A Gathering at the Rose Cottage

In Collinsport the season has come to an end and the town returns once more to the normal life enjoyed by the locals . . . only recent events have those speaking of years past when the city was haunted by what is called “The History” . . . for one member of the Collins Family, Nicole Collins, recently arrived from England, history, as Joyce once said, is nightmare from which she wishes to awaken . . .

Esther, following behind Nikki Collins, silently looked about the well-manicured lawns, the pool, the white columned house. She was now more than certain she was taking a step further and further from her world and into the never-never-land of the Collins.

“So, what is this place?” She asks, entering into the foyer, “A second house?”

Nikki, her blue eyes seemed to be inspecting the house since she was last there did not seem to be merely admiring the aesthetics, or decor, or need for Maintenance or cleaning; instead, almost feline, they were casting a predator’s gaze. Over her shoulder she replied to Esther’s questions, “This is a guest house. It is actually on the parcel of land that belongs to my branch of the family.” She ran lazily fingertips along a tabletop, leaving no disturbing lines in the dust, “Along with the Old House.”

She turned to smile at Esther, well aware of her discomfort with the not only the apparent opulence of the house, but the sheer spaciousness of Rose Cottage. “I had it restored. From the photos I saw of it, before I came over from England, it was in a terrible state of neglect and near ruin.”

With a wave of her hand Nikki directed Esther further into the house, showing her the sitting room, “Actually I had it fixed up for one of my cousins, Quentin Collins.” She momentarily frowns, “Should I ever find him.”

Esther looking at the sitting room nodded, “I see . . . So, this is what you rich folk call a cottage?” She shakes her head, “This is a mansion. Place I live in. Single story. One bath. One bed, and well water. Now, that is a cottage.”

Nikki’s observant eyes watch Esther as she looks around the room, “I have lived a bit of a sheltered life, I guess. But,” Nikki begins to offer, “Since Quentin has yet to be found, if you wish, perhaps you could stay here. The fact is you would be doing me a favor, you see: I have to spend so much time in Rockport or Bangor, even down to Arkham during the day. You could watch over the place for me.”

Esther does not see herself living here, no matter how splendid the house, to do so would mean she would find herself changing, and that was something Esther never wanted to be, someone other than who she was: “Bah. I’d get spoiled rotten. Nope, my cottage is my home, and ain’t nobody gon’ run me off it,” She smiles, “But I can check in on the place if you’d like.”

Nikki is happy with Esther’s suggestion. She explains she has had a security system put in, but would be far more at ease knowing someone was actually looking in to be certain everything was fine with the place. Esther agrees, but tells her she “ain’t cleanin’ the pool.”

Esther takes a seat marveling at the feel of the chair’s cushion: “So, who is Quentin Collins anyway? 12 years here and I don’t know the name. ‘Course, before recently the only people I really talked with was Bubby, the shop owner at the liqueur store, and the Roths.”

Nikki settles into the corner of the sofa with that Esther feels is an odd sort of pose that seems so unself-conscious, so remarkably comfortable with her surroundings, lazy even, “Quentin? He is one of my Father’s cousins. They were friends some time back.” She runs longer fingers back through her chestnut hair, “Quentin was into the Occult.” Esther laughs, “Great. Him an’ half the town.”

Still combing her fingers through her hair, Nikki continues, “He traveled about a bit, and was always bringing back some strange artifact or other, or so my father says in his journal.” And odd smile graces Nikki’s face, “He supposedly built a staircase that should you go up would take you back either backwards or forwards into time. Of course, I have yet to find it.” A very mischievous grin. “There are so many stories about the Collins Family–God I feel I only know so few of them.”

Esther rubs her hands on the arms of the chair, “Bah. Nonsense. If ya found it, an went back in time to before it was built, it would not exist. These stories get more and more bizarre I swear.”

Nikki, stops for a moment the lazy fingering combing of her hair, “It is a bit worrisome to think that one might actually exist– somewhere around here, just think of the damage one could do. If they could go back in time. Or forward for that matter.” Nikki’s blue eyes look at Esther, and Esther detects that strange gaze she’s seen before when she seems to stop blinking, “You know, I am so glad that I met you Esther.”

Esther half laughs, “Glad I met ya too. As I said I haven’t really been much of a socializer before this.

Nikki suddenly has a thought, “What would happen if that horrid Mr. Bob happened to find it?” Esther’s smile fades into a frown, “Oh, he’d f*ck anything with a pair of breasts since the beginning of time, but still rubbish I say. Time travel is beyond me, but I sure as anything know it dun work that way. Staircase? Now, somethin’ bout going closer to the speed of light more than anythin’ else? Eh?”

Nikki asks Esther if she had given any more thought into applying for the deputy’s job. Esther explains that she did some research into it, and it seemed “it ain’t just about shootin’. There’s detective work involved. I’d have to go to th’ police academy in Bangor. It’s just too much. I think I’ll stay with the huntin’ for now.”

Nikki tells her she thinks she would be good at the job, but Esther continues to protest that in regards to “figurin’ things out, solvin’ puzzles, I’ve always been terrible at that.” She does tell Nikki that she has found out what Nikki would need in order to become a private investigator. “Apparently, all you really need is a certificate from the cops. Most PIs are former police, but there are precedents. You just have to prove to the sheriff that you are capable I believe, if I read that right.” Nikki laughs, a laugh that Esther has come to like to hear, “Well, Esther — just from the little I know since I have arrived, I think a PI in this town would have a steady employment. I am so amazed at what goes on in this town.”

A small car comes quickly into the drive and skids to a halt. A familiar dark haired man gets out, curses, and slams the door, also taking time to kick the tire and mutter something about ‘piece of crap’ before he makes his way to the doorway and rings the bell.

Nikki continues, “And reading some of my family history — what they have gotten away with.” “Murder no doubt,” Esther guesses. Nikki smiles.

Esther looks up as the doorbell rings. Nikki goes to the door while Esther remains seated in the large comfortable chair. A bright smile greets Mr. de’Annar, as Nikki recognizes him standing outside the door, his back turned, as he is looking over the grounds of Rose Cottage. “Oh, Mr. de’Annar it is so very good to see you.” She says as she opens to the door, “Do please, come in.”

Rhyaad de’Annar bows his head slightly upon seeing Nikki answer the door. “Good evening, Nikki. Would this be an appropriate time to see you again? I had some questions.” Nikki motions for him to enter and explains that she has a visitor at the moment, but, for him to please by all means to come in and join us. “Oh, a visitor.” He says in the hallway. The tone of his voice makes it obvious this disappoints him. But he follows and his interest is piqued when he sees who the visitor is. He eyes the double barrel shotgun leaning against Esther’s chair, then does that little bow of the head at her. “Good evening Miss Friedman. Hunting larger game this time?”

Esther looking up recognizes him, “Ah. You’re the one that had all the questions about the vampires.” “Ah… you remember that?” He asks. “‘Course I do. I might have been drunk, but not that—” Esther stops in the middle of her sentence as suddenly unannounced, Chiyo breezes in as if it is normal for her to do so. Esther watching the woman instinctively reaches for her shotgun as Chiyo places a basket down on coffee table, unloading a highly expensive tea set and a thermos of hot tea. She begins to pour some in four cups in an unusual way pouring a bit in each cup three times around in a circular motion.

Rhyaad de’Annar looks startled at the woman’s sudden entrance. He is not used to being snuck upon. He simple stares at her.

Esther, hand ever ready on her shotgun, “Collins. Do you know this woman?”

Chiyo having poured the tea now waves imperiously at Rhyaad to take the proffered cup. He snaps out of his introspective, staring mode, and nods to Nikki, then says “Thank you, Miss – ?” to the woman who has poured the tea.

Nikki nods, “Oh, yes, this is Miss Chiyo — she is with the Interfaith Ministries – you know the charitable educational center David helped build.” Meanwhile, Chiyo folds her legs under her in a Japanese sitting style even though she is on the couch.

Rhyaad takes a sip of the tea and nods his approval as he looks at the woman as if waiting for her to speak, before glancing at Nikki, then lets out an “ah” at the mention of the Interfaith.

“What? Those cultists? Bah…” Esther says.

On the sofa, Chiyo rolls her eyes in an obvious manner, “Oh dear which cult are you referring to? The Christians, the Jews, the pagans??? The Buddhists? Nikki looks at Esther, “Oh, now Esther — we shouldn’t think that about someone because of their religion.”

Rhyaad, Chiyo, and Nikki, explain to Esther that the Interfaith Ministries are a community charity and educational center, where they work to help the poor and the disabled. The youth center young people are actually recommended from state institutions and other charitable organizations.

Esther relaxes her grip on her shotgun, “Thas’ all well an’ fine. Sounds like sending missionary’s off to Africa an’ stuff like that. I been going to synagogue every week in Bangor for the past 12 years I been here. I don’t need some missionary of some new-age cr*p tryin’ to win everyone over with some medicine and prayer. If ya gonna do good for the community, then do it secularly, ya cultist.”

Nikki drapes herself back into the corner of the sofa, “Actually, from what I understand, David was attacked by outlaws in Prague and the Interfaith saved his life and took care of him, isn’t that correct Miss Chiyo?” Sipping her tea, “Hmm If I recall correctly, he was quite smelly,” she replies. “But he cleaned up rather nice.”

“He was dumped in a ditch.” Nikki says. Chyio nods, looks over to Esther, “Oh, there are those of the Jewish faith there as well, hence the name Interfaith.” Esther responds, “Yeah. Splitters.”

Nikki suddenly gets up from the sofa, and Chiyo raises an eyebrow at her, “They seem rather nice, I can’t claim I know anything about that particular religious practice, though – it has always seemed rather odd to me.” Rhyaad keeps sipping his tea, watching them, Chiyo, and especially Nikki as she walks out of the room without saying a word.

Chiyo leans forward and pours more tea, the same way as before.

In the game room off from the sitting room, Nikki checks the small refrigerator.

As Esther watches her, she gets increasingly belligerent. “Yeah thas’ right. All us Jews just a little odd. Here’s an idea, why not just set us up in a separate part of town where we can’t bother nobody eh? Oh I know, why not build a special camp, just for us??

Nikki returns and hands Esther a beer, “I am not certain if it is the brand you like, seems it”s all we have at the moment.”

Chiyo sits back with her cup of tea, “Oooh my,” she laughs again and it sounds like tinkling bells, “You don’t seem to like it when people speak to you the way you speak to them.” Esther takes the beer, thankfully, from Nikki, “I’ll take anything with alcohol at this point,” She opens the can and sip it back. “It’s not that. I’d fully expect you to hate me for what I say. It’s the lying to the people thas’ th’ probl’m.” Silently, as if her feet do not touch the floor to leave a footstep, Nikki saunters back to her perch in the corner of the sofa, “Well, here,” looking to everyone, “I long for us to all be tolerant of each other’s — differences.”

Rhyaad watching Esther drinking the beer looks disapproval. “You should try some of this fine tea, Miss.” Esther now comfortable in her chair says, “I dun’ need none’v yer’ tea!” and takes another sip of beer. Chiyo smiles and looks over to Rhyaad, “Oh do let her go on, she needs to spit out all that bitterness somehow, it obviously infects her mind. He nods, “Holding bitterness within is far worse.” Chiyo says over the lip of her tea cup, “Better now than to someone who will tear her to pieces – like some of those poor poor archaeologists in Japan.” Although she actually sounds rather amused about the ‘poor archaeologists.’

Rhyaad raises an eyebrow, “What? People in Japan torn to pieces? What is this?”

Chiyo replies matter-of-factly: “Dear sir, it is common in Japan for people to simply disappear for a time and then either be found in pieces or naked in the middle of the street.”

Esther says, “Look I know wah’s like. ‘th outside looks all nice an’ secular. But on th’ inside. Is all ‘le’s see how man’ people w’ can convert today.'”

Chiyo ignores Esther’s comment and looks over to Nikki, “I just came to check on you Nikki – how are you fairing and settling in.” “Actually I have been quite well,” Nikki tells her, “And you, Mr de’Annar?” “I’ve been fine, Nikki.” He replies, “A few business problems, nothing serious. It’s good to hear you are doing well.” Nikki turns her languid eyes toward Chiyo, “I had an amazing talk with Mr. de’Annar the other night.”

Esther finishes her can of beer and tucks it in the pocket of her coat. It is marked as a product of Canada.

“Apparently there was a soul survivor running around in Arkham – so I figured I would stop by here as my house is almost finished,” Chiyo says to Mr. de’Annar. “I feel rather sorry for the young man, but he does seem rather mad.” Sipping his tea he looks up, “I was not aware Japan was full of so much murder, Miss Chiyo. And this man… in Arkham? He came from Japan?”

Esther seems to be mumbling to herself, clearly more than a little buzzed from the unfamiliar drink, “Oh look. There’s th’ townJew…le’s thow a sn’wball at ‘er. See if it turn’s t’gold!”

“Oh no. He was working with a Swedish archaeological expedition.”

Nikki flattens her dress across her thigh and says to Rhyaad, “I do so hope we can talk again tonight Mr. de’Annar.”

Esther mumbles, “…f*ckersh…”

He nods to Nikki and then looks over at Chiyo, “Actually I am glad someone from that interfaith place is here.” He then looks over at Esther and shakes his head. “That isn’t your first beer of the evening, is it?”

Chiyo responds with a “; Now sir, let her live her life, no scolding.”

He shrugs. “I am told I’m ‘preachy’.”

Chiyo now pulls sake out of her basket and a serving set and begins to pour the same way as before. “Oh, Nikki,” She says, “Some of David’s friends are going to be in charge of administration, he met them in Prague. And two more people will be assigned to the area for emergency assistance. So please just do me a favor dearest Nikki. Hide the kittens if you should see them.”

Outside, Medri Harker is walking up the path to Rose Cottage. It is apparent that he has been though a rough night, bruises slowly healing.

“Speaking of ‘assistance’…” Rhyaad says now looking over to Chiyo and then Nikki. “I heard your people had been helping Miss Collins out with her… problem.”

Medri leaning on the doorframe knocks three times upon the door. On the sofa, sipping sake, Chiyo remarks that Nikki should, “let that man in before he collapses.” As Nikki rises from the sofa, Chiyo wrinkles her nose and whispers to Nikki, “he is smelly.”

Esther asks, “wha’ man?” Chiyo very sedately answers, “He is at the door Esther dear.” Esther looks at Chiyo suspiciously, “an’ you know he is a man…how?”

“The one at the door, Miss Friedman,” Rhyaad adds, wondering again just how much she had had to drink. Nikki slowly strides toward the front of the cottage to answer the door, while behind her Chiyo, looking at Esther answers sweetly, “I can smell him coming, can’t you?” as she hands Esther some sake. There are four full tea cups her side of the table as Esther has refused the sake Chiyo has been passing her, as she thinks it is tea.

Medri, hearing now someone approaching the door, pushes painfully back from his leaning posture against the door in order to stand straight. Nikki opens the door and seeing Medri is instantly aware that he has undergone some considerable adventures in the 24 hours-time since she last saw him, “Mr. Harker? Are you alright?”

In the sitting room, Rhyaad’s sensitive hearing detects the name Medri.

Medri Harker tries to smile, but it appears more as a painful grimace: “Hey Nikki . . . Yeah, I’ll be fine….can’t say the same for those vamps that attacked me last night . . . same ones from the manor . . . though this time . . . I was ready for them . . . in an unready kinda way.”

Chiyo looks over to Mr. de’Annar, “You said you wanted to discuss something?” she asks pointedly.

Nikki opens the door in order to allow Medri Harker to enter, “How are you . . .” he asks entering slowly, “After I left you last night I wasn’t sure . . . if you were alright . . ”
“I am quite alright but you — please come sit down.” Nikki tells him, putting a hand on his shoulder and motioning him forward.

Rhyaad having recognized his old friend Medri Harker’s voice observes him now entering the room, “Do come in my friend. Are you all right?” Nikki beside Medri looks to Rhyaad, rubbing her hands together in a move that should anyone know her mother, Angelique, would instantly recognized has having been inherited, “So, you know Mr. Harker?”

Chiyo, sitting Japanese style on the sofa, finishing her sake asks, “Can’t he bathe first?”
Seeing Rhyaad, Medri smiles, “Hey ya . . . I’m fine . . . just got attacked last night . . . ” To which, across the room, Chiyo remarks, “Obviously,” and wrinkles her nose. Disregarding the remark, Rhyaad looks to Nikki and tell her that yes, he has known Medri Harker, for some time, and then turns his attention once more on the injured Harker as he makes his way across the room to sit heavily on the sofa next to Chiyo, “Attacked? Again? Was it the same kind of attack, the same… um… people?”

Medri holds his side for a moment, “Well after I dropped Nikki off at home . . . I went to the area Esther spoke about . . . where she saw the little girl . . . . just to look around . . . that’s when they attacked me . . . same thing like at the manor just a horde of bats . . . .”

Esther aware of the empty beer can in her pocket, the four cups of sake, which he thinks is nothing but tea, longs for another drink, and listening to this story, she knows will soon involve her telling about the little girl again, so, she rises out of her conformable chair, looking over at Nikki, who once more seems so relaxed in her corner of the sofa, “‘Scuse me please,” removing the empty can from her pocket and holding it up, “May I get anoth’r Collins?”

Nikki nods and smiles. At the same moment Chiyo touches Nikki’s leg and moves closer so as to whisper to her, “Isn’t it rude to not offer him a bath first?”

Ester says over her shoulder as she’s leaving the sitting room, “It’s rude to insin’ate he needs one.”
Chiyo smiles, “Not in my culture dear, when someone is dirty it’s a humiliation to not offer him one or if he did it on purpose he is being highly insulting” she explains.

Medri looking over at the woman sipping sake offers as way of explanation, “sorry that would be vamp dust…my blood…and potentially bat blood you smell off of me. Hi I’m Medri…”

Rhyaad sits forward, “Them again . . . And the little girl. She is in a way the creepiest of them all.”

Esther starts to walk away shaking her head as Chiyo says: “About this little girl?”

Turing from Chiyo back to Rhyaad, Medri begins, “Rhy it was the same ones, but like I said I came prepared this time. I took out as many as I could.” Rhyaad asks how, what weapons did he have. “Water bottles of holy water and a few stakes,” He explains,”And I found these,” He takes out a pair of broken purple sunglasses and looks for Esther. “Friedman . . . these are the glasses aren’t they?”

“Ah, the glasses.” Rhyaad nods, as Medri becomes aware that Esther has left the room, off looking for the refrigerator from which Nikki earlier had gotten her the beer, but was having some difficulty in finding it.

Chiyo interrupts: “Excuse me but the little girl?”

Idly fingering the sunglasses, Medri replies, “Long story, Esther when she’s drunk enough may tell you though.” Rhyaad though is more forth coming and tries to explain to Chiyo: Rhyaad: “We don’t know quite who or what she is, Miss Chiyo. She’s a vampire of some kind, but she seems to have something special about her. Psychokinetic powers, for one thing. She attacked Miss Friedman, and yet let her live.” He sits in thought, “I wonder why.”

Chiyo is concerned, “Interesting, it’s against some laws to make children into something like that.” To which Rhyaad agrees, “Indeed it is.”

Medri aware that some laws are made to be broken recalls, “Dana Wainscott, she died in 1850. She was a blind peasant girl . . . she showed up three days later after her death . . . claiming to be able to see . . . she then went to work driving her entire family to insanity.”

Chiyo sits up straighter, “OH dear, I will have to make a formal report on this.” Her eyes grow wide as if something has just frightened her. Medri looks at her, “What?” She leans over and whispers “PAPERWORK.” She downs more sake.

Rhyaad states that “What amazes me is that this other woman seems to have an endless supply of fledglings to throw at Harker like fodder.”

Nikki seemingly languid all this time in her corner of the sofa suddenly asks, “Did I hear correctly, Esther was attacked? And she was — spared?”

Chiyo looks at Nikki, “She seems like my kind of girl!! Do tell me more! Maybe she can . . . be persuaded to work for us.” Nikki looks at her quickly, “No, she’s going to work for me.” “Who?” “Esther,” Nikki says. “I was talking about this otherwoman, my dear.”

Rhyaad shakes his head, “She is reputed to be a relative of this so called “Dracula” and seems hell bent on torturing and destroying the Harker family. I doubt she would work with anyone.”

Medri apparently feeling the effects of the night’s events is still talking, as if to himself. “She is insane . . . likes to toy with her victims . . . and apparently . . . has a gift for manipulating one’s mind . . . ” He looks up and re-engages in the conversation. “Well, something caught Dana’s attention. And she sort of left her there, and the same thing happened again last night as there I am fighting my life away, when just like Esther said . . . the woman stopped and fled the scene. I however ran after them or what I could ran after as they all too quickly turned into bats again, and that’s when I saw it. A ship! A ship out in the ocean and they were fly toward it . . . the boat moved away from my view though.”

Nikki sitting on the sofa suddenly notices the painting on the wall behind her has what would appear to be two shadows.

Chiyo hearing of Dracula says, “ALUCARD !! Oh Dear, Nikki has one of his glyphs.” She takes the last drink of her sake and leaning forward pours another round.

Medri nods, “Dana was sired by Patricia O Donndubhain . . . one of the brides of Dracula.”

Rhyaad does not touch the sake Chiyo places before him, he sips only the tea. “I was speaking of this Patricia. She seems to be the leader of the vampires attacking the Harker family.”

Nikki still affected by the oddity of the painting asks, “Excuse me, is it me, or this picture, does it look to you as if it has, two shadows?”

Medri nods, “She’s the one who was sired by Dracula.” His attention now drawn to Rhyaad’s expression as he, having noticed Nikki Collins staring at the painting, looks at the painting in question. For a moment, Medri seems to get a gets a chill and so he too looks back at the painting on the wall behind the sofa, only to see nothing more than an oil painting, and so he brushes it off and focuses his attention once more back on the conversation, “Anyway . . . they are on a boat . . . a Steamship by the looks of it . . . and something called them away from the fight . . . and back to their base.”

Rhyaad now is staring at the painting, “There are multiple lights. Still, it does look odd, Nikki.” They are all unaware that Chiyo has a half smile on her face when the shadows are mentioned. “There is something that is not quite right.” Nikki’s eyes have suddenly gone arctic blue. And so, with all this talk about the painting, Medri finds himself looking at it again, “I don’t see anything….just a painting.”

Chiyo matter-of-factly says, “OH dear, here drink this,” handing Nikki a small cup of sake. “Don’t go and get yourself killed.”

Rhyaad now notices the painting seems to be looking at them and his own eyes brighten just like Nikki’s. “Yes. There is something here. A presence.” Nikki nods, “It’s like the other night in the cemetery, when I could have sworn I saw this pair of double shadows moving. Chiyo looks over to Rhyaad, “You hunt vampires and you don’t know about the shadows?”

Harker looking at the drink wonders to himself what is it she is offering to Nikki, even as Chiyo gets another small porcelain cup, fills it with sake and hands it to him.

Suddenly, from the corner of her eye, Nikki is aware of a dark figure staring at and her eyes go so blue they have gone almost white “Do you see anything, Nikki?” Rhyaad asks. She does not answer; instead she leaps in a blur from the sofa to stand beside him. And as Nikki jumps, Catherine, a lovely blonde, is visible now sitting in the chair across from Rhyaad.

Chiyo getting up from the sofa and walking over to Nikki looks back at the blonde, “Ms. Catherine, isn’t it a bit rude to do that?” Only, Catherine smiles innocently and says, “Hull-oooooo.”

Rubbing Nikki’s arms, Chiyo smiling walks her back to the sofa just as Rhyaad now leaps to his feet: “You! What are you doing snooping about and spying on people?”

Catherine asks, “Do what?” And she looks offended, “I don’t snoop, mister whoever you are.”

Rhyaad is unimpressed by her denial “Spying, of course.”

Catherine’s laugh is light with a hint of wickedness, “You look just like an anime character! How cute!”

“I’m sorry, do I know you?” Nikki asks as Chiyo begins to pack things back into her basket.” Catherine looks at Nikki with a brilliant smile; “Noooooo. But Medri does.” Chiyo, lifting up her basket, explains that “It was wonderful to meet you all, now if you will excuse me.” And pats Catherine on the head as she walks past.

“I keep winding up where he is. It’s quite confusing.” Catherine tells Nikki, looking at her with interest. Medri sits forward, feeling pain in his ribs, “Catherine?! . . . I’m sorry guys, she just does that.”

Nikki shakes her distraction with the blonde and looks up at the departing Miss Chiyo aware she needs to talk to her. “Are you leaving us, Miss Chiyo?”

Rhyaad tells Catherine, “You were in the tavern where I was talking to Miss Friedman. And Medri has a reason to snoop.”

Miss Chiyo does not look back, but waves, “Yes, I still have things to get done.” To which Nikki suggests, “Perhaps you should leave something to drink.”

Rhyaad now takes a step toward the departing woman, “Um… Miss Chiyo…. If I might have a word….” and looks toward the door suggestively. Miss Chiyo stops, turns and looks at him, “Of course.” She returns and puts the sake on the table along with the serving set. Rhyaad goes out, glaring at Catherine as he passes.

Medri Harker tells Nikki that Catherine is one of the Harker manor residents. He explains that “she kind’ a just appeared one day, and we kept her.” “Well, I am Nikki. Nikki Collins, nice to meet you,” Nikki introduces herself, aware of a slight tremble now in her left hand. Medri looks to Catherine now and asks, “What are you doing here hun.” Catherine looks at Medri. Nikki slightly weak seems to be very indecisive at the moment as whether she wishes to remain in the sitting room or wants to follow Miss Chiyo outside, and so wonders if the lovely blonde has noticed the tremble of her hand. But, Catherine gives no indication if she has, instead she answers Medri, “A customer said something very curious to Thomas last night. Possibly information you could use.” “Oh?…and what would that be,” he asks. Catherine replies very in a so matter-of-fact tone: “Children Kill during the Bitter Season” or something like that.” And then adds, “He was like a man possessed when he said it.”

At the top of the stairs, looking like she had finally found the fridge, and more importantly, the beer, Esther calls down, “I’ll pa’ ya back fer th’ beer Collinsh!” And as she descends the stairs she stumbles but catchers herself, and protects the beer.

Catherine turns to watch the possible mishap on the stairs while telling Medri, “Maybe he was talking about the newborns?” Medri thinks about what Catherine’s information may mean, “Are you sure it was addressed to the killings that were going on . . . cause if it was…it could be really help . . . Oh Esther…”

Outside Rose Cottage, on the patio, Rhyaad awaits Miss Chiyo, who joins him.

Inside, Esther having made it down the stairs plops back into the comfortable chair, “Oh. Ish tha’ cultisht gone? Good.”

Medri shakes his head than turns back to Catherine “…alright..so when did he say this…an why?” Catherine, amused watches Esther; “He was talking financial stuff before he said it. And resumed talking about it afterwards. Didn’t look like he knew what he said.”

On the patio Rhyaad nods to Chiyo in respect for the fact she has allowed him to speak to her so privately, “Thank you, Miss Chiyo. Perhaps since we are speaking so openly, I should just say it. I heard from Miss Collins that your people had supplied her with donated blood, yet stopped.”

Seeing the blonde, who was not there when she left the room, Esther asks Nikki, pointing to Catherine: “Who ish thish?” But it is Medri Harker who answers, “Esther…this is Catherine…you met her the other night.” Esther looks at her: “I did?” Medri returns to his conversation with Catherine. “Catherine I want you to write this down on the report…Gram needs to know about this.”

Nikki turns to look at Esther: “Esther, I was unaware you had been attacked. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Outside, Miss Chiyo does not conceal her exasperation. She states to Rhyaad she was unaware that Nikki had not completed her lessons, and if she had not, then that was entirely Nikki’s fault.

Esther looks up at Nikki and shrugs, “I tol somebody. Mr man w’t th’ french la’t name…an I’m alri’t.” Only, Nikki does not feel well, she suddenly feels the onset of weakness and so she looks at those gathered in the sitting room and asks them to excuse for a moment, she needs to speak with Miss Chiyo before she leaves.

Rhyaad presses forward, “I have been talking to Nikki. I am going to be her councilor, to help her control her urges. I have a lot of experience with that. But I do think that having a plentiful supply of blood would be in her best interest. I wanted to ask someone from your organization about this, but I don’t really know anyone in it.” Behind them, the door to Rose Cottage opens, and Nikki, who has felt feels that the very thought of the horrible necessity for her nourishment is but a caving into the “the monster” within her, finds once again she has gone too long since tasting the life giving blood. Chiyo immediately see’s her weakness and need, only for her it is more important that she sees weakness. Hands holding her forearms to stem the trembling, Nikki says to Chiyo, “Could I have a word with you?”

Chiyo stands unable to veil her disgust: “You look like crap woman. If you are to keep this up and your going to hurt yourself and several people.”

Rhyaad raises an eyebrow, but has to agree. “You do look weak, Nikki.”

Chiyo’s eyes have turned blood red as she glares at Nikki, “Should I smack you upside your head now or later when I have to kill you?”

Rhyaad looks at the woman, wondering just what sort of creature she really is. “Please, do not speak so. I thought your organization’s purpose was to help people. And you see why I implore you to give her more blood.”

Embarrassed before Mr. de’Annar, feeling like some desperate drug addict, Nikki finds herself saying in a voice growing in desperation, “Well – – someone was going to — I have nothing at the moment.”

Patience running thin with this “newling,” Chiyo pulls a blood bag and tossing it, swats Nikki across the face with it, “Stop starving yourself like a moron. Go eat.”

Nikki takes the bag, and handles it gently, “Thank you.” Nikki is conflicted with several emotions at the moment, embarrassment that she is being seen this way by her new friend; relief that she has gotten the pack of blood; blue, hot anger at being so treated by Chiyo; discouragement that she has become a creature so dependent. Chiyo, does not look at Nikki, but instead directs her attention fully upon Rhyaad. Her blood red eyes flaring and her propensity for violence a palatable presence in the air, “Are you the one that convinced her this was a good idea?”

He stands his ground against the withering look of the woman: “Your ‘counseling style’ is quite different from mine. But essentially,” looking at Nikki with sympathy, “Nikki, yes. Don’t ever starve yourself.”

Esther, alone at the moment inside the cottage sits back in her chair, “Once agan…y’r alone Esther…F*ck…” She pops the can and drinks it down.

Nikki looks at Rhyaad and nods and then hurriedly slips off into the shadows of the trees. Once she has left them, once she is alone, her trembling fingers try to find a place to open the plastic bag without ripping it so as to loose the precious fluid. Rhyaad turns to Chiyo, “No, I certainly did not! I didn’t know she was actually starving herself until just now.”

Alone, Nikki oh so carefully find a corner and tears a edge of the bag and slowly sips the empowering liquid. Chiyo seeing the man’s concern for Nikki, pulls her murderous feelings back in and closes her eyes for a moment, allowing him to continue: “I admit . . . this is only our second ‘session’, if you can call it that. Helping Nikki manage her urges will take some time.”

Chiyo opens her eyes, emotions checked: “Eppeus should be here within the week, his house is almost done, I’m staying at the complex so I will be able to check on her.”

In the shelter of the trees, Nikki, hopeful no one can see her, drinks from the bag. She is so ashamed of this, of what she has become, a blood addict, who longs to kill another to just taste the sweet nectar of their precious life.

“You can’t help her with that,” Miss Chiyo argues. But Rhyaad is determined to hold his own against this formidable creature: “Yes, I can, Miss Chiyo. I am an expert.” Chiyo sighs at this man, “There are things only another vampire can do.”

Nikki feels the tremble in her hands beginning to subside, amazed at how quickly the blood seems to restore her, renews her strength, fills her with power. She takes another long drink, so thirsty, looking back to be sure no one is watching her, only rather than feeling like some wild beast in the trees, she begins to reflect on the fact that only moments ago, she had been a host of conflicting emotions, shame, embarrassment, relief, anger. But, they were true emotions, which means, and she has never fully given thought about it before, but yes, un-dead, she still has emotions. Feelings. Just has she had had before her turning, only, of course they are far more amplified.

She feels rather and see’s Rhyaad nod to Chiyo’s remark, can hear him as if she is standing next to them as he tells Chiyo, he as to “Admit, I have had some serious failures in the past. But in recent decades I have gotten much better at it. I have helped two vampires recently with excellent results.” Nikki takes a deep breath of the night air, sensing the beauty of nocturnal world, the scent of the trees, every living thing around her, as if this is what it must have felt like in the fabled garden of which she has been doubly cast out. “I hope I have made it clear, to you sir, that we are taking care of this.” Chiyo is adamant that he is doomed to failure, “Two in what hundreds of years? We have been doing this for far longer with much better results – perhaps you should find something else to do with your time. Nikki smiles and is proud to hear him say, “I think that Miss Collins herself should decide if she wants multiple sources of help, don’t you?”

The look is devastating, “I will be very cross if anything happens to Nikki.” She warns him.

“I assure you, I would never want anything ill to happen to her.”

“My team vouched for her, that means if she kills we have to kill her.”

Nikki is so tired of hearing that same accusation, she knows, when others would have done so, naive, and without someone to guide them, newly turned, desperate, crazed by the blood addiction. But her, she has ever killed any Goddamned body, and yet like the blood bag tossed in her face it is always thrown at her, a flash of anger brings a thought to her mind, Killing. You want to see some killing? I can so show you some killing.” Only, having finished the bag of blood and slipping it behind some bushes to be picked up later, she wipes the edges of her mouth to be sure there are no traces, and strides back out of the trees appearing refreshed and calm.

Chiyo looks over to assure herself Nikki is alright, “So you will excuse me if I do not accept your assurance and instead do what works,” She then looks over to Rhyaad, “And if I have to kill her, make no mistake, you are next. Still want the responsibility?”

“I know that. That there are those who would kill her if she kills. But I really think she needs someone of her own kind to talk with as well.”

Calmly, watching Nikki’s slow approach, which as always seems so naturally seductive, “You silly woman!”

“But, I see no reason for threats, Miss.” Rhyaad concludes.

Chiyo smiles pleasantly, “Oh, Its not a threat, I like vampire meat.”

Rhyaad wrinkles his nose in disgust. “Now, Niki dear, Eppeus will be here soon, he is just digesting a horde of vampire cats, and please, don”t even ask.” Chyio says with a smile.

Nikki, controlling her temper, nods, “I know you are upset with me — I know I am a pain in the ass. But, and I know your thoughts on the matter — BUT, I do want to work with Mr. de’Annar.” Her voice indicates on this there is no argument.

Chiyo raises and eyebrow: Progress? “That is fine, but if anything happens, I’m blaming him anyway.”

Stealthy as a shadow and seemingly from nowhere, which startles Nikki, in that she does not detect her presence, Catherine approaches Nikki and hands her a card: it was embossed with “Stray Sheep Bar and Alehouse“. There is an address on the back along with a phone number labeled “Thomas Mutton, Proprietor.” Sorry, but this is all I can do for you right now.

Before leaving, Chiyo gives Nikki a sisterly hug and a peck on the cheek, “Now, I really do have to go… my house is still unfurnished, I will invite you as soon as it’s done.”

Rhyaad nods. “And I do hope you don’t have to eat me, Miss Chiyo. I’d probably be all stale and musty.”

Nikki now as adamant as Chiyo was earlier replies, “I know I should be able to work with Eppeus and I do like him — but I feel I can talk with Mr. de’Annar — and the goal is to help me is it not?”

Chiyo’s eyes meet Rhyaad’s and for a moment – just one – he realizes she was not threatening – there is ‘something’ of power in that short lady and it is a terrifying feeling; she then looks back at Nikki, the look having vanished from her countenance: “Of course, of course dear. I do not mind in the least that you work with him – just don’t do anything stupid again. As for Mr. de’Annar? I shall send you an invitation for tea and you can even bring him to diner.” He detects a sinister grin as she looks at him out the corner of her eyes. He looks back into her eyes with some surprise. Blinking, he comments on Nikki. “Yes, she feels comforted talking to an ‘outsider.’ It’s common in counseling.”

Chiyo is suddenly not there anymore. Esther walking up asks Rhyaad, “So, who’r’you talkin’ to?”

He blinks again, then whirls on Nikki. “Just what in the nine hells IS that woman?” ignoring Esther for the moment. Nikki, feeling the wonderful effects of the blood, shrugs, “She is Chiyo.” But Rhyaad is not amused, “She IS…. not human.” Nikki looking off into the wonder of the night agrees, “In that you are correct. But what she is I don’t know.”

Rhyaad gains his composure, as Nikki looks at him to indicate that Chiyo has that effect on everyone.

He says, “Well, I have no idea what is neither, but she enjoys scaring the crap out of vampires….”

Nikki still looking off into the distance, as if enthralled by something only she can see, says so mater-of-fact: “She can be very charming, when she is not scaring the holy hell out of me.”

Esther looks at them, shakes her head, “Th’ f*ck you two talkin’ ’bout. An’ what is with you an’ vampires?”

Nikki turns languidly to look at Esther, so tired of having to lie to her, “Oh, I am sorry Esther, I should have told you.”

Still lost in thought about Chiyo, Rhyaad nods, “One minute it’s tea and the next it’s ‘I’m going to eat you’. As for her ‘council’, I’m afraid she was right. You were foolish to not feed.”

He looks to Esther. “You don’t believe in vampires, Miss.” Before it dawns on him that Nikki maybe about to reveal what she is based on the tone of her voice.

“But you see I am thinking of writing a book about them — it’s like the most current fad among publishing today,” but instead Nikki lies.

Suddenly a little girl peeks her eyes from around the corner of the house and blinks. Then she bounces over to Nikki with a BUNCH of flowers*

Rhyaad nods now seeing Nikki subterfuge, “Ah, yes, that’s it. We are discussing ideas for Miss Collins’ vampire book. Who knows? She may be the next Stephanie Meyers or Anne Rice.”

The little girl, Ana, offers some flowers to Esther. “Oh, Ana, it is good to see you. But, my dear, are you out alone?” Rhyaad looking at the child smiles, and nods, “Hello.”

At the moment, standing close to Esther, Rhyaad can’t help but stare at her neck. “By the way, how are you? Have you fully recovered from the attack?”

Ana proudly shows Nikki the crow on her shoulder and there are several more taking up various positions.

Esther looks up at him, aware he is looking at her neck and steps back, “Oh…thas nish…wha? yesh i’m fine. ‘coursh thersh no v’mp’resh.”

Ana signs that the crows were with her. She waves the flowers at Esther, who looks drunkenly at the little girl, “Ish thaa’…I thin’ thatsh th’ girl th’…”

Nikki signs back to Ana (Crows?) Ana cocks her head to the side continuing to offer the flowers; she then glowers at the man beside Esther.

Rhyaad tires to assure Esther about Vampires, “Of course not. Utter foolishness. But some psycho’s who think they are vampires attacked you. You should be careful, Miss Friedman.” But he looks at the girl again. “I’m sorry the girl that what?”

Ana signs to Nikki (did that man scare this woman). As Esther is un-slinging her shotgun, almost dropping it in the pool. “I thin’ tha’sh her…” She says looking at Ana. As overhead crows fly screeching, circling above Esther. Nikki signs back: (No, he did not, Others scared her and he is only trying to help) Rhyaad watching Nikki and the little girl, “Odd girl” he starts to say, then looks aghast at Esther who has started to aim her shotgun: “Put that thing down!”

Ana looks at the gun as if it’s a novelty thing of interest

Rhyaad yells, “You drunk woman! She is not the girl that attacked you!” Ana hands her flowers to the man. Esther looks at her, “wha…? how d’you know?” Nikki worried now about the shotgun signs to Anna (to come to her). Rhyaad takes the little girl’s flowers, but his eyes are on Esther. “Look at her! Esther look at her!” To which Esther peers at the little girl and the flowers.

Nikki is interested in the sudden murder of crows circling above Esther. “I think we should go inside.” Rhyaad of course agrees, “Now put that gun away before you hurt someone.” As Nikki places a cold hand on Ana’s shoulder and smiles down at her, behind her in an attempt to re-sling her weapon, Esther misfires up in the air and hits a crow.

Nikki’s hand on her should squeezes comfortably and she signs that (it is okay).

As they head back into Rose Cottage, Rhyaad remarks, “This is a most odd little girl, but she’s not the one who attacked Esther and the Harkers.”

Esther misfires again, shooting into the air; hits a crow.

“Nikki shakes her head, “No, she is a little girl who was found naked and abandoned outside the Collins Cannery.”

Meanwhile behind them Esther is saying: “Oy! th’ wash my bad! Shorry! Shorry!”

Nikki turns to suggest once more to Esther that it is time to go back inside, only Rhyaad, his arm suddenly becoming a blur moves incredibly fast, grabbing the gun in her hand. He glares at her. “I said put it away!”

Esther, looking a bit confused says to Nikki: “Yesh. Collinsh. I’m Shorry ’bout th’ beer. I’ll pay ya back, ‘k?”

As they head into the cottage, Rhyaad remarks that it is good idea to go in before Esther kills a flock. Esther tries to take her gun back from him explain that she was only trying to put it away. Nikki calmly tells her is okay and please to have a seat as she is trying to reassure the child. Only Rhyaad is not so forgiving. “Drunks shouldn’t stumble around with guns.” He glares at her. “You shoot that thing in the house and I swear I’ll introduce it to a certain part of your anatomy.”

Esther, who did not intend on shooting any crows now defends herself: “You shon of a b*tch! ‘t caught on my belt. Dun y’ threat’n me.”

Nikki tries to defuse the situation and tells Esther that there is a wonderful old gramophone, upstairs, and it has a loveseat right next to it, and that perhaps, she might like to go up and listen to some music and maybe lie down a bit.

Rhyaad is intent on not letting the possible shotgun accident in the making go without further comment, “Uh huh. Maybe it’s the beers in your belt. And you’re supposed to be a hunter. You should know better.”

Nikki looks to Esther, “I do need to speak to Mr de’Annar for a bit, dear.”

Esther nods and waves a hand at them, “Yeash yeahs. Shend Eshter away an talk ’bout yer v’mp’r c*rp…” and she begins to stumble up the stairs.

Nikki immediately turns to Rhyaad, “I am sorry about Chiyo — but you see — you see why this does not work for me?” He nods, “Charming woman, isn’t she”, he says sarcastically. “Now, about Esther.” But, on the subject of Esther, Nikki is closed for discussion, “Esther? Esther has had a hard life, people have not been kind, this town in my opinion on has made Esther who and what she is, and now, she is my friend and she is under my protection. She has no one — and I have no one and I know how that is.”

For a moment Rhyaad detects the sound of far more mature Vampire in Nikki’s voice, especially the “under my protection” and so he returns to the discussion of Chiyo: “Why what doesn’t work for you Nikki?

Once more seated on the sofa, Nikki leans forward and talks softly to Rhyaad, in case Esther is within listening distance: “I don’t know if it is the nature of all of us — but, inside me — when she tosses things in my face — there is such a rage . . . It is almost overwhelming. So far the Interfaith, they don’t talk, they order, and, well, I have never done well in that type of atmosphere.”

Rhyaad nods: “She is insulting you the way she tosses the blood bags in your face. You are only…. human… to feel rage. But you are also more than human. Anger stirs the beast. Remember that. As for them, I can’t really judge as I don’t really know them, but I will take your word for it.”

“When I talk to you, you treat me — you threat me as something other than a monster — they just expect me to be a monster. They constantly talk as if they assume I will become a killer and that they will have to kill me eventually anyway — or that at least that is how I feel.” Nikki confines in him. ” Now, Eppeus was different, but he has been away — and whoever is supposed to me helping me as not been here on a regular bases.”

“This is why you need someone of your own kind to talk to. And I can’t say I approve of Chiyo’s style. She is right about what she says though. If you don’t learn to control yourself, they will kill you. Eppeus? I don’t know such a person.”
“He is the one they first assigned to me, but he has been away.” They sit silently for a few moments and then Nikki asks, “Are all of us same? Do we act the same?”

Sitting back in his seat, Rhyaad says, “We are all the same the way humans are – we all have the same emotions. But like humans, how we act on them is as different as night and day. Perhaps you should talk to Eppeus when he returns, instead of her, whenever you can. Antagonizing the patient is not a good way to help her.”

Nikki seems filled with questions, “How do you do it? I mean, say with Esther — I know that there have been people here who call her Jew. I know tonight this extremely rude man was making remarks and calling her a Jew. I wanted to snap his head off. And I could have. Just like snapping a twig. How do you let things like that happen and not use the power we have to correct things like that?”

He answers with a question, “Ah… well, what gives you the right to snap his head off, Nikki? And if you did, would that not make you like him, if not worse? I… I worry for you, Nikki” he looks down a moment.

“Oh, I know, I know it is wrong, don’t think I don’t. It’s just how do you control that urge. It’s like” She flexes her fingers “It is just right there, you could do it and not blink.”

“If you lost control. If someone died… what would happen to you? What would that Chiyo creature do to you? You see? That’s one huge reason to not do as you would like to that man.”

Reflectively, Nikki says, “Oh, she would kill me and not blink. I know that.”

He nodded. “I gathered as much. And you can learn to use your powers constructively. It’s an old and long lecture, the answers to the questions that you ask.”

Nikki sits and runs her fingers through her hair, looking over at Rhyaad, “An so, as I said, I feel that I know I am this biggest pain in the ass — but, really, damn it for all of these terrible monstrous feelings inside me. All these inhuman urges that I have, I have not, ever, killed anyone. Not here. Not in London when I was all-alone. Not ever, and yet, she does nothing but assume that I will.”

Rhyaad looks at her with a new insight, “If that is so, you have remarkable strength. Most do kill.”

Ana cheerfully bounces in the room, her face a bit tan making the scar over her left eye very noticeable. She carries LOTS of flowers and a purse type thing that looks like a pirates chest.

Nikki looks at the child, “I guess what I haven’t said — is that I feel like I am what I am for a reason. I don’t know what that is yet, but I want to do something other than hide in the shadows and feed.”

Ana suddenly climbs into Niki’s lap, and Nikki feels so good to know that a child does not fear her. Nikki signs to Anna (What is in your pretty purse?) Ana puts the flowers down and shows her new ‘auntie’ the cicadas and water bugs she has collected, before suddenly popping one into her mouth and offers Nikki and the new man some. Nikki signs to Anna that she should not eat the pretty bugs.

Rhyaad watching Nikki with the little girl sees that Nikki has for the moment totally forgotten her nature and nods. “Eventually you will learn to use your ‘powers’, as we call them, for a good purpose. It is possible. I was once part of a group of vampires who did just that: who stood things on their heads by using the powers of darkness to protect the people of light. I don’t know what your purpose is, if it may be similar or not, but you will find it with time.”

Ana looks at him and smiles as she crunch, crunches the bugs.

He raises an eyebrow sharply and wrinkles his nose. “No thank you, little girl”. To Nikki he asks: “She eats bugs?”

“So,” Nikki in thought asks, “There is a way that I can use what I am not for evil but for good and this power isn’t just about being angry and wanting to kill people?”

“Yes! That is what I am telling you. You are not a monster. And you can become whatever you desire to be. ‘We are what we were made: we choose what we become.”

Nikki remembering the question about bugs, “Oh, Yes, she eats bugs,” Looks at her and smiles, “Of course, we don’t know where Ana came from, she was left abandoned and she apparently ate whatever came to hand” Ana still crunch, crunching.

“Nikki, you need to learn to recognize and control this beast within you. To think of it like that: not ‘me’, but ‘the thing inside me’. And be able to smile sweetly at Chiyo when she throws blood in your face.”

“See, that is what I need to know . . . and . . . okay . . . I really need to know this, because, it is very important to me and I don’t know anyone else to ask, so is it possible that I can be with Sam . . . and not worry that I will do something horrible? Do we — can we have relationship?”

The air changes and Ana glowers as she signs (Chiyo is my new nanny). Nikki aware of Ana’s sudden change in mood signs to Anna (something wrong?) Ana signs back (why does this man want you to be hungry and feel horrible? If Nanny doesn’t feed you, you will hurt people!)

“I would advise you wait… someday. But honestly, could you bite her, taste her blood, and trust yourself to stop before you killed her? I don’t think you are ready for that yet.”

Ana signs (she made this dress for me). Then (she was here today for my lessons).

“Strange girl… what is she signing at you?”

Nikki signs (No this man wants to help you auntie, He wants to help you auntie not to want to eat bugs.)

He shudders. “Sorry… Insect eating has a particular bad meaning to me.”

Ana signs (that is strange, you not eating is not a help. I like the bugs, Nanny Chiyo said it was ok. Auntie should eat what she likes) and she gets an adorable stubborn look on her face.

Nikki looks up from the child and then over the Rhyaad, “You see — I read my father’s journals — and he writes that when he first became what we are, he was overcome by it and his anger — but, he found he could control it by focusing his attention on helping his family. And I want to do what he did, if I can.”

Ana waves flowers at Rhyaad as a peace offering while hiding behind Nikki’s skirt.

Rhyaad nods. “You need a focus. A purpose. Some reason for your existence. To focus on that.” He tries and manages a weak smile for the little girl.

“She is trying to make friends with you — we don’t know her past but she doesn’t just give flowers to everyone.”

Rhyaad suddenly notices the deep chafe scars on her wrist and neck. “Oh…” He reaches to take the flowers, but his smile turns to a frown. “Who did this to her? Those marks on her?”

“We don’t know. Chiyo is investigating.”

“At one time that was my purpose, to hunt down and kill people who did things like this. But that was long ago.”

Nikki sees deep refection of his past in his eyes, “I like talking to you Rhyaad, you give me hope.”

Ana signs that (Nanny says I should do that … when I get strong like she is) She then yawns as if sleepy and starts to droop her head on Nikki’s lap.

“That is my intent, Nikki. You need hope. You need to know that your dark existence can become what you make of it.”

Nikki rubs the child’s hair “It is just I — well after Julia died, while I was in London, you have to know I lived all alone with this for six months. The only thing I had to go on was in my father’s journals.”

“And having the power to smite people like this ‘man you were talking about’ and not use it. The power to do so many things and not do them. The power to take what you want from mortals and not do it. That is perhaps the hardest thing to learn. But you must. Otherwise, you become the monster you fear.”

Upon reflection she says, “I mean teenage fiction books about Vampires doesn’t tell you very much.”

“All alone for six months? You ARE very strong, Nikki. I could not have done that. And your father’s journals must be amazing. I’d like to see them sometime.”

“To be totally honest — I have felt more in control after talking to you than at anytime. And I am going to get control — because I do want to be with Sam.” And Nikki hugs Ana. “I know that somewhere there is still that part of me, that was the me before that horrid creature bled me out.”

Rhyaad nods, “Then perhaps you should see her, but only after you have first gorged yourself on that donated blood. All of what you once were is still there, Nikki. It’s just that things are different now.”

“And so Rhyaad, what about you. How long have you been — one of us?”

He leans back and thinks for a moment. “That’s hard to say. It gets confusing and I loose count… But around 2430 years, give or take a few.”

Nikki blinks: “Oh, my God — I just never thought of it like that — all those years, all those changes, all the people who have come and gone/”

Ana sits up very straight, listening, then she runs to the window and looks out.

“I think Anna senses things,” Nikki looks at the child at the window.

Rhyaad nods. “Especially the last bit. All those people come and gone.” He looks at the child. “I think you are right.”

Ana watches intently as a flock of birds fly past, the crow on her shoulder caws in her ear and she gives it a bug to eat.

Nikki looking at the child says,”Dr. Artemis is very interested in her.”

“Doctor Artemis is another long subject I must discuss with you. He’s a good man, don’t get me wrong. But he never truly trusts our kind, and tends to use us for his purposes.”

“If I was him I wouldn’t trust us either.”

“Trust is the hardest thing. But my greatest joy is that there are humans who trust me implicitly. It means do much, to me. It will to you also.”

“Have you some place to stay?” Nikki asks, “This cottage is on the parcel of land that is own by my Father. I had it refurbished before I moved over from London. If you want you can stay here.”

“I will consider that kind offer, Nikki. But first I want to discuss something with Harker. I’ll get back to you.”

Still reflecting on Rhyaads comment, “I would think it has to be a very special human to actually trust us —”

He nods. “Indeed.”

Suddenly Esther hobbles down the stairs, “g’night Collinsh. g’night Mr De’lacy…um…g’night kid…”

“Good Night Esther, be careful.” Nikki tells her. Rhyaad adds, “Be careful, Miss Friedman. And take your gun.”

“I worry about her. That attack was strange.” Rhyaad whispers to Nikki, “She might be a target. I wish there was some way I could convince her…”

Ester nods, “She you later.” She picks up her shotgun and looks at Mr. de’Annar, “Nah. I’m fine. th’nks.”

Ana tries to get Esther attention by pointing to a small tin. Esther is confused as to what the child is trying to do.

“She wants to show you something.” Nikki tells her. Esther looks like what? “‘s a box.. right. ‘n show me already.”

“The thins has medicine she puts on her wrists, they were badly hurt. She wants to help your neck Ana opens the tin, and its lavender – she puts some on Esther’s neck, her neck immediately feels cool and nice. Ana slips the tin into Esther’s pocket. Esther feels the soothing effect, “my neck? Thank’sh kid, b’t my neck’ll be fine.” Then aware she is perhaps getting too close to someone she says, “hey! Back off!” and takes out the tin and hands it back to the girl, “keep it. Good night.”

Ana signs to Nikki (it poisons vampires). Nikki signs back (really, did Chiyo tell you that?)

“Now there’s an example of control, Nikki. I would just love to grab that woman, stick my fangs in her face, and yell “No vampires, eh? Look at THIS! And watch yourself before the bad ones kill you, you stupid, cement headed woman. But, I control myself.”

Ana blinks at him, covers her mouth and giggles soundlessly.

“And it’s time I started giving you specific advise, Nikki.” Rhyaad says now that Esther has left, “First, for the god’s sakes, feed yourself. A lot . . . Then think about these three things… Learn to see your anger and lust, your craving to kill, as a beast within you. Not you, but an animal that lives in you. And recognize and control this animal. You must think of the power you have and not using it. Practice controlling yourself. Because if you do, you would start to think yourself some kind of a little god, and once you think that, you have slipped beyond help. You would enjoy it far too much to ever give it up. That is why you must resist. And you must find your ‘purpose’ in your new life. Some reason, some justification, for your existence. Then focus on this purpose.” He pulls out a small little booklet. “This is about meditation. Tibetan style. I want you to read it and try it.”

Nikki reaches over and takes the book. She flips through the pages. “Okay.”

“And remember that you are indeed a very strong person, Nikki. You can overcome your base ‘monster’ and become whoever you desire to be.”

Cue Music End of Episode