An Anticipated Invitation

Every closer the moment draws when two women will be reunited. A woman soon to meet her murderer. For Nikki Collins knows the moment is at hand – she just doesn’t know when and where this inevitable meeting will eventually occur. Tonight, from an unexpected source, she will be told, finally who this woman is – and she will have to make the decision – will she confront her long nightmare . . .and accept an invitation.

Nikki sits behind her desk, taking a sip of the blood from the cut crystal flute, as Eppeus all but silently steps into her office. She finishes the phone call she is on as he takes a seat across from her, lifts his feet and places them on her desk, ankles crossed casually.

“Eppeus so good to see you.”. Nikki says placing the crystal glass down, and wipes at a bit of blood at the corner of her mouth.

His white hair always stark, he smiles at her, “As always sunshine!”

Aware that he is needed else where, and his mind distracted, he moves quickly, to the matter which has brought him here to Collins Investigations, rather than to be with Neffy. ” So, Sunshine, remember that conversation we had about the whole mystery surrounding who made you and why?”

Nikki’s fingers rubbing the stem of the base of her crystal glass, “Y-yes . . .” She answers, aware that Eppeus never goes directly to anything unless it is very important, “As I said’ I felt her. I was at Rhyaad’s, his new tearoom, The Nightingale, and suddenly the door flew open and I heard her voice say very loudly -NO!”

He nodded, “I found out a few things today.” Direct, matter-of-fact.

Nikki tried to read him, her eyebrow rising, as she found herself continuing to related the events, “I had mentioned something about wanting to go back in time to the moment I was–murdered, and that is when the voice spoke.”

“Yeah, don’t screw with time, it never turns out well.”

“Eppeus, since we last talked, I know there was a meeting at the Trask’s church, and I am not uncertain that David doesn’t know a whole lot more than I ever suspected, he may know who she is — this is driving me crazy.” Nikki said, her blue eyes growing darker, “I feel like there are so many people who know who she is and I don’t”

“That might be true . . .” Eppeus, suddenly puts his feet down, stands, steps up on the heavy desk, and sits cross legged in front of her, looking more serious than she had ever seen him. Nikki sat back a bit startled by his sitting there before her – so close. “How about we start at the beginning.”

Her eys now have gone dark blue, looking at him atop her desk, he knows something too! “Eppeus, please don’t play around — what do you know? And I know you know something. I can read it all over your face.”

“It started with a hit – someone wanted you dead.” He told her cold, no preliminaries or preludes, “I don’t know who or why cause I didn’t hear that part.”

Nikki sits silent for a long moment. She just looks at him.

“But I also know that some of the people involved were witches, sorcerers, something, who had . . . the ability to call on someone . . . used a call for domination/control.”

“Someone wanted me dead?” Nikki trying to process.

“They sent that person to kill you.”

“You’re saying they contracted a ‘hit’ on me?”

“Apparently so.” Eppeus shrugged “Happens to me all the time.”

“The woman. The woman who murdered me?”

“The woman who murdered you, was being dominated by the ones who wanted you dead.” He told her, cocking his head to one side to see how she was processing the news he felt he had to explain further, “Remember two weeks ago when I made that guy do jumping jacks for two hours? or the other one who’s memory I erased – it’s something like that.”

Nikki’s eyes narrow, she shakes her head, “Dominated? What does that mean? Dominated? Those your talking about you glamoured them.”

“It means what it implies, they had a spell of domination/sublimation.”

“So,” Nikki crosses her arms and sits back in her chair, “You’re saying they couldn’t control themselves?”

“But never mind the small shit – the point is that the person who killed you, did not do so of her own volition, or choice, she didn’t want to. It’s easy Nikki, just think, you have seen it and I have even taught you to do it in a smaller capacity than I can – so you know she couldn’t anything other that what she was directed to do.”

He sees in her eyes disbelief, “If I wanted to -” He looks deep in her eyes, she feels trapped by the two white rings.

Nikki shakes her head knowing what he is trying to do, “No, I was there, she didn’t mind killing me at all . . . just at the end it was like for some reason she turned me — but killing me — No I don’t think she had any problem with that at all!”

Eppeus continues his demonstration, “If I wanted to – I can make you kill anyone, including yourself. Nikki feels she can’t move until he looks away. It is only for a short time, he doesn’t hold her in the power of his mind all that long, just enough for her to understand that he is not boosting.

Nikki feels Eppeus in her mind and she tries to fight for control.

“You’re just going to get tired if you do that.” He says not unkindly.

“I can make a man’s heart explode or any other kind of unpleasant nastiness,” Eppeus says softly.

“Ep–eus G-et -out of my mi-ne!” Nikki says and he is bit awed to find she surprisingly strong.

“Do you understand?” He asks her

“So you have told me — ” But Nikki remembers all too painfully the horror of her attack, the viciousness the woman displayed, “But there wasn’t anyone on that street in Paris but her!”

His soft voice is lulling her, keeping her warm, relaxing even though she doesn’t want it to.

Outside the old office building a rumble sounds from the parking lot as a black car pulls up, shuts off its large engine. Momentarily, a rap comes on the door.

Nikki shakes her head — “Please Eppeus, just talk to me — and not with this mind game”

“I don’t really need to be in eye contact to do it – there are many ways you know. He tells her, “This isn’t a game Nikki. This is very real – and you need to understand it. If I felt like you should kill puppies you would.

“Come In’ Nikki says, feeling his attempt at control loosen. She hoped the person at the door could hear her.

“I could be in France at the time.

“Oh, come on Eppeus, you mean here you can effect someone in Paris?” Why is he going to all this trouble to defend her . . . The woman . . . Her murderer.
“I have never met anyone other than the pr ntr or Chiyo who I couldn’t do it to – and I have met quite a few people in my lifetime.”

Rhyaad hers Nikki’s voice, a bit strained. He opens the door and comes in. Hearing voices in the back, he comes straightway into the office.

“Look Nikki, usually I have a lot of patience with you, but right now, I’m worried about Neffy, who is a normal person, a mortal, having to investigate a mass murder and I’d really like to go help her, ” Eppeus explains, wanting to help Nikki but distracted by his concern for Neffy, “And she is exhausted having to give a double master thesis.”

As he walks into the office, immediately Rhyaad starts getting that odd feeling in his neck, particularly staring at the oddly black and white man, whom he sensed was a vampire. “Who is this, Nikki? A friend of yours?” He asked, curious and cautious at the same time.

“Oh, Rhyaad, please come in. Have you meet Eppeus? He is the gentleman who has been assigned to help me from the Interfaith, he brings he some supplies and has been helping me with some lessons.” Nikki said to him, adjusting her shoulders as she feels Eppeus now completely out of her mind. Something she tells herself he needs to learn – and no doubt quickly.

“I am not going to sit here and play the can and can’t game with you here – I have never lied to you and its truly aggravating that you are accusing me of doing so.” Eppeus is short with her he’s got too much on his mind right now.

Nikki looks at him hard, “Okay, so why are you talking to me about her – I know she is here in Collinsport. So what, she’s shown up to finish her Hit I guess.”

Rhyaad nods at the black-and-white man, aware he was still staring. “He dresses oddly. Eppeus, you say?” He bowed his head slightly in what might be mistaken for a European style. “Well nice to meet you Eppeus. I am Rhyaad. If you’re from the Interfaith, you’ve heard of me.”

“Rhyaad, Eppeus says the woman who attacked me was ordered to do it. It was a contracted hit.” Nikki too is aggravated that Eppeus is apparently defending this woman who stood over her as she bled to death in the gutter of a Parisian street.

He nodded. “We think that is most likely, Nikki.”

Nikki looks at him amazed, he too knows something. “Why?” She’s incredulous that so many know so much and tell her so little. “Who am I that anyone would want me dead?”

“A potential slayer.” Rhyaad’s tells her.

Nikki sits silent.

She looks at Rhyaad.

She looks at Eppeus.

“A slayer? Me?”

“I had a very strange visit, Nikki.” Rhyaad begins to explain, ” A VERY strange visit from a Detective St.Clair. She has some hair-brained theories about your Maker.”

“Rhyaad, I am 120 pounds wet. Me a slayer?”

“I don’t know if we should discuss them though, in present company.” He looked over the duotone-clad man again. “Yes, you. Bloodlines of Collins… and Harker.”

“That is impossible.”

Rhyaad shook his head. “No, it was in fact quite possible. Until, of course… the attack.”

“I mean from what I know about slayers – and don’t they have to born with special powers or something?” Nikki stunned not only that Eppeus is defending the bitch, but Rhyaad’s knows about this slayer theory and is just now telling her. It is all too dubious, “Rhyaad, look at me I’m a mess as a Vampire!”

“You’re getting way off topic Nikki.”. Eppeus tells her.

“Something in the blood. Slayers have vampires in their bloodlines. In the Harker case, it’s Dracula. In your case… well I don’t know. And you’re not a mess, Nikki. You are doing very well. I am proud of you.” Rhyaad’s tells her.

Eppeus looks at her, “Don’t you think you should postulate about why after you find out the more important things?”

“Alright, alright, for the sake of not arguing about it, let’s say okay somehow I was fated to be a slayer — so what. Someone found that out and so that someone wanted me dead — as what and attempt to stop me from become one, is that it? Why? Won’t there just be another Slayer – somewhere?”

“In its essence lets just say someone wanted you dead and they made someone do it against their will. ”

“But you see the big hole in that theory.” Rhyadd says.

“This someone – happened to be a vampire herself.” Eppeus continues.

“If she was supposed to kill me, why didn’t she? Why make me a vampire?” Nikki asks still overwhelmed with the whole Slayer theory, and then looking over to Rhyaad, “We’ll I am sorry, for me the hole is that I could ever be a slayer, but okay, say it is so wh0—who is this other woman that wanted me dead?”

Eppeus cannot understand why she keeps revolving on this point; he puts his hand to her cheek, and speaks softly, “You must understand she who was forced did not want you to die.”

“Well…” Rhtaad watches Eppeus. “Secrets” He had said a vampire herself, so he knows who was ordered to do it, but also, who gave the order. “I have heard a theory as to her identity. Can’t say I agree with it.”

Nikki looks at Eppeus and can not understand why he does not get her point, if this woman was ordered to kill her, beyond her control, then why is she not dead? Why is she un-dead? “Eppeus, I was lying in a gutter, my throat cut, she was standing there looking at me watching me die. I looked up at her and then she knelt down and turned me — okay, why? Why did she do that if she was supposed to kill me?”

“How many times do I have to tell you that she didn’t want you dead? Usually you are quicker on the uptake Nikki!”

It is not the point she wants to scream! You want me to trust this is all true but if she was ordered beyond her control then I should be dead — how could she have turned me? Turning was not the order! But she knows well that she cannot scream at Eppeus. She is so frustrated in that they must have been lied to and they don’t get it!

“Eppeus, what do you know that you are not telling me because you seem to know a lot –” She tries a different approach.

“This is a process Nikki – start from the beginning and get to the end.

“My dear departed daughter… that’s a clue, it must be. I’m sorry Nikki. I know that phrase is painful for you.” He looked at Eppeus. “Indeed. Instead of being critical with her, why not enlighten us?”

“If you don’t understand why she did what she did, what’s the point in knowing who it is?” Eppeus thought he would have gotten beyond this point by now, and he needs to be with Neffy.

“You have to understand on this I am conflicted because I need to know WHY? WHY I am a vampire — I have wanted to know this since I woke up in a morgue.”
What is so bloody frigging hard to understand Nikki so wants to yell, you have been what you are for centuries and for me today it’s been a year.

“I just told you why.”

Rhyaad thought he sensed an angle. “Indeed. It’s irrelevant who she is.”

Nikki looks at him.

Eppeus, irritated, says, as he keeps his glare upon Nikki, “It’s actually quite relevant but you see there is this thing called psychology and it teaches you how to help or hinder when talking about traumatizing things.”

“Dear departed daughter, yes, that is what she called me—it made no sense then and none now.”

“Because ‘she’ didn’t want to kill Nikki?” He tilted his head at Eppeus. “Pointy ears, I have.”

Eppeus looks at her, ” She didn’t want to kill you because she thinks you are the reincarnation of her own daughter.”

“Oh? And how do you know this?” Rhyaad’s asks thinking now this is really pushing some speculative psychology–

“I talked to her earlier.”

Nikki sits back in her chair, stunned. Rhyaad is silent.

She looks at Eppeus. Slowly, she reaches over and lifts her glass. She takes a long drink and places the crystal flute down with precise precision. “You talked to her—when . . . where?”

“Right before I came here, it seemed a bit too important to wait.”

Rhyaad raises an eyebrow sharply. “You… talked… to… HER ?”

Nikki closes her eyes. “I knew she was here.”

“Yep, her concern and caring for you are quite real – she even sought out Chiyo to thank her for helping you.”

“You mean you talked to the vampire that made Nikki? And you didn’t kill the bitch?” Rhyaad is also stunned, is this not counter to what he had heard from Chiyo – you kill you die?

Nikki looks to Rhyaad, eyes saying, is this right, can this be right?

Eppeus continues, “As you know most sane vampires tend to avoid her whenever possible.

“Caring? Didn’t you hear her story? That’s caring?” Rhyaad can understand the disconnect.

Eppeus swings his eyes to Rhyaad -who suddenly finds he cannot move or speak: “I do not kill those who are sanctioned by the Holy Mother.

“Eppeus, I asked you not to play those games, ” Nikki aware of what he was doing to Rhyaad, “No mind games this is too important. Please stop.”

He blinks and Rhyad can move.

Eppeus looks at her, “Nikki, you can glyph and do slight mesmerization, so you don’t need me anymore and so if you don’t stop acting so childish I’m going to leave.

Rhyaad had sensed something odd… an intrusion. He had tried to speak, but nothing would come out. ‘What is this’? He thinks. Then he can speak. “What in the Nine Hells did you just do?”

“I’m not playing any kind of game with you,” Eppeus tells Nikki.

Nikki’s eyes have gone the darkest shade of blue, almost black. “You are telling me what, she went to the Interfaith and what confessed?”

“Many people do that kind of thing.”

“So — what — she’s free to do anything she wants to me?”

Rhyaad closes his eyes and focuses on what Rascia taught him, forming the image in his mind. His eyes glow slightly with an eerie light when he opens them. “You are a strange one, Eppeus.”

Eppeus stands up on the desk and glares at her.

“Eppeus — this woman.” Nikki begins —

“You are being selfish and childish and you have not listened to a word I said.”

“If you spoke to her, tell me her name.”

Eppeus looks down at her, “People can not lie to me like they can to you people and I’m not going to put up with you wasting my time when someone else needs it.”

“I have listened — you tell me some woman was ordered to kill me, she murdered me, turned me, and then abandoned me and now a year later she comes in and all is forgiven?” Nikki never having spoken up to Eppeus or any of the Interfaith, suddenly feels so betrayed by those she had trusted — everywhere around her, meetings, conversations, about her, but everyone without her. ” I need to know why — what does she want from me?”

“That last part does sound a bit hard to believe. Why would you not kill her?” Rhyaad has to ask.

Eppeis turns and hops off the desk and walks to the door and then pauses’ “There is nothing to forgive – blame the people who did this to the both of you, now if you will excuse me.”

Nikki can not believe this, “Eppeus, stop — at least tell me who she is?”

Silence.

“Can I see her?”

“Yes. Back up your claims. Who is she?” Rhyaad demands.

He walks away but she can hear his voice just as clearly as he was standing next to her, “Go to the complex, she is there.”

“Who is she?”

Eppeus doesn’t answer and he opens the office door and fades into the night.

Rhyaad looks to Nikki, “So he won’t answer. He’s another of the SAIM? My opinion of them plunges daily.”

Nikki puts her elbows on the desk and her face in her hands, and sighs.

“He’s gone. Now I can speak. Nikki, I was told incredible, disturbing things. I can’t believe them all, but I must tell you.”. Rhyaad now needs to tell her about his conversation with Detective St. Clair.

Nikki looks up, her eyes so blue, “Rhyaad, please, please don’t abandon me — I am sorry I got so mad at you the other night, please, please I need you now like I have never needed you.”

Chiyo is abruptly in the room.

“St. Clair… From what she says, this whole affair is much larger then we imagined. And many ‘secret organizations’ are involved.” Rhyaad is telling her when he sees Chiyo, “And I would NEVER abandon you, Nikki. That is all forgiven. It was Esther’s fault.”

“St. Clair is a lovely lady … I should have tea with her soon,” Chiyo remarks.

“This make no sense — okay, I haven’t told you — but until that night in Paris I was a spoiled party girl. I lived on a huge trust. How can I be so important that anyone would want to take a hit out on me.

“Ah…” Rhyadd blinks at the woman. “Do you always just ‘pop in’ like that?”

“Yes.” Nikki answers for her – her faith in the Interfaith in question, how can they be defending this murdering bitch!

Even Rhyaad chides he, “We have been telling you, Nikki. To keep you from becoming a Slayer.”

Nikki just needs some reassurance, Chiyo. Yes, Chiyo will tell her the truth. “Chiyo, you have never lied to me — you scare the shit out of me, but you don’t lie. This woman — you would know if this is lie, what she is telling right?”

Rhyaad looked over the woman. “Does Lady Chiyo know the identity of the vampire that turned Nikki?”

“Eppeus already told you all of that, he has never lied to you either – but do tell me, young lady, why are you treating him like an enemy? Why have you suddenly decided not to trust him?” Chiyo asks irritated, “You said you used to be a spoiled party girl, well you have been acting like it in the way you have treated the first person to make sure you didn’t become a murdersome monster”

“Because he criticizes her and treats her like a child? Just an observation.”, Rhyaad offers.

Nikki looks at Chiyo aware of how much she has grown since she was taken in by the Interfaith, once she had averted her eyes, but now she stares in those fathomless pools, “I never said I didn’t trust him, or you for that matter — but on this I am sorry, I don’t see this except through emotion — why did she do it and then abandon me?”

“She is[i/]a child and if a person doesn’t learn to take criticism they should never leave their home as they will never evolve as a person.” Chiyo tells Nikki by telling Rhyaad.

Frustrated and hurt, and feeling so deceived, Nikki is determined to not let the pain reveal itself, and she refuses not ask the questions that should have been asked, that she was not allowed to ask, when they had had this conversation with [i]her – even while all this time she still hasn’t the decency to communicate with the one she turned. Leaving her alone like an abandoned baby in a gutter. “Very well, then can I ask a few questions? Adult questions?”

“Don’t make me repeat anything Eppe said and I will answer all the questions you want.”

“HER? The one who made Nikki?” Rhyaad stared at Nikki. “Would you really want to see her?”

“Do you know who ordered me to be killed?”

“I do not know the name of that person, I didn’t hear that part of the conversation, but Sobekenefru did – or I can ask either of them.”

“Eppeus claims to know. But would not tell us.” Rhyaad commented.

Again Chiyo looks off into the distance.

“Do you know why, precisely, she did not kill me but instead turned me?

Rhyaad waits to see if Chiyo will repeat what the vampire said, as she said she would not.

“This is because you were not taking him seriously, accusing him of lying and all the while you were not listening to him – but to yourself. He came to you when he felt he should be elsewhere, to be Neffy’s back up on a multiple murder investigation. And so for this reason, repetition, he didn’t feel like wasting anymore time, I don’t particularly blame him. Epeus has told you that already Nikki.”

“You believe her? I am asking Chiyo because I know you can see through lies others can’t. I am asking because I trust you. Do you believe her?”

“Repetition, I have told you, people can not lie to Eppeus, Nichi, or myself and the pr ntr – and we do believe her.” Chiyo looked at her sternly, “Now I am mildly cross at you, for making me repeat myself.”

“Who is she?”

“Ah, a new question.”

Rhyaad thinks the female’s words odd, and reflecting of the same sort of attitude that Eppeus seemed to display. But the tack she was taking was quite interesting. Best to not interrupt.

“Elizabeth Bathory.” Chiyo answers.

Nikki sits in stunned silence.

“Ah, she says the name!” Rhyaad said loudly. “And I thought St. Clair was off her rocker.”

“Don’t be a childish wanker -” Chiyo tells him, not turning to look at him, “St. Clair is remarkably sane for a woman of her experiences.

“I know you think I am being childish and redundant in asking you questions Chiyo, but if I see her I want to be assured she is not here to do me more harm . . . ”

“Hmmm”

“That is the person St. Clair named, Nikki.” Rhyaad told her. “I suppose now it’s true. Strange, but true.”

Nikki shakes her head and puts her forehead on the desk.

“Young lady! Are you purposefully not processing a thing your adopted parent said to you? I know Eppe isn’t your sire, but surely he has acted as a parent how can you insult him like this.” Chiyo says at her reaction, “How can you disregard an entire conversation – do you understand that he put someone else’s life in jeopardy to be here with you to tell you these things . . . in the most compassionate way possible and not only do you not appreciate it but you treat him like crap and are only concerned with yourself and not other people who are involved.

Rhyaad is concerned with this revelation, “Did you agree to such an adoption, Nikki?”

“Nikki still with her forehead on the desk says, “Before I met you Rhyaad I was such a mess – I-I attacked those women.”

‘Well, that’s best not discussed.”

He doesn’t press the issue now as he sees she is in pain, “I’m sorry… I know this is hard for you… all of it. Do you want to see Bathory? I would not blame you the slightest if you did not.”

“I am processing,” Nikki says, “I know who Elizabeth Bathory is, I also know what horrible . . . reprehensible things she is said to have done, so yes, Chiyo, I can assure you I am processing. ”

“I am here to reassure you. I will escort you to her if you wish. Now would I allow someone to hurt you if I have come to escort you?

As Rhyaad and Chiyo engage in a discussion as to how long both have effectively been helping others, in which Chiyo assures him that she has been doing it far longer than he, and more effectively — and that once he recognizes her superiority, they would no doubt get along rather nicely — the door to Collins Investigation opens.

Rhyaad sat and considered the woman across from him. She obviously wanted to be treated as something like ancient royalty, with her words about superiority, and obviously thought of herself that way. “M’Lady”, he said with a little bow of the head. “If you would make an effort to understand me, you would see that I have only Nikki’s best interests in mind, as I am sure you do.”

Nikki for all this time has been sitting in contemplation, torn between her disgust for the monster that created her — remembering the terror, the pain, the blood, the slow dying — the knowledge that the woman whose fangs and sunk into her flesh, drank her blood, was The Blood Countess of grotesque infamy, and now, knowing she was so very close, this unexplainable desire, a need to be with her sire grows. Right or wrong, she made her decision. She sits up and looks at Chiyo, “Very well, Chiyo, You may tell Elizabeth Barhory, I will see her. But, I want Rhyaad with me — ”

Chiyo nodded, and knew this was the outcome she had should have accepted much earlier: “Nikki – Eppeus told you in the most gentle way he knew how –”

A pale enigmatic male enters the room peering over dark glasses and looking at the time on his watch.

“– because he knew all of the information would be shocking to you.” She continued, and turning to look at the pale man, says with a smile, “I’m suddenly hungry.”

“So, bearing this in mind, allow me to ask you for your opinion. Do you think it’s a good idea to allow this Bathoty to see Nikki? Think of the potential damage to Nikki’s psyche? Of course if she wants to…” He looked at Nikki. “Are you sure?”

“Shocking? Chiyo, I have never known you to be a master of the understatement.” Nikki says.

“Nikki – think on what you have been told – Eli came to the complex, agreed to a guard, and to follow our rules – she is quite serious.” Chiyo explained.

The pale man looked into the office and interrupted by saying, “Hello I’m new to Collinwood, I was looking for the public library?”

Chiyo continued, ” I think that Nikki needs to accept something’s first and breath, meditate and have some tea.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, that is two blocks down to the left. You are new to Collnsport.” Nikki says distracted.

Rhyaad suddenly recognizes the voice. “Obsidian?”

The pale man at the door replies, “Yes, I’m interested in seeing the sights and looking into the local folklore . . . err … Rhyaad?

“Obsidian! What brings you to Collinsport?”

Obsidian smiles at his friend sitting in the office, “Well Rhyaad it was your idea for me to come here.”

“It was? Obsidian, get your tall dark and mysterious arse in here.” He beckoned for him to enter the office.

“So, I thought I’d take you up on the offer.” Obsidian looks now at the young woman behind the desk, the lady in the chair across from his friend.

Nkiki is concentrating on Chiyo at the moment and barely looks at Obsidian,, “And so, no offense intended, Chiyo, if I am going to meet her I would I would much rather meet her in a more relaxed location. I want to see her when she is herself and not reacting to the possibility of your intervention. So – can she meet me at Rhyaad’s teahouse, The Nightingale?”

“It’s a place full of all sorts of fascinating…” Rhyaad explains to Obsidian and looks at Chiyo “Folklore”.

Chiyo just looks at Nikki, “It is up to you, but she is in danger as well, she has more protection on the complex or the housing district.”

Obsidian now peers over his sunglasses at Chiyo and raises an eyebrow.

Aware now that Nikki intends to have this meeting with – with Elizabeth Bathory at his teahouse, he gulped at that. “You want me to let that Bit… Elisabeth Bathory… into my teahouse?”

“Danger?” Nikki questions.

Chiyo shrugs, “if you want to bring Rhyaad with you, its not a problem.”

“Well – if that is so, then the complex.”

“If you insist. I’ll clear it out and close it. Only us supernaturals will be there.” Rhyaad wants Nikki to know if she would rather meet there is not objecting, he is just wary of all things Bathory.

Nikki is interesting in Chiyo’s statement that Bathory may be in danger, something no one had previously suggested. “She is she in danger from?”

“There have already been several attempts at her life recently.” Chiyo tells Nikki, “To come here to see you puts her in danger.”

Rhyaad chuckles at that Idea. “Oh, how terrible.”

Once again suddenly getting that far away look in her eyes, as if looking off into some distance Chiyo says: “hmmm . . . it would seem . . . those three brides . . .. brides of Dracula or their minions—they want her in pain and then they want her dead.” She sits for a moment, silent, then says, “They are the ones who were controlling her and wanted you dead . . . as well as many others – I can’t keep track.”

Rhyaad stared at Chiyo, the mention of the Brides has piqued his curiosity. “Now you have my interest. The Brides of Dracula?”

She waves a dismissive hand, “Really, it’s too bothersome.

Nikki looked at Rhyaad, aware he had just battled one of them only a few days ago.

Chiyo nods, “That is what I was told by the nsu bty Hemet Sobekenefru.”

“Of course. Patricia.” Rhyaad sits back and thinks.

Obsidian looks to Rhyaad, “What draws these ancient to this land?

“We had thought she might have been the woman who turned you, Nikki. But now . . . So Patricia, or one of the other two brides, hired Bathory to kill you. That would explain this.”

“There is an interesting dragon line vortex.” Chiyo says cryptically “Not hired.”

He nodded to Obsidian. “Lines, weaknesses in the fabric.” To Chiyo he asked: “Not hired?”

Chiyo reaches over and touches his temple with her finger and in his mind he hears her say, “Dominated.”

“Eppeus said she was forced into doing it.” Nikki thinks back on what he had told her.

Obsidian nodded, “Yes and it all seems centered on Arkham branching out.”

“Dragon line emits great power, it pulls things to it.”

He flinched. “Dominated… forced. But then what has changed? Why does she come to those Temple people now wanting to reconcile and see you?” Rhyaad thinks aloud before he returns to his friend, “Arkham is on a Hellmouth, I suspect, Obsidian.”

“I am beginning to suspect Collinsport maybe also.” Nikki sighs.

Chiyo looks at Nikki, “She isn’t behind dominated anymore – she has it as much as under control as possible, though –“ she again squints her eyes* NefretNubti thinks she is being idiotic by not… well this is interesting –“

Obsidian nods, “Oh, yes that’s the Hollywood word for it Rhyaad.

Chiyo sits for another few moments: “Subjugated, there is an object … an effigy… if someone possesses the effigy they control her will,” Chiyo says softly

“Could be, Nikki, with all of this that has been going on”, Rhyaad agreeds. “But back to Bathory—an effigy, used to control her? Is that what you think?”

“Anyway, Neffy offered to render the effigy useless but Eli doesn’t believe Neffy can, a pity really, I sure as hell wouldn’t want anything like that existing.”

Rhyaad stroked his chin. “What form would such an ‘effigy’ take?”

Chiyo shrugs, “In the Shinto practice, I could make this desk into an effigy – it could be what ever the maker wants.”

“So any object, then?” He seemed to be staring into the distance himself

Obsidian nods, “Simple enough to awake the spirit of a object.

Rhyaad suddenly smiled. “Gwen, you sly woman! I must have a long chat with the Harkers.”

“Would be best if the object has a history and used often.” Obsidian continues,

“Oh, even better if it can be in plain view and thought nothing of, I should think, Obsidian.” Rhyaad adds. He now looks over to Chiyo, a thought occurring to him, “Tell me…. if one were to possess this object, even after the spell had been broken, could one use it to control Bathory again?”

Nikki of course is distracted, her thoughts have drifted from the conversation as she thinks of the woman that night in Paris, tall, her eyes the bluest eyes she had ever se, her raven hair wild – she looks over to her friend, “And so, If Bathory turned me, then her blood is my blood, is that not correct Rhyaad?” Remember the surge of rage she had felt the other day, how it had consumed her, how she could have gone out into the town and – no one knows the thoughts she had had.

Chiyo turns to look at Rhyaad and remarks to his suggestion, “I wouldn’t trust anyone other than the Neturians to do that – any other group . . . and yes . . . If one were to get object they would control her.”

Obsidian remarks, “We have something that maybe effective that we found in a Sumerian temple in Iraq.”

Chiyo shakes her head, “They are too young. Things this important need to go back to the eldest.”

Nodding to Nikki Rhyaad answers, “Yes.” To Chiyo, he remarks, “Neturians? I’ll have to look them up.” And To Obsidian: “It was most effective on the Conrad, my friend.”

Nikki sits for a moment silently thinking . . .

Rhyaad turned his gaze on Chiyo for a moment. “Would you wish to control Bathory if you could? Would you consult these Neturians and re-enchant the object, and control her?”

“You misunderstood, Neturians can render the object free of being an effigy as for dominating/ subjugating or ENSLAVING another being is something they would not do.” Chiyo meets his eyes, “And many of us would kill anyone who would do it.

“Oh”. His disappointment is obvious.

“Oh sorry, don’t believe in slavery,”

“I suppose you’re right.” He reflected. “To control the mind of another is wrong, even if it’s Elisabeth Bathery. Forget that.”

“Slavery should have consent else it becomes abuse.” Obsidian adds.

“Even then it’s a mental disease on both parties, “Chiyo corrects, “Reflects a person who is psychologically damaged and who chooses to live in their base chakras . . . rather disgusting.

Rhyaad knowing as he does the history of Countess Bathory still nods in agreement, “I must agree with the Lady about slavery, Obsidian. I was out of line to even consider it.”

Cue Music End of Episode