This is fic with everyone from season 2.  It takes place a bit after
“Be My Valentine”.  I have taken creative license with the FK timeline
a bit.  There are hints of spoilers and actual spoilers for seasons 1
and 2.  I could not remember the titles of the episodes, so I’ll just
warn you that if you haven’t seen all of season 1 and 2, you might
want to wait to read this.  This is my first fic, and probably my only
one.  I just wanted to write one to thank all the people that have
done such great writing for FK.  I tried to make a old fashioned
episode, cause that’s what I like.  Disclaimer:  None of these
characters belong to me they belong to James Parriot and Sony, I just
borrowed them.  


 

Pure 

 

By E.S. Nelson 

 

Chapter One:  The Police Precinct 

  

       Nick entered the precinct as quietly as possible.  He bypassed
Cohen’s open office door by taking a zigzag route around some desks on
the far side.   When he reached his desk, he slid into his chair, and
tried to look as if he’d been there for awhile.  Breathing a sigh of
relief that Cohen hadn’t noticed his lateness, the detective shuffled
through the piles of papers to see if results had come in on his
latest investigation.  

       “I will captain, but he never lets me know what’s happening.”
Schanke’s voice could be heard from Cohen’s open office door.  “I mean
nada.  You’d think being partners now for two years I’d be able to
tell you, but…”  Schanke shuffled backwards out of the office arms
gesturing widely and shoulders shrugging.  There was an audible slam
as the office door swung shut.  Schanke winced, turning back towards
his desk and he saw Nick at the desk facing his own.  His eyebrows
raised, “Nick!” he whispered.  “You just about got me into so much
crap with Cohen!  Where have you been?”  

       Nick looked a little sheepish.  He had stayed up way past dawn
chatting and “remembering the past” with Janette.  Usually, it never
bothered him, but he had been so enjoying himself that he’d had one
too many glasses of blood wine.  Alcohol made him sleep even more like
the dead.  He’d slept through his alarm.  He hadn’t even noticed when
Janette had left his bedside at nightfall, not even when she had
whispered an endearment and had given him a long, lingering kiss.  He
had smiled then, and she had interpreted it as an approval of their
lovemaking.  Actually, he’d been having wonderfully vivid, alcohol-
induced dreams of another beautiful lady.  

       Now, he tried to look Schanke straight in the eye and tell him
the truth.  He found he could not say anything about Janette.  The
truth was often something he could not afford to give his partner.
This time he just didn’t want to see Schanke’s cocky expression.
“Sorry, Schanke I slept through my alarm.  I had a rough sleep last
night.” Une nuit blanche (a white night), Janette might have said. 

       “Hey, that’s o.k.  I remember not so long ago when that nun
smashed into my car.  You covered my butt when I had to get it
checked.”  Schanke smiled. 

       “Yah, right.  Well, I’ll try not to get you in trouble with
Cohen again.”  Nick said.  He glanced once more at the papers on his
desk, and then back at Schanke.  “By the way, any news on the
MacMillan toxicology report?  I’d like to shut that case.” 

       “Suicide, I know.  Nope.  I haven’t seen it.  I was just about
to phone Peter Xhan but Cohen got to me first,” Schanke said, jabbing
a thumb over his shoulder in Cohen’s direction.  

       “Dr. Xhan?  Wasn’t Natalie supposed to be back yesterday?” Nick
knew that Natalie wouldn’t have taken this long to do the tests.
Natalie, he’d missed her while she was visiting her sister in law in
Vancouver . 

       “I heard she extended her holidays.  Something about going to
some old hotel in Victoria for a chocolate buffet and a bubble
bath….at least that’s what Grace said last night when I popped by,”
Schanke snorted.  

       A chocolate buffet?  Well, that was certainly Nat’s style.  She
couldn’t resist the stuff.  While Nick missed her terribly, he was
happy to hear that she was having a restful vacation.  Things around
here were always so tense, especially, when it came to the matter of
the two of them.  Valentines Day had put a stop to any fantasies of
being with her physically, but not the longing.  He suddenly had a
need to hear her voice.  She hadn’t told him anything about her
holiday.  He hadn’t heard from her since she’d walked out of his
apartment the day before she left. 

       It seemed easier to relax the rules at little with her gone, in
fact.  When Janette had come by for a visit yesterday, Nick was more
comfortable than he’d been in the past few months.  Sometimes, it was
nice to be in the company of his own kind.  When, things got too
hairy, he could always rely on Janette.  She knew what he struggled
with to be constantly around mortals.  She helped him regain some
balance when he started to hear those rhythmic hearts beating at him. 

       Nick knew all of this very well, but he also knew that he
desired Natalie.  He would never get her heart if he continued to
betray her with Janette, he knew.  He wasn’t sure if Natalie had an
inkling of what was going on.  Janette was an expert at belittling the
petite doctor, all the while, hinting at the lengthy relationship
between Nick and she.  Janette always protected her possessions like a
hungry lioness.  Nick did not have the heart to tell her that he
didn’t want to be her possession once more, and besides, he needed her
so badly these days. 

       “Yoohoo?  Anyone in there?!”  Schanke shouted across the desks.


       “What?”  Nick came back to the present.  He had a habit of
getting lost in his thoughts.  It was a product of having too many
memories.  He blinked and said, “What is it?” 

       “A body over at North York Community Centre--some woman called
it in.  Didn’t you even see Cohen storm out of her office to spread
the news?  Man, she looked at you like you were a space cadet!
Sometimes, I even wonder.”  Schanke got up, grabbing his long
overcoat.  He didn’t wait for Nick to get up before he was walking
towards the door. 

       Nick quickly followed, pulling his own jacket over his
shoulders. 

  

  

Chapter two – The North York Community Centre 

 

       There were several patrol cars parked at the Noth York
Community Centre.  Their flashing lights made the stone walls swirls
of red and blue.  When Nick and Schanke arrived, the uniformed officer
at the door recognized them immediately.  He nodded curtly at the pair
and shuffled over to allow them access to the entrance.  Through, the
glass doors, the detectives could see many different professionals
milling about the hallway. 

       Following his partner inside, Nick could immediately smell the
all-to-familiar, coppery scent of fresh blood.  This crime was recent
and gory.  He was glad of Janette’s “help” last night.  He knew
internally that he could weather this one.  Nick sucked in a great
gulp of air, and pressed forward. 

       “Hello, detectives,” Dr. Peter Xhan said, as he looked up from
his crouched position over the body of a young male.  “Well, I can’t
see to many signs of a struggle.  It must have been very quick and
violent.  There’s a lot of blood but with all the gashes on the head,
torso and thighs--” 

       “There should be more blood,” Nick finished in a flat tone. 

       “Yes,” Dr. Xhan confirmed. 

       “Well, it looks to me like whoever did this had a real hate for
the victim.” Schanke knelt down beside Xhan. “Any witnesses?” 

       “No, but a young woman—a Yoga instructor who works at the
Centre here was the only one here.  She found the body and called 911.
She’s in the office over there.”  Dr. Xhan gestured down the hallway
to the right. 

       Nick moved past the detective and the medical examiner towards
the office.  There was some strange energy around this place that made
the hairs on his arms stick up.  It had the familiarity of a vampire,
but a real bitter tang of a berserker. 

 

Flashback- Montreal , Quebec 1950s 

  

       Janette was perched on the arm of the high-backed chair that
Lacroix was presently occupying.  He looked at her and smiled
reassuringly, stroking her back with a firm hand, and sipping on his
glass of blood wine.  “N’Inquiète pas (don’t worry), ma petite.  He’ll
sulk for a while, and then he’ll return to us.  You know Nicholas.”  

       Lacroix spoke this way, as if Nicholas could not hear him.  The
younger vampire was slouched in a chair in the corner of the room.
Although, Nicholas could easily hear the conversation with his acute
hearing, he made no sign that he was listening.  He had been
despondent ever since Lacroix had taken him from California .   

       “Oui, mon maitre (yes, my master),” she whispered, not having
the courage to speak more.  She had been very quiet since she had
betrayed Nicholas’s location to Lacroix back in Paris .  Nick had been
on one of his silly quests for mortality, and Lacroix had found out.
The elder had beaten the boy silly.  Afterwards, Nick had told her he
needed to escape.  She had arranged for him passage on a ship to
Halifax , and then on a train to Toronto .  Don Constantine, the
infamous crime boss, had hidden Nick in his smuggled cargo as a favour
for her. 

       At first, Janette had felt that Nick was right to run if he was
so unhappy.  She’d seen the centuries of Nick’s abuse at the hands of
Lacroix.  She didn’t understand why Nicholas insisted on defying
Lacroix the way he did.  The beatings would stop, she assured herself,
as soon as Nicholas started to follow the rules.  Lacroix convinced
her that Nicholas was misguided yet again, and that family was what he
truly needed to forget his quest.  She soon felt it best that Nicholas
come back to them—back to her at least. 

       Abruptly, Nicholas got up from his chair and left the room.  He
had heard Lacroix and Janette.  He had nothing to say to either of
them.  Over seven hundred years had not changed anything.  He was
still a prisoner of Lacroix, and a prisoner of the night.  He would
escape again.  His mind was already formulating a plan, as he stepped
out of their Montreal flat and onto the street. 

       He would go to New York perhaps, and find something meaningful
there.  Nick hailed a cab.  One came screeching immediately to his
feet.  For now, he would go to the place he loved most in Montreal ---
the museum. 

 

 

 

  


       Nick paused at the entrance to the office at the North York
Community Centre.  There was a female officer with the women who’d
found the body.  The cop was trying hard to get a statement, but the
woman seemed too upset to talk.  The uniformed officer looked up at
Nick with a smile of sympathy, moved from the woman towards him and
whispered, “She was the only one here in this wing.  She claims to
have been in this office during the murder, but I can’t imagine that
she couldn’t hear the commotion in the hallway.  I mean, detective,
have you seen that guy out there.” 
 

       “Yes, it must have been an awful scene,” Nick said quietly. 

       The officer nodded.  “I hope you can get more out of her than I
did.  She’s pretty shaken,” she said and left the room. 

       Nick Knight looked into the red, tearful eyes the young woman
sobbing in the chair.  “It must have been awful to be alone here when
it all happened.”  Nick sat down beside her, put a hand on her hand,
and listened for her heart.  “I’m detective Nick Knight.  Can I ask
your name?” 

       The young woman recoiled sobbing, “Oh, your hands are so cold!”
She hiccupped a little, and looked into the detective’s eyes.  They
were so compelling, so blue, that she heard herself say, “Jean
Henriette” before she even knew she was saying it. 

       Nick pushed his chair a little closer to Ms. Henriette.  She
was very pretty, he thought.  Her hair fell in loose, brown ringlets,
and her lips were as perfect as if they’d been painted on.  In her big
brown eyes, he saw a caring, compassionate soul.  She reminded him of
someone dear.  He wanted to hold her and protect her, but he shook off
the thought.  He didn’t even know her.  She was not his Natalie.
Regaining himself, he continued with his investigation.  “Can you tell
me why you were here tonight, Ms. Henriette?” 

       “Well, I had finished with my yoga class around 5:30, and I was
doing a little paper work here in the office--I’m a part-time
bookkeeper here, as well as a yoga instructor--and, well--I came out
for a drink from the water cooler and that’s when I saw the body.” 

       Nick noticed that she spoke with the faintest, silky, French
accent.  “Did you hear anything or see anyone?” 

       “No.  I know that’s weird, but no.” 

       Nick had a feeling he was going to get about as much
information as the uniformed officer.  He sensed she was not a
resistor, but that she had given him as much as she had.  Still, he
tried a few more questions.  “How do you figure someone got in?  When
are the doors locked around here?  ” 

       “I don’t know how someone got in.  I locked the door hours ago
after class.  I know I did.  The gym on the other side of the complex
closes its doors at 6 p.m. on Sundays, so this guy did not come in
from there.  The security guard does a sweep of the building at that
time to make sure there are no stragglers.” 

       “How’s it going in here,” Schanke said, appearing in the
doorframe.  

       “Fine,” Nick said turning his head over his shoulder to look at
his partner.  Then, he added, “Ms. Henriette, this is my partner,
detective Don Schanke.  Schanke, this is Jean Henriette.” Nick turned
and smiled the petite woman.  “Ms. Henriette I don’t think you should
be driving home tonight.  Is it alright if I have an officer drive you
home?” 

       “Yes, thank you,” Jean replied, returning the smile with
another, weaker one. 

       Nick watched as Schanke took the petite woman’s hand and led
her out of the room.  He couldn’t help but notice her grace as she
moved.  She reminded him of the ladies of the court with her fluid
movement.  Must be the yoga, he thought. 

  

Chapter three- At the Coroner’s office 

  

       Schanke had sent Nick to the morgue for the report on the
Community Centre.  Dr. Xhan had finally finished the examination, and
had passed the results to Natalie.  Natalie had told Schanke she was
just checking over the report (she trusted Xhan, he knew, but the
medical examiner was just out of internship).  Schanke always felt the
brunt of Nick partner’s odd mood swings around Natalie.  He would see
Nick fluctuate from elation, to caution, and finally to outright
avoidance at the sight of her.  But this night, it seemed to be
Natalie who was avoiding the brooding, blond detective.  She never
phoned Schanke to discuss her reports when Nick was at the precinct.
Tonight she had. 

       Three days had passed, since the murder at the Community
Centre.  Nick knew that Natalie was back at work.  He wanted so much
to see her, yet he hadn’t gotten up the courage to talk to her just
yet.  He knew Natalie had been upset at their last meeting, and she
hadn’t contacted him in three weeks.  He was feeling a little guilty
about Janette, but at the same time he was angry with Natalie.  Why
shouldn’t he seek some warmth from another, more receptive woman?  Why
had Natalie left without a word, when they needed so badly to work
things out?  

       It was so frustrating being around the object of his affection,
and not being able to touch her, love her—sample her.  Nick licked his
lips at the thought.  Something dark stirred for a minute, but he
pushed it down.  Too soon, he was not going have those feelings this
soon after Janette’s blood had calmed him.  If he let them, the
thoughts of passion with Natalie would press at him again, and sharpen
the predator in him.  Not now, he thought, he had to concentrate on
this new case.  It didn’t help that the only witness to the crime
looked a little like Natalie. 

       Nick sighed, and pushed opened the doors of the morgue.  Well,
it was time to see her.  His heart gave an extra beat with the
anticipation of seeing her face.  He couldn’t remember why he had
avoided coming down here anymore.  He had missed Natalie so much.
With his sensitive hearing he could just pick up her conversation with
Grace down the hall. 

       “It was fantastic.  Sarah had Amy stay with a friend, and we
took a ferry to Victoria .  We stayed at this swanky, old hotel across
from the waterfront.  I walked through the downtown and shopped, took
long walks on the harbour front--I’m telling you it was the best
holiday I’ve had in years!” Nick heard Natalie say. 

       “That’s because you haven’t had a holiday in years!” Grace
added. 

       “Yes, you’re right.  Thank you so much for suggesting it.  I
hadn’t realized how badly I needed to be away.” 

       “Did you use it—I mean did anyone special get to appreciate
it?” Grace inquired. 

       “I most certainly did!  I met an interesting fellow last
weekend.” Natalie giggled. “He was even from Toronto !  There was some
big aerospace convention in the hotel.” 

       “Well, well,” Grace said.  “I hope you got his number!” 

       “Actually---“ 

       Natalie was cut off by the sound of the door opening.  Nick was
standing in the doorframe.  He looked as handsome as ever.  His wavy
hair fell gently in messy curls around his forehead.  She wanted to go
over and tame it.  His clear, blue eyes looked straight at her.  She
felt her stomach clench at little.  Was it excitement or fear?  

       Grace had noticed the uncomfortable tone that Nick’s presence
had brought into the room, and she dismissed herself saying, “We’ll
talk later.”  

       “Hi.”  Nick was the first to speak.  “I’m here for the report
on the John Doe at the Community Centre.”  Always good to start with
business, Nick thought. 

       “Oh—ah, yes.  Not much more that I can say on that one that
isn’t already evident.  He died from blood loss after sustaining
multiple, deep lacerations.”  She looked at her examining table where
the body lay under a clean, white sheet.  “Peter may not have noticed
it, but from the pictures I’ve seen there’s not enough blood at the
scene to account for all the blood loss.” 

       Nick remembered mentioning something about it to Peter Xhan,
but he didn’t want to comment.  It wasn’t always good to let Natalie
know how much he knew about killing.  “Maybe it was evaporation?” Nick
joked lightly.  He remembered one time when Natalie had told Schanke
that a murder victim’s blood was lost through evaporation.  

       “No.” Natalie laughed, and Nick smiled.  “I checked his wounds
and found something interesting.”  The coroner moved to her table, to
where the victim lay.  She gently pulled the sheet down past the
victim’s crotch area.  “Look at the inner thigh there.  The rest of
the marks are ragged slashes about 10-15 centimetres long, but here
there’s a neat cut of about three centimetres.  

       “It’s a cover job, Nat.  Someone pierced him there then cut it
to make it look like he had been cut there like the rest,” Nick said. 

       “But, I’ve never heard of a vampire that drained from the
thigh.  That’s pretty intimate.” Natalie blushed. 

       “Yes, but if your trying to fool a “wise to the ways of the
night” coroner or a vampire detective, maybe going for the neck is a
bit too obvious,” Nick explained. 

       “Does everyone in the community know about me?” Natalie
shuttered a little at the thought.  She kept Nick’s secret, and
covered up some vampire killings so that he was not at risk.  She
never thought that the vampire community might know of her.  Had Nick
told them? 

       “No,” Nick said reading the thoughts on her face, then he
added, “I have told no one, but my master knows of you, and he is not
as motivated as myself to keep our relationship a secret.  The truth
is I don’t know how much the others in Toronto know.” 

       Natalie pounced on the opportunity.  “Relationship?  What do
you mean when you say that?” 

       Nick’s eyes widened.  He was not prepared to say anything--but
maybe--maybe this was the time.  “Well, I don’t know. “ Then, he
remembered how she gone on her holiday before he could explain his
behaviour and his eyes hardened.  Angrily he blurted out, “You left
without as much as a goodbye!” before he thought twice about it. 

       Natalie’s anger started to build.  How dare he get mad!  “You
don’t understand do you!?”  She would not tell him about her longing
for a relationship with the police detective.  Wasn’t it obvious by
now?  The only time he’d expressed a real interest was that one time
on Valentines Day.  He’d hugged her, kissed her and asked her out.
They’d gone to dinner, but dammit she couldn’t remember a thing.  

       Then, it was on to the rollercoaster.  Nick was all smiles and
hugs, lavishing her with attention one minute and then the next he
suddenly avoided her like the food that he refused to eat.  The night
she’d last seen him, when he seemed to be particularly bothered, he
pushed her away.  It had happened too many times.  She was so tired of
it. 

       “What are you talking about!?” Nick asked still upset. 

       “Take this report and go, please!”  Natalie shouted,
practically hitting him with the dossier.  What a head of brick that
detective had! 

       Nick moved to go.  He took one look back over his shoulder, and
saw Natalie holding the counter with one hand, and using the other
hand to catch runaway tears.  This was not the time to talk,
obviously.  He stalked out the door. 

  

Chapter Four - Montreal , Que. 1950s 

  

       “Bonsoir Nicholas.  Vous etes de retour!  (Good evening, your
back).”  The head curator, Pascal Beauchemin, at the Royal Montreal
Museum smiled warmly, and extended a hand to Nicholas.  The young man
seemed bothered yet again, the curator noted as they shook hands.  He
had only known his melancholy, young friend to be cheered by hearty
discussion of the historical artefacts of the museum’s many displays. 


       In fact, Beauchemin was often astonished by the amount of
knowledge that Nicholas had about the pieces.  The curator became the
listener many times, while Nicholas recounted another tidbit,
especially about anything to do with the middle-ages.  Nicholas’s
accounts of that period of time were so vivid. Beauchemin could almost
envision his young friend in the middle of it all. 

       “What troubles, you so tonight, Nicholas?” Beauchemin inquired.


       Nicholas sighed deeply. “Family problems,” he confided in the
old man.  “I need to be away from them.  I would like to travel to New
York City , and see the university museum there that we discussed.”  

       “Oh, yes.  That’s a great idea.  I will give you the name of my
colleague there.  He would surely enjoy your intensive archaeological
background.  By the way, where did you study?” Beauchemin inquired,
fumbled with his breast pocket for a pad of paper and a pen. 

       “I would love to speak to your friend,” Nicholas offered,
ignoring the last question.  When Beauchemin offered him the paper, he
took it quickly, gently slipping it in a pocket like a cherished
artefact. 

       “Well,” Beauchemin said, deciding to change the subject. “I
have something of interest for you, Nicholas.” 

       The young man’s eyes started to glitter, and he smiled.  “Yes,
I should like to see what you have,” Nicholas answered politely. 

       “Follow me,” said the curator.  The old man led Nicholas
through a short corridor into a room with a towering ceiling.  In the
middle of the room a gigantic totem pole stood regally.  The old man
clucked with excitement, “It just arrived from the western most part
of British Columbia .  It’s from an Indian band called the Haida.
They are a tribe from the islands off northern B.C.” 

       Nick admired the hulking object.  It was meticulously carved
and painted with blacks, reds, and whites.  There were many different
animals represented along its length, but the one that stuck out was
the huge bird at the top.  It had its wings spread wide, jutting out
of the pole.  The bird stood proud, a formidable foe. 

       “That’s the thunderbird on top,” said Beauchemin.  Then he
added, “A protector.” 

       Nick felt as though he could use a little protection right now,
and not the kind that Lacroix gave him.  He tired of having his
tyrannical master always thinking for him.  He longed to be free to
live his own life.  Again, he thought of possibly going to New York ,
but his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a chilling voice. 

       “Nicholas!” Lacroix’s voice boomed.  “Nicholas have you not
heard me calling!  You must come at once.”  In a few short strides,
Lacroix was beside his protégé.  He grabbed for Nicholas’s arm.
Ignoring Beauchemin, he began to drag a reluctant Nicholas out of the
museum. 

       Nicholas sighed, now nothing in Montreal was his.  Lacroix had
found him in his most cherished hideout. 

  

  

  

       Nicholas sighed as he entered the Raven.  The music assaulted
his sensitive hearing, and the lights burned his eyes.  He quickly put
on some sunglasses, but a girl at the door motioned for him to take
them off.  Squinting without them, he searched the bar for Janette.
He did his best to block the link to his family, though.  He did not
want to have Lacroix come out and greet him. 

       Nick spotted Janette at the bar.  She was lovely as ever.  Some
part of him really loved her, but it wasn’t the same as the love he
held for Natalie.  Natalie.  Well, that was going no where as usual.
Maybe, that was for the best.  Maybe, if he could keep his anger at
her for not contacting him then he would not think of other things.
He thought of this, and immediately he knew it was not possible.  He
couldn’t stay mad at her.  He loved her.  She was obviously mad at
him, though. 

       Nick decided to push down all thoughts of Natalie.  He moved to
sit next to Janette.  

       “Nicky!  I’m so glad you are back.  Are you here for a repeat
performance?”  Janette smiled seductively.  She reached over and
grabbed her glass of blood wine.  She raised the glass to her lips and
took a long sip. 

       Nick tried not to look, but he could smell it.  It smelled like
heaven when mixed with Janette’s perfume.  When he saw her put her
glass down, he reached to kiss her lips.  He told himself that he was
just glad to see her, but really he wanted to taste the blood.
Kissing it off another seemed less of a sin than actually drinking it
himself.  When the first drop hit his mouth, the beast rushed out of
him suddenly, and he knew he had to have more. 

       Janette looked at Nick.  She was surprised to see Nick’s eyes
more greenish yellow than blue.  She felt his immediate hunger, and
she whispered “Nicholas, hide your eyes.  Come with me to the back.” 

       Nick shook his head.  He would not go with her.  He took a deep
breath, he could handle this.  He would handle this--on his own.  “I
just came to ask you if you’d heard of a berserker in our town.”  His
eyes were almost blue. 

       “A berserker?  No I have not, Nicholas.” 

       “Well, there has been a vampire kill.  The killer did not
dispose of the body.  He tried to hide the marks, but I found them.”
Nick laced his fingers in hers, and kissed the tips. 

       “You need to find this one.  I don’t think I need to remind you
about Montreal .  We can’t afford to have the enforcers come knocking,
not when we have our secrets.  You have much to hide.” Janette gave a
knowing look at her Nicholas.  She could sense he was already getting
tense.  She knew he’d be back shortly for her “services”.  She could
wait until then. 

       “I know,” Nick said quietly.  This case already reminded him of
Montreal . 

  

Flashback – Montreal , 1950s 

  

       Nick was practically pushed into the back seat of Lacroix’s
Rolls Royce.  Janette was at the wheel.  Tonight was a night where
they trusted no mortal to drive them where they needed to go.  Lacroix
was right behind Nicholas.  He settled comfortably into the back seat
as well. 

       “Nicholas.  We have heard news of a berserker in Montreal .
Three kills in three nights.  Messy kills that were left in the open,”
Lacroix said.  “The police are out in droves to find the mad killer.
None of us are safe.  The community has closed its door to us.  The
enforcers will come.” 

       Nicholas shifted a bit in his chair.  “But--does the community
blame us?  We did nothing.” 

       “They are frightened, Nicholas.  No one wishes the attentions
of the enforcers.  They think there is a possibility the rumours about
you are true,” Lacroix continued. 

       “Rumours?  What rumours?” Nicholas was shocked.  What did
others know about him? 

       “Oh, Nicholas,” Janette sighed.  “It has long been the
conversation of many a vampire in Europe that you drink solely animal
blood.  It seems to have spread over here as well.” 

       “Yes, well,” Nick said, “that’s no secret.” He was rather proud
of his decades on mostly steer blood.  It repulsed the others,
however. 

       “The community thinks you’ve gone over the edge without human
blood.  They think you are the berserker, insane and killing at
random.” Lacroix voice held a flat tone.  Even in crisis, he never
seemed bothered by anything. 

       Nicholas was silent.  Me, the killer?  Sure he’d committed
countless murders over the centuries, but he had killed no one for
hunger in fifty years.  Steer blood satisfied his cravings most of the
time.  The other times, he found it necessary to keep his distance
from mortals.  Only once had he accidentally killed in these five
decades.  He pushed a picture of a lovely ballet dancer out of his
mind, as quickly as it came, before his guilt threatened to surface. 

       “I am not sure what the community will do.  They may decide to
dispense a little justice themselves.  You are at risk, my son.”
Lacroix looked at his child with frozen blue eyes.  There was no
reading his expression at all. 

       Nicholas nodded.  He would follow his master until he could
find a way to escape on his own.  Maybe the berserker business might
give him the distraction he needed.  He tilted his chin up and stared
at the road ahead.  This time he would do it, but he must not give a
hint of his plans.  He thought of the piece of paper hidden in his
pocket. 

  

Chapter Five – Fernwood Glen Apartments 

  

       Nick stood beside the body in the basement of the Fernwood Glen
apartments with his partner.  He watched as the other detective leaned
down to take a closer look at the bloody mess of a man, Daniel
Longpré, on the floor.  He wondered how Schanke could be so close to
the body and not smell the blood.  From Nick’s vantage point the body
practically called to him.  Or was it the coroner across from Schanke,
examining the corpse’s fingernails?  At any rate, he had to grind his
teeth together to keep his fangs from dropping just a little.  His
eyes held more green than blue.  

       Nick had not spoken to Natalie since last night at the morgue. 
She seemed focused on her work tonight.  She’d not so much as glanced
his way the whole time they’d been here.  Nick looked over at her.
She was placing a bag over the victim’s hand.  She did it, he knew, to
preserve any skin samples under the fingernails.  He’d never seen her
look so lovely.  What was she wearing?  A long burgundy dress wrapped
around her little figure under her baggy, open overcoat.  Definitely,
not work clothes.    

       “Hi, Nat,” Nick said sheepishly after their previous yelling
match.  He tried his best boyish grin.  “You look beautiful.” 

       “Thank you.  I was supposed to be at the theatre tonight, but
Peter Xhan called in sick.  I’m only here to help transfer the body,
and to get a good picture of the scene in my mind.  It looks to be the
same M.O. as the Community Centre body, but I can’t say for sure until
I get it back to the morgue.”  Natalie was all business. 

       “We just identified the body in that killing as one of the yoga
students, Nat.” 

       “Oh, well.  That’s good,” Natalie said. 

       “Nat,” Nick began as he grabbed her shoulder gently, and pulled
her away from the body.  “We have to talk.”  His eyes pleaded with
her. 

       Natalie looked up at those eyes.  Did they seem a little
strange tonight, maybe even a bit---predatory?  Well, no matter.  She
was on a strict no Nick policy.  She would not give in.  Grace had
convinced that she was worth more than someone who would be with her
one minute and gone the next.  The medical assistant had given her the
courage to go to Vancouver on a whim.  

       Natalie brushed her dress to smooth the wrinkles.  It was time
to go.  Steven Young-Williamson, the aerospace engineer she’d met at
the Empress hotel in Victoria , had made quick dinner arrangements
when their theatre plans had fallen through.  She had promised not to
be here too long.  She this was her second shift with Peter suddenly
sick, one this afternoon and now this.  She’d had to do some swapping
to have this night off right after her vacation.  “I have to go,
Nick,” she said. 

       “Natalie,” Nick said with a soft tone.  He looked once again at
her lovely dress.  God, she was gorgeous.  That colour, he’d never
seen her wear that shade.  Her lips were painted in glossy dark red to
match.  It reminded him of the blood on Janette’s lips just last
night.  He wanted to taste those lips, for he knew Natalie’s would be
even better.  His heart gave an extra beat, and he felt the inklings
of something deep inside.  

       It was coiled tightly in the center of his soul, that dark part
of himself that he tried to lock away.  It tore at his belly to come
out, searing his insides.  He’d never felt it come forth with such a
voracious need.  Not unless he was hurt or hungry.  Now, it wasn’t
pleased with the three bottles of steer blood he’d consumed before
coming to the crime scene.  It wanted more.  It wanted Natalie. 

       Natalie saw Nick’s whole body shake with tension.  Nick closed
his eyes, turning his head away from her for the moment.  She wondered
if he had neglected to feed before coming here.  She’d seen him react
before at bloody crime scenes.  “Are you alright?” she asked, placing
a hand on Nick’s. 

       The touch of her hand burned him with its warmth.  His hearing
had sharpened, and he could hear her heart flutter with concern.  He
licked his lips.  What would she look like in that dark, bloody dress
with his enhanced sight?  Other heartbeats began to press upon his
sensitive ears.  Soon, he would hear all the heartbeats in this
apartment complex.  He had to leave now.  He brushed her hand away and
said, “Leave me be!” in a gruffer tone that he’d meant to.  

       Natalie watched Nick speed out the door so fast he almost
blurred.  She sighed, that was the heart of their problem.  Nick never
let her in when he was having troubles.  She turned to go, hoping that
Steven was a little more open than Nick.  She might look forward to
this date more, if she wasn’t so concerned about Nick’s odd behaviour.


  

Flashback – Montreal 1950s 

  

       Janette had quickly driven them back to their flat on Rue
St.Onge.  There was not much to pack.  They’d only arrived a week ago
from California .  The trio hastily put their things in order.
Lacroix summoned their one servant, Marie-Helène, to help load the car
with their bags.  “Marie-Helène!” he called.  There was no answer from
the kitchen.  

       Lacroix made his way to the old yellow kitchen with quick
strides.  “Marie-Helène what is keeping--,” he started to say, but he
stopped abruptly when he discovered her body lying coldly on the
hardwood floor.  Michel Galois stood across from the corpse.  Lacroix
had last seen this one in France nearly five hundred years ago.  He
knew this vampire to be the head of the Montreal community. 

        “Ça fait longtemps, Lacroix (it’s been a longtime).  I still
remember Postumus.  It has taken along time to overcome old wounds.  I
am saddened that we could not meet on more pleasant terms tonight,” he
said pointing to the servant, “but she was going to scream and attract
unwanted attention.  Besides, I did not know what she knew of
Nicholas.” 

       The Gaul stood a head taller than Lacroix.  He smiled with all
the warmth of an alley cat coming to reassert its position in the
neighbourhood.  The uneven bristles of short cropped hair even gave
the appearance that he’d been in a scrap or two.  “You have brought
the Enforcers down upon my community.  When they arrive, they will
delve into our private lives and make a general mess of my city!  I am
here to take away their reason to come, and to destroy the insane one
before he exposes us all!” Galois growled. 

       “You will not harm my son!” Lacroix hissed, baring his fangs.
He launched himself at the Gaul .  They met together with a thud,
snapping and snarling at each other.  Their figures blurred as they
fought.  

       Janette had heard the conversation and consequent fight from
the bedroom.  She knew that this one was the first of many that would
visit them until this berserker was caught.  Galois and his community
would not kill her master or her, but the Gaul ’s brood could inflict
many torturous injuries upon them to get to Nicholas.  

       If they caught the blond knight, he would surely be killed.
“Nicholas,” Janette said desperately, “I need to help Lacroix, and you
need to leave.  Galois will kill you if you stay.” She kissed him
quickly, and disappeared from the bedroom. 

       Here it was, his opportunity for freedom, and yet he did not
feeling like turning his back on his family.  Maybe if he left then
the others would seek him out and leave Janette and Lacroix alone.  He
hoped the Enforcers would find this berserker in the meantime.
Nicholas fastened his favourite brown cloak about his shoulders, and
left the flat by way of the backdoor.  Once outside, he took to the
air. 

  

Chapter Six – Fernwood Glen apartments 

  

       Nick rushed out of the apartment complex as fast as he could,
and down the walkway towards the parking lot.  The air did him some
good.  He got into his car and leaned his head against the steering
wheel.  What was wrong with him?  Was he losing his mind?  Maybe, he
was becoming a berserker himself.  Nick sighed at the thought, as he
turned his key in the ignition. 

       The radio came on with the rough roar of the car.  Lacroix’s
silky tones reached the tortured vampire: 

       “Denial, denial.  Few know of it anymore.  This society tells
us to acquire everything we desire.  Our importance is based upon how
much we possess.  We can never have enough.  What then, of the odd
ones who do not follow the same rules.  They try not to give in to
their heart’s desires.  Are they wiser than us all, living a peaceful
life with out the pressure to have it all, or are they longing madly
in secret for that which other’s possess?” 

       Nicholas hated the nights when the monologues seem to be
directed at him.  He didn’t need a reminder right now of the pressure
he faced on his quest for mortality and love.  Nick pressed his chin
into his knuckles.  Abruptly, he saw a figure out of the corner of his
eye.  There was a petite woman standing in the wooded area beside the
apartment building.  Natalie.  Why didn’t she just leave him be
tonight? 

       Nick opened the car door and approached her.  The figure
noticed him and bolted in the opposite direction.  First listening
with his sensitive hearing to make sure no one else was close by, Nick
lifted off the ground.  The woman’s heartbeat pounded in his sensitive
ears.  He had no trouble finding her in the maze of bush.  She
screamed when the detective appeared suddenly in front of her.  

       Jean Henriette stopped dead in her tracks.  She dropped the
small walkman she’d been carrying, and it hit a large stone with a
crack.  “Detective,” she said still shocked that he’d been able to
catch her.  She was wearing thick, fleece pants and a heavy kangaroo
sweater.  Strips of reflective tape around her ankles caught a beam of
light from a nearby streetlamp and glittered phosphorescent. 

       “Ms. Henriette,” Nick said, eyes widening with the realization
that this wasn’t his Natalie, but Ms. Henriette out on a walk.  “What
are you doing here?” 

       “I live here on the weekdays with Dan, my boyfriend, when I
work at North York CC.” Jean said.  She leaned over, placing her hands
on her thighs to catch her breath a little. 

       “Why did you run when you saw me?” Nick asked. 

       “I didn’t know it was you.  You certainly don’t drive a regular
police car.” 

       “Dan is your boyfriend?  Would that be Daniel Longpré?” Nick
asked. 

       Jean’s eyes were huge.  “How do you know my boyfriend?”  Then,
it dawned on her why a homicide detective might know her Dan, and she
began to cry.  Nick directed her gently back towards Fernwood Glen
apartments. 

  

  

       At the Raven, the music flowed to a throbbing beat.  Nick could
almost feel the bass in his bones.  Janette had called him, saying she
had news to add to his berserker case.  He hoped she had had something
good.  Two open kills, life was not good in Toronto right now for the
community.  Nick pushed his way through the mess of dancers, mortal
and immortal, on the dance floor. 

       Janette smiled as she saw him at the bar.  “Nicholas,” she
called.  The blond detective was never very good at sensing others of
his kind.  He heard her, though, immediately.  Her heart skipped when
he turned and gave her a boyish smile. 

       Nick came to her with a warm hug.  They went to a back booth to
talk.  “Janette, I came as quickly as I could.  We have a woman at the
precinct.  Schanke is finishing an interview with her.  She was linked
to both crimes, although I doubt she was physically strong enough to
do either.  Besides, she is not vampire.” Nick looked at Janette’s
tight, strapless gown.  It was a deep, royal blue with ornate beading
around an empire bodice.  It was just a little older than the current
fashion, but Janette had never been one to wear what everyone else was
wearing.  At least, it wasn’t any shade of red.  He had quite enough
of beautiful ladies in red gowns. 

       “The community is scared.  They do not wish the Enforcers to
come.  There is news that they are on their way.  You above all should
know that when they do come knocking they have a habit checking up on
any other infringements of the code.”  Janette saw him nod.  She knew
he remembered Montreal … 

  

Flashback – Montreal 1950s 

  

       Janette and Lacroix licked the blood from their lips.  Michel
Galois had left a short time ago, bleeding from many wounds.  The Gaul
had not left without a warning that he would return with many others
for the two of them, and that he would hunt down Lacroix’s favourite
son himself.  Janette had no doubt that Galois would follow their
knight until he killed him.  She loved Nicholas dearly, and hoped he
had managed to find a way out of Montreal . 

            

       Nicholas had gone to the Royal, Montreal museum.  He did not
think that he could trust the airport or the train station.  Galois
would surely have someone watching for him at both places.  Pascal
Beauchemin seemed to understand Nicholas’s plight even if he did not
know the whole story behind it.  Nicholas was not surprised when the
old man offered his car to the young man.  Before leaving, the vampire
sadly erased the curator’s memory of their time together. 

       Nicholas drove out of Montreal to Toronto .  He lingered only a
day in the big city, while Aristotle worked out his papers for New
York .  The blond vampire took an immediate liking to Toronto , as he
had when Katherine Barrington, her husband and he were here for a
short time in the 30s.  Nicholas vowed to be back sooner than later. 

       With his papers in order, Nicholas sold Beauchemin’s car and
forwarded the money to the old man, along with a little extra.  He
bought a new car.  He had wanted something big and stylish, but had
settled for something more modest, thinking it best not to draw
attention. 

       When Nicholas reached New York City , he did call Beauchemin’s
professor friend at New York University ’s Museum of Archaeology .
He used the name Nicholas Girard, hoping that the professor would not
make any connection between himself and Beauchemin.  He never changed
his first name when he moved on, for that would truly mean losing a
part of his identity.  He did not know if Beauchemin had had the
chance to talk to the professor about himself. 

       Vaughn Loesch, the head professor of the archaeology at New
York University , was impressed with Nicholas’ knowledge and passion
for archaeology from their very first meeting.  The quiet, blond man
had extensive training and background in archaeological studies on his
resume as well.  He hired Girard immediately for the position of part-
time instructor of archaeological studies for some of the later
evening classes and assistant night curator of the university museum. 
The positions had been nearly impossible to fill. 

       Nicholas settled into his new life, still wondering what had
become of Janette and Lacroix, and the berserker…. 

  

  

       “They killed him you know, that mad one in Montreal not even a
day after you left.  The enforcers found a young one, who’d been half-
turned.  They skewered him and the foolish vampire that had let him
live with the same stake.” Janette explained, stroking Nick’s arm and
jarring him back to the present.  “You must have known.  That’s why
they left you alone.  They came for you much later---“ 

       “When the rumours of me being a communist somehow spread across
the New York University campus,” he finished.  That was the only time
in his life he was happy to see the Enforcers.  They’d given him legal
aid, when his hearing began to reveal details about his strange
habits.  In fact, there was no bloodshed in that case, nor was he
reprimanded.  

       They had decided it was not his fault, and they hypnotized the
members of the court into believing his innocence even after declaring
his guilt.  They’d pushed for an appeal, and miraculously it had been
granted.  After the trial, he had been exposed as a freak who kept
bottles of blood in his refrigerator, and his reputation was shot.  He
had to move on. 

       “And, so you fled to Chicago as soon as possible because you
thought you might keep your whereabouts from me,” Lacroix cut in,
reading Nick’s thoughts, as he moved to join the two other vampires.
“Oh, my predictable Nicholas,” he sighed.  He brought a glass of red
liquid to his lips. 

       Nick looked at his master tiredly.  Yes, that was indeed what
he had thought at the time.  It seemed he never could run far enough
that the old general would not catch him eventually.  He’d loved his
life as a teacher.  Who had spread those silly rumours in the first
place?  Nick thought he had an idea. 

       “Nicholas.  Come back to the moment, please.  You’re always
living in your past defeats.  Why don’t you look to the present, and
stop torturing yourself,” Lacroix chided.  “I have news for you as
well.  I felt your berserker briefly before his last kill.  It was
faint.  He can hide his signature fairly well.  I would guess he is
not a fledgling with the command that he has of his mental abilities. 
And, oh yes, he is quite mad.  I got pure, white hot rage from him.”
Lacroix looked at his son with his chilly, light blue eyes.  There was
only a look of experience and age about him, no emotion that one could
read easily. 

       Nicholas had never been able to understand Lacroix’s subtle
expressions.  He did not really want to know what lurked beneath the
surface of his master.  He rose from the table to leave.  He needed to
get back to the precinct, and find out what Schanke had learned about
the mysterious Jean Henriette.  He could almost feel Lacroix’s smirk
as he turned to leave.  He wondered how long Lacroix would let him
continue this investigation before the ancient stepped in.  Or, would
he allow the Enforcers to come deal with this and with Nicholas once
and for all. 

            

Chapter Seven – On the Way to the Police Station 

  

       “What’s the expression?  We all get a little crazy sometimes.
Whether it’s the full moon or---“ 

       Nick abruptly snapped off the car radio.  He’d had quite enough
Lacroix for one night.  The drive back to the station was painful.  He
had to face his own thoughts.  Natalie.  Where was she right now?  He
knew about the man from the hotel.  Were they out eating gourmet
dinners at Azure or some other high class eatery?  Or worse, was that
man holding her tightly right now? 

       Nick’s eyes started to turn greenish yellow.  His beast paced
inside him, hungry.  He pushed it down, and thought instead of Jean
Henriette.  What was her relation to an out of control vampire?  How
did he even broach the subject with her without seeming insane?  He
was upset he’d had to leave her with Schanke.  He had wanted to be at
the interview as well, but Janette had emphasized the importance of
her information.  Nick hoped his partner had been able to get
something out of the young woman. 

            

       The precinct buzzed with its usual, non-stop energy.  Nick
slipped past the front desk.  There was always movement at the station
regardless of the day or night.  He looked towards the interrogation
rooms.  Schanke was beside Jean Henriette, and Nick could just make
out their conversation from across the room.  

       “Thank you, Ms. Henriette for your help tonight.” He saw Nick
approaching and he added,”My partner and I are very sorry for your
loss.  The Captain has asked that you be placed under protective
custody.  We both feel that your safety is at risk, that the person
committing these crimes may try to come after you.  So, we’d like to
put you in a hotel with a couple of officers.” Schanke had his hand
resting gently on her shoulder.  He spoke with professional concern. 

       Jean looked pale.  “Yes, yes of course,” she said.  The last
two nights had weighed heavily on her.  She had great, black circles
under her eyes.  Her small frame seemed to sag, with her shoulders
rounded towards the floor.  She smiled weakly when two officers came
by to escort her out of the precinct.  Seeing Nick, she gave him a sad
smile before they led her away. 

       Nick smiled back and watched her go for a moment.  “Schanke,”
Nick said, turning back to his partner.  “What’s the news?” 

       “Well, I am afraid it’s rather sketchy.  Ms. Henriette seems to
have known both victims.  She confessed that she had seen the first
victim David Berton at the Community Centre, when I showed her a
photograph.  He’d even asked her out once.  She remained friendly to
him when she’d seen him in the hallway at the centre, but they never
dated.  She was seeing Daniel Longpré at the time.” 

       “Why didn’t she tell us this during her initial statement?”
Nick asked. 

       “I don’t know.  She says she just remembered tonight about the
date thing, and with the cuts on his face she hadn’t recognized Berton
at first.” Schanke raised his eyebrows.  He didn’t know whether he
believed her or not.  He always remained sceptical and detached in
these sorts of cases, where as he knew his partner could let his
emotions ruin his objectivity.  He had a sense that Nick liked this
woman. 

       “What about Daniel Longpré?  Did she tell you about their
relationship?” 

       “Well, yah---nothing too unusual there.  They had been seeing
each other a month or so.  She really liked him.  They met at the
Community Centre, where he does fitness consultations and weight room
demos.  She moved into his apartment on a weekday basis almost
immediately.  Apparently, it was a closer commute than her place when
she had lots of classes to teach.  Nick, she was thinking about
staying there permanently.  In fact, she was talking marriage with
this guy.” Schanke sounded surprised, as he turned to walk back to his
desk.  “She’s devastated.” 

       “I can see that,” Nick said.  He followed Schanke.  Sitting
down in his own chair, he added, “You know Schank, it’s not unheard of
to fall madly in love at first sight.”  He could think of one lady
he’d fallen madly in love with pretty much from their first encounter.


       “Don’t go there partner!” Schanke said, recognizing the glazed
look in Nick’s eyes.  If Cohen catches you daydreaming your dead!  I
had to do some major talking when you left to talk to your snitch.
Cohen is steamed about finishing the interview without you.  I think
maybe she needs decaf or something,” Schanke thought out loud.
“Downing those moccachino super grandes one after the other certainly
isn’t helping.  Have you seen her do that lately?  I think there’s
been one to many wackos on her watch.  Anyways, I hope your little
adventure was worth it.  Anything good?” 

       He looked at Schanke.  He longed to be in a normal partner
situation with the other detective, and to be able to share with him
the findings of his most recent discussion at the Raven.  He could use
Schanke’s keen detective skills right now.  But like always, Nick
couldn’t afford to say anything.  “No.  It was rather disappointing,”
he said after a pause.  He could feel Schanke’s eyes looking at him
just a beat too long.  It was getting harder to fool the detective.
He turned his eyes down towards the paperwork on his desk. 

  

       Natalie had enjoyed her evening.  She was not prepared to after
the business with Nick, but Steven was so very charming and easy to
talk to, she’d forgotten her worries shortly after arriving at the
restaurant.  They shared so much in common.  They both were
professionals who worked long hours.  They loved poetry and old
romance movies, among other things.  Steven even ate more than her of
his decadent mousse au chocolat than she had of hers. 

       Steve, as he liked to be called, had even shown her a little
ballroom dancing on the floor at the Serafino restaurant.  He claimed
he’d not had such a lovely partner since his wife died three years
ago.  Apparently, she’d died of breast cancer.  He was just now
finding the courage to get on the dating scene.  Natalie, he said, was
exactly what he was looking for. 

       They’d stayed until the last song of the night.  It had been a
slow, smoky version of Gershwin’s “Someone to Watch Over Me.”  Steve
had wrapped his big frame delicately around Natalie’s smaller one.  It
was bliss, Natalie thought, even when her mind itched to remind her
that there was another man who’d always watched over her.  

       They wound down the evening at Natalie’s place over a glass of
wine, and some more Gershwin tunes.  Natalie nestled into Steve’s
arms, while he gently stroked her cheek.  The kiss just seemed to
happen.  They looked at each other, feeling that the time was right,
lips brushed together and connected.  Natalie looked up at declared
softly, “Steven, you are exactly what I was looking for too.”  She
kissed him deeper this time. 

  

  

       Somewhere else, someone was playing something more aggressive
than a torchy, love ballad.  Nick pounded down on the keys of his
grand piano.  He’d always preferred Bach.  Before going off duty
tonight, he had gone to check on Ms. Henriette.  She had been sitting
on an old chair in front of a wide mirror, stroking very wavy hair
with a purple brush.  He could almost imagine her sitting at a vanity
of old, pulling an ivory comb through those curls.  Nick blinked twice
to shake that vision, but something else called him to the past. 

  

       Jean Henriette had not heard the detective enter the room.  She
thought she was alone.  These past few days had been the most bloody,
horrifying ones of her life.  She ached for her lost love, Daniel.  A
little soothing melody came to her.  Humming this tune had soothed her
in the past, so she began to hum it now.  

       Nicholas recognized the tune as one his mother had sung to him
and sister, Fleur when they were children.  He hadn’t heard that tune
since he had been back in Brabant .  It was a traditional lullaby of
the area.  Many mothers rocked their babes to sleep with it.  It
brought a little peace to his heart.  He thanked Jean silently for
this.  Peace was definitely what he needed right now. 

       “Comment savez-vous cette chanson?” (How do you know that
song?) Nick ventured, revealing a little of his Brabantian accent.  He
usually used the more stifled accent of the French. 

       Ms. Henriette turned around quickly with a look of terror.  She
sighed deeply in relief when she saw Nick Knight from the precinct
behind her.  She thought about the song once again, but she could not
recall the tune anymore.  “Je ne sais pas,” (I do not know) she
answered honestly.  “Je ne me souviens plus la melodie.” (I don’t
remember the melody anymore). 

       Nick had detected a faint French accent when they met, and with
a name like Henriette he was sure she spoke French.  That was not
surprising.  Ontario had a huge Francophone population.  However, it
was the accent she used (one which he knew so well) that was
distinctly not French Canadian.  She spoke in a light, silky Belgian
tone.  “Where are you from originally?” he asked her. 

       “ Montreal , lived there all my life,” Jean said as she looked
at the blond detective.  She saw tenderness in his eyes, and she felt
comfortable.  “In fact, I’d never been anywhere else until I decided
to move to Scarborough .  I couldn’t quite afford rent in Metro
Toronto.  I finished my bookkeeping certificate at a community college
just a few months ago.  I’ve been at North York CC off and on all the
way through my studies.” The young woman was so tired, her eyes
drooped a little as she spoke.  She’d never been much of a talker.
She was surprised that she had shared so much with this detective.
She let out an exhausted yawn.  

       Nick smiled a quick smile, he could hear her heart and he knew
that she spoke the truth.  “Sleep well,” he said, and he left her to
her bed.  On the elevator ride down to the car parkade, he could not
help but feel that this case seemed to get weirder with everything he
learned.  Did he have anything to go on?  How could that young one
speak the French of his homeland and not have even visited once?  Nick
felt the pull of the approaching dawn.  It was time for bed for him as
well. 

  

       When Nick arrived home at the loft, he shrugged off his coat
and placed in on a chair.  He was famished by now, this case having
shaken him greatly.  He grabbed for a bottle of red liquid in his
refrigerator.  It slid coolly down his throat, leaving a disgusting,
bitter tang in his mouth.  He made a sour face.  Steer blood never got
better with age. 

       After downing a few more bottles, Nick sat at his piano to
play.  Blood always made his body thrum with renewed energy.  He could
not sleep just yet, so he looked at the music sheets before him.  It
was a song Natalie had picked out, “As Long As He Needs Me”, a drippy
show tune that she loved.  He’d played it for her the last time she’d
been here… 

  

Flashback – the Loft, one month ago 

  

       He loved to play for her.  So, he sat down to play a ballad
from the movie Natalie had picked.  She’d found the sheet music in a
music shop bargain bin beside the video store.  He didn’t love
melodramatic show tunes, but he’d survive if it made Natalie happy.
They’d come together for an evening of movies.  Nick had suggested the
classic, “Citizen Kane”, but Natalie had picked up “Oliver” of all
things.  

       Still, it was a chance to be near her.  He would watch anything
just to be able to sit beside her.  Tonight, the blond detective had
had several litres of blood before the pretty doctor arrived.  He
wasn’t leaving anything to chance.  Since Valentines Day, when he’d
brush his lips across her creamy neck, it was all he could do to keep
Natalie’s beautiful body off his mind.  

       Lacroix and his stupid bargains be damned, Nick thought.  He’d
never felt the need to work on the link with his family.  Lately, he’d
been practicing shutting off this link entirely.  If he had to live
with Lacroix in his life, then it didn’t have to be every waking
moment.  This was going to be an intimate night between only Natalie
and him.  Lacroix would never know. 

       The movie was actually not, bad.  Nick was pleasantly
surprised.  Although, he liked that Natalie was now snoozing lightly
on his shoulder even more.  His fluffy grey blanket was pulled up to
her chin.  She looks like an angel, he thought.  He kissed her lightly
underneath her earlobe.  The heat of the vein there touched his
tongue.  They both moaned together. 

       Natalie’s eyes fluttered open at the pleasant tingle under her
left ear.  She turned to see Nick smiling devilishly at her.  She
returned the smile.  Finally, she thought, some indication that he had
feelings for her.  She had begun to think Nick was no longer
interested after Valentines Day, that whatever she must have done
after all those drinks, it must have been embarrassing for him. 

       Nick captured her chin with his fingers, and placed a long kiss
on her lips.  He could hear her heartbeat pick up.  It excited him,
and pushed him further.  He ran his lips gently down the slim column
of her neck towards the pulse there.  The strain of putting a mental
clamp on his mind was wearing at him, allowing the darker part of
himself to wriggle below the surface and weave its will silently into
his thought patterns.  

       He didn’t even realize his fangs had dropped and his eyes had
begun to glow, so intent was he on staring at a blue line across
Natalie’s neck.  He sucked a breath into his lungs sharply, inhaling
the scent of what smelt faintly like cloves, and grazing her skin with
his teeth.  

       “Nick?” Natalie said.  Had she imagined that there was
something at her neck beside Nick’s lips? 

       The spell was broken, Nick snapped back to reality.  It dawned
on him what he was about to do.  Instantly, his fangs retracted and
his eyes came back to their normal shade, as the shame of it
overwhelmed him.  He’d been about to taste her.  He quickly looked up
at her, and brought her chin to him with his hands.  “Are you
alright?” he asked sincerely. 

       “Yes---yes of course, “she stammered.  Why had she gone and
broken the moment like that?  She guided his hands down into hers, and
leaned into him, intent on picking up where they left off.  She would
kiss him once again. 

       Nick pushed himself away, and abruptly rose from the couch.  He
could not trust himself tonight.  He felt the hungry, dark part of
himself lying in wait inside him.  It was feinting calm for the
moment, waiting for another opportunity to spring.  “Natalie, I think
you need to go.” 

       Natalie was confused and embarrassed.  Had she misinterpreted
the situation?  Had she been too forward?  No, Nick had started
everything.  “Nick, what is going on?  First you kiss me, and then you
kick me out?!  Tell me what is wrong?”  She could see a frightened
look on his face.  

       How could he tell her he’d been about to drink from her, and
probably kill her.  She would run screaming.  He’d always given her
the impression that he had control of himself.  What would she think
if she learned that he still had all his killer instincts, and that he
struggled with them even on this night? “Please go.  I am tired.  It’s
been well over an hour since sunrise.” He gave her a weary look.  He
had to get her out of here. 

       Natalie pulled off the grey cover quickly, and marched to the
door.  She slipped on her shoes as fast as she could, then she took
her jacket from the kitchen chair and balled it up in her arms.  She
pushed open the elevator, walked inside, and closed the door audibly. 

       Nick cringed at the sound of the door shutting forcefully.  He
sighed and went to the fridge.  He’d drown his sorrows tonight, and
then get some sleep.  Nick would talk about it tomorrow with her (if
he had the courage). 

  

  

Chapter Eight – Present day 

  

       “Henriette?” someone whispered in her ear as she slept.
“Inquiète pas, don’t worry, you will never feel alone anymore.  I have
found a way.  I think you’ve already met him.”  The dark figure
stroked the young woman’s silky curls.  He loved her as much as ever. 
He felt the urge to cover her with kisses, but he dare not.  The
vampire doubted he’d have the strength to kiss her without draining
her.  

       The man’s sensitive hearing picked up the sound of the elevator
door opening down the hallway.  The other one’s heavy footsteps were
coming closer.  The officer would be here soon.  The stranger cast a
quick glance at the body pressed against the side door.  Its eyes were
still open, as if frozen wide in fear.  

       No one heard the dark man, as he moved so fast out the window
that he literally disappeared. 

  

  

       “Well, I can tell you now that the M.O. matched the last
murder.  Longpré definitely died from blood loss, and it happened much
more quickly with him.  You can see that he has three times as many
cuts as Benton .” Natalie finished briefing the two detectives.  “This
guy knew how much it took to have someone bleed to death, and yet he
kept on slashing.” 

       “Like I said,” Schanke chimed in.  “This guy had a real hate
for the victims, this one even more than the last.” 

       “Maybe a deep jealousy?” Nick offered from Schanke’s left side.
“Perhaps he didn’t like them showing their affection for Ms.
Henriette.”  Nick thought briefly that he could identify with the
madman.  He was burning inside with jealousy at the sight of Natalie
tonight.  First, it had been the roses on her desk, speaking volumes
about the success of her date last night.  And now, now she was
literally floating around the room.  He wanted to hunt this man of
Natalie’s down.  How dare this one take his Natalie away from him?  He
shook his head to clear his thoughts.  It gave him no pleasure to
realize that he could be on the same wavelength as the killer.  

       “Uh-huh, that makes sense.  I would hate to see this guy turn
his warped affection towards Jean Henriette in a physical way.  I sure
hope that psych. profile comes back tonight, so we can get a bead on
this freak.”  Schanke was speaking with genuine concern.  One of his
best traits was that he really cared about the citizens he protected. 
“I think we should interview the tenants of the apartment complex
again.  Someone must have seen something,” he said.  

       “I agree Schank.  In fact, why don’t you leave me here and take
the car.  I’ll catch up to you.”  As uncomfortable as it was, Nick had
to talk to Natalie.  He had to salvage whatever shreds of a
relationship between them were left before she really fell for this
new guy.  He tossed Schanke the keys to his Cadillac.  

       “What are you talking about?  You won’t be able to go anywhere
without the Caddy.” Schanke said, as he caught the keys in his left
hand. 

       “I’ll be O.K.  Nat can drive me later.  Just go, find us
something we can use!” Nick gave Schanke a little, lopsided grin. 

       “Whatever,” he heard Schanke say, as the big detective pushed
the door and left.  “I don’t presume to understand,” Nick sensitive
ears picked up as Schanke continued to mumble down the hallway towards
the exit.  It made Nick let out a little laugh.  

       Nick looked over at Natalie his expression sobering.  Her hair
was pinned up attractively with a few curly tendrils on the sides.
She must have had it done, he thought.  Did she have another date
after work, perhaps?  He would have to tell her everything, and fast. 
She already looked at him with a “this better be good” expression on
her face.  “You look lovely,” he said with as much sincerity as he
could muster. 

       She blushed a little, “Yah-well, it’s the new me.  I am trying
to look a little less like a boring old coroner these days.”  She
smiled a little funny tooth smile. 

       “Nat, I am sorry for yelling at you a couple days ago, and the
way I acted at Longpré’s crime scene was--“ 

       “Weird,” she cut in.  “What happened there Nick?” To hell with
her no Nick policy for now, she was going to get to the bottom of
this, she thought, even if she had to lock him in here.  “You know you
can always talk to me when you’re troubled.” 

       “Well,” He swallowed.  Here was his opportunity.  He could
share his secret longing with her, and see if she’d run screaming or
keep it inside and watch her possibly walk out of his life.  He
decided that the risk of telling her was worth the chance that she
might not understand.  He cleared his throat and said, “Natalie, I---“


       Suddenly, the phone rang.  Natalie forced herself to take her
eyes off Nick, and she moved away to answer it.  Sitting on the side
of her desk, she picked up the phone and said, “Lambert speaking.” 

       Nick shrugged his shoulders.  What a time for the phone to
ring!  

       “Uh-huh.  Is she is okay?” Natalie said to the other person on
the line.  “Good.”  There was a pause as she listened.  “Yes, he is
Captain, but Schanke’s not.” Natalie said, as looked over at Nick.
“Nick, the Captain wants you to turn your cell phone on.” Natalie
said, looking up at the detective while still holding the phone to her
ear.  “Well, he left with Nick’s car about 5 minutes ago.  He was
going the Fernwood Glen apartments.  Yes, I’ll tell him if I hear from
him.  Did you want to talk to Nick?” Natalie asked.  “Oh, alright.
Yes, I will.” Natalie placed the receiver down on the cradle once
more. 

       “Did she sound angry?” Nick asked. 

       “Fuming.” Natalie replied. 

       Nick cringed.  He was in for a major lecture very soon.  “So,
what did she have to say?”  He was almost afraid to ask. 

       “Well, your partner has turned the radio off in the Caddy, but
that’s not important.  We have to go.  There’s been a murder of an
officer.  Someone got to one of men guarding Jean Henriette.  I’ll
explain the rest on the way.” Natalie went to get her overcoat. 

  

       Natalie had briefed Nick on the car ride over.  He was
listening, but she couldn’t help but notice he seemed rather tense.
He didn’t say much at all beyond a small grunt or two to show that he
was following what she said.  He kept his eyes towards the passenger
side window the whole time.  She thought it was odd when he suddenly
rolled down the window on the freeway and tipped his head over the
glass.   The wind whipped his face, making his hair blow wildly.  The
sound of it rushing into the car at that speed almost covered up the
sound of her voice. 

  

Chapter Ten – At the Newlands Hotel 

  

       That had been the ride from hell, Nick thought.  He’d been
locked that car, enveloped in her scent, for almost a half an hour.
The fantasies that sprang to his mind were unmentionable and
frightening.  Something was not right.  He would seek out Janette
tonight.  His nerves were raw, and he jumped when Natalie finally
parked the car in the parkade and said, “We’re here.” 

       Nick gave her a weak smile, and rolled up his window.  He
watched as she eyed him curiously.  Then, abruptly she left the car,
slamming the door.  He raced to catch up with her at the parkade
elevator before the doors went shut. 

       Two officers from internal affairs were already there when Nick
and Natalie arrived at the crime scene.  They were speaking with John
Mason, the remaining uniformed officer who had guarded Jean Henriette.
Nick tried to extend his senses as much as he dared.  He was already
jumpy.  Last thing he wanted was to show every mortal here that there
was another killer in their midst.  Again, he felt a wisp of crazed
energy, and--sorrow? 

       The body lay against a door dividing this suite with the next. 
It was almost sitting up, and the expression it wore was one of
terror.  Nick had no doubt this man had seen a monster.  Unlike, the
other victims, Nick noticed that there were few scratches on this man.
Instead there was a long slash by his neck.  The killer was getting
bolder, Nick thought.  He saw Cohen in the corner, and decided to go
talk to her.  He’d better try and fix things or he could get demoted
to traffic duty.  That’s what captains always warned their detectives
when got they too cavalier and didn’t follow the rules.  He remembered
Stonetree even saying it once or twice. 

       “Hi, Capt.  Natalie and I came as soon as we heard.” Nick said
as he approached the short, Chinese woman. 

       “Nick, good to see you,” Cohen said sarcastically.  “We need a
lead here detective.  Three kills in a week.  This guy has to be
stopped.” Her tone was all business. 

       Nick detected the scent of chocolate and coffee on her breath. 
He’d never actually had either, but it smelled the same as the Swiss
brand, instant mocha Natalie liked to drink when she was at the loft. 
“I know, Captain.  Schanke’s out looking for anyone who saw anything
at the Fernwood Glen.  I’ll go down to reception after we’re done
here, and see if they have had any unusual visitors.  Did Ms.
Henriette get a look at the guy this time?” Nick could hear Ms.
Henriette in the suite beyond, talking with an officer. 

       “No.” Cohen said flatly.  

       Nick could sense that the captain was very troubled with this
case.  It was receiving a lot of press.  Nick had seen “Crazed Killer
stalks Toronto ” plastered over his morning paper.  There was a four
page editorial inside.  Nothing like a serial killer in town to bring
out every expert to comment the situation, he thought.  “Have you seen
the psych profile,” he said, thinking of experts. 

       “Yes.  Dr. Bauer says it’s most probably a man--but we knew
that by the sheer strength it took to do these violent crimes—who is
unable express his appreciation for a woman in a healthy, normal way. 
Again, that’s not very surprising.  Bauer thinks that our man has
probably done this before, so I put out a bulletin across Canada and
the U.S. for any similar M.O.s.   

       Bauer also feels the killer probably fantasizes about a woman
to the point of obsession, but he can’t make anything happen.  He is
enraged when he sees others with the object of his desire.” Cohen
looked up at her detective.  He looked a little paler if it was
possible.  Knight was always such an odd one.  It would take a whole
team of investigators to figure out what made him tick. 

       Nick had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.  Once again,
he identified with the killer.  He had felt the same emotions, was
still feeling the same emotions, as he thought of Nat’s new boyfriend.
Nick looked at the petite coroner.  He noticed she had her eyes on
him. 

       “Nick!” Natalie whispered.  I.A. had finished looking at the
body a few minutes ago.  She had been alone with it for the first
time.  That’s when she’d taken a closer look.  There was quite a bit
of blood on officer Grady’s back, and it flowed behind him down the
door.  She had tipped his frame over cautiously to check for wounds.
That’s when she’d seen it.  She gasped.  “Nick!” she called quietly,
so as not to attract too much attention. 

       Nick snapped out of his near daydream, and rushed to her side. 
“What is it?” he asked.  

       Natalie motioned for Nick to help, and together they pulled the
body down to the floor, and flipped it on to its stomach. “Help me
pull his shirt back,” Natalie said.  The coroner made a shallow cut in
the fabric with a scalpel from her bag, and together they delicately
peeled the fabric back.  

       In the officer’s skin, a word was cut.  It was obscure and
badly smeared, but Nick knew what it said.   

  

Brabant . 

  

  

       Schanke pulled up to the Fernwood Glen apartments.  It looked
as though there had never been a murder here.  There was no unusual
activity, no extra people milling about.  Odd that, considering the
press this story was getting.  Someone had leaked information to the
media.  The story had dominated most of the news this morning when he
had turned on the tube.  The city’s local news stations were
broadcasting on the hour updates by time he’d left for work.  You’d
think they’d be all over this sight, but they weren’t. 

       The wheels began to turn his Schanke’s brain.  They’d be all
over this sight unless, he thought, unless there was another murder.
They all flocked like vultures around most recent carnage, he knew.
Schanke looked at the police radio.  The lights were off.  He’d
forgotten to turn the damn thing on!  Quickly, he flicked the dial.
It came to life, and a bright green light shone brightly, displaying
the frequency. 

       “This is dispatch calling 81 Kilo.  Schanke, are you out there?
Call in if you’re out there,” said the disembodied voice of Rita the
dispatch clerk. 

       Schanke took the mouthpiece and clicked the transmit button on
the side.  “Yah, dispatch copy that.  This is 81 Kilo.  What’s---“ 

       The detective was abruptly cut off by the sound of smashing
glass.  He had just enough time to register a fist coming for his
head.  The power of that fist impacting him was like nothing he’d ever
felt.  The whole world disappeared into black, and his body went
slack, only held from slumping over by the seatbelt. 

       “81 Kilo, you there?” called the dispatch clerk.  “Schanke are
you---“ 

       The sentence was never finished.  Faster than eyes could
follow, something opened the door, snapped the annoying, buzzing
police radio off, and picked up the bulky detective.  It moved towards
the bush beyond the apartment.  Sensing there were no heartbeats
nearby by, besides the good detective’s, it took to the air with the
big man. 

  

Chapter Eleven – Back at the Newlands Hotel 

  

       “Nick!” 

       Captain Cohen’s voice stopped the hunter flashback taking shape
in Nick’s mind.  He blinked twice, and snapped his head up from the
body.  The vampire focused his eyes in the captain’s general
direction.       

       “Nick.  I’ve just had a call from dispatch.  Schanke has been
incommunicado for over an hour.  He is not answering his radio.  The
dispatch clerk says she tried to reach him again not twenty minutes
ago.  He started to respond but the message was cut off.  She hasn’t
heard from him since.” Cohen said.  She looked down cuts on the body
and added, “What the heck is that?  Is there some kind of word there? 
I think I see a T.” 

       “Ah-I’m not sure, Capt.  Natalie and I were just trying to
figure it out,” Nick answered quickly.  “I’ll see what’s up with
Schank.  He was probably fiddling with the dials again and messed up
the frequency.  He’s not great with electronics.”  Nick rose, and
walked over to the exterior door, leaving Natalie to tend to the body.
He saw the I.A. guys swarming in her direction at the sign of more
blood like an angry pack of Africanized bees.  Natalie would have to
do some talking, he thought.  He trusted her to keep his secrets well
hidden.  The tails of his light, black overcoat coat flapped around
him as he rushed out the room. 

            

       Nick touched down in the wooded area beside Fernwood Glen
apartments.  Immediately, he had the sense that the same vampire who
had been responsible for feeling of madness in the hotel suite had
been here.  This time the vampire had left more of a signature behind.
Nick breathed in jealousy and blinding rage.  Reviving his own
jealousy and anger, the emotions caused Nick’s eyes to burn, his
vision to redden and his fangs to drop.  He didn’t bother to calm
himself.  With his vampire abilities on full alert, he closed his eyes
to see if he could sense any other signs of the berserker. 

       Nothing.  Nick opened his eyes and turned his predatory gaze
towards the apartments.  There was a rounder woman making her way
through the gate and up the walkway.  Nick could hear her heart from
here.  Thump-Thump.  He let out a soft snarl.  Innocent, something
inside whispered to him.  He closed his eyes with shame, and pushed
the beast back with all of his will.  He remembered again why he
couldn’t let his darker side free of its cage for even a moment.  

       There was the faintest sound of laughter in Nick’s mind.
Didn’t Lacroix ever teach you to hide your thoughts, young one? said a
loud voice in his mind.  You are a prize aren’t you, still a knight
come to protect the innocent from the wicked, eh?  Who will protect
them from you?  

       Nick whipped around, extending his senses for the vampire
behind the voice. 

       You are weak, Nicholas.  You lack the strength to find me on
your own.  The voice laughed once again.  I need you, saintly one.
You are a rare find.  Look.” 

       All at once, images sliced through Nick’s mind.  He winced in
pain.  There were images of Schanke being beaten and tied up.  There
were also other images of a place of great sadness for Nick, a place
he remembered very well.  I will come, he sent back.  As quick as the
images had come they disappeared.  He could sense the vampire was gone
from his mind, but he wasn’t alone.  The familiar sound of a certain
sedan brought him to reality. 

       Natalie pulled her hulking blue Ford into the parking lot.  She
could see the Caddy parked a few spots away.  As she rushed from her
car to the Caddy, she noticed the smashed window.  It looked as if
someone had broken in.  She opened the door to take a closer look.
Someone had ripped the driver side seatbelt right out. 

       “Nat?” Nick called from behind.  He saw her head turn to the
sound of his voice.  She looked very weary, he thought.  He noticed
her hairdo had come unpinned in several places, and eyes held a hint
of dark circles.  “Why are you here?” he said as he approached her. 

       “Well, your cell phone is still off by the way--” Natalie said
quickly, “--and I wanted to make sure Schanke was O.K.  I heard Cohen
at the hotel.” She didn’t want to say how much that message on the
corpse had frightened her.  Nor, did she want to say how concerned she
was for Nick.   

       “He’s not O.K.” Nick told her about his encounter with the
crazed vampire and the images.  “I have to go,” he said finally.  He
dared to kiss her cheek. 

       “You need Lacroix’s help here, Nick.  Don’t go without some
reinforcements.” Natalie looked up at Nick.  She could see tension in
his eyes.  This had been an incredibly tough case for him from the
start.  “I don’t want to lose you,” she whispered almost too soft to
her. 

       Nick heard her perfectly.  He smiled and hugged her quickly.
“I will be O.K.  Whoever this guy is, he is not thinking straight.  I
might be able to use that.  And---I don’t know that Lacroix will help
me with this.”  Lacroix would like nothing more than to have the
threat of Enforcers push me from this life, and away from you, he
added silently.  He turned from her and walked towards dark woods
again. 

       “Nick, be careful!” Natalie called. 

  

  

       Nick touched down before the waterfront warehouse.  He hated
this place, and he’d not been back in six months.  All the windows on
the ground floor had been boarded up.  The organization that had used
this building to stockpile food for victims of starvation had gone
bankrupt when its founder was found guilty of stealing from the
charity.  The multi-millionaire had even kidnapped own his daughter
and murdered his wife to cover it up.  Nick imagined he could almost
feel the saddened spirit of the pretty little psychic who had helped
him crack the case.  She’d been fatally shot inside. 

       Something like the wind brushed Nick’s shoulder.  He shrugged
it off and moved towards back of the warehouse.  He didn’t like the
idea that an insane vampire had given him an invitation here.  It was
a trap for sure.  Extending his senses, Nick could pick up the fast
heart beat of a certain portly detective.  Good, Nick thought, at
least Schanke was alright.  The vampire began to rip off some of the
boards over a back window. 

       Breaking the glass, Nick hopped inside.  It was dark, but that
had never been a problem for the blond detective.  There were stacks
upon dusty stacks of grain and powdered milk as far as the eye could
see.  Nick proceeded down a narrow alley between the towers of food.
Soft a female whisper itched at his mind.  You’re a monster who kills,
it said.  The vampire ignored it. 

       Nick carried on until he reached the end of the alley.  It
flowed into a wide open area.  He could see Schanke on an old office
chair in the far corner bound and blindfolded.  The vampire could hear
the other detective’s heart beating erratically.  Schanke was awake
and terrified.  It brought a flash of anger from Nick.  He felt an
intense pang of hatred for Schanke’s captor, and dark thoughts
surfaced.  Flashing his fangs and hissing, Nick turned to the other
occupant in the room, a dark haired vampire standing in the middle of
the clearing.  Nick would kill this one right now.  He let out a roar
of rage. 

       “Young one, for one cannot kill, you harbour a lot of rage,”
the black-haired vampire laughed.  He stood much taller than Nicholas,
perhaps even taller than Lacroix.  His hair was wild, jutting out in
all different directions in short and longer lengths.  His eyes were
deep gold, glassy and bright.  His skin had a glowing, pink tinge.  

       He looked to Nick like a vampire who would not deny himself the
kill.  This one had to be stopped, Nick thought, or the Enforcers
would surely come.  “What is it you want?” Nick slurred around
elongated fangs.  His voice held the rasp of the vampire. 

       “You, dear heart, you do know that by now, don’t you?!” The
other’s voice held a hint of mock exasperation.  “I thought I’d made
it pretty clear with my little message.”  The vampire smiled widely,
pleased with himself.  “I followed you here to Toronto .  It took
awhile---had to get around the crusty, old general---you know.  I
think I did a rather good job of distracting him didn’t I?” The dark-
haired vampire tried poor impression of the old roman’s gruff
demeanour. “Oh, the Enforcers will come.  Maybe that will teach my
stubborn son!” 

       The crazed one stepped closer to the blond detective.  He had
sensed the goodness in this one’s heart even back in Montreal and it
made him smirk.  Lacroix’s flat had practically radiated with
Nicholas’s concern for his family that night.  He didn’t have to know
this one’s face to recognize the source what he felt in the kitchen
that night.  He’d known immediately that this strange vampire was not
the berserker they had been looking for.  “Not even Lacroix knows how
different you are from the others does he?  I suspect if he did, he
wouldn’t try so hard to make you like himself.  Would he have even
made you?” 

       Nick could not make any sense of this madman’s ravings.  “Who
are you?” he asked. 

       “Michael Gervais or Michel Galois, take your pick.  I came for
you in Montreal ,” said the dark one. 

       The Gaul , Nick had never met the man.  Thinking back to that
night to the voice he’d heard from the kitchen, Nick now recognized
that same voice as the one coming from this man.  “Yes, I remember.
You came to kill me!” 

       “Yes, I did.  I sensed what you were, and I knew that I wanted
your blood!” The tall vampire hissed at Nick. 

        Nick responded with a snarl.  They circled around each other
with slow movements.  

       “Nick, this guy is a loon!” Nick heard Schanke shout from the
corner.  The blond vampire turned momentarily towards sound of his
partner’s voice. 

       It was enough of a distraction for Galois to strike out at
Nick.  He brought a syringe up from his coat pocket and plunged the
needle into Nick’s arm with a blur of movement.  

       Nick clawed at his skin, and at the mixture burning through his
veins.  It sent lightning bolts of pain through his system.  He
screamed in agony, fell to his knees and then to the floor.  The
vampire’s strength waned, as his jaw connected with the floor with a
crack. 

       “Archaeologist—yes, I know about that whole situation---have
you ever heard of a book called the Abarat?  It’s an ancient cookbook.
There’s an interesting little recipe in that book that calls for blood
of a heart that remains true even in immortality.  That stuff running
through you that’s the other part of it.  That’s how I granted
Henriette the gift of mortality, with strong vampire blood of one who
was pure in heart.  Although, she wouldn’t be able to tell you that,
she doesn’t remember anything from before.  Do you know how hard it is
to find a saintly vampire?  The act of becoming a vampire destroys the
goodness in most of us.” Galois explained.  He took out some tubes,
jabbed Nick’s wrist and began to transfuse the blond vampire’s blood
into a clear, plastic bag. 

       The intense pain was starting to make Nick lose consciousness. 
The concrete floor was so cold against his cheek, yet so comforting.
He began to close his eyes. 

  

Chapter Twelve – At the Warehouse 

  

       “You bastard!  I don’t know what kind of sicko you are, but the
minute I get free, I’ll--“ 

       “You’ll what?” rasped Galois, slipping Schanke’s blindfold down
around his neck. 

       Schanke finally got a chance to look at his captor.  “Oh, god!”
was all the detective could manage, as he took in the yellow eyes and
sharp fangs. 

       “Your deity is not here,” responded Galois, as he moved to
plunge his fangs into Schanke’s neck.  

       Suddenly, a hand connected with the right side of the Gaul ’s
face.  The force of the blow sent him flying into the wall.  The bag
of Nick’s blood flopped out of reach.  Dazed and bloodied from the
impact, Galois looked up to see who had come up from behind.          

       “I told you once never to harm my son!” Lacroix hissed through
extended fangs.  His eyes were blazing a sickly reddish orange.
Nicholas had slipped into a coma, Lacroix knew, for there was no
whisper in his mind of his son at all.  “Tell me what you have done to
him or I’ll kill you immediately,” he screeched, bringing a stake up
to the other vampire’s chest. 

       “It was for me,” Galois whined, “a mortality potion to allow me
to be with mine.  Henriette had grown tired of the life of the
vampire.  She threatened to walk in the sun.  I had acquired copy of
the Abarat nearly a century ago.  I took me almost as long to find one
ingredient, blood of a vampire pure in heart.  You don’t know it, but
your Nicholas is quite a rare find.  I thought I could catch him in
Montreal , but you stopped me.” Galois was talking very fast.  His
mind was spinning as to how to escape the general’s grasp.  He had
another syringe of the caustic mixture he’d given Nicholas.  His hand
brushed his pocket. 

       “I knew of Nicholas’s odd habits, his quest for mortality and
his guilt.  It was his blood I needed.  Did you know he gave samples
to his doctor friend?  It was nothing to get one from her lab.  Only
one was pure.  She’d mixed the rest with something strange.  I put in
rest of the ingredients from the Abarat into the sample.” 

       Galois remembered the day he’d offered it to Henriette.  She’d
been so sick while her body adjusted to her new mortality that he
feared she would die.  When she looked up at him finally with mortal
eyes, they’d held only revulsion.  Here was the man who’d given her a
life of darkness and killing and had crushed her with his affection,
and here was an example the thing which she’d hated to be.  In his
warped mind, Galois saw love in her eyes.  He had always been too
absorbed in his all-consuming obsession with her to see anything else.


       “Don’t kill me, Lacroix.  I only wish to be with the one I
love.  You know that the vampire can never love a mortal without
killing her.  So, I have made the choice to become mortal with her, as
soon as we are far away from here.  Henriette will remember my love.”
Galois had made Henriette forget the centuries he’d shared with her.
She had screamed, and screamed when he’d tried to touch her that
night.  The newness of her mortality would take some adjustment, he
thought.  In the meantime, he’d made her forget, and let her start a
life in the mortal world. 

       Lacroix looked at the Gaul .  He was pathetic, Lacroix thought.
He raised the stake and drove it into the dark-haired vampire’s chest.
“Thisss it for Nicholas!” he hissed, twisting the stake further. 

       The Gaul let out a screech of pain.  He tried to pull at the
stake in his chest, but Lacroix held it firm.  The syringe that the
darker vampire had managed to pull out of his pocket rolled out of his
hand and onto the floor.  “Lacroix!” he cried in anguish, “Your
ancient blood will react five fold to the toxins in his system!  Your
Nicholas is not strong enough to survive another round of pain if you
try to heal him.”  The Gaul paused to wince in pain, and then
continued, “He cannot be cured either.  All that pure blood dilutes
the potency of the mixture in seconds!” The dark-haired vampire let
out a weak laugh at the quick flash of emotion on the Roman’s face,
followed by a coughing fit and finally died. 

       Lacroix turned towards Schanke.  The robust detective eyes
threatened to pop out of his head.  The vampire focused on the
detective’s heart beat and said, “Sleep.”  He watched the detective’s
body slump over.  Lacroix cocked his head.  He could hear light,
hesitant footsteps.  

       Natalie approached the scene cautiously.  She was having
trouble seeing in the dim light.  “Lacroix, I know what to do.  Help
me find a light switch.  I wonder if there is any electricity in this
place anymore,” she said.  

            

       It had not taken very long to bleed several litres of infected
blood out of Nick’s system.  He looked positively ghastly.  His skin
was ashen.  There was no sign of breath.  Natalie listened for his
heart beat but she couldn’t find one.  She waited, listening
patiently, a full ten minutes.  Now was the time, she was sure. 

       “I’ve bled him out,” she said to Lacroix.  “Now, we need to
infuse him with fresh human blood.” 

       Lacroix admired the little one’s courage.  She showed now signs
of panic that Lacroix could see.  “How will you do this doctor?”
Lacroix said looking at her medical bag.  He detected no blood.  

       “I will give him my own,” Natalie said calmly.  She rushed here
so quickly, she hadn’t had time to stop by the morgue for any
reserves.  She started to roll up her sleeve. 

       “That is suicide my dear doctor.  Did Nicholas not tell you
about the others?” Lacroix asked. 

       “Others?” Natalie asked, not really wanting to know. 

       “Vampires cannot sip from mortals, especially ones they love.”
Lacroix thought quickly of the night at Azure.  He knew of Nicholas’s
true affection for this one.  Nicholas had not fooled him for an
instant.  “Nicholas was in love with a wine merchant’s daughter at one
time.  

       He toyed with her, taking a just a little at a time.
Eventually, he had to kill her.  He couldn’t help himself.  He is
already feeling same deadly desire about you.  In fact,” Lacroix said
flatly, pointing to the sleeping detective in the corner, “I think he
might kill you eventually even if you gave him that one’s blood
instead.”  His eyes held no hint of how he felt about either option. 

       “No.  He won’t kill me because he loves me!” Natalie had
already made up her mind.  She pushed her sleeve up and placed a
needle in her arm.  She put the other shunt of the transfusion
equipment into Nick’s stomach.  Natalie could already feel the pull of
Nick’s vampire physiology.  It had started to suck her blood into him.
The vampire in Nick would not die at all costs. 

       After a few moments, Nick began to stir.  Natalie smiled.
Suddenly, she saw Nick’s eyes shoot open.  They were red and locked on
her.  A low, threatening growl rumbled from the weak vampire.  Neither
Natalie, nor Lacroix had time to react.  Nick struck Natalie’s throat
in one fluid movement.  Latching on, he suckled desperately at her
neck. 

       Lacroix sprang on Nick, pulling him off.  His son looked up at
him, blood dripping from his chin.  The younger one snarled at the
general, displaying sharp bloody teeth.  “Nicholas!” Lacroix cuffed
his son. 

       The force of Lacroix’s hand sent Nicholas to the floor.  His
mind was reeling from the blood.  A ret-hot thirst that had been all-
consuming gradually began to recede, leaving him with the taste of
cloves in his mouth.  Cloves?  Natalie.  The light died from his eyes
as he turned to her.  “Natalie,” he whispered in horror.  

       “Nicholas, she is on the brink,” Lacroix said, moving beside
his protégé.  “You must decide what you wish to do.” 

       Nick paused for only a brief second.  He looked at Natalie
lying still on the floor.  Putting his wrist to his mouth, he let the
vampire return.  His golden gaze never left his love, as he bit down
on.  “Come back to me, Natalie.  I love you.” he said. 

            

       Time seemed to freeze, as he waited.  He knew it was up to her
now to leave this life or to return. 

  

Chapter Thirteen – At the Coroner’s Building 

  

       “They are lovely,” Natalie said cradling the spring bouquet.  

       “Well, nothing’s too good for milady,” Nick grinned and did a
courtly bow. 

       Natalie returned the smile.  She felt that she could understand
Nick a little better these days.  When she’d awoken as a vampire,
she’d had a chance to feel what life was like for him.  The first
hunger had been the scariest thing she’d ever experienced.  Nick had
not allowed her to taste blood, though.  She was glad of that.  He’d
transfused the blood that Galois had collected into her system.  Her
body seemed to remember its recent mortality, Natalie had not been too
terribly sick afterward. 

       Nick looked at his lady love.  She was her beautiful self
again.  He loved the roses in her cheeks, her steady heart beat, and
the smell of cloves in her blood.  The image of her as a hungry
vampire was one that he tried not to think of.  

       He smelled that lovely scent of cloves once more.  It held no
more lure than other mortal blood.  He could handle that.  The vampire
had gotten its kill, and it was satisfied. 

       “What are you going to tell Jean Henriette?” Natalie asked. 

       “Nothing.  She’s finally free.  I wouldn’t take that away.  Let
her live the life that Galois gave her.  She is moving on with things
now that everything is over.  She might even go back to school.
Kinesiology or something,” Nick explained.  “I helped fill in some
holes that Galois had missed.  She won’t be searching for family in
Montreal .” Nick was a little sad of that.  He’d made her an orphan. 

       “Well, that sounds good.  So, about this dinner date tomorrow--
-are you alright with a little ballroom dancing?” Natalie had really
been bitten by the dancing bug.  She was sure she would prefer her new
dancing partner even more than the last.  Steve had been very
understanding when she’d said her relationship with him wasn’t
working.  He’d even had a sweet smile for Grace when he’d left the
morgue last night. 

       “Are you kidding?  You can’t be raised in my time and not know
how to dance.  I’ll waltz you off your feet!” Nick laughed and picked
up the doctor’s hands.  He took her for a little spin around the
examining table.  When they’d arrived back at the same spot, he leaned
in close and kissed her.  “Pick you up at seven?” he said.  He watched
her nod before he turned to leave. 

       Natalie looked at the vials of blood on her counter when Nick
had left.  They were filled with the last of Nick’s tainted blood from
the warehouse.  She lifted one up and inspected it under the light.
“You are full of possibilities aren’t you?” she said.  She would begin
to analyze the sample tomorrow.  Natalie placed the vial back in the
tray.  She opened the fridge to place the new tray beside the old
samples of Nick’s blood from the hormone experiment.  She quickly
looked at her original tray.  Her control sample was missing.  She
knew where it had gone. 

       Securing the fridge with a thick padlock, Natalie smiled a
little funny toothed smile at the thought of one waltzing medieval
vampire and went over to her desk. 

  

The END