“What the hell!” Zac exclaimed.

The last thing he expected to find first thing in the morning was a corpse in the front yard. A vampire corpse. And he knew that there was only one person who would have put it there. Scowling, he took out his cell and called Sam. Before he could say hello he barked, “Have you seen Aya?”

Sam sighed. “No. Did she take the cell I gave her?”

“It's still in her room.” He couldn't keep the annoyance out of his voice, even if he tried.

“Zac, she hasn't been awake for long. Perhaps she doesn't see the usefulness of it yet.”

“Do you know where she is?”

“No, I haven't seen her today.”

“Well, if you see her, tell her I'm looking for her. I want to talk to her about the corpse in the front yard.”

“What the hell?” came the reply from the other end.

“A desiccated vampire is sitting in the yard like a scarecrow. And only one person we know could have done that.” He hung up abruptly.

Getting in his car, he cursed her all the way into town. When he caught up with her, he'd give her a piece of his mind. How stupid could she be? Leaving a corpse in the front yard for anyone to come along and see. He knew it was too good to be true, their shaky alliance was a joke. Two thousand year old idiot.

Parking the car at an awkward angle by the main square, he stalked down the street, catching sight of Alex in the distance pruning some box hedges.

“Have you seen Aya?” he asked, coming up behind him. He didn't bother saying hello.

Alex turned and scowled when he saw it was Zac. “Depends why you’re asking.”

Zac rolled his eyes. “C'mon. Have you seen her or not?”

“She went to the bookstore.” Alex pointed across the street.

He leaned forward, thumping him on the shoulder. “Thanks, buddy. That wasn't so hard was it?”

“Just don't be an asshole, Zac.”

“Me? Never.” He sauntered across the street through a break in traffic and glanced through the front windows into the store. There were lines of shelving and displays along one side and CDs and magazines in the center. There was a gift section by the registers and a café tucked away at the rear, so there were lots of little corners she could be hiding in. Quickly surveying, he couldn't see her, so he walked inside and looked down each aisle before spotting her amongst the magazines reading a copy of National Geographic.

He came up behind her, ready to give her a piece of his mind, but she said, “This is such a wonderful magazine.” She hadn't made any gesture that suggested she knew he was there and it irritated him further.

“We need to talk,” he said through his teeth.

“I'd never heard much of this Solar System business. I knew it was all there, but the names humans give things is intriguing. And this Amazon rainforest. I'd like to go there, it sounds wild and dangerous. Have you been?”

“No,” he replied impatiently, shuffling from foot to foot.

“Well, I'd like to go before it disappears. Some things aren't as immortal as others. Before I was asleep, the civilized world told us that it was a land of savages, but that's not true.”

“As much as I'm enjoying the history lesson, I want to talk to you about something else,” he hissed into her ear.

Aya placed the magazine back on the shelf. “And what do you want to discuss?”

“I want to discuss the corpse that you left in the front yard,” he hissed again, looking around to see if anyone was listening.

“Oh, that,” she said.

“Yes, that.” He took her arm and forcefully guided her from the shop, smiling at the attendant at the counter who was eyeing them suspiciously. He took her across the street to the square where he was sure no one was close enough to hear them. Turning her to face him he scowled as she laughed. “What the hell is so funny?”

“You. Getting all worked up.”

“It's not funny, Aya. You left a desiccated corpse in the front yard for everyone to see.”

“Not true. No one knows that the house is lived in. No one comes to visit, the gates are meant to be locked because it is a site of ‘historical significance’. No one is going to see the corpse. I left Dean there to serve as a warning to his buddy who has camped out in the town somewhere.”

“Oh,” Zac said, throwing his hands up in exasperation, “so, the corpse has a name?”

“Yes,” she replied as if it were the most normal thing to be talking about. “When his friend stops by tonight, he'll try something else and I will be waiting for him to expose himself.”

“You can't just do things and not tell us! I nearly fucking died when I went outside!”

She laughed again. “Well, I really wish I had of been there to see that.”

“Then why is it there and not someplace else?” He crossed his arms, glowering at her.

“Well, you wanted my help. This is me helping. Dean was already in the house while you were sleeping, princess. If I hadn't of been there it was curtains for the Degaud brothers.”

“And how do you know his name was Dean?

“I asked him.”

“You asked him?”

“Yes, right before he told me about his friend. Then I killed him. You should have been there. I was brilliant.”

“Geesus.” He ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

“I met a Jesus once,” she said. “He was alright.”

Zac stared at her dumbfounded. The things that came out of her mouth. Enduring her mood swings was like having a bucket of icy water dumped on his head. “Just get rid of the corpse before anyone sees it.”

“Aye aye Captain,” she said, mock saluting him. “I will deny Dean his proper burial so his soul will wander for eternity.”

“Just as long as it doesn't wander anywhere near the house.” Zac glared and strode off.

Aya began the walk back to the manor in a huff. She couldn't wait until she came to the forest so she could run. Those boys had no sense of humor at all. Typical men, always thinking they're right.

Glaring to herself she brightened slightly when she saw Alex by the path ahead. He was pruning the hedge that bordered the sidewalk. Hacking, would be a better description. He was annoyed too.

“Hello,” she said as she came level with him.

He looked up at her and went back to his work, giving a grunt in acknowledgement.

“Are you okay?” she asked, concerned.

Alex shrugged. “Yeah.” He didn't really convince her, but she didn't press the subject.

“Do you want to get a drink later?” she asked. “Tonight, I mean.” There was no reason she couldn't go out and have a bit of fun. The more she was out, the more she could learn about the town and notice who was lurking about. Especially that other vampire. He'd probably hang about the town once the sun went down. She knew she would.

Alex seemed unsure as he said, “I dunno.”

“I have to go to the manor and take care of something, but I'll come and meet you after, okay?” She raised her eyebrows to force a response from him.

“Yeah,” he said with a shrug, accepting.

Something was still up with him and she planned to get it out of him one way or another, but for now she had to go deal with Dean, the corpse in the front yard. She smiled and began walking, leaving Alex to finish hacking the hedge.

There was a prickling feeling at the back of her neck as she walked. It felt like someone was watching her, but glancing around, no one was paying her the least bit of attention. It was better to assume one of Katrin's cronies were around by default. There was no doubt in her mind that all of them were being watched and she guessed it was Dean's mate. They wouldn't try anything in such a public place, but she better be on her guard nonetheless. She continued through the park, her mind, eyes and ears all out watching for something amiss.

Alex strode down the dark street, his mind wandering. It had been a long afternoon alone with his thoughts. Ugh, why had he agreed to meet Aya tonight?

Ever since he overheard Liz and Gabby he couldn't stop thinking about what they had implied about Aya. The more he thought about it, the weirder it sounded. He was completely ignorant and they were shutting him out. They'd never kept him out of anything before and he was hurt. He couldn't shake the feeling at all.

He felt weird about meeting Aya. She'd never really told him what she was doing in town. As a matter of fact, she hadn't really told him anything about herself at all. Perhaps he should confront her. That might be the only way he would get any answers. Liz had acted like nothing was amiss, but maybe Aya wouldn't.

He was so engrossed in his thoughts, he started as someone bashed into his shoulder. “Hey, watch it buddy,” he exclaimed.

The young man who’d bumped into him, turned and put his hand on his shoulder. “Hey, I know you.” He was built like a football player, wide shoulders and thick arms. Blond hair cut into a severe crew. The kind of guy that used to beat him up in high school.

“No, I don't think so.” Alex shrugged the guy’s hand away and turned to keep walking.

“I'm positive.” He began to follow Alex down the path into the square. “I know you.”

“Look, buddy. I don't know you, okay?” If he didn't try and look the guy in the eyes, hopefully he'd leave him alone.

Where before it had been spotted with people, the square had become quiet and empty. Alex began to panic a little. If this guy wanted to beat him up or mug him, he now had the perfect opportunity and he was not a good fighter. High school bullies had only taught him to run. Before he could do anything else, the man grabbed him from behind, turning him around. All Alex saw was the guy’s fist hurtling towards his face. There was a smack as he was punched square in the eye.

“Fucking hell,” Alex cried, falling to the ground, clutching his face. “Just take whatever you want. Take my wallet, I don't want a fight.”

“I don't want your wallet,” the guy snarled. “I want you as bait.”

“What the hell?” Alex tried to scramble backwards, but the man grabbed his leg and began pulling him across the garden into the woodland area of the park.

He was pushed roughly against a tree, his head cracking against the trunk. Dazed, he blinked hard, his hand clutching the egg shaped lump that was beginning to rise. He began to yell for help, but was punched again, this time his lip splitting against his teeth. The cut was bleeding, the coppery taste of his blood filling his mouth.

“Shut up,” the blond guy hissed at him, pulling a branch from the tree with a superhuman strength that made Alex gasp in fear. Who the hell was this guy?

“Stupid fucking human,” he was muttering. “Just fucking bleed.” Alex tried to shield himself with his arms as he was hit again and again with the branch, his skin breaking open and bleeding from hundreds of tiny cuts. The blond guy was laughing now. “That's it. They'll come now with the blood. They'll want to save you.”

Alex couldn't understand what the guy was talking about, he seemed crazy in the head. If he didn't try and do something, he would be beaten to death with a branch by a crazy person. He tried to kick out, but couldn't connect with anything, but the assault from the branch stopped. Scrambling to his feet, he was too late to see the branch come at him from the left. It tore a gash in his forehead, ripping through skin as the force threw his head to the side.

He was jerked to his feet, a hand clutching his throat. Alex cried out in surprise as he was wrenched in close to the crazy guys face. His eyes were completely black and his teeth... His teeth could only be described as fangs. Alex began to shake as terror took him over. What the hell was he?

Alex cried out as the guy leaned in and bit his neck. He tried to struggle, but he was held tightly. Geesus, he was being eaten alive by a vampire wannabe weirdo. He panicked and tried to struggle harder, but he was losing blood fast. His limbs felt like they were filled with lead.

Abruptly, the guy was pulled from him and he fell to the ground heavily. It barely registered that his attacker had been thrown fifty feet away into a tree. Then Sam was there pulling him up, propping him against another tree. Sam, his best buddy to the rescue, but when Alex looked again, he had the same eyes as the crazy cannibal who attacked him.

“Geesus,” he yelled, but couldn't make his limbs work.

“It's okay, Alex,” Sam was saying. “Sit tight, I'll explain everything. I've just got to deal with this guy.”

Alex could only nod, slack jawed in shock.

When Sam caught the scent of Alex's blood on the breeze he knew it wasn't good. He ran as fast as he dared towards its source, trying not to draw any attention from the people around him on the street.

He caught sight of two figures in the distance between the trees. He roared in fury as he realized a vampire had Alex and was feeding on him. He had to protect is friend, no matter what. Even if he found out, he had to save him.

Grabbing the vampire from behind he threw him clear across the path into a tree, a sickening thud as his body collided. There was so much blood, he couldn't help it when his eyes misted over into black. He grabbed Alex, heaving him up against the tree behind him.

“Geesus,” Alex yelled in shock as his eyes focused on his face. He would have to explain to his friend later.

“It's okay, Alex,” Sam said. “Sit tight, I'll explain everything. I've just got to deal with this guy.”

The vampire had picked himself up and was advancing on him quickly. As he came within striking distance, Sam punched the side of his head, a sickening crack echoed through the trees as it connected. The vampire was either newly made or older than he was, because the punch didn't seem to bother him at all. His fist connected with Sam's jaw, the force sending him backwards. He landed heavily on his back, the air pushed from his lungs.

As he lay gasping for breath, his eyes widened in surprise as he caught sight of Aya perched on a branch above him. She pressed her index finger to her lips to silence him and gestured towards the vampire and then back down to him. Without giving away her position, he got up as quickly as he could and not a moment too soon. The vampire was on him again, viciously punching him in the ribs. As he doubled over, instinctively clutching his side, he was kneed in the face, blood gushing from his nose and now split lip.

Sam didn't even have a second to regain his composure before stumbling back under the tree. The vampire had him around the neck in the blink of an eye, laughing in triumph. “Looks like I won,” he crowed.

But, Sam had already lured him into position. Aya dropped lithely from the tree onto the vampires back. He yelled in surprise as he felt her arms wrap about his own neck. “Hello,” Aya crooned in his ear. Before he could compose himself to break Sam's neck she sunk her fangs into his jugular, making him lose his grip.

Sam, now free, tore a branch from the tree and plunged it through the vampire’s heart, barely missing Aya as she let him go.

“Hey,” she cried, shoving the now dead vampire aside. “Watch it buddy. We're on the same side remember?”

Sam smiled, his chest heaving. “You knew what you were doing.”

Aya smiled wickedly. “I see you're the one who got all the book smarts.”

“Thanks,” he puffed, wiping his bloody nose on his sleeve.

They turned back to Alex, who was fixed to his spot against the tree in absolute fear. Sam glanced at Aya and she smiled reassuringly. She kneeled down next to their hurt friend and put her hand on his. “I'm sorry Alex. We came as fast as we could. Where are you hurt?” Her voice was soft, concerned.

He was obviously afraid of them, but didn't scream or try and run. “I'm cut all over my arms. My face,” he managed at last.

Aya nodded and turned to Sam. “You have to heal him.”

“Why?” he asked confused. “Can't you?”

“My blood will make it worse. If he has enough it will kill him. And you, so make sure you remember that,” she said firmly, gesturing for him to kneel down.

At the mention of blood, Alex's eyes rolled back into his head and he fainted. Frowning, Sam leaned over his unconscious body and began to drip his blood on each wound. The secret they kept very close, that vampire blood could heal a humans wounds and much more besides. But if blood was given too late, then it was vampirism for the human. He wondered why Aya's blood would do the opposite; act like poison. She was not an ordinary vampire, perhaps that had something to do with it. He made a mental note to warn the others.

The gash on Alex's temple was still wet with fresh blood. Head wounds bled profusely, it was in all their best interests if he healed that quickly. As soon as he was done, Aya herded him towards his car as he carried Alex's limp body, anxious to get their friend home and safe.

Zac found Liz at the same table as the day before, but this time with a bottle of Johnny. Really, he didn't know why he came to the bar on today of all days. His brother was meant to be here, but he was nowhere to be seen. Sitting across from her he cocked his head, waiting for her to speak first.

Instead, she pushed the bottle across the table, staring at her hands. He couldn't help but take a few large mouthfuls. She was upset and obviously didn't want to talk about it. All dressed up and no do-gooder boyfriend in the vicinity. He wondered what Sam was doing, standing up Liz when he knew today was important.

They finished the bottle in silence and when it became obvious that he wasn't coming, Zac took her arm and they left the bar. Hovering outside on the sidewalk, he wasn't sure if he should take her home or not.

Finally, she spoke. “It was today, you know,” she said, shivering.

He glanced sidelong at her, gauging her expression. It had been a year since she'd died, since she become a vampire. “Yeah, I know.”

They stood awkwardly on the sidewalk for a moment. Liz was upset and he wanted to be there for her. Selfish as it was, his heart ached. Turning, Zac gazed at her as she looked out into the darkness of the gardens across the street. He'd wanted to kiss her at least once before he had to give her up. Just once.

Liz couldn't help but turn and return his stare. Reaching down, he ran his thumb across her cheek and drew a sharp breath as she sighed. Drawing close, he kissed her softly on the lips, lingering, testing her response, but he didn't need to. She kissed him back with a fire he didn't think she possessed.

“Liz,” he whispered, completely in her trance. He was ripping a hole in his brother’s heart behind his back, but he couldn't stop himself even if he tried. Regardless, he managed to pull back.

“I...” he began, but this time, she kissed him and whatever he had been thinking about was lost.

Only twenty minutes had passed when Alex sat bolt upright, gasping for breath. Sam and Aya had bundled him into Sam's car and brought him home. The beauty of a small town was it never took long to get anywhere. They were still out the front of his house when he came to, having just put him on the bench on the porch.

Sam looked at him warily, unsure what his reaction would be. If he totally flipped out, he was prepared to compel him if it protected them all from exposure. Alex was his friend and he disliked the idea, but he had to protect Liz and Zac first. He was sure Aya would be able to protect herself.

Alex put his face in his hands and groaned. He was obviously thinking about what had just happened. ”What the hell are you, Sam?” he asked angrily, getting straight to the point.

“I'm a vampire. And Aya,” he glanced at her. “Aya is a vampire, too.”

Alex leaned heavily against the front door. “I heard Liz and Gabby talking about Aya. This is what they meant, wasn't it?”

“Probably,” she replied.

“How old are you really? I mean, you're not twenty five are you?”

“No. I'm a lot older than that. I've been around quite a few more lifetimes that I had originally planned, but I’m flattered that you think I’m twenty five.”

“How old?” he whispered.

“I think you should tell him your age first,” she said to Sam.

He shrugged. “I'm a hundred and sixty seven.”

“Geesus!” Alex threw his hands up in annoyance. “You say that like its normal. And you?” He jabbed a finger at Aya.

She balked. “I'm two thousand, give or take.”

“Fucking hell! And Zac?” His eyes widened. “Liz? Please don't tell me Liz is one too?”

“Yes, we all are. But not Gabby,” he added. “Gabby is a witch.”

“Holy fucking shit!” Alex's hand slapped his forehead in disbelief. “I'm in the fucking X-files!”

Aya frowned. “What's a X-file?”

Sam had to stifle a smile. “It's a TV show.”

“TV?” She cocked her head, confused, then exclaimed, “Oh! The picture thing. I get it.”

Alex was staring at them dumbfounded.

“Alex, we're still your friends,” Sam said seriously.

Aya smiled at him. “And you're the first human who has liked me for who I was and not what I was.”

“You're all crazy,” he said backing through the front door. “You need to leave me the hell alone.”

“Alex, please,” said Sam.

“Just go away, Sam. I was attacked by a vampire, something that isn't meant to exist. Then I find out all my friends are vampires too!”

“And Gabby. Don't forget, Gabby. She's a witch,” Aya quipped.

Sam glared at her. “Not helping.”

“Will you just go away. I don't want you coming near me and I don't want you in my house,” snarled Alex.

“Then take back your invitation, Alex,” Sam pleaded. “Then I won't be able to come in.”

Alex glanced warily from him to Aya, suspecting a trick.

Aya nodded. “He's right. Rescind both our invitations. If you choose not to speak to us again, we cannot come inside.”

Sam knew that it wouldn't work on Aya, she wasn't entirely vampire, but he was a little taken aback by her actions. He didn't think she had it in her to be kind.

“Then,” Alex spat, “I take back both your invitations. I rescind Zac's and I rescind Liz's.” He slammed the door in their faces.