| Chapter 28 Kevin sat next to the bed Nick was on. The boy was fast asleep, and he deserved it after the plethora of tests he's just endured. Michael had gone with the techs to analyze the tests, leaving Kevin to watch over his apprentice. He looked up when someone entered the room. "Hey Kevin, what's going on? Is Nick Ok?" a young tall blonde asked. "He's fine Candice, just had some tests done, that's all," Kevin answered, as she moved to the side of the bed and stared down at Nick, worry on her face. Kevin had to smile, she was like a female version of Nick. Same hair, same eyes, same fun loving, goofy personality. The two had really hit it off the first time Nick came to headquarters, and had since become fast friends. Candice looked over at Kevin, "Tests? You don't mean �the tests'?" Sadly Kevin nodded, "He's showing signs." She bit her lip, glancing down at Nick again, "Oh man. When will you know?" "It shouldn't be long, they're working on the results right now," he answered. She shifted her weight on her feet, "Um, do you mind if I stay and wait with you?" He smiled, "I'm sure Nick would like that, have a seat." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Josiah moved to the back of the plane. Raven lounged on the massive bed, twirling her hair with her finger. "How long before we arrive?" she asked. "Not long mistress, within the hour," he replied. She smiled, "Good, the family is assembled?" "Almost. A few got held up, but they should be there no later than tomorrow afternoon," he said. She looked displeased, but let it pass. She leaned back on the pillows and stared at the muscle bound man, "So, what do you think of him now?" Josiah looked to the floor, he couldn't meet the evil in her eyes, "He is very strong, very skilled for us to have missed his departure." "Exactly," she said, "Now how do you suppose he learned those skills?" He swallowed hard, "He was taught." She nodded, "Now, who would have done such a thing? Who would have taken a child that's not theirs and teach them?" Josiah felt the sweat bead on his forehead, "I don't know my lady." Raven glared at him, her eyes burning holes through him, "Well, why don't you find out! I want this person taken care of, do you understand?! I will not tolerate someone else's influence on my child!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jennifer walked down the hall. For some reason she felt uneasy, but she couldn't pin point why. The slayers were gone, so why all the butterflies? A door down the hall opened, and Brian and Tracy walked out. Jennifer stopped in her tracks, staring at them as they came closer. Brian smiled as he passed her, but Tracy eyed her as she walked by. Jennifer managed a smile, then continued to her destination. She stopped and knocked on Howie's door, just as the elevator closed. She had felt Tracy's eyes on her the entire time, and even now, her nerves were on end. She may have just blown her cover. Even if Tracy didn't know who she was, she definitely knew what she was. It wouldn't take her long to find out her identity, and then Howie would know. Jennifer cringed at thought. Howie opened the door, and was immediately worried, "Honey, what's wrong?" he asked as she walked in, "You look like you've seen a ghost." She managed a smile, "It's nothing, I'm fine." Howie took her hand and lead her into the room, giving her a �are you sure' look. "There's someone I want you to meet," Howie said, "Jennifer, this is Eli." Jennifer's eyes widened, as Eli stood up to meet her, "Hello Jennifer," he said, extending his hand. She took it, "Hi." Eli studied her for a moment, then smiled and moved to the door, "I'll be in touch Howard," he said as he left. Jennifer wanted to collapse right there. She'd just ran into two people that should know who she was, and neither of them recognized her. "Baby, are you sure you're Ok?" Howie asked, pulling her to the couch and sitting down. She snuggled close to him, relaxing in his arms, "I am now." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Are you sure no one will recognize me?" Brian asked, as Tracy pulled him toward the club. She laughed, "Relax, even if they do, we don't talk about it. This is a private club, just for vampires. What goes on inside is not discussed." He stared at the doors, still apprehensive. "I know the owner," she smiled. "Oh yeah?" he asked, "Who is it?" She grinned, "Me." Brian's mouth nearly dropped to the floor, as she pulled him inside. "Wait, you own this place?" he asked. She nodded, "I own several, all over the states." Brian stopped walking and pulled on her hand, turning her around to face him, "Do all vampires own clubs?" Tracy laughed, "No honey, but it's an easy and profitable business to get into. We work night hours, and have a ready made clientele. It's easy work, if your good at it, and I'm good at it," she grinned, turning towards the bar and dragging him with her. She sat down, "Hey, what do I have to do to get some service around here?" The bartender turned around, his face lighting up, "Tracy! When the hell did you get back?!" he asked, hugging her over the bar. "Today, Frank this is Brian, Brian Frank," she introduced. Brian shook the man's hand, "Hi." Frank stared at him, then glanced at Tracy. She shook her head, "I know what you're gonna say, but don't. He's not him." Frank nodded, looking back at Brian, "Good to meet ya then." "Frank! You gonna fix my order or not?" a waitress yelled from down the bar. "Yeah, yeah, coming!" he muttered, turning back around. Brian leaned closer to Tracy, "What was that about?" "He knew Theophilus," she answered. Brian stared at the man intently, seeing if some memory of him would pop up in his head. Nothing did though. "But why did you tell him I wasn't him? We both know that's not true," he asked. Tracy leaned even closer, "You are Brian as far as I'm concerned. And it wouldn't be wise to go around saying you're Theophilus around here. He had a lot of enemies." Brian nodded, as Frank returned, "So what can I get ya?" "The usual," Tracy answered. "And you?" he asked Brian. He glanced at the bottles behind the man. He still wasn't versed in the different variations of the drink. "Um, I guess what she's having is fine," he said. Frank laughed, then turned to make their order. "Um why is he laughing?" Brian asked. She smiled at him, "My usual is pretty strong. You might want something else." He shook his head, "Naw, if you drink it, it's fine with me." She shrugged, "Ok, suit yourself." Frank returned with their drinks, "You know the gang is here." Tracy's eyes lit up, "Really?" "Yeah, they're in the back," Frank informed her. Tracy glanced longingly at the back of the club. Brian nudged her, "Go, I'll be fine here." "I'd take you back, but um ........" she started. He smiled, "It's Ok. I got kinda an idea about what happens back there, and you're right, I don't wanna go. Go on and see your friends." She leaned over and kissed his cheek, "You are a doll. Frank, take care of him," she ordered, grabbing her drink and heading to the back, "I won't be long." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick slowly opened his eyes and looked around. The instant he realized where he was, he groaned. Candice moved to the side of the bed, "Hey you." "Candice? What are you doing here?" Nick asked, sitting up and rubbing his face. She giggled, "Are you kidding? I practically live here, or did you forget?" He chuckled, "Oh yeah. Slayer extreme here." She playfully slapped his arm, "Hey, I have more kills that you, goof ball." Nick smirked at her, "Yeah, and you've been doing this for years. I'll catch up, don't you worry." Kevin looked up from the magazine he was reading long enough to roll his eyes. If those two didn't end up together, he'd swear the earth was flat and sail right off the end. "Ah hem," Michael said entering the room with a clipboard in his hand, "We have the results." Nick sat straight up, his blue eyes wide with fear. Kevin stood up, "What is it?" Michael looked straight at Nick, his face apologetic, "I'm sorry Nick. You carry the gene." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian nursed his drink, gazing around the club. It was like any other nightclub he'd ever been to. Loud dance music, strobing lights, filled to the max. Large couches lined the walls, and the place was dark, leaving many unseen corners. He scanned the dance floor, his eyes stopping on a young girl. She was staring at him. He smiled, going back to his drink. He noticed she was crossing the floor, coming over. He watched her. She was petite, with long flowing blonde hair, a beautiful smile, and very well endowed. Ok, he's a guy, he's gonna notice those things. She sat down beside him, motioning to Frank to refill her drink. Frank took her glass, and turned away. "So, you're new here," she said, facing Brian. He looked up from his glass, "Um yeah." She held out her hand, "I'm Leighanne." He took it, "Brian." She nodded, smiling, her fangs visible. Frank handed her drink to her, "He's taken Leigh, don't even bother." Brian looked at Frank, wondering why the man was speaking for him. Leighanne glared at him, "And just how would you know that?" "Because he came in with Tracy," Frank said, "So scram." She looked back at Brian, hunger in her eyes, "Aww, to bad, we could've had some fun," she said, getting up and walking back out to the dance floor. "What was that about?" Brian asked. "Trust me man, you'll thank me for that one," Frank said, "They don't call her the black widow for nothing." Now Brian was confused, "Black widow?" "Yeah, you know like the spider? She finds a man she wants, takes him home, has sex, then she kills him," he said. "What?! And you just let her walk around in here?" Brian asked, shocked. Frank shrugged, "What can we do, ban her? Tried that, it didn't work. Now we just try to inform her would be victims. Her rep is getting around, it won't be long before everyone knows who she is anyway." "Dear Lord," Brian breathed, glancing back across the club. Leighanne was still staring at him, that hunger in her eyes. Tracy walked back over and sat down, noticing Brian's demeanor. "Something up?" she asked. He nodded toward the dance floor, "I met Leighanne." Tracy looked in the same direction. As soon as Leighanne saw her, she bowed her head and moved further into the crowd. "She still hanging around? I thought we got rid of her," she said. Frank sighed, "We did, but she came back. No other club will let her in now." "Well, someone just needs to give her a taste of her own medicine," Tracy muttered, then stood up, "You ready?" Brian got up, "Yeah, she's giving me the creeps." Tracy leaned across the bar and hugged Frank, "Give her a case and kick her out. Do not let her back in." He nodded, "Great seeing you girl." "You too. We'll be back," she said, taking Brian's hand and heading for the door. Chapter 29 |