I folded my arms, “if you’re hunting Tim, too, and we’re leaving I assume you know something we don’t?”

“Correct. When we invited you to the cabin, we had been hoping your sire would come along, and we could clear all the vampires from this town in a stroke. Obviously that didn’t happen, but we had set scouts to watch both you and your sire. You came when called, Little Pup, but your Sire left town. Presumably hoping we’d have done his dirty work getting you off his trail.”

I raised an eyebrow, “Little Pup?”

“Loup-garou do not seek out or require outside assistance. If we are going to hunt your Sire together, you will be a part of the greater pack. In an honourary capacity, at least. New pack mates are pups.”

“— Right. So where are we going?”

“East. We lost the trail in Toronto. Your ki— other vampires in Toronto helped Timothy go to ground.”

“I suppose my part of this superhero dream team involves liaising with the local vamp population?”

“If you would be so kind.”

“Haven’t exactly made a lot of friends in the blood sucking community.”

“If they’re unwilling to help, you did manage to track your sire to a tiny Canadian town all the way from Illinois. I have no doubt that between that talent and my nose we can find where they’ve decided to hide.”

I glanced at Dawn, she nodded. Looking to Tess, she mirrored the nod. “We’re in,” I told Daïna, “Tess says ‘lets be about it.’”

—*—

Dawn, at the wheel, pulled off the highway to follow Daïna's Ram into Barrie. We stopped at the mall parking lot, and watched as Daïna had a brief conversation with a short woman with wild hair and dirty flannel. The short woman drove off in Daïna's truck, and Daïna herself slid into the backseat of Dawn's jeep with Tess.

“Suit like that, I wouldn't have pictured you for a small town girl,” I told Daïna.

She scoffed, “two hundred thousand is hardly a small town!”

“Ah, born and raised with a population over two million. Puts small towns into perspective.”

“You will feel right at home in Toronto, then. Big city by your standards.” She leaned back, and buckled herself in.

I watched Tess stare at her for a moment before turning to look out the front window. The jeep’s headlights ate up the last remaining miles to the Toronto city limits. It was still a few hours until dawn, but we started the conversation about hotels. I wanted to make sure I had somewhere sunned off ready to go. We found a place, little more than a B&B, that let us check in at this odd hour. Daïna paid with her card as we checked in, and swatted my hand away when I tried to pull what remained of my cash from my wallet. Our room sported two queens, and was rather crowded with the four of us. Dawn and I pinned up the blanket over the window while Tess and Daïna watched.

“What is your plan, Little Pup?”

I grumbled at the nickname that seemed dangerously close to sticking, “well I'm not too keen on using blood magic again any time soon.” I glanced down at Dawn, who had moved from the window to transfer my blood bags to the fridge.

“Six left,” she reported.

I nodded, “unless absolutely necessary. That shit takes more out of me than I have resources for.” I moved to sit on the edge of the bed farther from the door, “normal humans are a fuck of a lot easier to find than a vampire gone to ground. First investigation to find my sire was a months-long endeavor.”

“So what then?”

“We'll take a few angles of approach. Like I said, normal humans are easier to find. There's bound to be hunters in town here. We find em, Dawn can check in and see what help they can offer. You, Tess, and I will see if we can find a vampire to have a conversation with. Assuming your nose is good enough to sniff out a vamp.”

Daïna nodded, “if I get close enough. But once I have a scent trail, it's hard to lose.”

Dawn joined me on the bed's edge, “I need to check in with dad anyway. See if he's having any trouble thrall-sitting. He might know who to get in touch with up here.”

I listened, “Tess wants to join you finding the hunters. So I guess we have a day shift and a night shift here.”

Dawn checked her watch, “an hour to light. Give it forty minutes before we feed you?”

I nodded.

“Are your bags insufficient?” Daïna asked.

“No— Well yes. Kind of. It's complicated.”

Daïna raised an eyebrow.

Dawn spoke for me, “fresh blood is addicting for vamps. Or rather for Jane. Won’t air her dirty laundry, but she tries to minimize how much she drinks. But drinking my blood is how I can see Tess.”

“I see.”

“Complicated,” I said.

“And you would need my blood were I to meet Tess? Outside of combat.”

“I—” I tried to speak. I glanced at Tess, “she wants to talk to you, too, but—” I trailed off.

“But?”

“But there's something in your blood. Makes it—fucked up.”

“Fucked up sounds bad.”

“It's good. Too good. And that's the problem. Nothing I want more than to tear into you right now.”

“I appreciate your restraint?”

I rolled my eyes, “You're welcome. Point is, can't see Tess without giving blood, and can't take your blood without giving into the fucking vampire urges.”

Daïna’s brow furrowed, “it is good my impression of you was not in error.”

“I aim to please. Not the same as meeting her in person, but I do repeat everything Tess says for those who can’t see her.” I listened, “really?” I rubbed the bridge of my nose, “Tess says ‘I’m a little teapot short and stout.’ —I am not doing the motions!”

Daïna, Dawn, and Tess all started laughing. The joy was infectious, and I couldn’t help but grin.

—*—

As always, I woke at dusk. I looked over to the other bed. Daïna lay with her head resting in her hand.

“You sleep like the dead, Little Pup.”

I rubbed my eyes as I sat up, “I am dead. Thanks for pointing that out. I’ve gotten the hang of keeping my body temperature up for Dawn’s sake.” I scowled at Daïna, "How long were you staring?”

“My apologies, Little Pup. I have never been in this close of proximity to a vampire outside of battle.”

I grunted, “take it all in.” I grabbed my clothes, and walked to the washroom to shower and get dressed.

I left the washroom at the same time as Dawn let herself and Tess in. I felt my connection with Tess snap back into place. I felt her press her head between my shoulder blades. Her arms wrapped around my chest as I finished drying my hair trying to math out how long they had been out. Seemed the could share the connection longer than last time. Should've been timing it. Get trend data. “Any luck with the hunters?”

“Yes and no.”

“Oh?”

Dawn sat to work her boots off, “Yeah. Trouble at home.”

“Is Greg okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. Chicago hunters don’t really have a command structure. Everyone’s just a hunter. But dad was the go-to voice of reason. De Facto leader.”

“I sense a ‘but’ coming.”

“But word of yours and my relationship is starting to get out. The others are starting to question his wisdom. Not staking the vamp dating his daughter, and babysitting a Thrall isn’t helping.” She shrugged, “which fair. Far as they’re concerned, you’re just a vampire. ‘Fore I met you, I never considered that one of them might not suck ass.”

I grunted, “you’d think they’d be thrilled we’re trying to save the person in the thrall.”

“Hunter ideology doesn’t really allow for nuance. And I’ll be the first to admit the sheepdog mentality gets in deep.”

“Forgive me for interrupting,” Daïna said, “but sheepdog mentality? What is?”

Dawn turned to look at her and answered, “Phrase originated around cops, but hunters tend to suffer from it, too. See ourselves as the first line of defence, charged with keeping the flock safe from wolves.”

Daïna quirked an eyebrow.

Dawn continued, “metaphorically. Point is, Hunters start to see ourselves as separate from the sheep, regular folk outside the know regarding vampires and shit. Above them. Even though we’re supposed to be their protectors. And when you start putting yourself above others, it’s easier to write off lives from that lofty position. It’s contradictory, but we start getting more okay with people getting hurt as long as vamps get got in the process.”

“Sounds like you’re speaking from personal experience,” I said.

Dawn gripped her elbow, and pulled her arm close to her core, “after mom— well. Dad was angry. I learned from him. I— we both have done things we’re not proud of in the hunt.”

I nodded. The hurt and anger in me had burned hot before Tess came back. No knowing what I might’ve been capable of if she hadn’t.

Dawn spoke again, “dad and I calmed down after a bit. Grief outweighing the rage. Got our shit together. Dad has done his best to keep everyone else in check since, but there’s still a lot of sheepdogs among the hunters.”

“Do you want to go back?” I asked, “to help Greg?”

Dawn shook her head. “No. Daisy is helping keep things calm, too. You and I heading back now would just fuel the fire.”

“If you find yourselves needing to remain in Canada for a time, ma meute can arrange accommodations. Outside of Toronto, of course. Still vampire territory, I fear.”

“Much appreciated,” Dawn said, “we’ll see how it shakes out down there after a bit. See if we need to take you up on your offer then.”

Daïna nodded, “and what of local hunters?”

“That’s the good news. Dad knew a guy from way back. I was too young to remember, I guess, but he said he’d make a call and arrange something for us. If he’s in the area. Guy moves around a lot, apparently. Should have something by tomorrow.”

“Strong work!” I said. I listened to Tess. I spoke for Daïna’s sake, “Tess says they also checked around for any sign of hunter havens. And if Toronto hunters have an online presence like the ones in Chicago, we haven’t found it yet.”

Dawn grabbed a blood bag from the fridge and tossed it to me. I drank as she spoke, “how do you plan on finding the vampires?”

I squeezed the last of the liquid between my lips, “not really, no. Back in Chicago, I found you first. Here? No idea where to start.” I looked to Daïna, “ideas?”

Daïna shrugged, “we should go clubbing.”

“Clubbing?” I asked.

Dawn crossed her arms over her chest.

“Yes, clubbing.” Daïna confirmed, “it is hunting ground for vampires. Where else is it expected for one to leave with a stranger?”

“Well shit,” I said, “I guess we're going clubbing? Haven't been to a club since I was in my 20s.”

“You do not like them?” Daïna asked.

I shook my head, “no. Too loud. Too crowded. Quiet evening at home was always more attractive. Expectation to drink aside.”

—*—

Tess hadn't been one for the club either, but since we were at our third club in as many nights, she was getting into the spirit of it, having clothed her ghostly form in a shorter skirt and a tighter top tighter than anything I had ever seen her wear in life. It was— she— just wow. Still did things to me, even in death. Even Daïna could sense it, and had asked if I was in heat. The cheeky grin Tess had while I was trying to explain that one was truly something to behold.

Inside, I had immediately gravitated to a booth near the wall. Farthest away from the speakers. Daïna was on the dance floor, having dressed up for the occasion almost as well as Tess. Though a little more sensibly. We were on the hunt afterall. Hard to chase a vamp in heels. I watched the crowd, and tried not to scowl. Sometimes a case would bring me to a place like this, but I was so far out of my element here, I must've been radiating discomfort. Or radiating something anyway. A guy, clearly drunk as shit, sat in Tess, and pushed his shoulder into mine.

“Hey sweet cheeks,” he said, spilling his beer onto my pants, “care to dance?”

Tess reappeared on my other side scowling at the guy as much as I was. I didn't answer, and just laid my hand on the table. The music drowned out the clack my wedding band made against the table, but I hoped it was enough to get the guy away.

“Just take it off,” he grabbed my hand, “just one night. Your husband won't care if he doesn't know!”

I grabbed his thumb, and bent it backwards. He spilled more beer. On himself this time, at least. I got close enough that a whisper could be heard over the thumping bass, “I'm gay, dick weed. Now piss off before I break your thumb and shove it so far up your ass, you'll be picking your nose with it.” I let go of his thumb with a gentle push away.

He obeyed, and returned to the dance floor after only a moment's considering towards starting something.

“Remember that dyke bar we went to?” Tess asked me.

“Yeah. That was for your, shit. What was it? 35th birthday?”

“Nah, just the 6th time I turned 29. But yeah, that's the one.”

I smiled at the joke, “that place wasn't so bad. At least the folk there respected the rings. Music was better, too.”

Tess nodded, “what was the name of that place?”

“‘The Dyker Bar. Can't forget a pun like that. Had the hot rod on the roof.”

“Ah! Right! How could I for—” she cut herself off, “hey, I think I found one.”

“What?”

“Dick weed who just spilled beer on you. Did it again on the dance floor, but the woman seems into it?”

“Well. I won't kink shame if that's what she's into, but if I were here looking for a meal, I'd take that as a sign. Can you get close? Check her out?”

Tess nodded and disappeared. She popped back a moment later, “most likely a vampire. Saw the fangs when she smiled at his bad joke. Either she's hunting, or she has awful taste.”

I shrugged, “we're both gay. Who knows what the straights see in men.” I slid out of the booth, and grimaced as the ass of my pants got wet with beer. Fucking shit. I wove my way through the dance floor and whispered in Daïna's ear, pointing out our mark. She nodded in acknowledgement. Per the plan, I left out the back door. We had decided this place was a likely haunt, given the poorly lit back alley.

Less than five minutes later my phone buzzed. A text from Daïna. Vamp and victim were leaving the same way I had. Confirmed by scent to be the undead. I pulled the shadows around myself and vanished from sight. The door banged open. Dick weed and the woman stumbled out, each seemingly trying to eat the other's face. They bounced into the far wall of the alley. The guy staggered. Drunk or drugged. Probably both. Too much beer, and whatever vampiric influence the woman was putting out didn't mix.

I fingered the syringe plunger in my pocket. A trick I had learned from Allysondra's goons. The rotting pig blood in the barrel anathema to vampires.

I stepped forward, the shroud breaking. The woman pulled her mouth away from the man's. She bared fangs. I grabbed his shirt and yanked him away. Guy was a dick, but no one deserved to be dinner for a vamp. The woman hissed at me. Why the fuck did vampires hiss? I never hissed. She charged, apparently hoping to swap one meal for another. I didn't have time to get the syringe out, so I just grabbed her neck and used her momentum to throw her against the far wall of the alley. Goddamn fucking vampire bullshit. She stuck to the wall like a spider. She hissed again, and started inching backwards up the wall. I considered my options. I was pretty sure I couldn't copy the wall climb move. But I wasn't alone. Daïna charged out the door and leapt, landing feet first on the wall behind me. She kicked off and flipped across the alley getting above the vampire and spiking her like a volleyball to the ground.

“Slick move,” I complimented, injecting the pig blood before the vampire could recover. Daïna and I had just gotten the vampire's arms over our shoulders when a bouncer poked his head out the door.

“Ce qui se passe?”

“Veuillez appeler un taxi. Notre ami est très ivre.” Daïna said. She tapped a shoe against the man's. Snoring loudly now. “Un pour lui aussi.”

The bouncer nodded, and moved back inside.

“I caught one word of that.”

“I asked him to call a cab for us.” Balancing our unconscious vampire, she dug her phone out, “but I'll call our personal cab now.”

Dawn had successfully found the local hunters the day prior, and arranged a contact for us in case Daïna, Tess, and I found a vamp. They had initially been wary of working with us, considering my existence as the enemy, but she had traded the pig blood tip for amnesty for me. A cab pulled up at the mouth of the alley. The passenger window rolled down. I bent over to look in, “you Mike?”

“Yeah,” the cabbie answered, “you the fucking blood sucker?”

“Wish I could say the one and only.”

Mike laughed, “never knew your type to have a sense of humour. Get in.”

The door locks clicked. We worked our kidnapee into the back seat. Her in the middle, with Daïna and I on either side. Unbeknownst to our driver, Tess took the front seat.

“Here, put this on.” Mike passed a trio of burlap bags to Daïna as he pulled away from the club and into the street.

“I don't think she needs one,” I said, “can attest from personal experience that she'll be out for hours.”

Mike shrugged, the motion making a barely perceptible wiggle in the steering wheel, “they're for you, too. Can't be too careful.”

I glanced at Tess. She nodded. She'd shout if Mike tried anything funny. I directed my best scowl at Mike, but obeyed, first slipping a bag over the unconscious vampire's head, then donning my own.

Daïna, who lacked the reassurance of Tess, leaned forward to speak with a menacing tone into Mike's ear, “do not try anything untoward. You will not survive the attempt.” She pulled the last bag over her own head.

The ride was short. Thirty minutes, tops. Tess called out street names as we made turns. Mike doubled back multiple times, extending the length of the journey, hoping to confound our sense of direction, no doubt. When we finally parked, we were assisted out of the vehicle and guided inside. The clatter of gravel indicated our vampire was still unconscious, and being dragged along. A heavy door shut, and metal slid along metal as a bar sealed us in. I tensed, waiting for a stake.

Tess rested a hand on my shoulder, “relax, love, doesn't look like any of them are going to attack.”

My nod was masked by the removal of the hood. We were in a warehouse. A big one. Had to guess, but I put the rows and rows of shelves at thirty feet tall. The ceiling another ten above that. Unbroken lines of fluorescent lights were central in each row, bathing every surface in so much light it gave the space an unreal, shadowless look. Filled me with a sense of unease. Wrongness. Our vampire had been seated in a chair, and the rattling chains echoed through the cavernous room. Not dissimilar to how I had woken up under Allysondra's care.

A bald man wearing a fur collar bomber jacket walked up to Daïna after inspecting the chains and locks. He held out a hand to shake, “you must be our new vampire friend, I'm Walter. Head of these buncha maroons!” He chuckled.

Daïna shook the proffered hand, “non. I am not a Vampire. Merely a friend of.” She took her hand back to gesture at me, “this is Jane.”

Walter rested his hands on his hips as he took me in, “thought vampires dressed sharper than that. You look like a detective from the 40s.”

I rolled my eyes, “I'm a detective from the now times, and this is how I've always dressed.”

Walter shrugged, “sure, sure. So the pig blood trick was yours?”

“Yeah. They were about as subtle as a brick to the head, but ran into a vampire hit squad kind of thing. Learned it from them, when they used it on me. A hell of a hangover.”

“Vamps put out hits on each other?”

“Their political machinations know no bounds.”

“Your friend there, Dawn, mentioned you were after a particular vampire. Political machinations?”

I grimaced, “fuck no. Straight up, uncomplicated revenge. Fucker I'm after is the one who killed my wife and turned me.”

“Well, at least everyone here will understand the motivation.”

“Glad to see we can all be reasonable. Hunters in Chicago shot first, asked questions third.”

“How do you know we're not biding our time?”

I shrugged, “I crash at dawn, Daïna doesn't. She'll keep an eye on my corpse while I nap.”

Walter glanced around the room, weighing the confidence in my words against the seven other hunters arranged around the room. “So how long will she be out?” He gestured at the limp woman in the chair.

“A few hours. Give or take a bit. Lasted about five hours for me.”

“Well then. Seems like we’ve got a bit of time.” He raised his voice, “anyone got a deck of cards?”

—*—

“Boss! She’s up.” One hunter who had opted out of a rousing round of poker to keep an eye on our charge said.

Walter used the opportunity to toss his losing hand onto the pot, “right then! You had some questions?”

I nodded, and stood. Laying the hand that was about to beat Walter’s on the table. Oh well. We had only been playing for quarters, anyway. “Yup.” I pulled my chair over to the vampire. The legs squealing against the unmarred concrete. I sat, and leaned forward, “mornin’ sunshine.”

She spat a wad of blood on the floor between my feet. “Fuck you, hunter.”

I grinned, letting my lips pull back. My fangs exposed, “oh, don’t get me wrong. I hunt, but I’m not a hunter.”

She scowled, “so what are you hunting? Not prey, apparently.”

“One vamp in particular. Know a Timothy Collier?”

She rolled her eyes, “we don’t all know each other.”

“Sure, but worth a shot. Back home I met royalty. Y’all have a similar system up here in the great white north?”

“Yeah. She’s on all our fucking bills.”

“Nice try. Not that royalty. Vampire.”

“What’s in it for me?”

“Shit, I won’t stake you, and leave you out to praise the fucking sun.”

A nervous look crossed her face for just a moment before regaining her composure, “not exactly a hard bargain.”

“I don’t fucking like vampires. My best offer is a quick death, and if you don’t tell me what I want to know, I’ll find another vamp who will.”

“How can you hate what you are?”

I barked out a short, sharp laugh. “How'd you get turned?”

She was silent a moment as she took in my expression, “my boyfriend. He was really into occult stuff. When he came back from the war, he was— different. And he offered me strength. Power. Everlasting life.”

“And you jumped at the chance? Didn't even ask what it cost, did you?”

She pursed her lips, “— No.”

“Do you know what it cost me?”

“I—”

I cut her off, leaning forward, “fucking everything. The fucking prick who turned me left me to kill my wife in the turning frenzy. I'm going to find him, and stake him. I've tracked him this far, and it's in the best interest of you and yours to point him out.”

“Sure doesn’t seem like you care about my best interest.”

“Look, I'm either going to kill just my fucking sire, or I’m going to kill my fucking sire after leaving a trail of fucking vampire bodies behind. So you’re going to tell me what the local vamp hierarchy looks like so I can move on from you, and break more prestigious kneecaps.”

“Most of us would play the game. Trade for the information you want. Not make crass threats.”

I shrugged, “I'm not one of you.”

“Believe what you want, but I'm playing the game. I'll tell you what you want if you promise me safety.”

“And who's going to keep everyone safe from you? Vampires are irredeemable.”

“You're a vampire too, you dumb bitch. Are you irredeemable? If we vampires are so irredeemable, why don’t you just fucking stake yourself and be done with it?”

That hit me. Was I irredeemable? “I’ll admit, I considered doing just that. But can’t go just yet. Unfinished business. Whether or not I’m redeemable? Well, I try not to think on that too hard. Just trying to make my little slice of world suck a little less by taking out as many vamps as possible.”

“You're fucked up.”

“Been called worse by better.”

“Information for safety.”

“Not my city. It's theirs,” I nodded my head back at the room of hunters, “once you're out the door, you're their problem.”

“Good enough. Casa Loma.”

“Tourist trap,” Walter called out.

“Tourist trap during the day. By night, King Duncan holds court.”

For a moment I considered staking her. Hadn’t yet met a vamp I hadn’t wanted to kill. But— I was redeemable. I hoped. Who was I to pass judgment on all vampire kind? I grabbed the lock and ripped it open, the shorn metal hot against my palm, “if you're lying, I'll find you.”

She stood, and shook the chains off. She rubbed her wrists, and took in the room. She sprinted for the door and out of the building.

Walter made eye contact with me, and quirked an eyebrow, “has anyone told you you're really intense?”

“Can't say that it happens on the reg.”

He jerked a thumb over his shoulder, “gonna just let her run? She’ll learn where we gather.”

I checked my watch, “less than twenty minutes before dawn. She's not getting far. But speaking of Dawn, do you trust a fellow hunter with your address here, or can one of yours pick her up?”

Walter nodded towards our previous driver. He walked out a different door.

“Now,” I said, “is there somewhere I can sleep the day away?”

“Yeah. Office in the back.” He pointed.

“Thanks.”

I closed the office door, sealing myself off from the hunters. Daïna and Tess to keep me company. I tossed my hat onto the desk, and leaned over it. Palms flat on the surface. I didn't breathe, but I forced my lungs through the motion. Trying to take solace in what had once been an unconscious act. I felt Tess press against my back.

I listened to Tess, and answered, “Not really, no. I don't know.”

“Private conversation? I can leave.”

I shared a glance with Tess, “sorry, no. It's fine. My fault for not repeating for her. She asked if I was okay.”

“And you say you are not?”

I pushed my hat to the side to make room and sat on the desk, “not sure. It's— fuck. Got a lot going on. It's complicated. Just—” I ran a hand back through my hair, “she just got under my skin. Irredeemable. Always thought I was a good enough person in life. Shits just gotten morally complicated. My philosophy on life has always been least harm, most good. But I never had to factor vampires into that before. Killing my sire specifically is without doubt a good, but what about all the other vampires? If I figure every vamp is worth staking on sight, does that mean I’m on the same level? Deserving a stake?”

Daïna moved to sit on the desk next to me, “A quandary to be sure.” she said, “I admit we loup-garou have always had a stark view on vampires. One most hunters share, I imagine. A view you yourself have brought into question. We have not known each other long, Jane. But before last week I could’ve never imagined myself having a civil conversation with a vampire. I would imagine your partners would be in consensus that you are not deserving of final death.”

I smiled, “to be fair, Dawn did try to kill me.”

Both Daïna and Tess chuckled at that.

I listened, and repeated for Tess, “Tess says you’re right, though. She, at least, agrees I haven’t done anything deserving of that.”

“The way you say that,” Daïna said, “makes me suspect you do not share the sentiment yourself.”

I shook my head with a mirthless chuckle. “I don’t think I do, no. I’m self aware enough to know I’ve got a mountain of self loathing up here.” I tapped my temple to emphasize the point. “I know I’m a deeply broken and unwell person. Can’t help but blame myself for every shitty thing that’s happened.”

“I understand the feeling, Jane.” Daïna said, reassuring. “I am responsible for the safety of hundreds of loup-garou. It is challenging to avoid self blame when things go awry. All we can do is the best we can do. No changing what’s been done, but we can set the course for what’s to come.”

I forced my lungs through the motion of a heavy sigh. I listened to Tess and smiled. I repeated her words, “Tess says if I'm going to be charting any courses for the future I can't be going on staking myself.” I chuckled, “she's right, of course. Just haven't really considered the future since I got turned. Gonna try to not worry too much about what's to come until after my sire is six feet under.”

“A fine plan, Little Pup. Live in the moment.”

“Ah, I hope Tess or Dawn don’t pick up that nickname, too. No scheming on that while I'm out, yeah?”

Daïna grinned, and hopped forward off the desk.

I listened to Tess and relayed to Daïna, “Tess says she could use someone to speak for her when Dawn gets in.” I paused as Tess continued, “if you're willing of course. No pressure.”

Daïna pressed a finger to her lips in thought, “you mentioned that this connection to your spouse requires blood?”

I nodded, “though I hope yours doesn't keep me up. Feels like taking pure caffeine.”

“You also mentioned you do not like engaging in, ah, vampiric urges, was your wording I believe.”

“I really don't, no. But it would be real shitty to keep Tess from talking to anyone but me. Especially since she doesn't sleep when I do.”

Daïna nodded. She held up one hand, pointer extended. The nail reshaped itself into a thick wolf claw. She drew the claw through the flesh of her other wrist, red flowed. She held it out to me. I placed my mouth over the wound before a drop could be wasted on the floor. I drank of her. Her life flowed into me. As before, I felt myself ramp up. The urge to run a marathon warring with the sensation of the coming dawn. I ran my tongue over the wound, sealing it.

“The tongue was unnecessary,” Daïna said, “I believe I heal faster than you.”

“Shit. Sorry,” I said. Newly acquired blood rushing to my cheeks to put my embarrassment on display.

“Forgiven, Little Pup. I suppose that's why vampires are romanticized so in myth.”

I nodded, and lay back on the desk. I placed my hat over my face as Daïna turned to properly introduce herself to my wife. Outside, the sun crested the horizon. I slept like the dead.