Alex completely ignored her the rest of the night. He buried himself in the office and Piper went in and asked him "Okay big brother. Why are you in here when she is out there?" Alex slammed the financial book closed and looked at her "Let it go Piper." She shook her head. "No, you never make time for yourself. I haven't seen you with another woman since that Sookie chick." "Yes you have." "I don't mean your bed buddies. I mean relationships." "So I'm picky in the last 200 years there has been you and Sookie and that's been it. Leave it be." Alex left his office and Piper followed him into the bar she sat down at the bar and she ordered a drink.

Looking at Claudia Piper saw that she was agitated about something that she could see was clearly Alex related. Piper guzzled her drink down and said, "I'm going home to figure out what my soulmate....or whatever he is, what we are doing." She looked at Alex as he was clearing off tables and she said to Claudia. "I don't know what happen but in 200 years he has only had two real relationships so if he has picked you you are a damned lucky girl. Don't screw it up." Piper stood up and left the bar and headed home.

Claudia sat on a stool at the bar, a scowl still on her face. Any attempts Caius made of talking to her fell on deaf ears. She didn't wanna talk about it. Or more like she didn't wanna admit that she felt that irresistible pull towards the vampire. She found her mind bringing up what had happened just a few minutes ago. It confused her. And something that confuses her annoyed her. Her frown deepened as she tried to make sense of the sudden gush of emotions rushing through her. Why was a vampire taking too much of her thoughts? Absentmindedly, she reached out for the shot glass Caius had placed in front of her and poured the liquid down in her throat in one gulp. And then a female voice spoke to her. She lifted her blue eyes to the blonde hybrid. She felt something akin to an electrical buzz shoot through her from Piper's words. Something she'll insist was anger. "Pick me? Why would he pick me?" she asked and unintentionally and automatically looked towards Alex.

---

---

Lucinda had argued with Samuel about what he was up to and when she threatened to stop him she got hit for it. She had been hit by wolves throughout the years but not like this and not by anyone who claimed to care for her. When he raised his hand his wolves attacked a small group of vampires who total in age couldn't be more than a couple hundred years old. "I will not be a part of this!" When she yelled to warn them they ran. Even at their young age they were still faster than wolves. "I won't do this, I can't!" She ran into the fray of wolves and threw them around like toys slowing them down greatly. Lucinda picked up her cell phone and dialed Andrew as she left the area.

"Andrew, I need you. Meet me in the backyard of the house in ten minutes. We have a serious problem. If you can tell Piper to stay away from Samuel and his pack that would help me immensely." Lucinda went back to the house and waited for Andrew to show up. She was shaking in anger and fear of what Samuel could do. The war was about to start and most didn't even know yet.

@Venku@dabombjk@rumikoohara@king tai@caits@kyrisse

@dabombjk@caits

Grant opened his eyes, waking up at naturally at 5 am like he did every morning. He did not believe he could call it an internal clock, he is a vampire and so almost nothing works right in his body, but he was able to wake up when he needed to if he prepared himself. He surveyed his surroundings, remembering he had slept in Piper's room. She had told him she was going to grab something to eat, but never returned. This did not bother him as much as it should have, but bothered him more than he liked. What was it about her that made him feel...unusual? It wasn't just lust, albeit it was pretty much the best sex he ever had. She just.....he would say she just fit him like a puzzle piece. Grant stood up and stretched. He walked over to his bag, pulled out a small leather bound notebook, and opened it reading what was on the inside. He'd already memorized the list inside, but he read it over again. He had a busy day. He would go on to clean himself, dress himself, and head out for the day.

Mako opened his eyes and looked over to his side, seeing Madison in the opposite. She had such a tender looking face, with wolf like features that were.....well he did not know how to describe it. It did not seem unpleasant though. Mako sat up, and yawned. He would wake Madison in a bit, he would let her sleep. Mako got out of bed, grabbed his clothes, and walked into the restroom.

Madison didn't sleep well, she was in a strange environment with someone that she didn't entirely trust, let alone like, who seemed to frustrate her at every turn, and who didn't seem to understand basic human emotions. That was enough to put her on edge and make her sleep fitful to say the least. As she woke to the feel of movement around, Madison was up, in a fighting stance, glancing about her, she gave a sigh, and ran a hand through her hair, finger-brushing it as she didn't have a hair brush with her. She didn't particularly care.

She glanced around the room, and went to the window, glancing out it, she began to rifle through what she knew. And still had to wonder what was possessing Mako to persue the Originals. She let out a slow breath in a sigh, walking back to her bed barefoot. She sat down cross legged, opening and closing her fingers. She withdrew her claws, quickly, again and again.

Mako came out of the restroom wearing his usual suit, tie, and trench coat. When he saw Madison up and about, he walked over to the nightstand next to his bed and pulled out an amulet. He examined once over. It was a silver pentagram attached to a black cord, etched with strange runes. he walked over to Madison and offered it to her. "As promised, the amulet. This will prevent possession or action controlling magic for as long as you wear it. It will not prevent fireballs or explosions."

Madison glanced over, and took the amulet gently, examining it, she slipped it around her neck, tucking it under her shirt. "Thank you." She said softly, rising, and moving passed him, Madison went to the bathroom, where she tried to freshen up as best she could, wishing she had a change of clothes, before coming back out, she sat on the floor, and slipped her shoes back on. Madison would have preferred to go barefoot whereever she went, but that tended to get weird looks.

"Whats the agenda today then?"

"My family has given me the order of calming the city in...five days. We know one of the Originals are responsible for the specific murder that started us on this, but like you said they are near invincible. So the plan is we need to figure out what they are doing, where they are going, where they sleep, where they lay their heads. I would like to be able to figure out a pattern within 24 hours."

Madison gave a soft sigh, "So in other words, you want me to track them down by scent" Because that wasn't filled with dangers, she thought to herself, "Wonderful" She rose smoothly, stretching, and saying "Then lets get to it"She wasn't sure why she was doing this. Maybe it was to be the reporter that blew wide open anything on the Prescott's, which she'd have to not share with humans but still.

Mako walked out of the room and out of the motel with Madison, and he spoke as they walked. ""Yes and no. I will need your superior tracking abilities, but you also.....have 'people skills' that I like. You will be able to ask questions better than I. We should start someplace that we haven't looked yet. So the bar they own is out of the question. Where else do you suppose they travel around to??

Madison followed, thoughtful. "So you're going on this mission without people skills? You didn't think that through, did you?" She shook her head, "The only place I can think of is their house. I don't know anywhere else, yet" She said,. While she didn't know where the Prescott's lived, she was sure she could find it out. They're backwards and forward traveling between the town and their house was bound to have left a nice, thick scent to follow.

Mako nodded. "Their home is a good place as any. Lets remain undetected, but do our best to scout them. When we get close I will ward us with magic."

Elsewhere a man was sitting on top of the Elyria police station, eyes closing, unnoticed and non threatening. The man only stirred when an officer drove up to the station, parked, and when he exited the vehicle he took out a criminal in handcuffs in the back seat of his police car. The man on top of the roof sighed, smelling his target was close. In moments, using his supernatural speed, he was off the roof and in the parking lot as if he had been walking in the direction of where the police officer was before the officer arrived. When he crossed paths with the officer, the man struck the officer quickly in the back of the neck making him fall unconscious. The stranger grabbed the criminal and sped off in the blink of an eye. He ran for a few miles, coincidentally near Mako and Madison, and stopped in an alley.

"Wh-what do y-you want? Man I aint done n-n-nothin," Said the criminal still in cuffs.

The stranger said nothing, simply pulled a small photograph out of his pocket and showed the man the photo. When the criminal saw the photo his eyes went wide and he said nothing. He looked at the stranger, looking defeated, and nodded. The stranger swiped his hand across the the criminals neck, and immediately the man collapsed in a pool of blood. The stranger dropped the photo, the photo being a picture of the criminal, looking happy, holding what seemed to be his toddler daughter in his arms. Then the stranger walked out of the alley and down the street. "One down, three to go," Grant said.

Madison glanced up at a vampire scent, frowning slightly she glanced about, she tensed slightly, keeping still, she listened to what she could hear. She hissed to Mako to stay quite as she crept just a little bit closer. When it seemed someone was killed, she very nearly shifted, but instead she stayed as still as possible. She glanced to Mako, waiting until she was sure she wouldn't be overheard, "We've found a vampire, may as well follow them, since it appears they just killed someone."

Mako looked at Madison curiously. "But..why? We have our orders."

Madison sighed. She'd have to explain everything to him, she thought. "Don't you think its weird another person has been killed by a vampire? Bit of a coincidence, don't you think? we should follow it"

Mako looked uncertain, but she made a.....slight possible truth. Multiple vampire responsible homicides in the span of two days, right when the Originals get here? "That makes some sense."

Mako walked with Madison over to the dead body and examined it. Claw marks across the throat, handcuffs on the wrists, sleeves rumpled.........Mako knelt down and looked closer at the body. "This man it seems was....being held against his will. No he is a criminal. These are police issued handcuffs. And vampiric claw marks on the body."

Mako picked up the photo and looked at it. He stood up and looked at Madison. "Can you track the vampire?"

Madison nodded, already searching for the scent, she had it within moments, and starting off, assuming that Mako would follow her, she followed the scent, staying on the trail, she knew she could find the vampire.

Grant traveled until he was at the new werewolf plaza. Samuel was inside the main building, inside his office away and unaffected by what Grant was doing. Grant hid in the shadows, watching and searching for his intended target. Grant waited for almost ten minutes before he found the specific man he was looking for. His target was an older werewolf, who was one of the ones who joined Samuel when he first killed Salazar. Grant stepped out of the shadows and strolled bravely across the grass until he was behind the target. A few other werewolves had noticed him and eyed him suspiciously. Grant nodded at them, then pulled out a silver stake from his coat and stabbed the werewolf in the heart with it. Grant muttered a few words in a hush toned then seemed to disappear in a wisp of shadows, just as most of the werewolves had realized what had happened.

Madison knew she arrived too late to do anything, stopping just shy of being seen, she cursed and immediately began to track the scent again, taking a moment to find it, she was sure that Mako probably thought she was a little erratic, as she first back tracked, and then followed the scent once more, thinking that this vampire was on a killing spree, she hurried to try and keep up, but was limited to Mako's speed.

Mako kept after Madison, unable to properly check the crime scene this time. But all of this confused him. Normally supernaturals were not prone to serial killing. Feeding randomly, yes but not this. This made no sense....unless.....

Mako's train of thought was interrupted by Madison dashing off faster, making Mako focus all energy to going faster. He was a powerful warlock, but not even he was strong enought to be able to cast a spell to help him at the moment. Falling back for even a second could mean the trail goes cold. For him and Madison.

Grant by now noticed he had two tails on him. This irritated him, and he wondered how he was so unfortunate to end up in this horrible city. He did not usually have tails. And he still had two more names to cross off from his list. He deleted the criminal and the werewolf, now all he needed to delete was two witches. Fortunately according to his information right about now they would be in the same place. So...two birds with one stone.

Grant sped his way to an old antique store, were two women could be seen through the window of the store. One was manning the register, the other was going about cleaning with a broom. Grant climbed his way up the side of the building across the street and hid from sight of everyone on the ground. He needed to plan this out. Antique stores were always hard to sneak in, with all its dust and creaks. He could not just bolt in and slice and dice, they were sure to be protected.

Madison decided that the careful way wasn't going to work. She shifted, regretting the destruction of her clothes, she was able to pour on more speed in her wolf form, and her senses were heightened even more. Fast, faster then she had ever gone before, Madison moved smoothly, and she slid to a stop at the front of the antique's store, a growl low in her throat as she searched for the vampire. Her wolf form was brown with black, and she was made for speed, although she was stronger then she had any right to be. She snarled, baring her teeth, suddenly all fight.

Grant tensed as he could almost taste the fury coming from a nearby werewolf. He crouched, knowing he had nothing to hide his scent, and looked over the edge of the roof. The wolf was running around just barely avoiding pedestrian eyes. She was damn fast. Faster than he wanted her to be. He didn't know what she wanted, but whoever she was looking for was in for a fight. Grant shrugged, but slid down the side of the building into the shadows. He zipped across the street to the side of the antique shop, looking for a way in. He walked around back, seeing that there was a back door. He tried it and it was unlocked. He snuck inside.

Mako was surprised she would wolf out where she was, and wondered why she seemed so upset. Mako tried to chase her down as fast as he could. When he caught up, or rather got to a place where she was running around not that he could catch up, he tried his best to signal her to come with him. Mako took a few steps down the side of the building he was next to, hidden from most peoples eyes. Either way there was not many people out today.

Madison glanced about her, catching the scent, she tried her best to track it, seeing Mako, she trotted over to him, only now pondering the fact that she had no clothes, so either she'd have to stay in form, or change back and find some clothes. She glanced about her and mako, searching, she growled, glancing towards the back of the shop.

Mako glanced in the direction that Madison looked at. He nodded in understanding."Understood. Im not sure though that a lycan would do well in an antique shop. Here."

Mako raised his hands next to Madison."Maz clotha."

A set of female clothes appeared next to Madison.

"Get changed and follow."

Mako ran past her and to the back of the antique shop.

In the shop Grant was crouching, trying to sneak through the shop. He had only moments to complete his goal. Grant reached into his jacket and pulled out a small black single edged dagger. Grant was almost perfect, until he took a step behind the witch at the register, and the floorboard creaked. The witch turned around quickly and gasped in shock. Grant stood up and reached up with his dagger, slicing her throat. The second witch, tears in her eyes, reached out to Grant.

"Malpirg Malprg!"

Grant raised his arms up to block his face, letting his arms catch the blunt of the spell. His sleeves instantly caught fire, lit up light a bonfire. Grant leaped over the counter and raced towards the witch, ignoring the fire.

The witch took a step back, scared. "Zch babage!" Grant was thrown back, slamming against the counter. The witch tried to run out the door, when Grant threw his dagger. It landed with a thud, impaling the back of the witch's head. Grant took off his jacket and threw it on the ground. He stomped on it, stomping out the fire.

Mako watched the entire scene unravel, and when Grant was stomping out the jacket Mako stood up and walked into eye sight. "Stop there! Who are you?"

Madison shifted back, and changed into the clothes, disliking the feminine clothing, but knowing she didn't really have much choice in the matter, she changed quickly, and followed after Mako, she caught the scent of fire, and she moved quickly, moved, seeking to pounce on the vampire, apparently not stopping to consider how dangerous that might be, as Mako shouted out.

Grant looked back as Madison tried to pounce and reacted quickly, crouching, spinning, and throwing a kick.

Madison twisted slightly, throwing herself off course, she landed smoothly, and charged the vampire again, moving quicker now, she decided to try a feint and see where that got her.

Grant attempted to land a blow, and when Madison went for attack Grant tried to block planning to counter but then the blow came from another angle. Grant felt it, but let the attack carry him so he would slightly be blown away. He gained some distance then produced several throwing knives from what seemed like nowhere. Grant threw them with pinpoint accuracy.

Madison cursed, shifting her hands into claws, she batted at the daggers, one getting through, but managed to avoid being seriously injured, she shouted "Mako will you bloody do something instead of just standing there?" As she charged the vampire again.

Mako stood at the ready, hands and palms up and open. He wanted to get his attack in, but for some reason he didn't want to hit Madison. He waited for a good opening.

Madison growled, furious now, she leaped back from the spell, thinking god, vampires are powerful enough. as she darted back, she scooped up one of the throwing knives and threw it back towards the Vampire.

Mako saw his opportunity. "Zch!" Suddenly the knife that Madison threw zoomed forward, impaling Grants palm that he held up to grab it.

Grant clutched his hand and he narrowed his eyes. He was done with this whole fight. His mission was not to fight them, it was to kill his targets, which he already did. Grant pulled out a smoke bomb and threw it on the ground. A thick black smoke suddenly filled the room, blocking sight and smell. In this Grant managed to escape by running past Madison out the front door.

Piper got Lucinda's message through Andrew's text. She glanced at it and did a double take. From Andrew? She shook her head and looked up. Not too far ahead of her was a familiar figure. She smiled and jogged up to match his stride. "Hey, What are you-?" She saw his hand and she touched his arm gently. "Grant? What happened to your hand? Who were you fighting?" Piper became very concerned. "Please say it wasn't Garrett."

Grant looked at Piper, then to his hand, then back at Piper. He shook his head. "No it wasn't him. Honestly it isn't a huge deal, it was more or less an accident honestly." This wasn't entirely untrue. He did make the mistake of not finishing his opponent off faster. Grant rolled his wrists. "I need to feed though."

Madison gave a sigh as the vampire ran off, and she grimaced, glancing to her side at the wound there, that would heal quickly she hissed, and glanced towards Mako. "Thanks" She looked about and sighed. She hadn't managed to stop their deaths.

"I do too actually. Follow me." Piper lead him back to the park she had been at the night before and she waited til a couple of men came by and she commanded them to obey her After feeding on her victim she healed him and wiped their memories of the incident with some powerful suggestion. She smiled as Grant did the same. "Sorry I took off on you earlier. I needed some time to think and I tend to do that best when I talk to Alex so I went to the bar to see him." She looked at his hand and saw that he heals a lot slower than she does. Then again both wolves and vamps healed fast. Grant was part human so he was slower than a normal vamp.

Piper sat on the ground and patted it next to her. "So tell me what you were doing while I was gone."

Grant wiped his mouth and looked at his hand. As his hand healed he sighed. He could not believe he had to engage in actual close combat. Especially with such a fast wolf. And she was clearly a wolf. More than likely the same wolf he saw running around. He looked at Piper.

"Nothing much. I ended up falling asleep after you left, it was an exhausting day. Using magic is always tiring but thankfully I can conserve stamina perfectly. Today..I wandered around Elyria. Even ended up in the new werewolf plaza. Seems like the alpha there is quite a hard ass. Had people on watch 24/7. I had heard last that it was the vamp plaza so I was quite surprised."

Grant raised an eyebrow, leaned in, and kissed Piper.

Mako walked over to Madison. "Are you alright?"

Piper kissed him back and her heart skipped a beat. Breathlessly she pulled back and said, "Have you figured out why we are this way with each other? Are we soul mates? Do they exist? I haven't taken any love potions so I can't begin to understand it." She nodded

"Yes it happened a couple of days ago apparently. Garrett hates him and Lucinda slept with the lead wolf and supposedly really likes him but I got an odd text from Andrew telling me to stay away from Samuel per Lucinda. I don't know what's going on. I''m guessing she saw something she didn't like."

Madison gave a nod, "i will be, but I ruined the clothes you conjured" She said, placing a hand against her side, which she could feel the blood already slowing. "Thanks, though. At least they are gone, for now. But we didn't save anyone..."

Mako stood there, emotionless as usual. He looked over at the witches now dead on the floor. "It is unfortunate. But it should not deter you. If I use your logic, maybe this vampire is somehow connected to the Originals."

Mako looked back at Madison. "You seem......tense."

Grant nodded as if he expected an answer like that. "Are you going to? Did you originally want to join his pack? And....no I have never heard of soul mates being a real thing. Silly superstition. But it does propose an interesting theory, what with what is between us."

Piper nodded, "I was considering the possibility but I hadn't checked out the pack yet. However if Lucinda is telling me not to then there is a good reason so I'll look elsewhere. Besides being my family she is my maker and although she hasn't made it an order it wouldn't be wise to ignore her and make it become so.

Piper looked at Grant and blurted out "Did you think I was a slut earlier? I know those things don't happen every day and I never do that. It's like I had no self control around you. I don't know what to do about it. If we are soul mates for lack of a better term we could be used to hurt each other theoretically. We might be stronger together but alone we would be more exposed."

Madison sighed and nodded, not finding his words reassuring, but she couldn't argue when it was her own words. For now. "Tense? Really now? I'm injured and have two dead bodies in front of me, and I'm wearing clothes I wouldn't be caught dead in, but here I am" She said wearily. She shook her head, and said "maybe he was before he was turned. I've heard you don't lose your powers if you were a witch or warlock during the turn"

Mako rested his chin on his fist and his elbow on his arm. "Yes I can see the scene in front of me. It is gruesome no doubt." Mako chanted the same words from earlier to conjure clothes. This time he conjured sweat pants and a hoodie. "I apologize for the clothes if they were not to your taste. What do you believe our next move should be. He left his coat, but it is burned."

Grant shook his head and held Pipers hand. "No I did not mean to imply anything of the sort. I only meant that in normal situations people have a bit more time before coitus. But I felt the same thing you did, the pull. It is not a normal situation we are in. And.......well...sometimes I disappear for a period of time but I always come back. I believe we should figure this out since I will be in town for awhile. I think that staying away is a bad thing."

Madison took the clothes gratefully, and hold them for the moment, as she thought, "Continue to hunt down the Prescott's. If we're lucky, I can trace one or all of their scents back to their home" She said before she stepped back, away slightly and hurriedly changed clothes.

"You are leaving? You mean you don't intend to stay?" For some reason this thought scared her and almost nothing scared her. "I don't think we should be apart and I also noticed that you haven't really answered my questions now tell me what you do for a living that would make you leave here." Piper was really upset at the thought that he might leave. What if he did it without saying goodbye to her. She had never felt such anxiety about that kind of thing.

Piper got up and grabbed his hand. "I need to get to the house and meet Andrew and Lucinda. "She was confused about this entire Grant/Love thing and as they walked home she decided to ask Lucinda about it.

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Callie stayed at the bar, trying her best not to distract Caius-okay maybe she did try to distract him a little bit-so that he could do his job. She played with her charm bracelet, watching him making drinks, she let herself wonder what could be going on...it was clear that the attraction was there...the physical was amazing....

"So when does your shift end?" She asked after a little while, looking up and giving him a bright smile.

Caius glanced towards Callie in the middle of mixing another drink. "Funny thing is, I have no idea. I wasn't even expecting to get a full time job when I stepped through the door earlier. You---" a hand reached out and grabbed Caius' shirt. A very drunk female vampire leaned over the bar counter and planted her lips squarely on Caius' lips. "I want some of that too," the female slurred. "You just look so yummy." Taken by surprise, the rum in Caius' hand spilled to the floor. He laid the bottle on the counter top, took hold of the woman's shoulders and gently pushed her away. He gave her a polite but charming smile. "Hands off the bartender, please."

The woman laughed and tried to grab Caius again.

Callie moved quicker then she ever thought she could, pushing herself between Caius and the drunk vampire, she said "He said hands off, and I agree" Callie shifted, tapping one of her charms, fire filled her hand, and she stared at the vampire, glaring at the drunk woman, she would, if need be, stare the woman down. She was quite literally terrified, putting herself between a vampire....

"Do I have to tell Tabitha Prescott you have displeased me? I will if I have to. I'd rather not, but..."

The female vampire looked taken aback but through half closed lids, she bared her fangs at Callie. "What? You think you're so high and mighty you can have this wolf all to yourself?" she looked at Caius and pointed a finger at him. "Don't tell me this bitch has you on a leash," she turned her attention back to Callie. "Fucked you too much you've become attached to the mutt?" she sneered. "What do you tell your Tabitha? That you got a little competition for the attention of this wolf?"

Caius put a hand on Callie's shoulder. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "Calm down. I'll take care of her," he said in a strangely calm voice, his baritone almost a lullaby, relaxing and soothing. He pressed a quick kiss on Callie's head and then turned his attention to the hissing vampire. The way he carried himself it was obvious that he was straining not to lose his cool. His blue eyes were strangely fierce despite his firm tone of voice. "Enough."

The vampire stared into Caius' eyes. Although the hostile expression on her face didn't change, her mind seemed to. "It's a good thing your little boyfriend here has some manners. I'll let this slip this time," she said, tore her gaze from Caius' gaze, glared at Callie and walked away. She stumbled a few times but she made it to the door without any more incidence.

Caius let out a deep breath and looked at Callie. "Sorry about that. Hazards of the job," he explained.

"Some vampires think they deserve anything, simply because they are what they are" Callie said furiously, but she shook her head and calmed down somewhat, thinkign she had just made an enemy of a vampire. She tapped the charm bracelet, and the fire died in her hand, she ran a hand through her hair. "I'm sorry, I just..." virtually made a claim on you, in front of a whole bar of people, against a drunk vampire when I don't have my full set of spells. Wonderful. "guess I just didn't want...her touching you"

Caius clear blue eyes immediately twinkled with delight. A lazy smile spread across his face. "Thank you. It's not all the time I find someone who cares enough to defend me," he said.

So apparently she'd done something right, she thought, giving him an almost shy smile, she cleared her throat, "Um. Well...maybe you should see if you can get off early, before I tick off anymore vampires" She said, sure she was blushing.

Caius nodded then turned her head towards the end of the bar counter where Claudia was sitting, looking as though the empty shot glass in front of her offended her. Something must have happened while he was busy losing himself in Callie's kisses. He made a mental note to ask her about it later. It didn't seem like his twin would be up to commandeering the bar at this time and there were still people coming in. "I'm not sure that would be possible..."

Callie followed his gaze, and frowned, but nodded. "That's okay" She said, and smiled again, looking back to him. "I don't mind...but I can't promise I won't hurt someone" She said softly.

Caius shook his head. "Everyone eventually gets hurt in bars like these. Especially in an ideal setting as what they have here. Welcoming vampires and werewolves. I'm afraid both races aren't quite sensible to put together when they're all drunk. Well, I don't think anyone can be sensible while intoxicated regardless of race," he shrugged. "I'd try to calm everyone as much as I can though. I don't mind getting hurt. Just don't put yourself on the line for me again. I don't want you getting hurt."

Callie really hadn't known what had come over her. She blushed, and glanced down. "I don't think I can promise that" She said softly, shifting slightly, she bit her lip, and sat back down at the bar, evidently content to wait.

Caius looked at Callie for a few minutes. It was endearing to see her so shy yet so bold in practically telling him that she wanted to protect him. Out of instinct, he leaned forward, tilted her chin up to him and pressed his lips gently to hers. It wasn't like the sensuous kisses he gave her earlier but it was sweet. He pulled back, smiled at her and then excused himself again to attend to customers.

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The next morning Alex unloaded more supplies and worked with the construction guys. That afternoon he went to Lucinda's and showered and changed into a suit. Stopping back by the bar as the others were coming in to work he said hello to his bartenders and kept his distance from Claudia. It would be hard not to notice him in a suit and tie with his briefcase in hand. "I have an appointment with the architect. I shouldn't be more than a couple of hours." He glanced at Claudia out of the corner of his eye as he left.

Claudia looked up when she heard Alex's voice. She half expected him to notice her. But it was obvious that he wasn't planning on talking to her at all. She looked down on the bar counter. She found her irritation mounting up again and a frown pulled the edges of her lips down. She mentally kicked herself for being bothered by Alex keeping his distance. When did she start caring whether vampires noticed her anyway? It was better that he... THEY didn't.

"Stare at the counter more and you'll burn a hole through it. You can just go and talk to him, you know," Caius called out as he passed by.

Claudia gave Caius a sharp look. One that her brother easily shrugged off. "He's a vampire, so what?" his words earned him a sharper look from Claudia.

Later when he came back he had a woman with him. She was brunette, pretty and she had a killer body and red heels on that seemed to make her legs look incredibly long. They were very involved in their conversation and barely took notice of the people working there. Alex caught Claudia's eye once and he quickly brushed it off. He took the woman into the office and showed her what was being done to the bar. When he came out of the office he went to the bar and asked Claudia "Can you make a long island iced tea and a sex on the beach for me please?" His smile was contagious and he waited and smirked at her. "Busy day so far?"

As soon as Alex walked into the bar with the woman, Claudia sunk deeper into her dark mood. Caius watched her amusedly from where he was standing. He never imagined in a million years that his sister, an avid hater of vampires, would be hung up on one. Even if she vehemently denied it, it was obvious to him. He leaned on the counter. "Still denying it?"

Claudia almost growled at his twin. "Shut up, Cai. I don't know what you mean," she bit out tersely.

Caius raised an eyebrow and then looked towards Alex who was walking towards them. "Hey Alex," he greeted then walked away.

At the mention of Alex's name, Claudia immediately stiffened. She carefully hid her thoughts behind a stoic face and then nodded at Alex's request. She was as adept at mixing drinks like her brother and in no time had them ready. She handed him the drinks and finally looked up at him. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the smirk he gave her. "Obviously," she responded haughtily and gestured to the almost full bar.

Alex took the glasses and smiled. He shut the door to the office and a little later he brought the woman out and called her a cab. After seeing her put into it he went back into the office and came out minus the jacket and tie a few minutes later. He seemed to be in a much more foul mood. He sat down at the end of the bar when Caius was on a break. He was reading the paper and glancing up at Claudia every few minutes. One of the drunken patrons came over and started hitting on Claudia. He watched her reactions and smiled slightly.

"Come on, little girl. You're a wolf and I'm a wolf. We could make beautiful howls together," the man slurred.

"I'm not too fond of intoxicated dirty old men," Claudia responded haughtily, her mood obviously still foul.

Alex was fine with this until the drunk man who smelled of wolf reached over the bar and grabbed her.

Claudia bristled, her patience at its end as the man grabbed her. She gave the drunk a particularly malevolent grin as her eyes began turning from blue to gold. A perfect time to release her frustrations. Without Caius around, there was no one to keep her temper in check. The air almost sizzled with the heat she gave off. She was in the brink of shifting to her wolf form and could almost taste the blood of the older wolf on her fangs when a blur blocked her view of her supposed prey.

Alex was up so fast the patron barely had time to yelp as was hoisted up and out of the bar. When he didn't want to listen and tried to get back in past Alex, Alex punched the man so hard he knocked him out. When he stood up his hair was a little out of place. He walked back into the bar and asked Claudia, "Are you alright?"

Claudia turned an almost murderous look towards her unexpected 'savior.' Her eyes had not yet shifted back to its original color and it looked like she was still in the brink of transforming. She didn't particularly appreciate that Alex had robbed her of a fight. Why was he there in the first place? Isn't he suppose to be playing around with some long legged pretty girl? She directed all her frustrations at him. "I told you I can take care of myself," she bit out.

Alex smiled "And I told you that you shouldn't have to. That's my job. You just like to torture me I swear." Her jealousy of the woman who left was obvious to him and that made him smile slightly. He could have killed the man who grabbed her though. He didn't though because he knew the man was drunk and easy to knock out.

She would have made another snide comeback but when she saw Caius walk back into the bar, she relaxed and her eyes turned back to their original blue color. She looked at Alex, scowled once more at him and then stomped away.

A Fed Ex truck pulled up and a box marked PERISHABLE was brought into the bar and Alex took it into the office and opened it. His personal mini fridge had been empty and he was getting hungry. He came out and got a glass, went into the office and poured it full of blood and drank it down. That seemed to calm him a little bit although it didn't change his mood.

Claudia wrinkled her nose when the Fed Ex man brought in a box. She could smell an irony scent coming from it. When Alex came out to take it, she immediately knew what it was. She shook her head and asked herself a hundredth time why he bothered her so much. She was so irritated at him that she didn't know how good she'd be able to do her job with him around all the time. She was plenty distracted now that he was out of sight. What more if he was beside her? She marched to his office and knocked on the door. "Alex, it's Claudia. Can I come in?" she asked through the door.

Alex sighed, this girl was really getting to him and he was getting frustrated with her. "Yes come in." He looked at her exasperated. He closed the ledger he was working on and waved his hand at the chair opposite him. "What can I do for you Claudia?" Every time he saw her or was anywhere near her he was aware of only her. He had been frustrated when the lady architect had made her advances at him, which he would have normally accepted immediately but this time he didn't, because Claudia was under his skin and it was starting to piss him off.

Claudia took a deep breath as she stepped into Alex's office, fully prepared to tell him that she didn't wanna continue working in the bar. Caius fit in just perfectly. But she didn't. No, that wasn't it. She just didn't wanna keep getting confused everytime the vampire walked into the room. The smell of blood was stronger in the office as she made her way to the seat he offered her. She looked at his face, at the obvious frustration on it. Oh, for God's sake. Even when he looked pissed off, he still looked irresistible as hell. Argh... screw it. She walked past the chair and with surprising strength, grabbed Alex's shirt, dragged him up and pushed him roughly against the wall. Without giving him time to react, she pressed her body against his and began kissing him. She tasted blood on him but she didn't care. Right this moment, there was really no use in pretending that she didn't want him.

Alex was surprised when Claudia yanked him up and lustily started kissing him. He wrapped his arms around her tightly pulling her up against his body and kissed her back like he wasn't ever letting her go. He felt nothing but her in every inch of his body.

When he kissed back, she deepened and intensified the kiss, leaving both of them breathless and gasping for air. She kissed him over and over to satisfy the hunger that started when he had kissed her the night before. But when she realized that she wanted more, she struggled to control herself and pulled back. Her cheeks flushed the same shade of red as her lips. "I...um...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to attack you just like that," she stepped backwards, embarrassment evident on her face.

Alex was having trouble controlling his need for her when she struggled to pull herself back from their kisses. When she apologized he pulled her up wrapping her legs around his waist and leaned her against the wall his body leaning into hers. "Never apologize for kissing me." He continued until he was at his breaking point and anymore would result in sex on his desk or running her to Lucinda's and into his bed. It was really difficult for him when he pulled back. He knew if she continued he was going to lose control and he wasn't sure she could handle that.

He was breathing heavily and shaking slightly. He held her close to him in silence while they mentally got themselves together. "What took you so long?"

The sensations that were running through Claudia were threatening to drive her crazy. She clung to Alex and responded with as much desire as he gave her. She wanted more. So much more. She wanted to tear off his clothes and give in to that primal need. She was so close to acting on that need when he pulled back. Her breathing was heavy and she leaned her forehead against his. When he asked, the indignant look returned to her face even though her arms curled possessively around his neck. "What do you mean what took me so long? You were the one who brought in that woman earlier. Did you think I was just gonna barge in here? I didn't wanna see you going at it with her... Wait. Did you?" she demanded.

Alex playfully kissed her neck and chin while she spoke. He laughed against her neck and hugged her tightly then he looked into her eyes, his twinkling with laughter. "She is the architect on this remodel and addition and beautiful too but when she tried to kiss me I turned her down. I couldn't get you out of my head. I don't want anyone else. Only you." He kissed her bottom lip and began sucking on it slightly while he awaited her response.

"If you want to we can get out of here for a while. Caius can handle things on his own for a while."

"Good. Cause you're mine. No one else can touch you," Claudia declared possessively. Getting distracted with his sucking on her lower lip, she leaned in and began kissing him again. When the heat began building up again, she pulled back and nodded her head. "Yeah, let's get out of here for a while."

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@Venku@caits@dabombjk@king tai@rumikoohara

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@venku

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Andrew had been leaning on the counter watching the bar ready to move in case a brawl broke out, which considering the patrons was likely to happen, when his phone rang. He picked it up immediately and it was Lucinda sounding unhappy, "Andrew, I need you. Meet me in the backyard of the house in ten minutes. We have a serious problem. If you can tell Piper to stay away from Samuel and his pack that would help me immensely." "I'll be right there." It seemed that this Samuel guy had done something that crossed her bottom line, killing intent flashed in Andrew's eyes. He texted Piper as he headed out the door running full speed to the mansion. When he arrived Lucinda was waiting for him.

Lucinda saw Andrew and went to him. She was thankful that they were alone for the moment. She didn't want to say this in front of anyone else. "I made a mistake yesterday, one that gives me both an enemy and more information on the upcoming war." She wasn't sure if he had heard about her and Samuel or not and she knew they didn't have a committed relationship but she wanted to change that.

Andrew knew what the mistake she was referring to was but he wasn't going to rub it in. "Are you ok? He didn't hurt you did he?" Andrew was more concerned with Lucinda than the information she gathered.

Lucinda smiled at Andrew, "No, I'm fine. I wanted to talk to you about us first. It's been on my mind since I saw you yesterday minus my lapse of judgement last night." Lucinda knew this would sound strange but he had known her for around a 1000 years so he would understand. "You know I love Tabitha and Garrett. Each differently and for a long time I was in love with Garrett. I think I was holding onto a love that doesn't exist anymore. I was afraid to let myself get past that. Truth be told I don't want Garrett. I want to be with you." Lucinda hadn't spent time with Andrew in 20 years and she was hoping he hadn't changed that much.

"I have waited centuries to hear you say those words," he said as he took her into his arms. "And my patience has paid off." He kissed her as all the emotions he had suppressed welled up in him.

Lucinda laughed happily and kissed him back. "I can't tell you how much I've missed you. I know I keep saying that but it's true." She couldn't believe how centered she felt when he was with her. She always felt whole when they were together. Lucinda kept hold of his hand in hers. She was about to ask if he had gotten a hold of Piper when she saw her coming across the lawn with Grant. "Piper's here." There was noise in the house and Lucinda caught Alex and Claudia as they were entering his room. Before she could say anything the door slammed in a very final way . She smirked at both Piper and Andrew. "Alex is a little busy at the moment. We'll catch him up later."

"It has been a while since he has had an actual relationship, I hope it works out for him." Andrew said with a smirk. "What would he need catching up on, other than us at least?" He says with a light laugh.

Piper walked over and noticed the hand holding and grinned. [color=fff200] "Finally figured out what or should I say Who you want huh?" [color]Lucinda nodded and smiled lovingly at Andrew. "It took me forever and a day to realize it but yes. My eyes are open and I see clearly now."

"I am just glad I was here when they opened," he says with a smirk. "It seems that the past 1000 yrs or so are all culminating now."

"Alright, ok don't rub it in I feel dumb enough already." She said blushing and hugging him.

"Okay, Samuel wants to take over all supernaturals and put them under his rule. He is talking about vamps, wolves, witches. Everybody! He wanted me by his side because I am an Original and he figured that would make it easier for him to get the vamps under control. I saw him and his wolves in action. They were out to kill a group of younger vamps. I couldn't let him do it. I started throwing wolves and ran the vamps off." She let out her breath. "Needless to say he is going to consider me an enemy from now on."

"So that's why he came to town and killed Jackson. He is quite ambitious but seems to be unaware what has happened to those who attempted it before, even when successful it was only temporary." Killing intent flickering in his eyes, "That makes him an enemy of us all and if he tries to harm you or any of our family it will be the last time he harms anyone."

Piper smiled at Andrew. "He will rue the day he messed with the Prescott family." Piper looked thoughtful. "Have you told this to Tabby and Garrett yet?"

Lucinda looked regretful. "No, I came straight here and I wanted to talk to Andrew first and make sure that you weren't involved with Samuel's group yet...It's not going to be an easy conversation with them tonight. I'm not relishing it but it has to happen. I know I screwed up. I accept that but they are just going to have to get over it and we are going to have to go to war. At least we have a heads up on what's going on because of it."

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@dabombjk@king tai@rumikoohara@Kyrisse@caits

Ashley drove about 12 miles outside of Cleveland heading off to meet with a real estate broker who was going to show her a house on Furnace street in the town of Elyria, Ohio.

She had no real reason to be interested in the former mill town other than rumors passed on to her by a friend of the Van Wilde family whom she’d been in the service of since her conception. He’d alluded to the idea that in this little hamlet just outside of Cleveland there were now rumored to be a band of Originals with which she might find safe haven and someone worthy of her service; his Domani would have taken her in if he’d not worried about offending the Giovanni the clan that had destroyed her clan. She was grateful and had turned over her Mistress’s Black Files to her friend to use in service to his own Master.

She pulled into the drive of a new two story recently renovated brick home built in the early 60s and parked her Impala rent-a-car behind a hideous SUV made by Cadillac. The Realtor was a bleached blonde wish she was younger type of woman in her early 50s her jewelry was flashy in an unnecessary sort of way ; it made the buyer think she charged too much commission.

Ashley had Ms. Hampstead trained before they’d finished inspecting the ground floor and mounted the stairs tp inspect the second story. It was while they Inspected the large 2 door 4 car garage that Ashley had tested the waters and found the woman to be perfect as a source of local information and gossip. Then once her inspection was over Ashley had her house at a reasonable price and a lesser servant who saw her as the newest and most socially high ranking she knew outside of the Country Club where they snubbed her for attending night school and becoming a successful Broker; who knew it might be good exercise arranging the social defeat of some of the local socialites as it would gain Ashley Taylor a reputation that could prove useful in many ways.

She arranged for several work crews to visit the house and perform a shopping list of alterations and additions such as replace the standard door frames and doors with security doors that could take a direct hit from an armor piercing .50 caliber round and frames that could hold back anything that couldn't break down the entire wall as well. Next was a window crew that installed armored noise cancelling thermal resistant windows that could shrug off large caliber rounds and become instantly blackout windows shielding any farther activity behind them allowing those inside to escape. Once it was all sealed a five man team of experts who installed the security systems for sensitive industry installations and plumbers and tile men and cabinet makers; of course this meant that she must wait two weeks before she could occupy her new home and was forced to stay in the best Hotel in Cleveland.

Well all this work did give her an excuse to drive around the area antique shopping and testing the local fare so she didn’t complain instead enjoyed her nights seeking the center of the local night scene. She did so in a Soccer Mom Minivan dressing herself to fit the part so she could move as unnoticed as possible in the daytime and at night she drove a Kia Soul looking more like the new local school teacher fresh out of college and on the prowl.

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Callie wasn't use to waking up in a bed, not to mention a massive bed like Tabitha's. She wasn't use to waking up warm, comfortable, and with clothes laid out nearby. Tabitha seemed to have thought of everything. And Callie was glad that the clothes were more subdued than Tabitha's choices. Warm browns, and blacks. Callie hesitated, but found some toiletry supplies as well. Grateful for Tabitha, Callie found a bathroom, and showered. She took longer in there then she should have, simply enjoy the luxury of warm water, that lasted it seemed forever.

She dressed in a brown shirt, and black pants, slipping on her coat, she started out, having no idea where she was going, but her feet apparently knew where they wanted to take her. Her brain caught up, and she stopped, blushing. But what else did she have to do? She slid her hands into the pockets of her coat, and continued on, frowning slightly, she pulled out a credit card, a note wrapped around it. Everyone needs help sometimes, Callie! Just accept it!. Tabitha. Shaking her head, Callie entered the bar again, glancing about her, she moved through the crowd.

Caius chuckled to himself when he saw Claudia stand up and head straight to Alex's office. He guessed that she would either quit her job or end up going at it with him. The moment the two met, he could instantly see those sparks flying. He would love to see where it will all end up. He looked up just in time to see his sister and Alex walk out of the bar hand in hand. Claudia looked flushed. Well, there you go. Guess I won't be seeing the two of you for the rest of the night," he thought. It was strange that he didn't mind Claudia hooking up with a vampire. It would have bothered him but he didn't really get that impression that Alex wanted to harm his sister. He was about to turn his attention back to work when he caught a whiff of something familiar. He looked towards the door and his eyes immediately found Callie. He grinned and raised his hand in greeting.

Callie returned the smile, and greeting, beginning to work her way around the customers, she skillfully avoided, or rather ignored, anyone that tried to get her attention. She didn't want to be hit on by drunken vampires, wolves, or warlocks. Perhaps it was meant jokingly-sure some of them had seen her kissing Caius. She just wanted to reach Caius.

"Hey" She said, "Was that Claudia with Alex?" She was sure that Claudia had aversions towards Vampires, so she found it an odd pairing. But then, she thought, almost shyly looking towards Caius. So was a werewolf and a witch.

"Yeah, Claudia and Alex. I saw it coming but who would've thought. I'm sure she'll have a whole new perspective on vampires after tonight," Caius replied as he wiped the counter's surface. "So, how'd bunking with the vampires go?"

"Tabitha wasn't in her room, but there seems to be a lot going on there...it seemed they were arguing about something...They're okay. They believe in free will." Callie said softly, "She gave me clothes and a credit card. With how much they must have, I could buy a store, and Tabitha wouldn't even blink, Caius. She doesn't seem to know what a gift that is to me, and I can't use it" She said, a little frustrated. She sighed, shook her head, and then she leaned in close to Caius, simply because she wanted to, "I almost forgot" She kissed him softly, and it had been intended to be a soft kiss, no quite as passion filled as the previous ones, but she just couldn't help herself. The feelings that welled up inside of her, overwhelmed her, and her brain took a backburner to everything.

As soon as Callie leaned forward to kiss him, a bar patron who had obviously been there the night before, the vampire who had almost got into trouble with Caius, called out. "Hey wolf boy. Are you treating us with another make out session?"

Caius took the time to kiss Callie back before he pulled back and gave the vampire a grin. "You wish," he bantered back, earning him a laugh from the vampire. The wolf chuckled before he turned his attention back to Callie.

"Why not? It's a gift. It's yours to use."

Callie flickered a glance towards the vampire, smiled sweetly and said "Two nights in a row, are you searching for someone to kiss yourself, or merely...drinking to forget you don't have anyone to kiss?"

Ops. Her mouth was going to get her into big trouble one of these days. Like today. "I'm sorry, that just came out"

"She's a looker with a foul mouth. Someone to bring home to the wolf mama," the vampire didn't seem at all offended. He lifted his shot glass up, gave a little bow to Caius and then drank the alcohol in one gulp. He murmured something like "I owe you one" to Caius when the wolf slid him yet another shot glass.

She blushed, looking to Caius. "Because...I want to feel like I've earned it, and not merely been given a free pass"

Caius turned to Callie. "I get what you mean. But sometimes, a gift is just a gift. Something you need to take to avoid offending the giver," he shrugged. "Or at least that's what I think." He raised a hand to one of the bartenders that was going around the tables. "Take over for me for a few minutes, will you?" Caius asked a brown haired boy. When the boy nodded, Caius grinned at Callie and gestured for her to follow him. He led her to the backroom and as soon as the door closed behind them, he stepped forward, closing the small distance between him and the witch. "I don't think that kiss was enough for me," he said as he leaned down and began kissing her. His kisses were nothing like what he gave her the day before. His kisses yesterday was slow, passionate and sensual. Today, it was hungry, needy and rough. And he didn't hesitate to plunge his tongue into her mouth.

Callie didn't have a chance to say anything, didn't have a chance, even, to react, although she was pretty sure he was going to kiss her as he led her away to a backroom, she wasn't prepared for the...assault. Her body reacted long before her mind had a chance to catch up, and she matched his kiss, his need, his hunger, perhaps even have been thinking on this for hours, and she entwined her tongue with his, a small moan budding in her throat, she couldn't help herself, letting her hands rest against his chest, clutching at him.

The feeling of her tongue against his seemed to encourage Caius. He turned up the heat as he crushed her mouth against his. One of his hands began running up and down her back. And then just as suddenly as he kissed her a moment ago, he pushed her against the wall. He reached down, hiked her leg up and wrapped it around his waist.

Callie could feel her heart racing, pounding in her chest, as her body moved, returning Caius's passions. Finding herself pressed against the wall, and Caius, she wrapped her legs around him as he guided one up, letting herself lean against the wall, and into him as she was sure she was going to combust under the heat she was feeling, the desperate need. God, where was it coming from? it seemed to be everywhere and no where, filling her, and she knew if they continued, even for a minute longer, she wouldn't be able to contain herself. Reaching up, she curled a hand around his neck, reaching up with her other hand to run her fingers gently through his hair, down his neck, and back, and back up again, tangling her fingers in his hair.

Every single action Callie did seem to push Caius closer and closer to the edge. It would be so easy to remove the clothing that separated their bodies, so easy to take her when she was so willing. He pressed into her more, the assault of his lips and tongue constant as his hands began inching up under her shirt. Caius was no longer thinking straight and was acting purely on instinct. And his instinct told him to take the woman in his arms. Now.

"Caius, some of the customers are asking for you," came a voice from outside the door.

The voice brought Caius back into focus and he pulled back reluctantly. "Y-yeah, I'll be right there," he called out. He still had Callie pinned to the wall. He took a deep breath to calm himself down and leaned his forehead against hers. "Sorry... Sorry." he apologized. He unentangled himself from her and stepped back. His cheeks was flushed a deep shade of pink as he ran a hand through his hair. "I... need to see to the bar," he gave her a small smile before he turned and walked back out.

Callie stayed where she was, slowly sliding down the wall, her legs not wanting to support herself at the sudden change. She swallowed, watching Caius leave, thinking about her damn bad luck. She wanted to tell him to stay, wanted to simply attack him, kissing him, everywhere and anywhere, to tear his clothes off, and stop him from leaving, but she managed, just barely, to restrain herself. As he left, she let out a slow breath, trying to bring herself back under control, but it was a slow process. She didn't trust herself to leave the room, thinking the chances were high that she'd just pounce on him again.

Everywhere Caius had touched seemed to be tingling, and she could still feel his lips on hers, his tongue in her mouth. Oh, she was going to work herself up again. She tried to smooth herself out as best she could, finally rising on weak legs, she stared at the door a moment, wondering if she just waited a little bit, if Caius would come back.

And came back, he did. Caius poked his head into the room, a grin on his face. "You do know that you had me so worked up I could have taken you on the spot, right? I'm afraid though that it'll have to wait cause the bar's insanely full. What do you say you come home with me tonight? Would Tabitha mind?"

"I had you worked up? Jeez, Caius, my skin is still tingling from you!" Callie said, with a laugh, "I'd love nothing more, then to go home with you. I don't think she'd mind overly much" God, she still wanted to pounce on him, to-well, yeah, work him up again, and take him. Or him take her. She didn't think there was a distinction here.

Caius chuckled. "I look forward to it then," he winked and then disappeared back outside.

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collab with @dabombjk@venku@caits

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Lucinda texted Tabitha and Garrett to meet them all in the living room, that there was something important for them to talk about. Piper and Grant were there and Andrew was with her too.

Tabitha sighed softly, glancing to her phone, a little put out that their small measure of peace was broken yet again. Reading the message, she frowned, before she climbed out of the hammock smoothly, barely setting it to swaying, and said "It seems important" She just hoped she wasn't going to be expected to play nice with that wolf. She trotted off towards the house, assuming that Garrett was following, she did glance around them, a little perplexed, but after a moment, Tabitha dismissed it, and continued on.

Garrett looked at his phone and sighed. He didn't think Lucinda was still upset but if she was texting him then it must be urgent. Garrett watched as Tabitha received a text as well and assumed it was was from Lucinda as well. As he was walking with Tabitha he texted Piper, telling her to go to the house with Grant.

When they arrived in the living room Lucinda grabbed Andrew's hand for support a moment.
"Please sit I need to say some things." She looked at Piper and Grant and Andrew and she stood up, pacing a little nervously. She took a minute to decide how to say it.

"You know I love you both and you both know that for a long time I was in love with Garrett." She looked at them and then at Andrew and smiled.

"I think I was holding onto a love that doesn't exist anymore. I was afraid to let myself get past that. Truth be told I don't want Garrett. I love Andrew. Last night I was vulnerable and pissed at Garrett and so when Samuel took advantage of that I let him. I'm sorry for that I know it hurt you both."She was looking directly at both of them but mostly at Garrett at the end.

"You already know that I forgive you, a temporary lapse in judgement is more than forgivable." Andrew responded with a smile.

Tabitha was sure that her small frame was vibrating with anger, or annoyance. She didn't actually know which, but she knew she wasn't, right then, happy. Andrew's reasonable attitude merely made her more so, and she barely managed to stay where she was. "So you demanded that we accept Samuel, that we "respect" him, and that what was, was, even though he wasn't worthy of you, all based on a whim?" She shook her head, exasperated. She didn't think the reasons Lucinda gave were valid, reasonable. It was one thing to sleep with the werewolf, another completely to demand that they accept him, and Tabitha was frustrated, once more, at Lucinda's whims.

Garrett barely noticed a word anyone said. He got he key point, but he was mainly focused on Grant. He did indeed have a few of his facial features, and he could see Siranna in his face. He was upset because had he known he would have been there for Grant. It saddened to know that he failed as a father. Grant snapped back to reality as Tabitha finished speaking and he held her hand. He looked at Tabitha.

"I......agree with Tabitha, but I'm just happy that you came to your senses. Samuel is obviously a sociopath bent on ruling so the farther away you are from him the better. I'm glad we are a family again. Or at least we can start to be again. This isn't the first time something like this has happened."

Grant scoffed. "From what I've heard he is simply acting out of alpha instincts. Werewolves will be werewolves."

Piper looked at Grant and shook her head slightly and smiled slightly.

Lucinda looked at Tabitha and sighed more frustrated with herself than anyone at that point.
"I'm truly sorry Tabitha. We do have other problems that we need to discuss."

"Samuel wants to take over all supernaturals and put them under his rule. He is talking about vamps, wolves, witches. Everybody! He wanted me by his side because I am an Original and he figured that would make it easier for him to get the vamps under control. I saw him and his wolves in action. They were out to kill a group of younger vamps. I couldn't let him do it. I started throwing wolves and ran the vamps off." She let out her breath. "Needless to say he is going to consider me an enemy from now on."

"I think we all agree that anyone who threatens our family has a deathwish. This isn't the first time someone has tried to conquer all three factions and it surely wont be the last." Andrew said as he took Lucinda's hand.

Tabitha didn't need the apology. She knew Lucinda was sorry, but that didn't mean her anger would abate. It wasn't simply what she'd done, it was the fact that, to Tabitha, it had seemed, for even just a few moments, that it was them, or Samuel, and she was more then a little hurt on that. She sighed, glancing over to Grant briefly, she said "There are plenty of werewolves, and alphas too, that don't go killing a powerful vampire simply to make a point As Garrett took her hand, Tabitha let herself be soothed just a little bit.

"Not all witches were subdued by Jackson, Callie was removed from her coven because she wouldn't conform. It will be the same with the wolves, and its going to be the same with Samuel. He won't get them truly united, no one will, because they are all separate groups. The best he can hope for his to inspire enough fear not to be challenged, and we've certainly let him run rampant, haven't we?" Tabitha knew that that was a bit petty of her, and yet she couldn't help herself.

She sighed, and looked away from everyone. She was certain now that there would be war, and that supernaturals who didn't deserve to die would be killed, one way or another. All because they didn't deal with the issue as it first arose. And now she was distracted, her anger, for the moment, leaving her in the face of the problem. Maybe she'd simply forget that she was angry, but eventually she'd come back to it.

Garrett spoke. "We may be originals but we can't just rush in an take out Samuel like a snap of our fingers, not now anyways. If we had taken care of the problem when it first arose then yea but by now he is sure to have the witches and werewolf big hitters on his side. We are the vampire big hitters so I doubt he would have any vampires hidden for attack. "

Grant rolled his eyes. "Way to state the obvious Garret." When he spoke his fathers name he said it with an obvious amount of venom. "But please don't let anything stop you. Charge right in, get slaughtered."

Piper pinched Grant on the arm. "Don't be disrespectful to him!"

Lucinda looked at Grant. "Young man, we may not always get along and we have to deal with each others mistakes but we don't get disrespectful so please don't do it."

Tabitha glanced to Grant once more, frowning. "Perhaps if you didn't have such a prejudice against your father, you might have heard Garrett say we can't just rush in. If you're just going to throw your voice around to get in digs against him, then don't speak. This is important stuff, watch and maybe learn a thing or two" She said, weary with all the conflict all of a sudden, she gave a heavy sigh. And she was oddly perturbed at the...motherly tone that slipped through, something she reserved for her newly turned spawn. It unnerved her, and she grimaced, looking over the group.

"There are unknown big hitters in every species. Maybe we can bring them over to our side" the thought of war, of having to slip into that mind set, disturbed her, and Tabitha just wanted to be anywhere else. She just wanted even a day of complete happiness, but things kept on happening. Not even a day. Just a few hours.

"I believe our best course of action is to begin with finding those who were disatisfied with the previous set up and attempt to negotiate alliances. I have a few connections myself that could help with weaponry and the like." Andrew didn't like fighting but was always prepared for it. Conflict comes with being a creature of the night.

Alex came around the corner. "What the hell you guys are louder than a three ringed circus." He scanned the room and found the new guy, Grant. "Grant...Shut the fuck up or I'll shove your attitude up your ass. Your father is a great man and you will show him respect. You will also treat Piper right or again I'll show you the darkside of your ass....and.." he looked at the rest of them. "If we take out the higher ups such as Samuel and his right hand men it will cut them off at the knees the rest will slink into the background effectively ending the problem. Now if you guys don't mind I'm going back in to see my girlfriend. Unless you have anything else to say...." Piper laughed so hard she fell off the couch.

Grant laughed shortly. Grant thought to himself this was quite the colorful group. Grant stood up and put his hands in his pockets. "I litterally couldn't care less about any of this or any of you. I came here to kill Garrett, and I still haven't decided if I should show him mercy."
He looked at Garrett.

"I don't care if you didn't know Or not, your a sad pathetic excuse of a man if you were willing to treat my mother like a queen and then leave. If she was still alive..,"Grant said choking on his words as his mother was brought up. He cleared his throat and spoke again."anyways talk of alliances all you want, in a week the strongest family of warlocks and witches will be powerless. So your heavy hitters for magic are going to be gone soon." Grant flipped off Alex and began walking out of the room.

The entire time Garrett held Tabitha's hand, externally calm. It inwardly shaken. He couldn't help it, everything Grant said hit a cord with him. But something he said bothered him more. "Wait Grant! What did you mean by that last thing you said? About the warlocks?"

Piper got up and made to go after Grant. "Grant, please!" She grabbed hold of his arm and held on tightly.

Grant stopped an rolled his eyes. "Piper these people are ridiculous. I've been here all of one day and I already know more of what's happening in the city than they do."

"So why don't you tell us? They only got here day before yesterday. We only have a little information."

Alex had crossed his arms and was peering at him with a look that was a cross between anger and amusement.

Grant contemplated his thoughts on this. On one hand, he wanted to show how little they knew. On the other, he was a successful assassin. The only orders he takes is from his master. Grant sighed and spoke to everyone. "The most powerful coven in this city is the Novak Coven. They are a family of warlocks and witches that can trace their lineage very very far. Right now they are being pressured by Samuel, and so far they are saying no. But in one week they have to hold their ceremony of renewing. Basically for the weekend they will have no magic power to tap into. But if Samuel can get to them before they replenish their magic and rule over them he will be able to do almost anything. You cant truly block something when the attack is coming from half a city over."

Tabitha felt her anger stirring again, and she didn't like it. She never liked to be angry, and now it seemed like she had no choice in the matter. And a part of it was that she couldn't do anything, which just served to infuriate her more. What was it, that Garrett had said, the other day? that she was so tiny, she would fill up on one emotion? Something like that. She almost got distracted, trying to think on the right words, but stopped, pulled herself back.

She was going to berate Grant, but now it was for a different reason. "You talk about being pathetic, but here you sit, when we are discussing something important, withholding this information? Because you are holding a grudge, that we had to leave? You don't know what we've had to go through over 1200 years. Sometim-"

Grant held up his hand. "Yea thanks but no thanks I didnt sign up to get berated....whatever you are to me. My aunt? My new stepmom? I didnt say anything because none of this effects me. And I couldnt care less. Garrett being here does not matter at all."

Being interupted was not something Tabitha liked. She glowered, not liking being angry one bit, she was a little thunderstruck. She tried not to let that show. "You're an idiot if you think it doesn't affect you, do you really think Samuel will stop at this city? Knowing that the Novak family in particularly could be stopped from having their magic is a big frigging deal. The Novaks aren't the only magical family, the other witches and warlocks could do something if given the time to prepare, but you weren't going to share the information! What do you think Samuel would do, to a one in a gazillion chance vampire child like you? You don't think it affects you, but it does, so stop being an ass" She glanced around at the others, deciding it wasn't worth being angry at Lucinda anymore, when she really hated the emotion. And she knew that was ironic. Hating Anger.

"Does anyone else want to tick me off today, or can I stop being angry because I really really really don't want to be"

Piper stood there not knowing what to do with this news Grant had. "You were going to let us get slaughtered? Even if the Originals didn't die the rest of us could. You have to know I would be right in the middle of the fighting." Piper looked at him and looked away in confusion.

"Maybe our connection is some kind of crazy spell or something. How else could we be ....?" She looked from one person to the next and landed on Alex. She knew how much she and Alex had loved each other for over a century and this pull made that look weak. "I..I can't believe you." Piper walked out the front door.

Grant looked at Piper, and he felt an unusual pain in his chest. He tried to shrug it off, but he simply sighed and ignored. There would be time for that later. Besides he was an assassin....he didnt have time for that.....right?

Grant looked across the room. "Anyone else wanna bitch or am I free to leave?"

Alex walked over to Grant and punched him in the gut hard. "I told you to be good to her. You are obviously an ass and she deserves better than you." The strength behind the punch was enough to send Grant falling backwards easily. He isn't called the enforcer for nothing. "Call me if you need me." Alex turned and went back to his room.

Grant looked up, fangs out, and raced back to Alex. He zipped behind him, wrapped his arms around under his arms and locked his hands together behind his neck. This move effectively prevented Alex from being able to counter attack, a simple move but very effective. Grant opened his mouth and bit into Alex, slowly draining him of blood, weakening him and causing him excruiating pain.

Alex gritted his teeth and before Lucinda could do anything Piper walked back in. "I forgot my.." Seeing Grant and Alex she grabbed Grant by the hair and ripped him backwards. It effectively caused Alex to yell and be let loose from Grant. Piper blocked him as he was seething and would have undoubtedly torn Grant apart and she said "Alex go back to your girl. I got this." Alex's fangs didn't retract but he walked away barely able to contain his rage.

Piper took off her necklace and crouched into a fighting stance. "You want to fight? Come and get me Grant."

Grant laughed and pocketed his hands. "I dont fight people for no reason. He attacked me, I retaliated. If your so upset go comfort your boyfriend. I have better things to do."

Grant turned around. He gave a two finger salute as he passed the rest of the family and walked out of the house.

Piper ran after him and she grabbed his arm. "Grant! Look at me!" Piper wanted him to see what she was feeling.

Grant looked at Piper and sighed. He understood perfectly what she was feeling. He looked at his arm and surprised himself in the fact that he hadnt removed her hand from it. He liked the way she felt. "I told you I am not gonna fight you."

Garrett sighed, and looked at Tabitha. "Its so hard not to look at things from Grants perspective. He doesnt see us as family, and the only person he probably loved was his mother. I am sorry Tabby. But what are we going to do about the Novaks? Do we have any contacts in touch with them?"

Tabitha frowned and shook her head, "I don't think so. Not any that are alive anymore, at least. Maybe Callie knows some" She said, knowing it was important to at least tell the Novaks what would probably happen, but would they believe them? She didn't know. She was tired already of forcing herself to focus, and not get distracted, and she rubbed her eyes wearily.

Piper put her arms around Grant and hugged him to her. "I need you to feel how much a family we are. Please, just try to feel it." When she kissed him she could almost see his feelings so she was hoping he could feel hers. She had noticed it earlier and she wondered what this connection was and where the hell it came from because it certainly was changing her life.

Lucinda watched from the doorway glad she didn't have to intervene. She walked back to Andrew and sat down and closed her eyes for a moment.

Garrett noticed her fatigue and in one swift motion he picked her up princess style. "We should go to bed shouldnt we, I am just *fake yawn* so tired."

Grant closed his eyes, and gave in to his feelings. He kissed Piper once, then picked her up and ran them to her bedroom. He needed her, and he needed her now.

Piper giggled as he ran past the living room full of family and into their room. When Grant had her in the bedroom she smirked at him. "What's all this about?" she wanted to hear what he would say as she stood where he had put her not six inches from him.

"I need you, and I need you now. I dont know what it is about you but you just.....drive me up a wall." Grant closed the distance between the two and kissed Piper hard on the mouth.

Tabitha gave a nod, shifting slightly to be comfortable, she was grateful Garrett would, tired or not, look after her. She looked to him, and smiled softly, she said, very aware that it was perhaps the first time, and not caring that there was a houseful of people that could hear, if they cared to listen, "I love you

Garret's eyes flew wide open......and he smiled. He walked them up to his room, then placed Tabitha gently on his bed. He climbed into the bed next to her and leaned in close to her face.

"I love you too Tabitha. And somewhere deep inside....I always have."

Grant's kiss opened something inside of Piper and as they quickly began exploring each other. There appeared to be more than just simple explanations. They both realized that the connection that they shared was much bigger and deeper than either of them thought. It was bigger than love or hate it was transcendent and virtually unexplainable. When they were done they lay together i each other's arms and she asked him, "Can you please give the family a chance and help us? Please, for you and me."

Grant shrugged, nearly passed out. "Maybe. I still havent decided yet. I have work to do in the city, so maybe after I am done I will decide." With that said Grant shut his eyes and passed out.

Garretts words made Tabitha feel elated-certainly a much better emotion then anger, and not the least because they reflected her own feelings across the years. She smiled, and kissed him.

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@king tai@rumikoohara@kyrisse

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Alex pulled Claudia into his room and shoved the door shut and locked it. There were too many people in this house not to lock it. He had caught a glimpse of Lucinda right before the door shut. He didn't care. Claudia was all that he could think about. He kissed her with a wild abandon as he ripped his shirt off and clothing and shoes went flying around the room as they carelessly tossed it away from their bodies that were soon writhing with passion as they melded with one another on the most primal level. It was a sexual craving for a vampire to feed during sex it heightened the sensations of the pleasure. When Alex's fangs dropped he retracted them so that Claudia wouldn't freak out. He wouldn't bite her unless she asked him to.

Claudia went against all of her beliefs and instincts when she willingly gave herself up to Alex. Something in her mind told her to stop, to take a step back and reassess the situation she was in. But she pushed all thoughts of it out of her mind and met Alex's hunger with her own. Everything fell away. All the logic, all her reasoning flew out the window and all that really mattered was the heat, the feel of his body against hers, that sensation that consumed her when their bodies finally melded as one. He was no longer a vampire and she was no longer a werewolf. There were no more gaps between them. He was hers and she was his. "Oh, God... her voice was raw with need as she moved against him. She could feel he wanted more and she caught a glimpse of his fangs. Her whole being revolted against it but she felt that overwhelming urge to tilt her head and offer him her neck. "I've never...done this before," she admitted as she closed her eyes and clung to him.

Alex's body wanted every part of her and his craving for her blood was incredible but he held himself in check, barely. When she offered her neck to him he gently slid his fangs in and suckled her neck tenderly. His thirst for her became even more wild passionate as his craving was sated. He made sure not to take more than he needed. He knew that she would either detest the bite or she would crave it too. It tended to balance the pleasure with just a little pain.

Claudia's eyes shot open when she felt the tips of Alex's fangs graze the sensitive skin of her neck. Her body stiffened and it took all her effort not to push him away. Her eyes turned golden as she fought against the natural instinct of the werewolf. Self preservation. But this was Alex. She wanted to satiate his lust the way she wanted to satiate her own. She threw aside any thoughts of him harming her as she braced herself for his bite.

When his fangs broke though her skin and he felt him latch onto her neck, she grabbed at his hair. She expected the bite to be painful. She expected that she would hate herself for offering her neck so freely. She expected a lot of things but she didn't count on it being pleasurable. She felt the pain but there was something sensual about how he did it. And it was that something that drove her to a frenzy. As soon as he had released her, she pushed him down and made rough love to him. She had never been so drunk with lust with anyone before. When both of them were spent, she collapsed against him, her cheek against his chest.

Alex wrapped his arms around her possessively and held her to him as he bit his lip and kissed her neck on the bite as it healed. "You didn't have to let me bite you. I would have understood. I have to admit though that I love that you did. I love everything about you. And yes, I am yours but you are also Mine and I refuse to share you in this way." Alex tenderly caressed and loved on her as she lay in his arms. He couldn't understand how he had gotten so lucky to find her.

Claudia looked up at Alex while her fingers traced small circles on his chest. "I can't say that I wasn't scared. I... I've never been with a bloods--- hmmm... someone like you before," she paused. "I didn't know if you'd want to drink from me... I...uh... doesn't it taste weird? I mean I'm not exactly a human."

Alex made her blush when he whispered in her ear "Every part of you tastes wonderful to me." Alex could hear voices rising in the living room. Alex exhaled deeply. "I need to go check on them. Something is going on and it's getting loud. That is usually not a good thing. Wait here for me?" He kissed her neck again and went back to her lips. "I'll be back shortly." Alex got up pulled his pants on and grabbed a shirt and pulled it over his head as he left the room closing the door behind him. He wasn't happy about having to leave Claudia for even a moment.

Claudia nodded and followed Alex as he pulled on his clothes and disappear out of the room. Her hand shot up to her neck. Her accelerated healing would have taken care of the puncture wounds from Alex's fangs but he had been sweet enough to heal it himself. The skin was smooth and unbroken as if it was never wounded at all. But she could still feel his lips on her neck, that heady feeling that came from him drinking from her. Ironic for a werewolf to like something like it. She sighed. She would probably be confused about it later on but she didn't care. Right now, she just wanted to bask in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

A few minutes later, she stood up, put on her clothes and patiently waited for her vampire to come back.

A few minutes later Alex returned looking frustrated and harried. He smiled at her and his arms opened to her, which she was more than willing to walk into. "We should head back to the bar. The family is all in an uproar with the upcoming fight. Samuel's wolf pack is intending to try to take over all the supernaturals. There is some plan in place to take out the witches. They are working on getting more information right now. I'll get a phone call as soon as its figured out or they have more information. Let's go help out your brother. Besides with all of this starting we need to be there to keep the fighting down to a minimum." He turned her in his arms and looked her in the eye. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you." He opened the door and lead her out the back way so they could avoid the meeting in the living room.

---

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Ashley had found a few things in the shops locally that after brief inspection displayed signs of being the former possessions of vampires who’d either expired and their goods sold at some auction or fallen on hard times in one way or another. She never gave such things even a thought back in New York when she was the servant of one of the houses of the city but now that she was alone she had too much time to ponder such things but here she was in the boondocks alone and prey.

She changed later at her hotel and assumed the part of a young woman fresh out of college and looking to have fun in a flashy pink Kia Soul she’d bought because it had been the property of such a young woman whose party life had lost her ability to drive. This was a calculated move because the car was covered in the right stickers and filled with all the strange smells one might associate with such a girl; every disguise needed to take in such details if they were to be believable. She’d even gone as far as to buy her party clothing at a consignment store so it would be a year or two out of date and have the right amount of wear so that few might realize what she really was though perhaps it was more than necessary in such a provincial area filled with childer of such low quality that her only fear was that they swarm her if they detect her nature.

So she parked her car in a lot near what she’d discovered was an area that all signs pointed towards being the locus of night stalker activity so she of course walked into it like any other oblivious mortal. She was soon rewarded by the clumsy approach of some weakly chosen kine who would be lucky to survive this evening but before then she planned on asking him some questions.

Yes she was a Blood Doll but she didn’t mindlessly serve someone because they were kine but because they had a future and as a servant she knew this to be a young one and so clumsy he’d fall to the first average security guard with a gun and she was well beyond that. She knew he was behind her and even gave him an opening that a stumbling fool could see and he took it dragging her into the alley. He was stronger than her because of his having been touched by the blood of the first ones but he had forgotten that his prey was an Apex predator in their own niche which was how she lit him up with a powerful jolt of a modified Sting Ring that could deliver 24 million volts of current to a target for nearly 8 seconds before it needed to recharge it’s capacitor and she didn’t spare moment of the time. The young one went limp because of the weapon but would recover quickly so she worked as efficiently as she could using thick Zipties to confine his ability to move even finishing by turning what had looked like her purse into a blackout hood cinched around his neck.

He regained his strength and began struggling in the alley while Ashley stood off to one side watching and waiting; he was powerful but modern technology had created bindings that control even him.

It didn’t take long before the young one relaxed and began trying to bargain for his release thinking perhaps some of his lowlife friends had set him up so she spoke
You will listen to what I say and you will comply with all my demands I will leave you to another night of existence defy me and I will end your torment for eternity.

Her voice set him off and he stopped listening and began making threats so she applied the Stinger to him once more then waited till he regained his strength but learned not to be resistant
Now these are my rules; you will answer my questions truthfully, you will not attempt to escape or I will show you what a consecrated silver blade can do and if you comply with these two rules I will as promised leave you your existence

He was perhaps smarter than she’d given him credit for even if he lacked willpower as he answered her questions calmly and as far as she could tell truthfully so she thanked him and left him tied in the alley for she was no fool.

She did a quick fix of her hair and dress then stepped out of the alley and headed to a bar he had said was called “Bite Me”

Lucinda walked into the bar just after a young, human woman. She appeared to be normal on most fronts however, Lucinda knew immediately that she wasn't a normal girl. Her scent was that of a blood doll. Her blood smelled extremely clean and was already enticing to her. She smiled and sat next to her at the bar. Offering her her hand to shake she got a look at the ultraviolet tattoo on her neck and smiled. "I'm Lucinda Prescott and if you are not elsewhere employed I would like to do business with you."

Alex looked up and sniffed a little in their direction. Recognizing what the young woman was he smiled slightly. "The office is free if you want to use it Lucinda." Lucinda nodded. "Thanks Alex." Lucinda ushered her into the office and sat down at the desk. "I am in need of your services."

---

@Rumikoohara

@Wick



Ashley was frankly surprised by how quickly the Lady Prescot moved once she’d made a decision and thought briefly of resisting in some meager way so as to not expose her own desperation but thought it counter productive so went with the flow. Soon she was in an office alone with a Vampire whose presence her own experiences told her could only be of higher rank than any she’d ever been exposed to.

It is a pleasure to be in your presence Lady Prescot I am Ashley Taylor former Blood servant of Lady Wilde of New York, New York.

I am grateful of your offer but feel I must inform you that I am hunted by those who destroyed my former Mistress and your acceptance of my service might embroil you and yours in an unnecessary vendetta.

I am by oath bound and given to hold the keys to my former Mistresses treasures which can be used by one who accepts me and vouches my bloodline and it’s continued existence says Ashley in a soft and respectful tone.

She hopes that the Lady will understand and not be angered by her former Mistress's command to her and think she’s being either bribed or commanded.

Lucinda listened to Ashley and nodded. "That won't be a problem at all. We just got up here from the south, where I'm sure you would have known who we were the instant you had stepped into our territory. I'm sure you have heard of the three Originals. That would be myself and two others. I'm sure my coven can handle protecting you."

Lucinda pulled a physician's card out of the desk and handed it to her. "Go here for your physical and bloodwork. I'll get the results in 24 hours. There are a few chemicals that even our noses can't pick up. I'm sure you understand my caution. This is my address and cell. I'll expect you here at the bar in the morning then."

@Rumikoohara

@Wick



Ashley took the card from the Lady Prescot as she gave her Instructions saying "Go here for your physical and bloodwork. I'll get the results in 24 hours. There are a few chemicals that even our noses can't pick up. I'm sure you understand my caution. This is my address and cell. I'll expect you here at the bar in the morning then."

It was a simple command and one that made sense even if it alluded to the crime of blood poisoning for which anyone of her Rank could be punished by the full moon death; well those that followed the old codes anyway. Still she had confirmed that she had accepted Ashley as servant and the thought of no longer having to experience the lonely world without purpose made her smile.

Of course Lady Prescot I shall see to it at once but if I may might I ask at what time in the morning you wish me to report? she asked in a polite business tone which didn’t fit her school teacher on the prowl look.

She then took the time to access her new Mistress. She wasn’t critical in her examination merely taking stock of her clothing her hair eyes and general carriage. Again she was impressed by the power radiating off the woman before her and it caused her heart to race to think that one day her blood would be of help to her and make her even stronger.

Lucinda smiled as she got up and shook hands with Ashley. "Alex will be here by 10 at the latest so anytime between 10 and 11 is fine." Lucinda brought her out to the bar to introduce her to Alex. He happened to have just kissed Claudia in front of a wolf at the bar who after a moment or two gulped his drink and took off. "What was that about?" Lucinda asked.

Alex shrugged. "He knew me by my ...title." Lucinda looked up. "Oh he did, did he? How interesting." She brought Ashley forwards and said "Ashley will be here in the morning between 10 and 11. I'll be around shortly after that. She is now part of my line so keep an eye on her. Ashley this is Alex, Alex this is Ashley." Lucinda left the bar. She had some Witches to find.

@dabombjk@caits@rumikoohara@kyrisse

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@caits@dabombjk@venku

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Lucinda heard the cycle pulling up as she left the bar. Sliding on behind Andrew she wrapped her arms around him as they slid into traffic "Hey baby, let's go find some Novak witches. I got a lead that they are downtown somewhere."

"Sounds like fun, hopefully they aren't going to intentionally hide from us. Though that would make it more exciting." Andrew chuckles at the thought. Noticing a particular scent on Lucinda, "You found a blood doll? Pretty strong scent considering you didn't just feed."

Lucinda smiled "Yes I did, she is getting checked out and then she will be available tomorrow. I can't wait. With this war I don't want to have to go out and hunt."

After the entire fiasco with the vampire assassin Mako and Madison left the shop and fixed themselves up. Mako used his magic to speed up the healing process, but could not heal all of Madisons injuries entirely. He was not very adept at healing magic. After they patched themselves up, Mako and Madison walked the streets discussing what to do next.

Madison kept her senses up as they walked, glancing about them constantly, she was sure there was fresh scents of at least one of the Originals around, and she constantly went back on herself, following it, she knew it was heading towards the bar, the club where it seemed this all started. She grimaced, wondering if it was worth it to head there, or try and follow the scent back to their dwelling.

"There's a fresh scent, what do you want me to do?"

Mako spoke. "We need to stop reacting. Follow the scent and lets confront the Original."

Madison nodded, and she began to track the scent, hoping this wasn't going to get her killed, she noticed that it was moving, and she sighed. while she was sure she could hunt down the scent-or scents as it seemed there was another vampire with the Original-she couldn't do it in her human form as effectively as her wolf. She stopped, tilting her head, listening around them.

Lucinda sat back on the cycle while they were at a red light and she could feel the magic in the area. She pointed Andrew in the direction she needed him to go in. "I'm feeling magic coming from that direction." When the light changed they moved in that direction.

"Any idea how well they get along with us vamps?" Andrew asks as they get moving.

"No, all I know is that we need to protect them from Samuel and his people while their magic is down. Maybe we should go back to the bar and see if we can get more info from the customers there. What do you think?"

"Sounds like a better idea than going by our senses, quicker at least." Andrew turns back towards the bar.

When they arrive Lucinda took Andrew's hand pulling him into the bar with her. Alex was at the bar and she asked him, "Any word on the Novaks? We need a location or a way to find them. Keep your ears open." Lucinda ordered drinks for her and Andrew and they sat down at a table across the bar.

"Since we're going to be waiting for info to come in wanna go do something fun? Alex can keep an ear out and call us if something comes up. " Andrew wasn't one for sitting around and waiting, even when the thing that he was waiting for was important.

"Okay that sounds great." She stood up and waved to let Alex and Claudia know they were leaving. She stood up and let Andrew lead her out to the bike. Wrapping her arms around his waist she asked him "So where do you want to go?" She cocked her head a little to the side giving him a mischievous look.

"Well there is this place nearby with a great view and it just happens to be near one of the tracks I race at" It may have been a while since he had come by here but he remembered a valley he found last time he raced nearby. He started heading out of town following the winding roads to a parking lot near a hiking trail. "We will have to go on foot from here," he said as they came to a stop.

Lucinda held onto him enjoying the feel of the bike and the wind on her hair. When they pulled off of the road she looked around and got off of the bike. She let him lead her through the trail and she felt carefree for the first time in a long time.

"So tell me. Why did you stay away for 20 years?" She said holding his hand as he led her through to a clearing.

He was caught off guard by the question. "Well 20 years ago I knew that you were still holding onto Garrett and I believed that if I stayed conflict would arise. I didn't want to face the implications of my feelings and ran away so I could avoid choosing to act on my emotions." He sighed, he had regretted his decision for years. "I didn't return until now because I was afraid of causing you harm. I only came now because of how urgent your message was."

Lucinda dropped her eyes. "I knew that I loved you even then. When you left I just held onto Garrett tighter I should have called you home sooner. The one time I didn't listen to my instincts and it backfired. We both got hurt because we were afraid to speak up." She looked around at where he had taken her and she smiled softly. "It's beautiful here." She pulled him to her as she wrapped her arms around him again and laid her head on his chest.

He smiled, "It really is which is why it is the place I chose for this," he says as he gets on one knee and pulls a ring out of his pocket, it is gold with a blood-red diamond surrounded by smaller white diamonds. "Lucinda Elloise Prescott, will you marry me? "

Lucinda stood in shock as he slipped the ring on her finger. She was trembling and nodded through her tears of joy. "Yes, I will marry you." She kissed him deeply as the realization that Garrett could barely stand Andrew made her chuckle a little. She couldn't figure out why he didn't like him other than he knew that Lucinda loved him. She laughed and said "You get to tell Garrett." She wiped her tears. "How long have you been carrying this ring around?"

"I made this ring about 700 years ago while traveling with Marco Polo in Sri Lanka. I have held onto since then saving it for today." He had learned many things over the centuries training under various people who were masters in their respective fields,jewelry making was one of those things. "All my preparations paid off," he said as he runs a hand through her hair.

She looked at the ring. It's details were perfect and she realized something. "Are you telling me that you've loved me for 700 years?" The amazement was plain to see in her eyes.

"I have loved you for almost 1000 years, I fell in love with you during the first decade of following you. All of those years where I didn't follow you directly were spent preparing for and dreaming of today. The years I did follow you were spent learning as much as I could about you." He smiled at her surprised expression and light seemed to dance in his eyes.

Stunned and speechless Lucinda threw her arms around him and kissed him so passionately that she was afraid her legs would collapse underneath her. "How could you wait so long to tell me? There were so many times that you had the chance to say something...we've shared a bed so many times and you never said anything...you knew I hadn't been with anyone else, til recently. I hadn't even been with Alex in over 200 years..." She looked into his eyes and let him see the pain in them. Deciding not to dwell in the past she held onto him and she pulled him to his feet. "I love you Andrew Langston and I'm not letting you go."

"I'm not going anywhere, I am done running from my feelings. I love you too and nothing will ever change that. I acted like a coward before but now that I have you I have nothing to fear." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck, his more primal urges welling up.

Lucinda kissed him back deeply. The heat of the moment spoiled by a wolf howl. They were technically in wolf territory. "We should go home." She raced him back to the bike and her laughter rang out as they went back to the house. When they burst through the front door of the house she laughed and they went into her room slamming the door. Lucinda was in his arms before the door latched shut fully.

---

@rumikoohara@kyrisse@king tai

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---

---

Callie stayed at the bar-where else did she have to go? She thought on what Caius had said, about accepting the gift. But to Callie, it still seemed a rather extravagant gift. What if it was merely a bribe? For something Tabitha wanted? Yet that seemed beneath the vampire. She watched Caius as he worked, trying to be subtle about it, but she was sure she was got a number of times.

She tried not to...work him up. Yet she couldn't stop herself imagining. Glancing down at her hands, Callie tried to align her thoughts, to figuring out if she was going to use the card.

Caius glanced several times towards Callie as he mixed drinks and bantered with the customers. The bar was so full that he haven't been able to chat with her in between serving customers. But everything was going smoothly. So far so good. The occasional unrest and arguments between vampires and werewolves he was able to take care of. But at the rate it was going and the amount of people coming into the bar, he wondered if he could get off work early to spend a little time with Callie.

Callie glanced about at the patrons, seeing so many, she was sure that Caius would be here longer then either of them thought. It didn't dissuade her, although it did drop her mood a little bit. She gave Caius a smile, to let him know that she was quite content waiting. There was no way she was going to go back to Tabitha's, even if all they did was talk.

She found a napkin, and she began to write on it, quite content to sit where she was, sneaking glances at Caius.

"What are you writing?" came Caius' husky voice in her ear.

Callie jumped slightly, his voice enough to send shivers down her spine, as she looked to him, bashful. "Um. An inventory, I guess," she said, a little embarrassed to be caught out in it.

Caius grinned at her, peered at the napkin and then shrugged. "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. Do you want anything to drink?"

Callie looked down at the napkin, sure she had forgotten a lot or that she probably wasn't on the right track. But had to start somewhere, right? "I don't mind waiting. But probably not a good idea to have a drink. Having a hard enough time not jumping you" oops. Her mouth really did have a mind of its own.

Caius' eyes widened at her statement and then he laughed out loud. His eyes twinkling playfully, he leaned forward so that his lips were only a few inches from her ear. "You wanna take another trip into the backroom? We can make it quick," he suggested.

"I don't want it just quick. And knowing my like, someone will knock again but open the door!" His amusement at her should probably have ticked her off, but it didn't. She smiled, sure she was blushing, wanting to kiss him, but not wanting to entice themselves, nor the bar into a frenzy.

"Let me see if I can do something about that," he looked up just in time to see Claudia and Alex walk into the bar. "Great timing, Claudia." He straightened up, removed the apron wrapped around him and walked from behind the bar to Callie. He took her hand and led her to the door. On their way, he handed his twin the apron. "Cover for me, will you?" he said. Claudia didn't even have a chance to say something as her twin continued out of the bar, Callie in tow. As soon as they were outside, he turned to her. "Are you sure you about this?" he asked. He wanted to make sure they were on the same page before he whisked her off to their rented apartment.

Was she sure? She didn't not know if it was so much being sure anymore as a necessity. Do this, or fry. Of course she might very well fry during it, but that was a risk she was glad to take. "hm" she slowly looked Caius up and down, as if studying him, appraising him. "why would I doubt this? You're sweet, funny, there's something here, we certainly can't deny that. And, well. Yum" she grinned at him, and nodded, "I'm sure Caius"

Caius grinned. "Glad to hear that." It didn't take long for the both of them to get to the twins' rented apartment. Caius stopped at the front door and looked into the darkness. Shaking his head, he continued inside and led Callie into a spacious room. He locked the door behind them and didn't waste any time leading her to his bed. He sat on the edge and pulled her down so that she straddled him. "Have at me," he said before he began kissing her.

Callie returned his kiss, leaning against him she didn't care if she pushed them down. Free to do with him as she liked, Callie kissed him deeply, letting her hands explore his body just a little bit, before they settled into the position they'd been before being interrupted, one curled around his neck, the other tangled quite happily in his hair.

She broke the kiss, her lips hovering a hairs breath away from his, she brushed them, before kissing along his jaw, down along his neck, and back to his lips, She kissed him quite passionately, deliberately wriggling, just a little bit as if trying to get as close to him as she possibly could.

Caius instantly heated up as Callie moved against him. He would've wanted to take things slow but all the pent up desire he tried holding back earlier all came crashing over him and he had to will himself to calm down before he tore their clothes into shreds. Their clothes soon found themselves littering the floor. Caius did his best to hold back but it was a losing battle. As soon as they were skin to skin, Caius completely gave in to both lust and instinct and they were soon joined with each other, completely overcome with the passion they both felt. At his peak, Caius's threw back his head, his eyes glowing a fierce blue. Unable to control the beast inside him, his features turned sharp and wolf like. He didn't change forms but he leaned down and clamped his sharpening teeth into Callie's shoulder. As soon as he tasted the warm irony liquid in his mouth, he jumped back and away from Callie, an almost manic, savage look in his intense blue eyes.

He could hear his heart beat drumming loudly and painfully in his chest as he looked at what he had done. Breathing heavily, he took a step towards her, his eyes darting from her face to the bite he had made on her shoulder. "Callie, I---" he started. Coming to his senses, he grabbed a towel and pressed it on the wound he had made. "I-I didn't meant to...I..." the fierce look in his eyes were gone, replaced by shame and anger.

One moment everything had been amazing. The next, his features changed, wolf like. Even then she hadn't understood what that meant. The next moment, sudden pain burst over her shoulder, and Callie gasped. And then Caius was gone. Moving away from her, as Callie's passion filled brain was pierced by the pain, dissipating the lovely fog from their love making. His horror filled features told her that something was wrong, and her brain immediately started to try and process just what. He'd bitten her. What did that ma-.

Her eyes widened as she realized. She looked down at her shoulder. Oh. Some part of her knew that that wasn't just a simple bite of passion from firing up the wolf in him. When he pressed the towel to the wound, Callie knew. It was a true bite. She was bitten, and Caius's reaction told her that meant she'd be turned. She reached up with her free hand, the uninjuried side, and cupped his cheek. "It's okay," she said softly, perhaps her voice shook a little. "i don't blame you" it was as much her fault, if not more so, then Caius's. She had known what bringing him towards the edge, that lack of control might lead to. It didn't mean she wasn't scared.

"Wh-what's going to happen?"" she asked hesitantly. She didn't know the process. Her voice broke slightly, fear comimg through no matter how had she tried to hide it. She pulled Caius close to her for a brief moment, and kissed him, a quick flickering kiss, wanting to reassure him that she'd be okay. She didn't want him to blame himself.

Conflicting thoughts ran through Caius' head. Did he want a mate so bad that he had to make one? No. If he had been so desperate, he would've bitten one of those girls that threw themselves at him. But Callie... this naked girl he had bitten. He wanted her in a way that even he couldn't quite comprehend. Self loathing settled into him. He had not even considered her thoughts, her opinion. He just went ahead and did what he wanted and didn't even think of the consequences. Even though she pulled him close and kissed him, he knew she would detest him when the next full moon came. He looked away. "On the next full moon... you will turn into a monster like me," he said bitterly.

"Hm" Callie would have given a lot to know what Caius was thinking. Hell, she would have given a lot to know what she was thinking. She knew she was...shocked. Maybe her thoughts were a little numb. Slow. Why did he sound bitter? Why did he look like he had just done the worst thing in the world? It unnerved her, and Callie looked down, wondering if she had somehow displeased him. "That's assuming I think you are a monster. Which you aren't. Caius..."

She trailed off, not too sure what she could say. She drew a deep breath, and looked up, a little hurt. And a little angry. "I swear to god, if you are blaming yourself for something that is both our faults, then...Caius, I don't blame you. At all. What is is, and you can't change the past. I believe things happen for a reason, and...and I think it would have happened eventually, regardless."

She was terrified that he suddenly wouldn't like her. If she was going to change...with..with the bite...maybe he only liked her cause she was essentially human...she tried desperately not to let any of those thoughts show on her face, not looking away from him.

But apparently Caius read her thoughts perfectly on her face. And he reached out and gathered her into his arms. "No, no, this doesn't change how I feel about you... how I want you. God, you have no idea how I want you even after I did this...I'm sorry Callie. I didn't mean to... not without your permission. I... You may think it's okay now but you'll probably hate me when you turn," his arms tightened around Callie. "But whatever happens, even if you end up hating me...I promise I'll take care of you."

Callie nodded, even now, his touch made her shiver lightly. "I know you didn't mean to. And I'm not going to hate you. I promise you, I won't. You make me feel warm, and happy. Cared for. Important. Special. How could I ever hate you?" She swallowed, resting happily in his arms, even now.

"The full moon is soon, Caius" She whispered, knowing he could hear her, as she lay her head on his chest, listening to the beat of his heart, sure her own was fast, and hard. Was it fear? Or was it his touch?

Caius nodded. "The full moon is soon," he repeated. "I can't promise that the first change won't be painful. But I'll do my best to get you through it," he assured.

Callie drew in a slow breath, and nodded, letting it out just as slow. She closed her eyes, resting against Caius. Maybe she could use a charm, or something. If only to ease Caius's guilt. "I know you will." Was there anything more comforting then knowing someone would be there for you?

"Caius?" She asked softly, opening her eyes to look at him, waiting until she had his attention, "Would it help if I said...it would have been what I wanted, down the track? Because it would have been...with this, whatever we have...I think it could be something great,,,"

Caius turned his blue eyes to Callie, a look of surprise and wonder in them. "You...would want...to be like me?" he repeated slowly. And then he leaned towards her and began kissing her again. His hand began touching her slowly, sensually until the heat began building up again. This time, he was calmer, gentler but his hunger for her was stronger.

An hour later, Caius collapsed on the bed, drenched in sweat and completely spent.

Callie curled against Caius, well satisfied, pleased. Despite being covered in sweat, she had to admit there was something oddly cleansing about it. Gods, its amazing we didn't just spontaneously combust she thought, as she took a few deep breaths to catch her breath, calm her racing heart. She snuggled into him, and sighed happily.

"That was...completely amazing." She said, her voice a little breathy still, as she let her eyes close, certainly weary. All thought for the time being about what was to come was gone, tomorrows problem after such perfection.

---

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@Wick



When Lady Prescot lead her outside into the bar she introduced her to a man she referred to as Alex a Vampire who’s mode of dress displayed a more blue collar attitude that anything but whose presence was not that of a low rank in the local hierarchy but Snashall or high ranking guardsman at the least.

It is a pleasure to meet you Alex please feel free to call on me for any service I might render if not otherwise engaged in duties for Lady Prescot said Ashley in a soft tone that hid her excitement at the joy she was sure to find doing more than simply breathing.

Her eyes did not waver in fear nor submission as some might expect from a mortal in the presence of predators who could overpower her in the blink of an eye and that was because of her acceptance of the inevitable.