Fangs and Cuffs

[Last_Rider]

Roderick smiled, while whatever was happening between them seemed a little more intense, the immediate tension had been lifted. He'd been afraid she would comment on his slip, or play back at him. He never had trouble with more assertive women, but he wasn't sure how he would react if she had.

"I promise, no puking. It would probably cost at least a months salary to pay to get it fixed."

He stood, offering his hand. He wasn't sure if she'd take it, but for some reason he thought the gesture fit.

"So, lead the way Amber."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Amber took his hand and let him help her to her feet. Stepping around the coffee table Amber slipped her feet into the sandals under there and then walked into the kitchen to grab the keys to her car. Unless she had to Amber didn't actually drive. She truly enjoyed walking around the city, consuming the sights and sounds. People watching was one of her other guilty pleasures.

"Hold down the fort boy," Amber led Roderick outside as she slid her shades on. Even though the sun was making its decent, the shades were still needed. Opening the garage Amber turned the alarm off and unlocked the doors. She waited long enough for Roderick to get his seat belt on before peeling out of the garage slightly. Coming to a stop at the end of the driveway she smirked. "You might want to hold on."

Amber let out a laugh before she pulled out completely and sped off for the downtown stretch. She kept it under the limit until they were just at the edge of town and then gunned it.

 

[Last_Rider]

Roderick followed Amber, noting that the sun was lowering. She still needed the sunglasses, but the sunset was pretty enough. And Amber looked very good in the shades of red and orange that slipped over the landscape. His mouth dropped just a little when he saw the car. He wasn't an auto buff by any means, but he knew a fast expensive car when he saw one. This one was both.

When she gunned the engine he reflexively gripped the handhold on the door. Amber wasn't pulling any punches. Much as this was terrifying, he couldn't deny the adrenaline pumping through his system. This was definitely living in the fast lane, so to speak.

"You weren't kidding. I just hope no one decides to try you."

Roderick could only guess at how competitive Amber would be in a race.

 

[AngelofDeath]

"I think most of them have learned by now. Besides I love my baby too much to bother with street racing too much." Amber grinned at him as she shifted gears and they took in the scenery the lights of the city fading behind them. "Honestly this also a good way to clear you head. Just you, the car and the open road. Well that and highway patrol."

As the sun continued to set she flicked the headlights on fully, "You know there has got to be something to say about speeding with a cop in the car. Madness comes to mind." When they were a good bit away from town Amber turned them around. There was no one else on the road at the time and Amber revved the engine a few times, letting the suspense build before she put her foot to the gas and the pedal to the floor. It didn't take long for them to hit the 100mph mar, everything whipping by them. AS they got close to the city though Amber eased up on the gas and drove less like the hounds of hell were after them and more like she wished to keep her license.

"Doing ok over there?"

 

[Last_Rider]

Roderick could appreciate the theraputic value of speeding like a demon down the road. His mind was certainly rather clear, save for the recurring mental image of the car hitting a bump and performing some gymnastic insanity before crushing them both under its weight. But other than that he was remarkably relaxed.

The final stretch when Amber really let the throttle go was fantastic. Watching the landscape speed by, feeling the acceleration in his gut, every press or release of the gas pedal resonating within his body. This could definitely be an addictive hobby if he ever took it up.

"Yeah, I'm ok. That was certainly different, but thank you. It definitely did clear my head."

The last part was very true, much of the residual stress and worry was probably still trying to catch up to the car.

"I guess it's time for my makeover now huh?"

 

[AngelofDeath]

"Yep. Sasha should be there or on his way with his coat." The vampire was a touch leaner than Roderick, but the coat would still work on him. She dropped back to the speed limit though she took the short cut home. As they pulled up Sasha was waiting for them in her driveway, his own car at the sidewalk with the engine running.

As she pulled into the driveway to park the vampire headed their way, coat in hand. "She took you driving? My my I think she's warming up to you. Amber rarely lets anyone in her car."

"Not anyone, just not poofy vampires who like to critique my taste in fashion." Amber cut the engine and got out.

"So because of Misha I get scorned?" He laughed and gave her a quick hug before turning to Roderick, "And for you sir. Since you're with Amber I know I will get this back in one piece." He gave the man a smirk of a smile.

"Yes you will get your precious coat back in one piece. I promise to molest him AFTER I peel it off him." The vampire just rolled his eyes and waved her off. "Is everything set?"

"Completely. I've already told the bouncers that you are bringing a date. As for everyone else, well you know the plan. Misha and I of course will be at the ready if you need us. Good luck tonight Amber and be careful. If this is one of our own and gods forbid someone we know they are going to do their best not to be found."

Amber nodded and watch Sasha turn and return to his car."Come on let's make you look a little less professional." She led him back into her home and straight to her bathroom. Of course that meant going through her bedroom.

Unlike the more subtle decoration of the rest of the house Amber's bedroom was lavish. The bed dominated the room and for the time being the heavy curtains over her windows were pulled back. Over the fireplace mantel was a large portrait. It was old but in exquisite condition. The woman stretched out on the divan was covered in nothing but a length of silk was Amber though with longer hair.

"Hmm a little hair spray and gel should do it. Don't want to make you look too poshy." She was busy turning the light on the equally large bathroom and going through a decent pile of hair product.

 

[Last_Rider]

Roderick blushed a little when Amber mentioned molesting him. She was probably just playing back at her friend, but the imagery still had an effect on him. He'd been too long without some kind of true sexual release, and Amber was definitely showing herself to be his type. He still doubted anything would come of it, but a little bit of hope still nestled in his chest.

The jacket was nice, especially considering it was older and meant to be a little worn down. Despite that it had once been very nice, and at the very least he could tell there was some sentimental value. He made a mental note to be careful with it.

Heading back into Amber's apartment, through the living room, her bedroom was not at all what he was expecting. The rest of the house was elegant but subdued, quiet. Here, not so much. The bed dominated the room, there were heavy curtains on the windows that were drawn back for now since the sun was pretty much set. The bedroom wasn't decadent or anything, but it was more lavish than the rest of what he'd seen of her place. And of course there was her portrait over the fireplace.

It was Amber, a cursory inspection revealed that. Her hair was longer, but she was posed very evocatively, just a whisper of silk covering her body. Roderick had admired her so far, but seeing that, the nature of her curves, getting just a little bit more of a look behind the curtain so to speak, was mesmerizing. She was definitely gorgeous.

Her words snapped him back to reality, though his fantasy had been much more interesting.

"Sure, I'm yours. Do with me as you wish."

Again with those damned double meanings, they just seemed to roll off his tongue.

 

[AngelofDeath]

"Don't tempt me," Amber said under her breath as she set everything up like she wanted and then stuck her head out of the bathroom. Roderick was looking at her portrait. "Its one of the few things from my long history that I couldn't part with or put into storage. Not to mention I think I look stunning on there. Come one pretty boy let's get you ready."

Amber grabbed one of the carved bamboo stools she had in the bathroom and sat him down on it. Then she set to work with the hair gel and spray. Living for pretty much eternity gave you plenty of time to pick up different things. For a short time in the 70s and 80s Amber had been a hairdresser. One with extremely odd hours, but one none the less. Roderick actually had soft hair for a guy. Not silky like a woman's would be but still soft enough to make her want to run her fingers through it some other time.

When she was done it had that styled mess to it that the average guy would pay at least $75 dollars for at the salon. "There now you look a little less protect and serve and a lot more sex on a stick. With that jacket I think I am going to have to worry more about some babe trying to pick you up."

 

[Last_Rider]

Roderick nodded in silent agreement at Amber's appraisal of herself in the portrait. He didn't know who had painted it, but they had captured her perfectly. She looked incredible, the paint blending perfectly, even the subtle sparkle in her eyes was there. That spark was dulled right now, grief and stress probably, but still there.

He sat on the stool she indicated and spent the next bit in a total daze as her hands fairly flew around his head. There was gel, and spray, and her fingers combing through his hair, tickling his scalp, toying and teasing with his hair until she had it just where she wanted it. Roderick almost didn't recognize himself when he glanced at a mirror. His hair was messy, but in a very deliberate way. It was the kind of look that was in vogue. It seemed to change the whole complexion of his being.

"I wouldn't be too worried about it Amber. Just there to observe and gather information. I promise I wont let anyone else drag me off, besides, you're my ride out of there at the end of the night."

 

[AngelofDeath]

"Don't worry I'll guard your body and virtue. Now go one get, so I can get dressed."Amber manage to stop from adding unless he wanted to watch. She had to focus right now. Flirting could weight, tonight they had a job to try and do. closing the bedroom door behind him, Amber opened her closet and sighed. If the situation was different she might have really dressed to make Roderick trip over his tongue. Amber had however not lost her sensibilities.

She finally pulled a simple black and white halter dress from the closet and simple pair of heels. Changing out of her slacks and pants, she dressed quickly and then headed back into the bathroom. She kept things simple and simply ran her fingers through her hair and gave it a few blasts of hair spray. Standing there Amber looked at herself and sighed. "You can do this. You may be lying to friends, but if it catches this bastard, its a good thing." Adding a touch of lipstick and eye shadow Amber considered herself done. Grabbing her own sleek leather cat from her closet she went to collect Roderick from the living room.

"Well let's see if we can catch a killer."

 

[Last_Rider]

Roderick sat on the couch, eyes half closed. The fact that a completely gorgeous woman was changing not too far from him wasn't lost on him, but he tried to put it from his mind. The last thing he needed before going into a very dangerous situation was to have his focus altered from a job to that of a very very sexy woman.

One eye opened fully when the large wolfhound Petrov padded into the room and sat in front of him. Previously the two had had interaction only with Amber around, but now the large creature stared at him. It was just a little unnerving actually. There was nothing menacing about the hounds posture, or in his eyes for that matter. Roderick had to surmise the message was more along the lines of, "I'm watching you, and I can smell your hormones".

"Relax, she's probably more of a threat to me than you are."

Petrov gave what sounded suspiciously like a chuckle as he panted, then moved off to another room as Amber came out. Naturally she looked good.

"Here's hoping. At the very least we'll have more information to work with, so even if we don't wind up taking him down tonight, it will make everything much easier."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Amber didn't bother with commenting on the fact that it wasn't going to be that easy. Old vamps had a way about them that was at best confusing and at worst absolutely infuriating. She should know, she was an old vamp. Collecting her keys and purse after slipping her coat on she tossed the bomber jacket to Roderick. The pair of them slipped back into her car with ease and they pulled off. "So like Misha and Sasha said this is one of the more exclusive clubs. Its very upscale though. They've got the standard amount of bouncers, but plenty of security cams. Trouble doesn't happen too often though."

She turned down into the heart of the downtown. The city was alive with the nightlife as vamps and humans mixed and mingled. "Since this is supposed to be a wake things should be fairly relaxed. One of the basic rules will still be respected, any human that come with a vamp belongs to that vamp. Any other time someone might approach you or rather me since you are my guest to see if feeding off you would be ok. However considering what this evening is about, "Amber stopped at the light. "Everyone is likely to keep their fangs to themselves or their donors."

Sasha and Misha's place was at the heart of the blood loop. The Den was scrawled out in red and purple neon and while assuming during the day once the sun set it looked like any other very exclusive spot. There was however a small line of people compared to normal. Amber pulled out in front and handed her keys to the valet that came over with a small job. Walking around the car Amber linked her arm through Roderick's and leaned in close, "Ready?"

 

[Last_Rider]

Roderick listened to Amber, taking notes on some vampire customs. He wasn't worried about too many vamps trying to sneak a bite of him, not only was he with Amber, the mood would probably be a little more somber than usual. Of course these were still vampires and it was likely to be something of a party.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

He pulled on the jacket, dear lord it was comfortable. It was like a second skin, it felt like the most natural thing in the world as it rested on his shoulders and covered his torso. No wonder Misha was insistent he take care of it.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Amber had to admit the coat just added to his look. They got in line but it didn't take long for them to get to the front of the line. "Amber?" The tall olive skinned bouncer look at her in surprise, "Its been awhile. I heard about Vicent. You guys go on in."

"Thanks Nate," Amber gave him a small nod and they headed in. Despite the unassuming outside, inside the Den was a wonderful example of excess. Misha and Sasha's lavish taste and need for excellence and quality shone from every corner, table, booth and wall.

A set of stairs were roped off for the evening, though she knew the upstairs would be open for those who needed it. People were everywhere, though in the lighting it was obvious for the most part who was human and who was vampire.

"Come one let's go find someplace to sleep."

There were two bars on the first level but the second had been closed down and turn into a temporary shrine. The photos of all the donors were lined across with with black and red roses as well as candles. A few heads turned their way as they found a small open booth, some looking at Amber and many looking at Roderick. She slipped her coat off and sat down, her eyes carefully scanning the room.

 

[Last_Rider]

Apparently it paid to know Amber as the two of them were ushered in quickly passed the line. Roderick paid attention to those outside, but not a whole lot. Whoever was doing this, assuming he was here, would have made sure he was inside already. Plus, using some of the information Amber had given him about this vampire being old, he'd know the right people and be able to get inside.

Once inside he had to pick up his game a little. Roderick could tell, more or less, who was human and who was the vampire, so he could chronicle the vampire faces faster. The atmosphere was more subdued than normal, and everyone paid respects to the memorial. If Roderick was right and this guy was an emotional sadist, a gathering of those he'd hurt might be too big a temptation to pass up. That of course made the assumption that he was right, but at the moment he didn't have another theory to go on.

He and Amber seated themselves in a booth, Roderick doing his best not to look too much like a Spook as his eyes moved around the room. He was looking for someone more interested in the surviving vampires than the victims, though he'd blend in. This guy wasn't going to stand out, so he was trying to look at the eyes. He found they always told the truth.

 

[AngelofDeath]

It was easy enough to pick out those who had lost donors. A touch of a photo here, people coming up and expressing their condolences and of course those who did their best not to let it show how much pain they were in and doing the worst of it. Amber of course knew them all, some personally and some by name only. A server came through and took their drinks orders. She kept it simple with an order of blood and vodka.

Misha was making his way through the crowd and Amber was about to get his attention when someone stepped into her line of sight. That person was Soren. Soren had been a viking in his human days. He was the embodiment of Nordic good looks.

"Hello Soren," she didn't let it show that it annoyed her that he had caught her off guard like that.

"Amber," he took her hand and kissed it. "I'm sorry about Vincent."

"Thank you. Sasha and Misha told me about Angelica. I'm sorry." He watched as he simply nodded and then directed his attention to Roderick. It was then for a moment that Amber worried that Soren or one of the others would recognize him from the police station.

"A new friend?"

"Sort of. Soren this is Roderick. He and Vincent were on the street together. He came along for moral support."

"I see, well right now good friends are all any of us can hope for."

 

[Last_Rider]

Roderick was paying attention to the various vampires, creatures of eternity were incredibly difficult to read. Besides, he was looking for someone who was a little out of place. Amber said this vampire would be a creature of the shadows, never having truly committed to the new way of doing things. While they would know the other vampires they wouldn't be a regular to places like this.

The large vampire obscured his vision, but talked with Amber. Blonde, ice blue eyes, knotted muscles, he'd never seen anyone who looked so much like a viking in his life. Of course it was entirely possible he used to be one. The name Soren resonated in Roderick's memory, not just because his donor was an early victim, but something Sasha or Mischa had said. That Soren and Amber didn't really get along now that he could fully recall the memory.

"Nice to meet you."

Roderick extended his hand, which Soren regarded for a minute before accepting. His grip was firm and if he'd desired he could easily have simply crushed Roderick's hand. For whatever reason, he chose not to.

When he'd moved on, Roderick leaned over to Amber.

"You'll have to tell me about him when we get some time. If you see anyone who doesn't frequent the club, or who you don't know except for a face or a name let me know."

 

[AngelofDeath]

"Well then we are really going to need drinks at my place then. That is a very sordid story." Their drinks arrived and Amber took a long sip of hers nodding to his statement of pointing out and new faces. "I'm actually not surprised there isn't a much larger crowd considering, but Misha and Sasha are if nothing else sympathetic to everyone.

As the night went on Amber would point someone out or introduce Roderick to whomever had made their way over to pass along their sympathies and find out who her company was. About an hour after getting seated Misha and Sasha both came over. Sasha of course looked Roderick over and nodded in approval, "Once again Amber you were right. I keep telling you, you need to go into fashion. Who else but you could pick something at random that would fit a near stranger so well?"

Misha rolled his eyes at his lover's dramatics. "Ignore him he's just jealous your boy looks better in it. How are things going?"

"Fine, nothing strange yet. Just its weird, you know. So many lives ended for some bullshit reason."

"Amber this bastard cannot stay hidden for long. He will get what is coming to him. His escalating crimes are just going to make us all more vigilant. If the spooks do not catch him, some other vampire will when he tries for the wrong donor."

She really couldn't disagree with Misha on that one. Amber finished her drink with a sigh and set the glass down with a audible thud.

 

[Last_Rider]

Roderick almost didn't catch Amber's offer for drinks back at her place, but he smiled to himself when it registered. She was great company, even if nothing else happened between them. Of course he was hoping it would. He nodded to Sasha and Misha, taking their words into his mind. There was more than a little truth to their assessment, eventually the vampires would just take extraordinary security measures to counter the killer.

He raised his glass to his lips, processing the new information. He'd never really considered when or why the killer might stop apart from being caught or killed. There just didn't seem to be a reason for it, or if there was one it was purely internal to the killer. The reason was going to be key, figuring out why he was doing this let you get ahead of him instead of just following his trail.

Amber's free hand found his across the table, he was probably looking to deep in thought. She had very soft skin and it did pull his mind from where it was and back into the present. He could work on details later, this was fact finding time.

 

[AngelofDeath]

"I'm going to get up and mingle for a bit, see what else I can find out. You three behave yourselves." The vampire couple gave her both far too innocent looks that made her shake her head. "I mean it you two. No funny stuff."

"No funny stuff she says. Like we are going to steal her human away." Sasha winked at Roderick.

"One my love she'd kill us creatively. And two he's far to straight for us to bite let alone drag off to bed." Misha said as Amber got up and slipped past him. They were keeping things fairly off topic considering the large number of extra keen ears in the room. They watched as she stopped to actually look at the memorial. Amber held herself together as she stepped back and started to work the crowd in her own special way.

For the most part, all of the vampires were refraining from feeding from the humans they might have brought all. That didn't stop all of them though and there were several couples of all types making themselves comfortable and sinking fang into flesh.

"So Roderick," Misha asked, "has anyone in particular caught your attention?"

 

[Last_Rider]

Roderick shrugged a little at Misha's question. He was grateful for Ambers reminder that they behave themselves, and equally grateful the two recognized his staunch record of heterosexuality. He didn't have any issues with gay/bi/whatever as long as it was legal and both parties were willing. He just wasn't into guys even a little.

"I don't know, a couple seem a little out of place, but after watching I think they're just on the outside looking in on the grief. They don't know how to react or don't know many people that well. I think the killer would be open to mingling a little, and wouldn't hesitate to show emotion. Most here are either closely associated with the victims or almost strangers."

The couple were paying attention to Roderick's words, that fact wasn't lost on him. He didn't consider either suspects, but at the same time there was only so much information he could share with them.

"Our killer, assuming he's actually here, wants to observe the grief. At least that's the only reason I can see, the only other reason would be a sign of remorse and nothing else about him even hints at that."

Roderick pushed his hands through his hair, increasing the tousled look Amber had given him.

"Maybe you two could help me out. I've been unable to find a record of something like this in the city at all. Nothing this involved within the state. The problem is if I ask the FBI and they find something, it becomes their case. Much as vampires don't trust Spooks, bigger agencies are even more insensitive. I don't think they could really catch him, if I did I'd have already called them."

Seeing their looks Roderick continued.

"I'd like to know if anything like this has happened in the states, going back probably ten years. Ditto for overseas, which is a nightmare from my perspective. I got more info from Google than I did from any of the places I called. I need to know if this is a longstanding pattern, a serial killer who's just working his way around the globe, or if something recently triggered the need to kill."

He took a deep breath.

"I know it's a long shot, but if this was recent we can narrow aspects of the search. If it's been going for a long time then we'll have more information to go on. Like I said, probably a long shot, but anything more than what we have is helpful."

 

[AngelofDeath]

"We can reach out to other cities, assuming they started elsewhere. While we no longer have the complete luxury to stay within the shadows, some communities still keep to themselves. Something like this, the killing of donors? I don't think anything like this has happened recently." Misha replied as he relaxed into the both.

Sasha was quick to nod, "We might have to go further back or even check overseas. Its also possible if they want attention they have suddenly moved to someplace bigger. Some place where his actions would get more attention. In other places other times, he could have killed knowing none of us would have reported it." He shook his head slowly, "Whoever has done this is no first timer. Killing for sport is something that to most of us is distasteful, but we were all human once. Some become this way and others were like that before being turned. We will give you any help we can."

Turning his full attention towards Roderick Sasha continued, "And by that token we expect that you will keep Amber safe and that making the consequences of her getting hurt because of your investigation is completely unnecessary?" While Sasha had a smile on his face, his eyes said that this was no joke.

Across the floor, Amber was busy talking with people or at least trying to. Every time she tried to redirect the conversation someone would steer it back towards Vincent, or Angelica or the other three victims." There were days she hated vampires, for beings that lived for so long some focused too much on the past or the worst things in life.

Finally she just decided to take the obvious route, "Who could do something like this? Why kill donors? I mean they would have gotten just as much time in the new for killing regular people."

"Someone who clearly wants to hurt their own. Killing random people is easy, we've all done it at one point or another, some for food, some for self defense, but it doesn't really hurt anyone out of their own circle. Killing our food, our donors, our loved ones hurts us. We loose the ones we love and it scares the rest away. Being embraced is sexy. Being dead because of that is not." She turned and saw that it was Sheri who had answered her. Sheri was around 400 years old maybe older and like Amber was used to a life of servitude prior to being turned. The African vampire cast a glance towards the photos.

"Whoever did this is a real predator. They pick their target and strike at the best time. Or rather the worse. All of them were killed after sessions with their vampires, when they were most vulnerable." Hazel eyes turned to Amber, "Be careful of who you trust Amber. This one is close to us. Very close to have gotten past all of us and kill our donors."

"Didn't Angelica live with Soren?" Amber asked.

"Yes but you know him, still very much a creature of the night. She had left for her job at her flower shop. Her co-workers found her spread out on a pile of flowers."

Amber couldn't stop herself from looking over to where Soren was, sitting by himself in a corner. For all their issues with each other, Amber could sympathize with him even more. He had bought that shop for Angelica she remembered hearing how the young woman had gushed over her gift. She shook her head softly and sighed.

"Thanks for the insight Sheri. I should probably get back to Vincent's friend Roderick. This really isn't his scene." The other vampire nodded to her and she turned and headed back to the booth.

 

[Last_Rider]

Roderick had no illusions about what Sasha and Misha were saying to him. If anything happened to Amber it would come back to him in a very personal way. Fortunately he was on the same page they were.

"You have my word, I'll do everything I can to keep her safe. And thanks for your help, anything at all is helpful. I want this bastard to suffer for what he's done, not because he's likely a vampire, but because anyone who does what he'd done deserves it."

He got nods of approval from the two, who got up when Amber returned, sharing a quick hug with her before heading off to mingle with the others. Roderick had seen Amber talking with a dark skinned vampire, one who's face wasn't totally unknown to him. It took him only a moment to recall the name, Sheri. She wasn't a person of real interest, but she was rather well known to the Spook squad. She traveled a lot, and frequent traveling usually got you noticed. Not followed or interrogated, but anyone moving around that much warranted a notification when they were in town.

"So, find out anything interesting Amber?"

Roderick reached across the table and took her hand, his thumb rubbing softly along the back of it. She really did have incredibly smooth skin.

 

[AngelofDeath]

"Just Sheri's opinion on things. Honestly it was nice talking to someone who wasn't being so melodramatic about all this. She also told me about how Soren's donor was found in her shop. I know how much it meant to her and how much her happiness meant to him." She shook her head slowly and sat back. Amber was enjoying his touch though she knew it was simply so no one was too suspicious of him. It would have been nice though if Roderick was doing it just because he wanted to touch her.

"Sheri thinks whoever is doing this is trying to not only hurt other vampires but also drive off anyone from the donor program. I think she's also right about it possibly being someone we all know rather well. I haven't looked at the actual new articles, but I assume the others were killed in their homes or other places they felt rather comfortable?" Amber sighed again, they really hadn't been there that long, but she was honestly tired of it already. Of course considering all that had happened and the heavy cloud hanging over the bar, no one could really blame her.

Her index finger began to circle the rim of her glass, the ice slowly melting. "I really don't like the fact that someone has been watching me, watching all of us and picking their targets with the same sort of sense and order than lightening picks where to strike."

 

[Last_Rider]

A vampire trying to scare off donors? An interesting concept, but it didn't quite fit. Someone trying to scare of human donors would be more dramatic, and the focus would have been on the donors. Instead everything about each murder was calculated to get at the other vampires. Positioned to evoke the most grief, the message was aimed at the vampire community, not the donor one.

"I understand that feeling of being watched, it really isn't a pleasant one."

There was something else tickling at the back of his mind, something he was not quite connecting. Roderick was trying to figure it out when his eyes caught the hand Amber was tracing her glass with. The marks were all but gone, but the memory was enough.

"Do you know how any of the victims vampires died? That snake to you wasn't an accident, but if he did it with the other vampires it's part of his pattern. If he just did it with you, it's a break from normalcy and means something else entirely. I know it's probably the worst time, but if anyone else got a message like yours, it gives us just a little more information."