The Vampire Sands Blood Brotherhood

thevampiresands @ 2005-08-17T19:23:00

2005-08-18T02:24:29Z

Night 6 part 5 c

"Don't know why they even bothered to call us," the first one replied as he shut the van's back doors.

"Should've called for the body bags right away. Stupid kids," the other replied as he put the key in the ignition.

Victoria unconsciously tighten her grip around Sands' arm.

"It's all right." He tightened his grip around her shoulders and smiled briefly before returning to his stoic gaze.

One block before the club and the police tape was still hung. Agnes motioned to turn and the small group headed down an alleyway to a public lot. Abberline and Agnes stopped before Charlie's car. Abberline rubbed his hands furiously. He knew the police were watching.

"Hurry up mate, I'm freezing me arse off!" he shouted towards Sands.

"Get your girl to warm it for ya," Sands waved on. Agnes wrapped her arms around Abberline and snuggled, as Sands fished through his pockets for the keys Victoria had given him. He unlocked the car and opened the door for Victoria to slide in the back. When all were safely inside Sands murmured, "This is a piece of junk." They all laughed nervously.

He looked from the window to Victoria. He liked the way she looked, all in black. When they were done working tonight, he wanted to be with her. Alone. How could he lose Abberline? His gaze roved to the back of Abberline's head.

His reverie was interrupted by the vibrating of his cell phone. He plucked it out of his pocket, looked at the caller ID, and a feeling like cold water went down his spine.

Flipping it open, he answered in a calm, controlled drawl. "Hello."

The others in the car could all hear the voice on the other end.

"Officer Sands? This is Officer Douglas Carlyle."

The man was a stranger to him. "What can I do for you, Officer Carlyle?" There could be only one reason they were calling from Langly: Someone had ID'd him at the club.

"Just checking in, sir," Carlyle lied.

"I don't supposed you know if they've found that traitor, Pappas, or not," Sands slipped in.

Victoria had a look of puzzlement across her face, even Agnes had turned around to watch him as he spoke.

"Ah, I have no information on that," Carlyle replied. "If you would like, I can pass your request for information on to my superiors."

"They already have my 'request.' Is there a reason you're checking in, Officer Carlyle?"

"Just a courtesy call," Carlyle answered too quickly.

"Like shit," Sands said in a friendly voice. "Something is up and you think I know something about it. Well, tell those dickheads you work for that they shouldn't have put me out to pasture just because I'm blind. You don't need eyes to think."

"No, sir. I will sir." The young officer obviously had not been briefed on him.

"Good bye, Officer Carlyle." Sands hit the end button and snapped the phone shut.

"Trouble in the office?" Abberline politely questioned. He knew Sands' colorful past would catch up with him someday.

Sands slid the phone back into his jacket pocket. "I imagine that they had cameras in the club and my face popped up in a computer recognition file," Sands said casually. "I hope the rest of you are living beyond the light as it were. My eyes are my alibi."

"Living beyond the light?" Victoria questioned as she lightly touched the back of his arm, "What do you mean?"

A smile lit Sands' face. "Why, sugarbutt, what do you think it means?"

Victoria blinked, a strange smile appeared across her face. At times, he loved her naiveté. "Do you mean living in a cave?" her smile grew.

"No, I mean you're out of the spotlight. There's no record of your prints, your face, you can't be identified that way." His smile widened. "But you have been living in a cave."

She laughed and turned to look out the passenger window. He liked the sound of her laugh. "How long before we get to Weatherton House?" Victoria asked. "I can't wait to see your brother's face when I show up on his doorstep tonight."

"Not long. This time of night, with no traffic on the roads we should be there in twenty minutes, providing of course this bucket of bolts doesn't fall apart first." Agnes smiled casually, her eyes twinkling. "And don't worry about my brother, Abberline and I will handle everything."

"Oh, yes," Abberline muttered without enthusiasm.

Sands winked at Victoria. "Freddie, weren't you and Weatherton chums a few decades back?"

"Oh, Sands, you are a naughty boy," Agnes chided.

Victoria looked baffled. She mouthed "What?" toward Sands, who was restraining, barely, a Cheshire cat grin.

"Sands, don't be a bore," Abberline threw toward the back seat.

Sands was feeling more relaxed now and continued to chide Abberline. "Oh yes Victoria the two of them were quite close." He slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her a little closer. Victoria smiled but inside she was confused. This was a very different Sands from club, this was the Sands she knew. "Go on, tell me more."

"You stop that now, Sands," Agnes ordered. "I'm sure Roderick will not hold a grudge after all this time." She looked over at Abberline with a sympathetic smile.

"Abberline won Lilith's heart," Sands said in a stage whisper. "Weatherton had fancied himself her suitor of choice."

"He underestimated Freddie," Agnes said happily. "My dear brother often has a too lofty opinion of himself."

Abberline sat quietly, saying nothing.

The car trip went by quickly and soon the tires of the old, batter Honda Accord were grinding across the gravel drive of Weatherton House. The windows sparkled in the darkness, tiny beacons of light against the night sky.

Victoria could see figure walk past the glass as Abberline stopped the vehicle. Sands opened the door and held out his hand for Victoria to slide out. He noticed that she gripped it a little more tightly than usual. Sands pulled her into an embrace and brushed his lips across her ear. "Don't worry sugerbutt, I won't let anything happen to you."

She looked up into his face, framed by unruly, long brown hair. His eyes sparkled with mischief and there was no tension now.

Agnes walked up and pulled Victoria's arm. "Come with me and let Abberline do the talking." She smiled and patted Victoria's arm, she turned and cast a worried glance at Sands, who ran his hand through his hair and shrugged his shoulders.

Before they were even to the large door, there stood Roderick Weatherton hands casually stuffed into his pockets, his face stern and dark.

"Hello, Weatherton," Abberline said, coming to a halt just a foot away from the unmoving vampire. "We had a little encounter this evening."

"It's all over the police bands," Roderick said, his gaze going from Abberline to the others. He appeared to recognize Sands. "Oh, Sands. Now I understand."

"It was not Sands," Abberline spoke up, his voice level. "We were flooded with the young ones."

"They would have killed us," Agnes added.

"It was them or us," Abberline finished his thought.

Sands stood, smiling up at Weatherton, as if nothing was wrong. Victoria looked from Weatherton's dark expression to Sands' sunny smile, and wondered what was going on between these two.

You look terrible Fredrick", Weatherton clicked his tongue and twitched his lips as he took in the gothic attire and heavily blacken eyes. There was a period of silence where everyone sized up the situation before Weatherton continued. "Well what do you want?" he questioned.

"I believe that it obvious," Abberline replied dryly.

Agnes stepped forward pulling Victoria along.

"Now dear sister where do you think you're going?" Weatherton turned his head slowly and took a slight step to block the door.

"Victoria and I are tired and we would like very much to get cleaned up."

Victoria stopped breathing, the siblings gazes dug into one another.

"So, we're all friends then," Sands said, totally ignoring the hostility. "That's good." He started up the steps. "Weatherton, I'd like to have a word with your Guardians about what we encountered tonight. Oh, and we lost one."

"Lost one?" Weatherton echoed.

"What's his name Agnes? Charlie?"

"Charlie," Abberline repeated, flipping the keys to Charlie's car in Weatherton's direction. The other vampire caught them and turned back to Agnes.

"You lost Charlie?"

Agnes nodded and pushed past her brother. Sands watched as Agnes hurried up the stairs.

"Well Roderick why don't we retire to the privacy of your study where the three of us can have a bit of Brandy and discuss the evenings events," Abberline stepped into the house. "Especially why you seem to think my darling Victoria is a spy? Hmmm." Abberline's comment drew his attention. "Come along Sands." Abberline gestured with his head. nodding in the direction Roderick Weatherton's study.

Sands pouted. "I can't go with the ladies?"

"No," Abberline said.

"What about the Guardians?"

"Later."

Sands' dark eyes rose to meet Victoria's. "I will see you later," he mouthed.

"I have to wonder," Sands began cheerfully as he followed the two clan leaders up into the house, "why the Guardians didn't come to our aid tonight. Where were they, anyway?"

Roderick did not reply until the door to his study was tightly shut. He walked over to the small bar and poured three brandies into Waterford crystal snifters. "Well?" Sands questioned and he dropped himself into a large, leather wingchair. He knew he was annoying Weatherton and the though gave him pleasure.

"I didn't think their presence was necessary. After all, tonight was only supposed to a fact gathering mission. I was not expecting combat." Weatherton handed a glass to Abberline and then presented Sands' glass with what appeared to be a sneer.

"As it turns out, we did nicely without them," Abberline said quietly.

Yes," Weatherton replied quietly, "So the police scanners reported." He sipped his brandy and his eyes shifted to Sands who gave a large cheesy smile and raised his snifter.

"Cheers."

"It is something of a shame that we lost Charlie. I did not have a chance to meet him," Abberline said slowly, his gaze riveted on Weatherton. "Why do you think he took off?"

"Charlie? " Weatherton looked confused for a brief moment and then bristled. "He did not take off. Charlie Updike is one of my most trusted Guardians. Obviously he has been captured."

Sands watched Weatherton's response and quickly raised an eye brow in Abberline's direction. Abberline smiled pleasantly. "Of course."

Victoria returned to the same room she had occupied earlier. "I'll send someone down to the car to retrieve your bag." Agnes smiled, "Don't worry about my brother, after all it's my house too."

Victoria smiled.

"Go take a shower. You'll feel better." Agnes closed the door and once again Victoria was alone.

She rolled her neck as she turned to face the large bed. Very slowly, a smile began to tug at her lips as she imagined Sands on that bed.

She would feel better after a hot shower.

Victoria stood in front of the large window, draped in a silken robe and absentmindedly running a brush through her wet hair. She gazed out across the well manicured lawns of Weatherton house. Occasionally she saw a guard past in the distance. Agnes was right she felt better, but the images in her mind where clawing to get out. The club, Charlie, Sands' reaction to her presence, the thoughts made her restless. What could those men be talking about! How long did it take to relate the evening's events?

"The point is," Abberline said, his voice cold, his hand up with three fingers, "One, if your Guardians knew we were under attack and did nothing to assist, then they were putting us and your own sister at risk. And, Two, if they didn't know, why didn't they know? And Three, if Mr. Updike is one of them, why didn't he stick around to assist us?"

"Are you accusing me of something Fredrick?" Weatherton's blue eyes gave Abberline an icy stare.

Abberline straighten in his chair. "No, Roderick I'm not accusing you of anything," Abberline paused, "Just wondering why you seem to be out of the loop per say."

Sands smiled, things were getting good.

thevampiresands @ 2005-08-17T19:22:00

2005-08-18T02:23:22Z

Night 6 part 5 b

Night 6 part 5b
This new revelation bothered her, how strong was he? She watched him closely and realized how dangerous he truly was, she would never be able to sense him, unless he wanted her too.

"Victoria?" Abberline called her name and drew her attentions back across the table. "Who is Charlie?"

Agnes interjected, "Oh, he's me mate from Weatherton house, he's one of the Guardians and he's been real nice to Victoria since she arrived. But we lost track of him at the club." Agnes' pouting lips frowned slightly as she spoke.

"I assume everyone is real nice to Victoria," Abberline smiled charmingly, "but it's a relief to hear he's trained as a Guardian. Wherever he ended up, I'm sure he's safe."

Sands sat, scanning the room, totally silent, but Victoria knew him well enough that she could pick up the subtle signs of tenseness in him. The muscles in his jaw were practically clenched. His hands rested too still on the table top, and his posture was totally straight, as if he were just waiting for a signal to spring upwards into action.

The threat was unnerving her. She wondered if the young vampires, another wave of them anyway, might show up in this friendly old pub. The mayhem would be horrific. She realized her own jaw was clenched, her spine unnaturally straight. 'Calm down,' she told herself.

At that moment the waitress returned with a tray full of dark ale and passed the pints around the table. "Signal when your ready for another round, dearies." She winked and bounced off.

"So what the plan?" Victoria asked Abberline as she took a long sip from her glass.

"I'd like to go back to the club later to see if Charlie shows up," Agnes interrupted. "I don't think we'll find Charlie, but his car will be there."
From one of her pockets Agnes produced a set of car keys. "I found these on the ground outside the club."

Victoria's eyes widened, well at least I can get my clothes she thought.

"They're not coming," Abberline announced, drawing everyone's attention. He sat, both hands on his beer, but his gaze miles away.

"What?" Sands asked.

"They're not coming again tonight," Abberline said, blinking, then looking at Sands. "It's over for the night."

"He says so?" Sands asked.

"No, I say so," Abberline responded with a small, almost sad smile.

Victoria watched Sands change before her eyes. He took a deep breath, then relaxed back into the booth.

"He?" Agnes asked, as she looked at Victoria. Victoria gave a little shrug and felt Sands' thigh lean familiarly into her own as he took a good long drink from his ale.

"I almost forgot about this," Abberline said softly, looking at his ale. "It just doesn't taste this good in the states, does it?"

"No," Sands agreed.

"So you've lived in England?" Agnes asked Sands.

"I am from England," he told her.

"Oh, I hadn't realized." She looked at Victoria. "And you, you're from here, too?"

"No, the Bayou." she responded softly.

"Oh you're a colonist," Agnes replied cheerfully.

Victoria set down her ale with a frown. "No, earlier than that." There was a note of sarcasm in her voice. Sands laughed lightly at her response. Victoria turned to looked at him and he gazed back, there was the warmth she had become accustom to in the last few weeks and then she could sense his presences suddenly. It must have reflected in her eyes.

"Is there something wrong Victoria?" Sands asked a note of concern creeping into his voice.

"No, " Victoria said as she took another sip of ale, things had been too strange, she was keeping her guard up.

"Agnes, you should never refer to Americans as Colonists," Abberline continued on the subject. "After all, they have been Americans for over 200 years now. You are being stubborn."

"Stubborn?" Agnes echoed. "I guess I am. I'm stubborn about a lot of things." She smiled at Abberline. "I still have not forgiven Lilith for luring you away to New York."

"I could not have been lured if I wasn't ready to be lured," he told her.

It suddenly struck Victoria that Agnes and Abberline had a history.

"You two know each other?" she asked, a melodic tone to her voice.

"Oh yes V, Abberline and I go way back." Agnes laughed and the two of them clinked glasses.

Victoria smiled and then turned her head towards Sands leaning into his dark tangled hair towards his earlobe. "I was worried about you," she said softly so only he could hear and then slowly turned to take another sip.

"Then you know how I felt when I saw you at the club," he told her. "We knew it was the perfect place for the young and unsuspecting to get snared." He looked down into her eyes. "Do you know everything that's been happening?"

She could feel herself melt under his gaze. "Yes, Roderick Weatherton allowed me to read all the information his house had gathered on the situation before he threw me out."
Abberline suddenly tapped the table with his knuckles and when Victoria turned, she saw his eyes narrowed, looking into Sands'. The two had some sort of secret, she understood, but what it had to do with the young vampires and Weatherton's Clan, she did not understand.

"Yes, let's not talk business here," Agnes agreed. Obviously, sitting where she was, she could not see the expression on Abberline's face, Victoria realized. And he sat where he had for a purpose, on the other side of Victoria.

"Maybe we can clean this mess up," Sands said almost causally.

"How?" Victoria asked resting her hand upon her thigh. "To do that you would have to know who was the cause of all the trouble. Agnes and her Guardians have been working on the problem for months with no success." Victoria leaned back into the booth, apparently relaxing.

Abberline raised his hand in the air, signaling to the waitress who smiled through the crowd and nodded her head in understanding. Soon she reappeared at their booth another round of the warm, dark ale in tow. Abberline pulled out a couple of bills and placed them on her tray as she removed the glasses, "Thank you, dearie," she beamed.

Abberline nodded briefly. Victoria studied his face waiting for an answer to her inquiry of their next move. She knew what she'd like it to be: To hop on that private plane and head right back to New York.

Sands quickly scooped up his pint. "If I'd known you were buying, I would've had more than just an ale. Cheers." Sands jested as he raised his glass to his lips. Abberline and Agnes followed suit. Victoria however, slid her hand across the table reaching for Charlie's keys.

As her fingers closed about them, Sands' hand shot out and held hers gently yet firmly in place as his pint hit the table, "What's going on in that head of yours Victoria?" he asked as he watched her keenly with those dark brown eyes. She noticed how he sat up straight as a board, his muscles tensed once again.

Startled by his reaction, she flushed. "What?" She tried to pull her hand away, but Sands smiled and squeezed it again.

"What are you planning to do with those?" He nodded to the object locked under their hands on the table, Charlie's keys.

"I was thinking about fetching my belongings from the trunk of Charlie's car." Victoria made a conscious effort to appear soft and inviting. She leaned her shoulder closer to his chest. "All my clothes, weapons, everything are in that trunk and you can't expect me to go around London dressed like this all the time."

Sands eyes dropped to the front of her bodice. Despite her attempts to clean herself up, there were a few blood splatters remaining. Victoria looked deeply into his eyes and gently rubbed her hand against his thigh with the hand she had slipped under the table top.

"Victoria, do you understand how dangerous it is out there?" he questioned and shot a quick glance to Abberline.

"Of course I do," she said with a slight frown continuing to rub his thigh. "I certainly wasn't thinking of going alone."

"Victoria has a good point," Abberline interjected. In surprise, both sets of eyes turned to meet his. Abberline set his pint on the table and folded his hands gracefully. "She can't go alone. For that matter none of us should go anywhere without each other. It's to dangerous. But I feel the young ones won't be foolish enough to attack if we are together."

"Fine," Sands acquiesced. "We'll take the ladies to the hotel and then you and I will retrieve Victoria's belongings." Victoria opened her mouth to speak.

"Now wait a minute, luv," Agnes protested loudly, her blue eyes flashed angrily. "I don't intend to be left at any hotel. Beside you don't even know what Charlie's car looks like."

Abberline raised his hand and Sands shifted his attention from Victoria to him.

"You and I cannot shield their presence. I'm afraid the hotel is no longer an option." he said calmly. "We will have to find other accommodations."

Agnes crossed her arms against her chest. "That's easy enough. Come back to Weatherton House."

Victoria stopped rubbing Sands' thigh.

"I can't go back there," Victoria protested," Your brother excommunicated me, remember."

"It's my house too, and I'm sure when Abberline shows up on the front step, Roderick will not be able to say no." She smiled triumphantly.

"Your brother is going to be angry." Abberline smiled mischievously," but I'm sure he will see things my way. Victoria will fetch her belongings and then we'll take Charlie's car to the hotel to gather our own." He nodded towards Sands, "Then we'll set off for the clan house. That is perhaps the safest location at the moment."

"Well then, it's settled," Agnes stated as she reached for her glass. "Drink up all."

"For the record," Sands interjected, "I don't like the idea of heading back to the club right now."

"Finish your drink," Agnes firmly instructed.

Defeated Sands turned his eyes back to Victoria. "I'll take the keys." He felt her release them immediately.

The group finished their drinks and headed out of the pub. The fog had grown thicker. This time they walked at a human's pace back to the Goth club. It was at least two miles away. Abberline and Agnes lead the way, the two politely conversing as they walked. Victoria and Sands followed, her arm interlaced with his and his other arm protectively around her shoulders.

They walked in silence for a few blocks before he spoke. "I'm not happy you're here," he stated, his eyes scanning the darkness.

Victoria frowned. "You'll have to bring it up with Lilith. It was her idea to send me here." She fixed him with her green eyes.

"Believe me I will." There was a dark tone in his voice. Victoria decided to be silent and watchful. There weren't too many people on the street due to the heavy fog and as close as she could tell it was probably around 1:00 a.m.

"You two are awfully quiet back there." Abberline called as he turned his head slightly over his shoulder.

"Just doing my job," Sands said back.

"I told you there would be no more trouble tonight."

Victoria felt Sands' arm tense.

"Don't tell me how to do my job," Sands barked.

Abberline stopped in his tracks, Agnes rolled her eyes and keep walking slowly. Victoria's eyes widened and held her breath. "Sir," he added sarcastically. Abberline regained his motion. No one spoke for several blocks.

By the time they reached the club, the last of the ambulances were packing up for the evening. Even though they were still two blocks away, Victoria heard the hushed conversations as they slowly approached. "Never saw anything like that," a fat paramedic stated nervously as he rub the back of his neck.

"Dumb kids," the taller one replied. "They ripped each other apart."

thevampiresands @ 2005-08-17T19:21:00

2005-08-18T02:22:06Z

Night 6 part 5 a

Night 6 part 5 a
6 Part 5

Victoria's fingers tensed against Sands' chest. Now she could sense it; the elder vampire's presence. His power filled the room breaking against her psyche like water against the shore. Victoria staggered, but quickly caught herself. She suddenly felt as if there was a huge weight pressing against her chest crushing her. Shaken, Victoria looked into Sands' eyes, her own green eyes lost and confused trying to make sense of the knowledge that they were in great danger. He fixed her with his gaze, but there was something strange about his it: It was vacant; empty. She saw none of the warmth that those soft brown orbs usually contained when he looked at her.

She bit her lip, full of regret and shut her eyes tightly against his hallow stare. He was working, and she, having been manipulated into the situation, was behaving badly. She hated feeling this way, angry, jealous, fragile, lost. She made a mental note to keep her emotions in check, as she had so carefully done for many years. Victoria breathed and her expression changed with her outlook.

She shut her eyes ashamed and lowered her voice, "I'm sorry I shouldn't be here," her voice cracked, "I came here with Agnes and Charlie trying to help the English Guardians contain their little problem." But as soon as she spoke the words, she realized the danger they were all in. Agnes was with Abberline, but Charlie was alone! Dropping her hands she turned quickly, Sands caught her by the wrist and held her.

"Charlie?" Sands questioned, the placid mask he wore began to break.

"He's alone, he doesn't know about the elder vampire, we have to warn him!" Victoria stressed.

She turned her head and felt Sands release his grip. Victoria quickly made her way to the archway. The power of this one was great and she was more than a little frightened. This vampire was more powerful than Viscalli, whom they had tangled with not so long ago. Viscalli was like a child compare to this one.

Victoria parted the curtain and closed her mind as best as she could. It was like barricading a door with a settee, but it was the best she could do.

She began scanning the room. "Charlie's easy to spot, " Victoria began turning her eyes momentarily to Sands. But he was not there! Victoria spun around. Sands was nowhere to be seen. Sands had vanished!

Her heart began to race. The need to have their small ban together before anything else happened intensified. Victoria scanned the room with her eyes once more and found Agnes at the bar with Abberline, and Agnes waved. Victoria let out a sigh of relief and headed quickly to the pair.

Victoria let out a sigh of relief and headed quickly to the pair. "Agnes have you seen Charlie?" she asked urgently.

"No luv, I haven't." Agnes replied. Victoria turned her attentions to Abberline.

"Sir, Sands disappeared."

"What?" Abberline's voice was fierce. "Disappeared?"

"Yes, one moment he was behind me and the next he was gone. And sir, I feel the elder now, he's here and our companion Charlie is alone. He could be in great danger, we must find him." For one moment she thought she caught a trace of a faint smile on Abberline's lips.

"Don't worry about Charlie. He can take care of himself, especially among humans." Agnes said casually as she set her drink on the bar.

"Yes, that may be true," Abberline interjected, "If there were only humans here, but we have company." Abberline frowned and his head nodding towards the door.

Twenty young vampires were making their way past security and the one in the lead had just locked his eyes on them and smiled wickedly. The vampire was small and thin with greasy black hair. He was wearing a highwayman's cloak with the collar pulled up dramatically. The others poured in behind him and as each young vampire entered the club, they locked eyes with Abberline, Victoria and Agnes. After all, they were elder vampires and according the to the file Victoria had read at Weatherton's mansion, the young vampires traveled in packs, sought out older vampires and drained them dry, perhaps in a failed attempt to gain power and strength.

"I think we're in trouble," Agnes moaned.

"Yes, perhaps we are," Abberline coolly stated as he slipped his hand into his side pocket. The motion caught Victoria's eye.

"I hope you have more than a handkerchief in there." Victoria questioned. Abberline nodded once in response.

The last of the vampires made their way past security and entered the main room. He was a tall with short dark hair that with an out-of-place look to it. He folded his arms as a tall dark woman slid up along side of him. Her long hair had been straighten and the tips dyed a dark purple. They were obviously in control.

The group began a slow progression through out the bar. Lining the walls, attempting to block exits and encircling them.

"Stay calm, smile, but be ready for anything." Abberline whispered.

Victoria placed her hand on her hip and took one step back, clearly indicating who their leader was.

The young pair walked forward and stopped five feet in front of them. Victoria scanned their thoughts; their minds swarmed with thoughts of power, destruction, death and revenge. The girl who seemed to be in her early twenties wrapped herself around the arm of the boy who was no more than eighteen.

"We are lucky tonight Tamika," he spoke to the woman but his eyes remained locked with Abberline's. Victoria looked deeper into his mind for identity of the vampire responsible for turning this brood. Victoria saw images of an alley and a group of boys spray painting a wall and smoking pot. Then there was running, footsteps splashing into puddles and screaming as he ran. Next Victoria caught a glimpse of him being thrust up against a brick wall and then the bite. There was no face. Clearly he did not know the vampire who had turned him. Finally the terror as he awoke in the ground. His fingers clawing through loose soil and his first gasp of night air. The fear and the terrible hunger that filled him, and still no face. No knowledge of his master.

"Yes Staker, dat we are." Victoria's attention turned to the woman with her Caribbean accent.

"Tonight we have found not one old one to dine upon, but three."

Victoria narrowed her gaze and stared intensely at the boy of eighteen who believed he would be able to feast on her blood. Her anger rose. Where was Sands? He would be extremely useful in this situation.

She heard a strange soft puffing sound then, even as Victoria watched, something totally bizarre happened before her eyes. The eyes of the youthful leader of the young pack opened wide, his hands went to his chest. His knees buckled and he fell to the ground. Tamkia, purple hair and all, repeated the strange behavior, falling down beside him.

It was only after Tamkia fell that Victoria noticed the backs of both of the newly turned vampires were covered in blood, as if they'd been shot. Her head snapped up and she searched the room for Sands.

A wild pandemonium broke lose as the young vampire pack realized something had gone terribly wrong. The club's patrons began to scream, going under tables, running for exits. A few turned to run for the front door, seeking an exit no doubt. Three more of the vampires went, just as Tamika and her fallen leader had.

Her mouth open in surprise, Victoria heard more puffing sounds and looked at Abberline. He stood with a handgun in his grip, targeting the young vampires one after another.

Victoria's mind jumped to the conclusion that Sands was out there, somewhere, somehow out of sight, shooting the vampires.

"What in the world is going on?" Agnes asked, bewildered.

Victoria's hand shot out and grabbed Agnes by the wrist pulling her down into a low crouch. Victoria drew her gun with the other hand and aimed at the small vampire in the highwayman's cloak. Her bullet caught him between the eyes and he fit the floor inches from Agnes heel. "The usual," Victoria quipped, "Make sure these children stay down." Agnes nodded her head in understanding.

Agnes pulled a knife from somewhere in her bodice. Victoria smiled and aimed at another angry child rushing towards them.

"Well, I feel rather superfluous," Abberline quipped. He stood, gun in hand, watching the young vampires as they were cut down in rapid succession. "He always was a good shot. Do either of you have stakes?"

Victoria stood, lifting her skirts to holster her weapon. "No, I don't but we can make them." She reached for a nearby chair that had been turned head over heel when the shooting started and smashed it on the floor. "Now we have stakes."

Agnes laughed and wiped her knife on the highwayman's cloak tossing back her dark curls. "That'll be easier."

Victoria grabbed up a stake and went to work on the girl with the Caribbean accent.

"There's going to be a lot of police her very soon," Abberline told Victoria and Agnes. "We will need to leave the moment this is contained." His gun was no longer in sight. "I'll help. Nasty work, this is."

He pulled another leg of the chair, and headed towards the stage area.

Despite the screams, the loud music continued on in the background, giving Victoria the impression of a bad horror flick come to life. No matter how fastidious she was, she got blood on her hands, her shoes, even her skirt. As she staked the vampires who had fallen prey to Sands' shooting, her anger at the elder vampire who brought this all about grew until she was frowning and seething with it.

They were too young and their making was careless. Her hair fell lose and she pushed it away with the back of her hand leaving a smear of blood across her cheek. She heard a rumbling sound behind her and quickly drew her weapon as she turned. A young girl, fangs exposed rushed towards her screaming. Victoria pulled the trigger and the girl with electric blue hair hit the floor.

Abberline was quickly by her side staking the blue-headed vampire though the heart. "Nice shot," he stated as he rose to his feet.

"I am going to kill the one behind this," Victoria told him through clenched teeth.

"Get in line," Abberline said, his tone light, but his eyes as she looked up into them, were dead serious.

There were two more of the silenced shots, barely audible over the pandemonium in the club, then suddenly Victoria could see Sands. He stood, legs apart, his gun still in his hand, his face reflecting his concentration as he scanned the room. He stood between her and the door, obviously trying to draw out any remaining young vampires. But there were no more.

Victoria holstered her gun once more and watched Sands carefully as he worked. Agnes slipped up along side Victoria and whispered, "Who's that?" there was a purr in her voice that Victoria didn't like. "My boyfriend. I think." Victoria turned her attention back to the club, scanning the bodies on the floor. "Have you seen Charlie?" she asked.

Agnes took her time, searching for Charlie. "He must have slipped out."

"Lucky guy," Victoria said. She looked back to Sands. He headed towards them, but it was Abberline who spoke first: "We must leave now."

"Out the front door," Sands tucked his gun into his belt and buttoned his coat to cover it. "We'll go over to the Friar Tuck Pub to talk." His arm slipped under Victoria's and he added in a whisper, "And clean up a bit."

As casually as if he was picking up the morning paper, Sands walked over to the chair Victoria had demolished, tore off a piece, and slipped it up the left sleeve of his jacket. His head turned, scanning the room one last time, then he was off in a blur and out the front door.

"Where is he going?" Victoria exclaimed clearly frustrated with the situation.

"He said the Friar Tuck," Agnes passed her on her own way to the door. "Come on."

Abberline came up. "Hurry, me dear," he said. "We can't be arrested like this." Then he, too, rushed at full vampire speed to the front door and out.

Victoria let out a sigh of frustration and then bolted after the others at full speed. Once out the door she heard the whistled of the Bobbies and the rush of sirens flood towards the club. Victoria continued running for several blocks until she caught sight of Agnes and Abberline up ahead, clearly waiting for her arrival.

"It's just around the corner," Agnes told her, "but we'll pop into the loo here at the Underground first." She pushed back a stray dark curl of hair with the back of her hand. "Come on." She linked arms with Victoria.

Abberline, who had remained spotless throughout the entire engagement, walked over to the shop beside the stairs leading down to the Underground station, and casually window shopped.

The water was cold, but it did the trick, and in a few moments the ladies reunited with Abberline and walked around the corner to the Friar Tuck Public House.

The atmosphere here was worlds away from the dark loud vampire club. The walls, floors and furniture were all made of dark woods. As they walked in the front door, a merry little bell announced their entrance, and the barkeep looked up from the long bar and nodded in their direction.

Victoria's gaze roamed the room in search of Sands. There were couples, but the majority of the occupants were men, some talking, some playing darts off in the far corner, and a very small stage area was lit, but without entertainers.

She spotted Sands sitting in a booth on the far right wall, his hands resting on the table top, for all the world appearing perfectly normal; not like a person who had just killed a few dozen vampires.

A smile lit up her face when she locked eyes with him. She tugged on Agnes' arm and lead her over to the booth in the corner. As they made their way through the crowd, a few wolf whistles echoed through the club followed by laughter and the clinking of glass. Victoria released Agnes arm and slid into the booth next to Sands, planting a kiss on his check as she did so.

Sands flashed a very quick smile, his attention going briefly to Agnes, then locking on Abberline. His smile turned into a frown. "He was there," Sands said in a low tone. "And all I could sense was the sex and the power. What about you?"

Abberline nodded. "I had the same impression. It was as we have been warned." He cast a glance around the room, as if expecting the threat to follow them.

"Victoria, did you sense anything more?" Sands asked. His intense gaze locked onto her, and she was struck by the fact that there was still no warmth in him; he was still all business. The danger was still very real.

"Only that he was extremely strong, much stronger than Viscalli was. I caught a glimpses of ancient Egypt, the smell of patchouli oil and then he was gone." Victoria turned her eyes to Agnes. "Did you see Charlie?" she asked, "I could get no reading of him."

The waitress walked up to the table, pencil ready balancing her tray against her forearm. "What can I bring ya?"

Abberline smiled graciously. "A few pints will be fine luv." The waitress smiled back and hurried off to fetch their beer.

Victoria felt a little strange. At first she didn't understand where the sensation was coming from, then she realized she was unintentionally reading Sands. Or rather, reading the lack of a reading. It was like sitting beside a void. He was doing it again - blocking out everything. If she didn't see him with her own eyes, she wouldn't have known he was there.

thevampiresands @ 2005-08-17T19:17:00

2005-08-18T02:18:00Z

Finally - a little more for you vampire lovers
Night 6 part 4
under the cut

Night 6 part 4
Earlier that Evening

Victoria tightened the straps of her holster. Straightening up she gazed at herself in the mirror and smoothed her skirts, carefully scrutinizing her appearance. It was very important no one discovered that she was carrying a weapon. She must appear to be an average club-goer. The weapon pressed against her inner thigh, but did not appear to be visible. Satisfied she laced up her corset for the evening. Some of the gothic club patrons wore these garments because it represented a romantic past. Victoria knew better, having lived in an age when this restrictive garment was the norm.

The sun hung low in the sky and in a few hours the newly made vampires would arise. Victoria walked to the dressing table and began to apply the thick black make-up she had seen at Sands' club in New York. Her hand trembled for a brief moment. She wished that he were here. Victoria felt uneasy working with the London Guardians, she felt uneasy with most vampires. Years of mistreatment and misinformation had lead her to be extremely cautious. She wished Sands were here.

There was a tap on her door. "Ready? We'll meet down at the car," Agnes called through the wood.

Victoria sighed, looking at herself in the mirror. Was this what the public really thought vampires were all about? Shallow, yet beautiful, deadly, with no thought but to drink?

She finished tying the velvet ribbon around her slender throat. It is better this way, she thought. If the humans had any true understanding they'd be terrified.

Victoria stood, took one last look at herself in the mirror, grabbed a wrap for her shoulders and headed down the stairs. In the entry, she met Roderick Weatherton.

"Well, well," he smiled appreciatively, "Good luck hunting." Something about his casual tone and the way he stood with one hand tucked away in his jacket pocket created an uneasy feeling within her.

"What is it, Roderick?" she probed. "Have you heard something?"

His smile lessened and he shrugged. "Perhaps."

"I thought we were allies, working together." She tilted her head to the side, with what she hoped was a friendly smile on her lips.

"So did I", he replied coldly.

Victoria's face remained passive. "You know we are. I have been sent to you from your dear friend Lilith." Victoria took a few steps forward, "Now if you know something that could be of some use, please tell me now, so that we may bring a quick end to your little difficulties." She folded her hands gracefully for effect and smiled.

"Why don't you go first, Victoria?" There was steel in his voice.

"What is it that you would like to know?" she replied resolutely.

"Why you didn't tell me the truth to begin with." He crossed his arms, all appearance of friendliness vanishing.

"I really don't know what you are referring to." Victoria said coolly, wondering if he had learned that she was a telepath.

"Lilith knew Abberline was here and she knew about our problem." Roderick kept his gaze pinned on her. "So why didn't she just find out from him? Why did she send you? Because she thought you would be the perfect spy here in our clan house, didn't she? I would wager you have some extraordinary talents." He raised a suggestive brow, his mouth tugged down into a firm line.

Victoria was relieved, but did not let her expression change. "I am not a spy. True," she paused trying to look as harmless as possible, "I was sent here initially to find out if Abberline was in London, but since then I have asked Lilith if I may stay on in order to be of help to you. Not to spy."

"I think it would be best if you found other lodgings," Roderick told her.

Victoria froze. With the hordes of roaming young vampires, staying in any other place might be dangerous. As if reading her mind, Roderick said, "There are plenty of small inns outside London where the menace will not plague you."

"As you wish," she said with a bat of her eyes. "I am sure Lilith will be greatly disappointed, as am I." Victoria unclasped her hands and walked passed Weatherton and then paused just before the door. "Do you wish me to leave now, or may I gather my things and depart in the morning?"

"Now," he said firmly.

Victoria suddenly knew that someone had told him something. True, or false, it did not matter. Someone he trusted had spoken to him about her. As she turned to go back to her room and gather her things, she allowed her mind to slip every-so-lightly against his. Yes! It was as she thought. Someone had suggested to Roderick that she was a spy. Suggested. And Roderick wasn't even aware of it on a conscious level. He thought the notion was his own. So a powerful vampire had done this. Why?

Victoria suddenly became aware of the danger she was in, who besides Lilith knew Victoria was here in London?

Quickly she packed, and then reached for her cell. It was probably best that she call for a taxi. Weatherton would not let his Guardians work with her now that he thought she was a spy.

After making arrangements for a car to met her at the gates of the estate, Victoria picked up her bag and the file. Walking back to the entry she stop directly in front of Weatherton and handed him the file. "Here," she said as she locked eyes with him. "I won't be needing this any longer."

He inclined his head, but said nothing. Victoria headed for the door, her thoughts still tumbling over one another. If someone wanted her out of here, it was because she was close to something or someone. But what? Or who?

As her heels crunched into the gravel of the driveway, she reviewed in her mind's eye everyone she'd met so far. No one appeared to be an enemy, but then again, she wasn't sure who the enemy was.

Lost in thought she continued to walk down the gravel drive. "V!" a male voice yelled,"V!" This startled her, she turned quickly her hand instinctively going for her weapon. Charlie Updike came rushing forward. "V, where you off to?" he questions a genial, yet puzzled look on his face. "Agnes and I are waiting." He motioned to the old maroon Honda over his shoulder.

Victoria glanced past his shoulder and saw Agnes sitting in the back seat. "V, why are you carrying your luggage?" Charlie looked for a moment like a lost child.

"I've been evicted," she smiled up at him. "Sorry. I called for a cab. I think Weatherton would be upset if he even saw me talking to you."

"What on earth?" Charlie asked, bewildered.

Victoria shrugged. "Ask him. I just follow orders." She reached to touch his arm. "I'll keep an eye out for you when I'm in London. Take care of yourself, Charlie."

Victoria turned to go but felt a strong tug at the strap of her bag. "Don't be silly luv, Agnes and I do what we want and we think you're as right as rain."

A laugh escaped Victoria's lips. She hadn't heard that expression in a long time. "Thank you, Charlie. I don't want to get anyone into hot water."

"Our life is hot water," he shot back. "Come on. You can cancel the cab." He tugged the bag out of her hand.

He had such a nice smile, Victoria let go of her luggage and headed back to the car with him. As she sat in the front seat, she gently scanned Agnes' mind and then Charlie's as he turned the key in the ignition. Nothing, they seemed to be genuine.

"Shall we go then?" Charlie asked.

"Yes," Agnes urged, "Let's hunt some vamps."

Victoria laughed, "Lead the way."

~*~

The club was similar to the one Sands owned in New York, in that it was painted in mostly black with dark red accents, the sound system was way too loud for a vampire's ears, and there were mostly young people waiting behind the velvet rope out front. Of course, Victoria, Agnes and Charlie had no problem getting in, but once inside the two females headed straight to the loo to get tissue to stuff into their ears, while Charlie, they supposed, was doing the same.

As Victoria came out, the music still too loud for her taste, she scanned the bar and froze. There was Abberline!

thevampiresands @ 2004-12-15T14:50:00

2004-12-15T22:50:05Z

This manip goes with "Charmed in Mexico"

thevampiresands @ 2004-12-15T13:09:00

2004-12-15T21:09:47Z

Someone was trying to come up with ways for Sands to get his eyes back...which got me thinking.

So if you're interested
Charmed in Mexico

Prologue

In summer, the sun beat down upon the inland town of San Isidro, tipping the waters of lake with brilliant diamond lights, baking the earthen streets, and sending the tourists indoors. But this was Christmas Eve and there was still sunshine, only weaker sunshine,
and a cold wind blew in off from the northwest, clutching at women's skirts and any long hair it could find. Clouds could be seen to the north, large, dark, and heading toward the small mountain town.

In this region of Sonora, that trailed down the Sierra-Nevada range, they could grow coffee and cocoa beans. They could also grow marijuana and drug cartels with remote landing strips.

Sands sat with El in the corner of an unremarkable cantina. Unremarkable, that is, except for its hundred-and-fifty year-old, foot thick adobe, white-washed walls that allowed the interior temperature to maintain the relatively even comfort level winter or summer .

El liked this particular cantina, the Singing Burro, because they not only served excellent food, they allowed El to play his guitar. It would have been even better if they offered to pay him, but since he played when it suited him, and only what he chose to play, he was content. Today he was working on Christmas music. Without the sheet music, he worked it out by ear. He'd just gotten all of "I'll be home for Christmas," and was softly playing it in his own style.

Sands, on the other hand, sat almost as if he was on a fire pit, constantly squirming, twitching almost. He wasn't sure why he felt such apprehension, but it had been building for days and he found it difficult to sit still. El had helped him with some of this bottled energy, he even took Sands for a jog this morning, which was a difficult thing for a blind man in rough terrain. It had ended with Sands cursing as he knelt on hands and knees and swearing he would never run with El again.

"We're supposed to be watching Ortega's store," Sands reminded El for the eighth time since noon. It was only 12:24 p.m. His hands were busy rolling cigarettes with brown organic paper and organic tobacco, which were lay lined-up on the table top. Sands believed that organic tobacco wouldn't cause lung cancer, not that he felt he would live long enough to acquire the disease, but it never hurt to be safe.

"We are watching it," El assured him in a mellow rumble of a voice. "I can see it from here. I am watching."

Sands sighed. Of course, he couldn't watch. Not anytime soon. A person needed eyes to watch. The unnamable dark cloud which he'd felt threatening to burst felt as if it hung just scant inches over him, causing him to shift in his chair and turn is head, as if listening for something or someone. If one of the locals had insulted him, his gun would have been out faster than eyes could follow. But the people
in the Singing Burro already knew to leave the crazy gringo alone.

As he contemplated what would happen if he just went over and started shooting at the Ortega shop, Sands heard three things: the catina door open, El's guitar fall silent and the Mariachi sit up straighter in his chair.

"Is it them?" Sands asked, his arms pressing firmly against the handguns nestled cozily in holsters under each arm. Hell, he felt as if he was about to be struck by lightening. What was with him today?

"It's a woman," El whispered. "From the United States, I think, by the look of her."

Sands turned to face the door way , even if he couldn't see who stood there . As he did , the sense of impending doom he'd sensed all day exploded. Cold hard Dread pushed him back in his chair . For the first time in perhaps his entire life, he could not speak. He sat, his lips slightly parted, his head tilted back as he tried to fight the overwhelming terror sweeping through him.

Sensing Sands' change of mood, El turned to face his friend. "Sands?" he asked. "What's wrong?"

El looked from Sands to the woman. She was beautiful, young, her dark hair framing a sweet yet mischievous face set with beautiful dark eyes. Her face was riveted upon Sands with a look of curiosity and determination, El saw, and something akin go hunger.

The woman smiled more broadly, a look of satisfaction crossed her pretty features. She moved across the cantina directly towards Sands. El started to stand, watching this strange scene, only half-noticing that everyone in the cantina was watching, as well.

Most surprising to El, was Sands. He sat like a man stunned, but by what? His blind friend couldn't see her, and she was beautiful, but Sands, El knew, had had his share of beautiful women . So what was going on? Sands' breath came quickly and there was a slight shiver to his body, as if he was fighting to do something. Yet Sands sat still, except for the slight trembling, his face upturned toward the woman as she approached.

"I've been looking for you," she said in English, her voice satin soft seduction and definitely American. She walked up to Sands, put her hands on his arms, and drew him to his feet. Wordlessly, he complied. Then he moaned as she grasped him to herself.

Suddenly, El realized something terribly wrong was happening right before his eyes. With a soft moaned exhaled almost as a sigh, Sands slumped in the woman's arms. She was strong enough to support his limp body and even as El watched, she took on
Sands' appearance, her features morphing into his.

El blinked. This wasn't possible. This was supernatural. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He reached for his gun, but didn't know whom to shoot.

"There she is!" another woman shouted from the doorway, drawing El's attention. "Phoebe, stop her!"

El saw three woman there, two young and beautiful, a third rather plain looking.

Suddenly all hell broke loose.

Piper reached for her sisters' hands, and together they said the incantation, ignoring the fact that the beauty-stealing demon they had chased clear to Mexico, the demon who had stolen Phoebe's beauty, was now howling and screaming and clawing at its eyes. It obviously had attacked a male this time, because a man dressed in black lay on the floor at her feet, unmoving, his long hair covering his face . A second man who appeared Mexican stood just beside the demon, his own face a mask of confusion and horror.

Piper followed the Mexican's gaze. She saw what he saw. Unlike him, the Piper Holliwell understood. The beauty-stealing demon had no eyes. It clawed at its now beautiful male face with long-fingered hands, screaming that it couldn't see, half its words no more than howls.

As the three witches completed their incantation, Phoebe threw the vial at the demon. It had the desired effect. The moment it hit the demon, the cursed creature burst into flames, screaming even more shrilly. This time, it was a death cry. A moment later, the demon was gone, vanished as it was destroyed by the potion and their incantation.

Everyone except the three women, the fallen man, and his friend, fled the cantina in a stampede for the door .

Phoebe's two sisters turned to her in anticipation. She reached up to feel her face, then began to cry with joy as she realized her own looks were restored with the demon's death. Phoebe, Piper and Paige began to hug, half jumping, as they celebrated their victory. Their celebration was short-lived as they realized the demon's last victim still lay unmoving on the floor, his friend bending over him.

Slowly, the three women approached. "Is he all right?" Paige asked.

El looked from Sands up to the young woman, a plea to understand what he'd seen in his dark expressive eyes. "His...eyes," he said in English.

"His eyes?" the three echoed in unison, as the other two women came closer.

"He has his eyes," El told them , his voice sounding strange to himself . Clearly they didn't comprehend. "He had lost them, but they're back."

He bent over Sands, a hand still on his shoulder. Awake now, Sands lay on his side, curled into an almost fetal position, blinking slowly, his sunglasses halfway down his nose .

"Can you see?" El asked him softly , his hand gently touching Sands' shoulder.

"Yes," Sands responded, his voice filled with amazement. "What the fuck happened? How can it be?" He got up on one elbow and looked around, still blinking. "I have eyes. I must be dreaming. This isn't possible."

The three women standing there looked at one another, as if deciding what to do. The one with the longest hair bent over Sands' prone form . "Miracles happen," she told him. "I can't explain it, but I'm glad good came of all this."

"All what?" Sands asked, still mystified. He reached up carefully, feeling around his eyes, looking at his fingers.

The woman shrugged. She cast glances at the other two women, and they turned and started to walk out.

"Wait," Sands called after them. "Will my eyes stay? Am I...whole?"

The long-haired one turned back. "We've never seen anything like it," she told him honestly. "I hope they stay. I was going to apologize for getting you, an innocent, involved in this, but I think it turned out to be a pretty fortunate thing."

"An innocent?" El asked, his dark brows furrowing.

"Don't go," Sands started to get to his feet. "I have so many questions."

"Sorry," the tallest of the women said. "We have to go. Bye."

With that, the women left the cantina. Now, El and Sands were the only occupants.

"It is a miracle," El told Sands, helping him to stand fully. "We should give thanks." He looked into Sands' eyes. "They look like your eyes except..."

"Except what?" Sands asked him, reaching up to touch them. His hands, his entire body trembling.

"Except they're a very clear purple, not brown."

"So they're not my eyes after all," Sands said, trying to understand . "We need to sit down and work out what happened."

"It seemed to me," El told him, as he picked up his guitar, "that a woman came in, and you couldn't move."

"Correct."

"But when she touched you, she began to take on your appearance."

"Oh, that was the pain I felt," Sands looked thoughtful, even as his fingers continued to play about the edges of his eyes. "It was much worse than being shot. Worse than anything I've ever felt. I think I passed out." He would not use the word 'faint.' It wasn't macho enough for him.

"Yes . You stopped moving. By then, she looked like you. Even her clothes changed and she became you. But apparently whatever she did, taking your looks, also meant she took your lack of eyes," El told him. "And you changed. I could not see your entire face, your hair hid it, but your face changed and somehow when the young women threw something at that...thing, it blew up and suddenly you were back." El shook his head, as if he couldn't understand his own words. "A miracle."

"A miracle," Sands agreed. "El?"

"Yes." El stared into his face, amazement clear on his features.

"In another eleven hours or so it will be Christmas."

"Yes."

"Let's celebrate." A wide grin spread across Sands' handsome features. He went over to the abandoned bar, grabbed a few bottles and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" El asked.

"We're going to Bahia de Kino to party 'til dawn, and I'm driving!" Sands shot back over his shoulder. "You commin'?"

El picked up his guitar and followed Sands out the door.

thevampiresands @ 2004-11-28T19:52:00

2004-11-29T03:52:30Z

Which Johnny Depp character do you belong with? by cerulean_dreams
UserName
Age
You fall in love with
You meet	on a rollercoaster in CP
His friends think	You could do better
Your friends think	you belong together
You will	be together always

Quiz created with MemeGen!

thevampiresands @ 2004-11-10T19:53:00

2004-11-11T03:53:11Z

Night 6 part 3

Night 6 part 3

Slipping past the thick burgundy-colored curtain, Sands found himself in a wide hallway decorated in black, grey and dark red. To his right were three steps down to a landing where a huge archway filled one side of the wall. Above the archway was written "Private Lounge." Further on, there were steps past the landing and another doorway covered in dark curtains. Directly across from him was a stairwell leading upwards. To his left the hallway continued for about twenty feet, and two doors were on the same wall as the stairway's entrance. Obviously, those were the rooms for the performers.

His original intent had been to go upstairs, but the private lounge intrigued him. Making a decision, he slipped quietly up the stairs.
After all, there would be plenty of time to explore; he would have to ask the waitress how someone gained entrance to the lounge.

As he continued up the stairs, the sounds from below grew faint. This place was soundproofed, not as well as his club, he noted.

A loose board creaked as he put his weight on it. Sands froze waiting to see if the stair drew any attention from the landing above. There was no alarm, and he continued upward, as the stair turned back on itself. He reached a hallway at the top of the stairs. A short passage ran off to his right, a wall stood in front of him which, he supposed, was the top of the stage area, and a hallway went to his left. Careful not to make noise, he went left.

The first door on the left side stood ajar. A man inside checked the supplies against a clipboard, obviously taking inventory on the club's alcohol. Hundreds of bottles stood neatly stacked on shelves.

Sands continued on, reminded of his need to drink by a feeling of thirst creeping into his consciousness. He would take care of that after business.

He continued down the hall. Aged posters hung along the dingy brick. He paused for a moment as one particularly old one caught his eye. The Blue Tone, featuring hot jazz and good gin. Sands smiled. 1929, wow this place had survived the blitz. A look of surprise shot across his face, this was why he had those strange thoughts in his head. Whoever had intruded into his mind, was here when this place was a Jazz club.

Well, it was a theory, he told himself, as he continued on. He found the offices of the secretaries, but the offices of the manager, owner and accountants were locked. He didn't sense anyone inside, so he turned and made his way back downstairs.

Once in the hallway on the ground floor, he headed toward the curtained exit. He didn't want to be invisible, so he dropped some of his mental shields and kept the only around his mind.

As he stood about to go through the velvet curtain, it parted and a woman with dark curling hair entered the corridor. She looked up and met his eyes. Hers were large, deep brown, and her generous lips were covered in a very dark red lipstick. As he watched, she smiled, slipped something into his hand, then turned and entered the private lounge.

He looked down at his hand. A black heart-shaped piece of paper lay there with white writing which said, "Eat Me." It reminded him of Alice in Wonderland, but then his appetite flared again and he followed the woman into the darkened lounge.

The room was dimly lit and filled with suede couches. The music was soft and unobtrusive. As Sands looked around he saw a small group of people pretending to drink each others blood. He raised an eyebrow. In some cases they actually were lapping up small amounts of blood from a pinprick, or trickling cut. But as far as he could tell he was the only true vampire present.

Holding the invitation, he saw the dark-haired "Alice" head directly for the bar. She spoke to the bartended, then turned around and looked across the smoke-filled room at Sands, a sensuous smile playing across her mouth. She didn't know what she was getting into, he though, slowly making his way through the couches. The bartender handed her a bottle of wine and two large glasses just as Sands arrived in front of her.

"Care for a…drink?" she asked, her white teeth brushing against her full bottom lip.

"Sure," he said quietly taking the bottle in his hand and skillfully pouring a little into each glass. He could sense that she desired him. Good, that would make things even easier.

"Let's sit," she gestured with her eyes toward a darkened corner. He took a sip of his wine. It was actually quite good. He followed her to the couch she had indicated, intrigued by the tight-fitting black dress that emphasized the way her hips swung with each step. He wondered if she was a regular here, if she had seen any of the work of the mad Master.

Sitting down, she crossed her shapely legs and he sat down beside her, putting his glass and the bottle on the small round table.

"Are you new here?" he asked her, smiling charmingly.

She had a lovely face and he could smell the blood flowing through her veins. His eyes focused on the small of her throat. He could hear her heart beat and this aroused him, peeking his hunger.

She laughed coyly and batted her eyes lashes. "No," she took a sip of wine, "but you are." She extended her hand across the table, "My name is Lace."

He took her hand and held it just in front of his lips, looking up into her dark, almost black eyes. "My pleasure," he kissed the back of her fingers very lightly, but sent a tendril of lust toward her, wrapping it around her mind, drawing her into his alluring vampire charm. She sighed.

Lace leaned forward and set her glass on the table. "And you are?" she asked as she shifted in her seat.

"My friends call me Sands," he told her, his eyes still locked to hers. "I've been here before. It was just a very long time ago." He was playing her game now. "Before the war."

"Which war?"

"World War II."

She smiled again. "So you are an older vampire?"

He shrugged. "Older than some, younger than others. And what brings you here, Lace?" He leaned forward again, not too close, but he could smell her scent, her blood, and his hunger was washing over him wave after wave.

"I come here to meet others like myself." She unconsciously bit her lower lip again. "I come here weekly, it is a home away from home for me." Lace lowered her eyes.

"You invited me to eat," he reminded her.

Her head came back up and she looked at him, this time studying his face. She reached out and touched his jaw, her eyes going to his mouth. "You have a very nice mouth, Sands."

"The better to eat you with," he told her back, pressing his face against her hand.

He wrapped his will about her, sending waves of lust and desire into her mind. He could see her eyes fading away into a sort of blissful stare. "Yes, I remember." Lace replied weakly as she turned her hand over and revealed her palm and wrist to him. Sands smiled faintly, but kept his eyes locked with hers.

She leaned into him, kissing him lightly at first, then with more demand. Her hands held him firmly, one going around behind his shoulder. He followed her lead, one hand going to cup the back of her head. As the kiss ended, he feathered her jaw with light kisses, trailing down toward the pulse point at the curve of her neck.

He moved the curling lock of dark hair aside. As he pressed her neck with his lips, she moaned quietly. Carefully, he sunk his teeth into her white flesh. He began to drink, savoring the taste of her, the feeling.

She moaned in pleasure, her hands gripping him more tightly as he drank, and he allowed her to feel the pleasure, the satisfaction, the near euphoria he felt as he drank from her.

Something deep inside was wrong, he sensed. This was good, he needed to feed. Lace was a beautiful woman and her essence was lovely, like a fine wine, but part of him felt a bit empty. What was wrong?

Of course, he knew his body confused feeding with sex, and he was guilty of confusing sex with love on more than one occasion. This was just fun and food. No love. No real sex, he told his body. That was reserved for one woman, and this creature, as lovely as she was, couldn't replace her.

Pulling back, satisfied, he looked down into Lace's eyes. "Am I a good vampire?" he asked her, playing her game. If only she knew.

"Mmm, very good." she said in a purr, her eyes still fogged under his spell. "You must come again Sands and eat me."

"I haven't left yet," he pointed out, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "I think some wine." He picked up her glass and handed it to her, then picked up his own. "To a satisfying drink," he told her, raising his glass. She clicked hers against his and drank, her eyes still on him.

thevampiresands @ 2004-11-10T19:37:00

2004-11-11T03:37:26Z

Night 6 part 2

Night 6 part 2

The old Honda came to a rough halt as the breaks squeaked and the tires hit the curb. "Sorry." Charlie flashed a quick smile. "Sometimes she sticks."

Victoria couldn't help but smile. Agnes hopped out of the car. "Here we are, the best place in town for outfits, concert news, and street gossip." She put her hand on her hip and waited for Victoria to exit.

Charlie jumped out and was already on the curb. Victoria arched an eyebrow. Oh yes, she thought Charlie would not be opening the car door for her, they were supposed to be goths, that behavior would be to formal for this occasion.

Victoria exited the car and looked through the dirty windows, rimed in purple neon lights. A small voluptuous girl leaned against the counter chewing on a piece of gum and flipping through a magazine.

The trio entered the store. There were two other patrons there checking out the studded leather belts. One sported a jet black Mohawk , the other had long, dark, straightened hair. Neither gave much notice to the three who entered quietly.

Victoria spotted a mannequin bust to the side wearing a rather beautiful, romantic, black gauze blouse, and went over to see it better. Her eyes were drawn to the details. It had satin ribbons sewed around the cuffs and collar, and was very sheer. She wondered if she would want to be seen in this. If she wore this blouse with the black leather pants Sands had purchased for her… She touched the cuff, yes that would be lovely, especially with her hair up and ringlets circling down. But that was not exactly what she had seen the humans in The Darkness wearing. Victoria decided that she would buy it and wear it another time.

She turned and scanned the room for something more dangerous. Then she paused as she caught it, she raised her head slightly. What was that scent, familiar but long gone. She closed her eyes, focusing her attention, trying to catch it. The scent was very faint, but it vaguely reminded her of something. Then she remembered. Her mind flashed back to Sands coming out of the shower, newly washed, still damp, and wearing the very faint, somewhat spicy cologne he used most often. Someone wearing that same cologne had been here recently.

Her head turned, as she followed her thoughts over to the young woman at the counter who was now speaking to Agnes and showing her leather choke collars. She looked intensely at the girl. Soon the sales girl looked up at Victoria as Agnes crouched down to look in the lowest portion of the display case. Victoria looked into her eyes locking her with her green eyes. Images whirled past, and then she saw him. Sands! He was in this shop, he had been talking to that girl! Lilith had been correct. Victoria turned away and the girl behind the counter teetered, gripping the counter for support.

The knowledge that she and Sands were probably on a similar trail, caused a slight tingly in deep within her. Maybe they could link up and work together. Surly Sands could realize how she would be helpful. And he knew about her ability. Why hadn't he included her to begin with?

Staring blankly ahead at a display of t-shirts, Victoria began to ponder the possibility of seeking him out with her mind. Could she reach him if he were in London? She probably could, but…

Victoria shook her head. That would ruin everything, if she entered his mind without his permission, he'd shut her out. She was certain of that. Sands was intensely private, he would see this as a violation and then she'd loose him. A flutter of pain stabbed at her insides.

"V!" Charlie shouted, "Look at this luv!"

Victoria snapped out of her thoughts and headed towards the back of the store.

~*~

Sniffing, Abberline came to stand beside Sands. "That, my friend, is coming back to me. It's Patchouli. Remember Patchouli?"

Nodding, Sands leaned closer to Abberline. "From many eras, actually. But it's not the most popular scent these days. Could it be the Elder is here?"

Abberline shrugged. "More likely, was here. I think I would still be able to detect the Elder's presence if he was in the building."

Sands nodded and downed his drink. "Barkeep," he motioned to his empty glass. "Yeah we hope. Why don't you ask Zac what he thinks" Sands tapped his finger against his skull.

"I'm not about to try to communicate with him for something like this," Abberline said, his voice all business. "Detective work is called for. I think between the two of us we have at least a hundred years experience in that field."

"All right chief, " he nodded to the barkeep as he placed a second drink in front of him and then turned his attention to Abberline. "Let me order us another round of drinks and then I'll excuse myself to the loo and have a look around the back." Sands smirked, finally a chance for a little action and perhaps a little snack as well.

As Sands headed off towards the "00" sign at the back, Abberline turned his back to the room and faced the bar. Above was a mirror. As he toyed with his drink, he looked at the crowd in the mirror. No one stood out as unusual in this quirky crowd.

Abberline looked again. Everyone wore dark colors, everyone was trying hard to look the part and fit in. But the scent still linger in the back of his mind.

The bar tender walked over. "Everything all right, mate?"

Abberline flashed a quick smile. "Yes, fine."

The bartender started to walk away wiping the counter with a white rag.

"Wait a minute." Abberline reached into his pocket searching for a wad of bills. "Is this place always a Goth club?"

The bartender returned and gave him a queer look, "Yes, mate it is. You new around here or something?" he asked looking a Abberline a little more closely.

"New is relative," Abberline said with a closed-lip smile. "I have been away from London for years. My brother and I just came back. Things have changed. This used to be a different sort of club way back when."

"I have only been here about nine months," the bartended told him. "You living on the Continent then?"

"America."

"Oh, across the pond." The bartender's attention was drawn to a waitress setting an order on the bar and he excused himself. Abberline was allowed to go back to his observations.

The waitress wore a very short, pleated black skirt and torn black stockings. Her hair was done up in two electric blue pigtails. She was looking at his lips, he sensed her heart rate increase. He smiled at her and beckoned her closer. She slid up to his side. "What can I do for you?" she asked with innuendo in her voice.

"Just answer a couple of questions and keep it quiet," Abberline said as he slid a few quid across the bar in front of her.

Her eyes widened and she pocketed the money. "Ask away, handsome." she winked.

"See anyone in here lately that didn't belong?"

"Lots of people dearie. Tourist come here to get an eye full, you know what I mean."

Abberline nodded and leaned closer. "Have any trouble lately? You know anything the bouncers would have to handle?"

"Nothing but the usual. A few rowdy blokes here and there." She wet her lips. "What's this then? Are you writing a story for the tabloids?"

"Ah, you found me out." He smiled charmingly. "So for the record, do you want to tell me how to spell your name?"

"Are you recording us?" she asked, looking at his jacket for perhaps a microphone.

"Absolutely." He gave her a knowing look.

"Cecila Banks. B. A. N. K. S. I'm doing this, working my way through beauty school," she admitted.

"And any unusual sorts here?" Abberline leaned in closer, as if trying to get her reply on his pretend mic.

~*~

Sands slipped into the loo and had a look around. The placed was empty, the tile was broken here and there. The sound of dripping water echoing through the tiny room. He checked for alternate exits. The small windows were covered with bars. He washed his hands and then headed back out the door, but instead of going down the dark, narrow hallway back to the club, Sands started to slip away towards the kitchens.

Memories flashed through his mind and he paused a moment. There had been a time very recently, a time just before the blinding, when he had been out of control, teetering into madness, and that memory struck him like a foul stench. He felt a wave of nausea sweep through him and he leaned back against the rough wall to regain his senses. What was going on? Why did he allow these memories to return? He usually held his thoughts in at least as much control as his actions. What was happening to him? That was it, he realized. He wasn't experiencing this, it was happening to him, from an outside force. Someone was trying to manipulate his mind and body.

In an instant he set up the mental shields Abberline had given him just over a week ago in the stairwell at clan house. He immersed himself in that invisibility, masking his presence to, he hoped, all.

Sands stood, the feeling of normalcy returning. He didn't like someone trying to manipulate him, he would have to report this to Abberline, but first he need to finish casing the joint.

He came up short. Where had that thought come from? He didn't use terms like 'casing the joint,' well, not since the thirties or forties anyway. Maybe he was just being paranoid, but he stopped again to tighten his mental shields before going on toward the kitchen.

The kitchen was not much to look at. They served only drinks here and a few microwaved hot snacks, probably overpriced. The kitchen was deserted except for a young man dressed in white, wearing an apron, and singing to himself as he placed something on a ceramic cookie sheet and popped it into the large microwave.

The young man turned and wiped his nose on his sleeve, then he caught sight of Sands. "Dude, you're not supposed to be back here," he warned. "Sorry," Sands replied, "I was looking for the loo." The young man pointed over Sands' shoulder. "You missed it, two doors back." Sands turned his head, "Thanks, mate."

Not much to notice in the kitchen, except the back door and another one. Probably led to a cellar. He wondered where the stairs going up were. Strolling back toward the main room, he stopped at the threshold and studied the people visible from the hallway. Directly ahead were three young women decked out in their goth attire, sitting huddled on a black suede couch. Wetting his lips, he wondered if this mystery Master they were trying to avoid might be a woman. A woman who was turned very early in her life and who now might be mingling with these innocents.

Well anything was possible. He casually looked over to the bar and saw Abberline engaged in conversation with the waitress. Sands continued to scan the room and noticed a small archway, covered by a velvet curtain behind the stage. Perhaps the stairway to the second floor was sequestered backstage.

Slowly he centered his thoughts, pulling them in, wrapping himself even more deeply in the sense of invisibility to any prying eye or mind, then walked over toward the stage. Quietly, despite the roaring noise of the house speakers blaring hard rock, he climbed the six steps to the stage and made his way over to the dark velvet curtain. He could not hear anything coming from the other side, but invisible or not, if he moved it, that would be noticed. What was a vampire to do?

Well he would have to chance it. Just as he was about to push the curtain aside and man in a dark suit and ruffled poet shirt stepped out to address the merge crowd. Seizing his chance Sands darted by.

thevampiresands @ 2004-11-10T19:21:00

2004-11-11T03:21:32Z

Night 6 part 1
Night 6 part 1

Weatherton handed Victoria the cut crystal tumbler. She smiled and sipped the warm liquid slowly. "Very good, " she replied as she crossed the room back to the cozy set of leather wingback chairs. "Now Roderick, may I call you Roderick?" she ask as she took her seat.

"Yes, that would be fine," he replied as he took his own.

"Now that I'm here why don't you tell what it is you'd like me to do for you? I can sense that you have been skirting the issue since I arrived."

Roderick Weatherton arched his eye brows and Victoria just smiled. "Rather than say I have been skirting the issue, let us just say I was feeling out the terrain," he said thoughtfully. "It would probably be best, since you've studied everything but the streets, to let you do that. I can have you driven down to the West End and you can get a feel for things. Naturally I'll have some Guardians to cover you."

"Naturally<' she replied quietly as she took another sip from her tumbler. "And after I become acquainted with your fair city, what then?" Victoria was hopping that Weatherton would level with her, if not well then she would have to have a little look around his mind and she really didn't want to have to go that far.

Weatherton played with his drink, rolling the ice around the tumbler, obviously trying to figure out his next move.

"You do what your were sent here to do," he said evenly. "Hopefully you find your two associates. Hopefully they are working on the same problem my clan is working on. If not, then that's that."

"Oh", Victoria smiled and ran her fingertip across the rim of her glass. "If that's that." she said. Victoria tipped the rest of her drink down her throat as she did she sent out gentle feelers to see if Weatherton had any boundaries up. His mind was block, darn it! She would have to go about this the hard way. "What should I wear into the West End, is this allright or do I need to change?" She indicated her jeans and black boots.

"Anything goes there, but from what we've learned, these youngsters have been turned after going to what they call goth clubs, short for gothic. They tend to wear black on black. Most, as our reports say, are very young, but a few are in their early twenties. You could pass as one. Have you ever been to a goth club?"

Victoria smiles. "Yes, just recently in fact. Is that how I should dress this evening, just in case we get lucky?"

Weatherton looked at her closely. "Yes, I think that would be wise. Did you happen to pack any of those types of garments?"

Victoria rose from her chair. "I think that I'll need a few items, perhaps one of your Guardians could take me into town to do a quick spot of shopping before we prowl the streets."

"My dear Agnes will be glad to take you shopping. It's her hobby. I don't understand how she spends so much time doing it. And now with the internet… I won't go there." He picked up the phone and hit a single button.

Must have her on fast dial," Victoria surmised. She over heard the brief conversation, which included Agnes meeting Victoria at the limo in five minutes, then stood and walked with Roderick toward the library's door.

"I do hope the two of you hit it off," he said. "That's is the expression you American's still use isn't it?" he questioned.

"Yes,. Victoria smiled. "I'll be right down. I'd like to go back to my room to retrieve a few items. Roderick nodded politely.

Victoria dashed back to her room to grab a thigh holster for her weapon, which she stuffed into her purse, then she fastened her shoulder holster and checked to make sure that she had enough ammo for both. You never know when there might be trouble, she reminded herself. Sands would be proud of her. Next she reached into her luggage and retrieved a black trench coat, into which she slipped, flinging her pony tail aside.

Now she was ready.
"What's this?" Victoria questioned as she and Agnes exited the back of the mansion. At the based of the stone steps, parked along the gravel drive was a 1987 Honda Accord. A patchwork of maroon and primer grey, it had clearly seen better days. Leaning against the door was a tall African, his arms casually folded across his well muscled chest. His head was clean shaven and he wore several golden rings through both ear lobes.
"This is how we're getting into the city," Agnes answered dismissively, "You can't expect us to roll into the West End in a Bentley and not be noticed. The idea is to blend in with our surroundings."
Well that made sense, after all they were supposed to be young, wild, Gothic and poor. The car fit the image. The back window was plastered with a variety of bumper stickers. Marilyn Manson. NIN, The Suicidal Clown Posse, and many others. They seemed to be stuck layer upon layer, one after the other. Very little glass remained. Victoria's eyes shifted to the antenna, which was covered in the small, battered head of some sort of doll. She sighed.
"Victoria, this is Charlie Updike." Agnes stood between her and the large man.
"Hello luv," he replied cheerfully with a wink as he opened the door for them. "Need a lift?"
"Charlie, we need to go to that little shop in the West-end, you know the one we've been to before, the one where the Goths get their gear," Agnes instructed.
"Right on," he said as he popped behind the wheel. "So we're going shopping are we. Who's got the plastic?"
Apparently, he liked to keep things light. Victoria smiled, she liked that. "I do," she chimed in.

~*~
"In all the time I've known you, we've never gone hunting together," Sands said causally as he and Abberline walked through the dark streets. "We've gone rescuing together, and even plotting, but not hunting. And I am a little hungry." He flashed a charming smile Abberline's way.
"I believe you are correct." Abberline had reverted to using very few words since they'd left the charming little home with their new weapons.
"Do you want to?" Sands asked directly.
"Not while there is such a great danger." Abberline paused, his face thoughtful as he gazed down at the sidewalk for a moment. Then his dark eyes rose to meet Sands'. "With this elder vampire threat, I think we need to be alert at all times. If you really do need to feed, I suggest I act as guard. It is difficult to feed and pay attention to one's surroundings at the same time."
Blinking, Sands slowly nodded, absorbing not only the words, but Abberline's mood. "Thank you for the offer. I have had a rather strange week."
Without a word being spoken, they both turned and began walking again.
"Do you have any premonition about how this will go?" Sands asked Abberline.
"No. There's someone else involved, or perhaps it's another group. I see crowds." He shook his head. "I can't pin it down. I don't enjoy these glances into the future. They never give me the details I really need."
They had come to a small park, the size of a block, set amid the houses. "This seems as good a place as any for you." Abberline looked about. "I'll be guard, then. You find someone."
"I prefer…" Sands stopped, shaking his head. "All right." Almost business-like, he headed into the park, looking up for the sign of a surveillance camera. He knew that London was liberally sprinkled with them. He spotted not one, but two.
"I'm afraid this is a no go," he told Abberline.
*~*

Abberline could hear the thumping of the base from outside the club and wondered how he would survive inside. "It's rather loud," he grumbled to Sands.

The other vampire was looking at a woman with hot pink hair, a lazy smile on his face. "I've seen worse."

"Seen?" Abberline queried.

Abberline followed Sands' line of sight to the portly girl with the shocking pink hair. "Oh my, I see what you mean, but I was referring to the music."

"Oh don't worry about that." Sands reached into his pocket and pulled out two sets of ear plugs. He handed one set to Abberline. "These will help, I always kept them around." Sands tilted his head, long hair falling across one eye as he put the ear plugs in place. He frowned slightly thinking of how he had done this with Victoria only a day or two ago.

Abberline watched him and copied his move and then smiled. "Oh yes, this is much better."

They walked up to the man who stood before the doors of the Evil Eye as a guardian between those who deserve entry and those who do not. He looked from Sands to Abberline, then quickly gestured for them to enter as he unlatched the velvet rope that wouldn't have kept a determined housewife out, little lone a drunken club go-er. It was the man's flashlight, tucked into the back of his belt, that was the real deterrent.

The hallway the two vampires entered was short and led to a desk. Beyond was a closed door. "Three pounds," the woman there said without looking up. She was very slim and wore a fitted red satin Chinese-style dress, though she was as occidental as they came.

"Three? It's gone up," Sands responded. "I'm the owner of The Darkness. Don't we have a reciprocal deal anymore?"

The woman, with straight died-jet-black hair and more eyeliner than Sands and Abberline put together, looked up.

She eyed them carefully. "That's something you'd have to bring up with the owner and he isn't here at the moment, so it'll be three pounds or no go."

"No problem," Abberline said, forking over six pounds.

"Why, thank you, brother dear," Sands said sweetly.

"You are welcome, Sheldon darling," Abberline smiled back, showing the tips of his fangs.

The girl in the red satin dress shot a quick look between the two of them, "Uh thanks, go on in." She pitched her thumb over her shoulder and further down the hallway.

"What happened to keeping a low profile?" Abberline snapped to Sands as they moved away. "Is the owner one of us?" Abberline inquired.

Sand shrugged. "I dunno. Never met 'im. It was worth a try though."

"Low profile means low profile," Abberline said, tight-lipped. "But I guess for you that just means no fireworks."

"Hey, I know the business," Sands sounded offended. "CIA, remember?"

"Yes, so you say," Abberline grumbled.

"Hey, watch it!" Sands retorted, "I'm sensitive you know."

"Arrugh!" Abberline roared in frustration.

Sands chuckled in amusement. "Take it easy, Take it easy." He gestured with his hands. "I'll behave myself. Come on to the bar I'll buy you a drink." Sands pushed the black curtain aside.

It was still a little early for club-goers and only a dozen or so customers were there, and they looked more like tourists.

"Oh, wonderful," Sands sighed. "We are supposed to be suave and debonair, and here we arrive too early. I shall never live this down."

"Yes you will," Abberline muttered under his breath. "Now how about that drink?" he titled his head toward the bar.

Sands felt the tourists' eyes follow him and Abberline as they crossed the dance floor. The bartender was a big fellow, with a shaved head and a nose ring shaped like a bone. His ears were pieced multiple times and his shirt was ripped revealing a small ring through his nipple.

Sands shot a quick look over to Abberline. He didn't want to miss his reaction.

It appeared to Sands as if Abberline steeled himself against the onslaught of so much 'goth,' because his demeanor was unaffected, his face an unreadable mask, only his nose twitched slightly to show he did not appreciate the strange scents in the club.

Which caused Sands to pause. What were those odors?

thevampiresands @ 2004-10-02T20:52:00

2004-10-03T03:52:05Z

Day 6 part 9 THE VAMPIRE SANDS
Day 6 part 9

"Pleased to meet you, won't you come in?" Agnes greeted Victoria at the door to Weatherton's office. Quickly Victoria raked the room with her eyes. There were fourteen vampires here, all dressed in black, all smiling in her direction. It looked like the vampiric version of a Secret Service convention. Her arms tightened around the folder she carried.

"Mmnn, thank you," Victoria replied as she slowly entered the room. This made her extremely uncomfortable. She felt a little like a lamb going to slaughter.

"Why don't you sit here?" Weatherton offered her a large leather chair nearest to his own. Victoria nodded and crossed the room, knowing that all eyes followed her every step. Why hadn't she told Lilith that she was uncomfortable in the presence of so many vampires? Pride, she decided. She had not wanted Sands' maker and former lover to think she was weak. But now surveying the situation, Lilith should have known how she felt.

"Well," Weatherton's voice broke into her thoughts. "I have briefed the Guardians on your mission with us." He smiled in a charming manner dropping his eyes to the file in her lap. "Did you find anything helpful in our notes?"

Victoria had indeed found his file helpful. According to the report, all the vampires turned seemed to be the young rebellious type; young adults who favored the Gothic scene and the few subjects the Guardians were able to capture had all come from the same section of London. The young vampires all related the same tale of being violently turned and left to fend for themselves.

The Guardians had discovered that a few of the young had banned together into a sort of loosely knit clan. This gave her a fairly good idea of where to begin her search for Abberline and Sands, whom she felt sure were now somehow involved. After all Sands owned a goth club in New York, he would be the perfect guide for Abberline into this strange world.

"Yes, it was very interesting," she let her natural accent flow. "Very good detective work. Have you gone to the West End to have a look around?" she asked politely.

Weatherton turned to Agnes. "Perhaps you could field Miss Dupree's question."

Agnes leaned against a nearby fireplace mantle. As Agnes began to speak, Victoria initiated her own detective work. Slowly she began to delve into Agnes' mind. There was no barrier and the talkative vampire seemed not to notice the intrusion. Victoria looked for images of Abberline or Sands. None were present. Keeping her eyes focused on the Guardian as she spoke, Victoria nodded occasionally to fain interest as she continued moving throughout the group. One by one she entered their minds, looking for clues, looking to see if any of them had seen Abberline or Sands recently. She was disappointed to find that they knew nothing.

After an unusually long pause, Victoria refocused her attention to Roderick Weatherton. "You said that you had used telepaths?" She saw Weatherton's brows arched. "Where are they? Would it be possible to speak to any of them? It could be helpful." As she smiled graciously, Victoria noticed several of the Guardians shift uncomfortably at her request. Weatherton motioned to Agnes and whispered into her ear. Agnes nodded.

"Will you be requiring any of our services this evening?" Agnes asked Victoria politely.

Victoria looked straight into Agnes' cold expression. "No, not this evening, I need to rest and I need to feed. Perhaps tomorrow." At this Agnes raised her palm and with a quick motion turned to leave the room with all the English Guardians in tow. Victoria noticed that several were careful to avoid eye contact with her. But she smiled pleasantly to those who looked back. When the door had shut Victoria turned her attention to Weatherton, "Was it something I said?" She handed him the envelope.

"As a matter of fact it was. "He took the envelope and placed on a small table that rested near his chair. "They don't care for the company of the telepaths." He smiled and reached for his drink. " They're afraid of them mostly. The Guardians are very private and don't like people prying around in their minds."

Victoria smiled calmly. "Oh," she replied softly.

"Can I offer you a drink?" he began lifting himself from his chair.

"Oh yes, that would be lovely," she replied and followed him as he crossed the room to a small mahogany bar.

*~*

As Abberline walked beside Sands, his senses took in the sights, sounds, and scents of the early evening. He looked at the faces of the Londoners heading home or to the local pub, or those who were out doing Christmas shopping. It was only after they'd made four our five turns down side streets that he realized Sands was not leading them toward the nightclub district.

"Sands," he said softly, "where are we going?" The scenery was getting a little dirty, a little less well traveled.

"I have some shopping to do," Sands replied, not answering the question.

Sands seemed to have the lay of the land. "Shopping?" Abberline inquired. "Now? Here?" He quickened his step and came up along side Sands.

The handsome vampire turned to face him, and Abberline was reminded, as he looked at the eyeliner around Sands' eyes, that he also wore make-up.

"I am naked without my guns," Sands said. He had a charming smile on his face, as if he'd just said it was a lovely night.

"Guns?" Abberline had been trained as an officer of the law to operate without guns. He never liked them, though he understood the need for them at times. "Do you really think you'll need guns?"

"We will need guns," Sands told him.

"And where are you planning to get weapons? The last time I checked Britain did not allow its citizens or police force to carry fire arms."

Sand briefly turned his head and smiled. "Don't worry, I know a guy."

Abberline shook his head, "I'll bet you do." Abberline began to grin, he felt a bit of admiration for Sands at that point. The guy was always true to himself.

They made a few more turns and ended up on a rather nice street, a circle of homes, their brightly painted doors facing the small wrought iron fences of almost virtual front yards. Street lights were coming on, reminding Abberline of how London looked over a hundred years ago.

"Number fourteen," Sands spoke. He headed up the steps to that home and used the front door bell. Abberline followed him up the steps and waited at his side.

"This looks like a rather nice place, are we dressed properly for the occasion?" Abberline quipped always socially conscience.

Sands waved him off. "If you only knew, Abberline."

They both stopped talking as the sound of approaching footsteps from the other side of the door captured their attention. It opened and they found themselves looking at a senior citizen who wore her steel gray hair pulled up in a bun, a high necked, navy colored floral print housecoat and an oversized black sweater that appeared hand-knit. "May I help you?" she asked sweetly.

"Volumes and volumes," Sands replied.

"Dickens or Thackery?"

"Sir Arthur Conan Doyle." Sands stood smiling back.

"Come in, gentlemen." She opened the door.

Slightly baffled at the reference to one of his personal friends from a century ago, Abberline followed Sands inside the well-kept home. Its interior also reminded him of his Victorian past. He pondered the use of code words and wondered if this was one of Sands' CIA contacts.

The old woman shut and bolted the door and then turned to join them. "I think I have what you gentleman are looking for down in the library. If you would follow me." She smiled sweetly and reminded him of a friendly fish monger he once knew a lifetime ago.

The flat was well kept, with lace doilies and small porcelain figures adorning the shelves. Faded canvases of flower arrangements in oils lined the corridor. The scent of gingerbread filled the air as they got closer to the kitchen, but they turned away into the library. It looked like the library of a person who loved books. Hardwood shelves ran from floor to ceiling, and there were four large, hunter green leather armchairs strategically placed, flanked by reading lamps and at the far end a large walnut desk.

"So, how is Oscar?" Sands asked the woman.

"He's out working," she answered. "Berlin I think. I can't keep track anymore. They wanted to retire him from the field, but he doesn't want a desk job."

Abberline looked at Sands, who mouthed "Her son," back at him.

Abberline nodded quietly, but this still didn't look like the type of place to purchase fire arms, but perhaps that was why it was the perfect front.

"Gentlemen," she held out a buddle," is this what you're looking for?"

Sands took the bundle and carefully opened it to reveal a long black leather-covered box. He lifted the lid and looked at the weapon and silencer within. A smile curved the corners of his mouth. "This is perfect," he said in a warm voice. "You are a jewel. You must thank Oscar for me. Tell him his crazy friend was here."

She laughed. "They're all crazy, aren't they?"

"All right, his craziest friend," Sands smiled over at Abberline, who was looking altogether too sober.

The lady folded her arms across the flower print of her house coat. "How about your friend, does he like books?" she inquired.

"Oh yes," Sands replied but he 's not an avid reader."

The woman chuckled.

It went unsaid that Sands and the woman were talking in code again. Abberline assumed a solemn expression. "Is there is something for me?"

"Only if she has three of these," Sands said. "I like having a minimum of two good handguns. I don't suppose you have a small one I can hide somewhere?" he asked turning back to the woman.

"Of course, deary," she replied and walked over to a bookshelf and removed a stack of leather bound volumes to reveal another small bundle. "Perhaps this will do?"

Sands took the new bundle and flipped the cloth off. He held a small Baretta. "Sweet." He smiled, like a child opening presents on Christmas morning.

"So, how many of the handguns do you need?"

"Three, with holsters, and this little baby," Sands answered quickly. "We'll need the ammo, too. You can bill my account."

"The number?" she asked, going to a ledger book on the desk and flipping it open.

"004509S," he answered quickly. "I haven't had to avail myself of your services for quite a while."

She flipped back toward the front of the book. "Quite a while," she agreed, looking from the pages to his face.

"I'm older than I look." Sands graced her with his most charming smile.

The woman marked her ledger and looked at him from the corner of her eye, a glimmer of recognition seemed to appear. "I'll get the ammo," she stated. "Wait here."

The woman left the room and Abberline and Sands were alone. Abberline had crossed his arms against his chest. "So when was the last time you visited this establishment?"

Sands was still fondling his new toys. "Perhaps about the eighties."

"You have a photographic memory. I'm sure you can be more precise," Abberline prodded.

"February 4, 1985," Sands said quickly. "Happy?"

"She knows you can not look like you do and stand here twenty years later," Abberline frowned.

"She'll think I have a trick."

"That's quite a trick," Abberline commented. "Fountain of youth."

"Portrait in the attic."

Abberline laughed. Sands looked up surprised at the outburst. "It was a good pun, but really Sands you should be more careful."

"She'll think I'm my son or something. I'm not worried. I can make her think what I want anyway." Sands was still distracted by the guns.

"Then you had better attend to it," Abberline told him. "Or you may have this Oscar asking questions. I trust he's one of your spy friends."

"Spies have no friends," Sands said, his voice suddenly cold and flat. "I thought I explained that to you in 45."

Abberline waved him off. "All right, acquaintances then." Abberline broke off his conversation and shut his eyes, intently listening. Sands knew it had to be the master.

"Here is the ammo," the gray-haired woman re-entered the room. "Would you like some tea?"

"No thank you, dear," Sands smiled, setting the guns carefully on the desktop and then taking the ammo and putting it next to the weapons. "What about holsters. Would you have holsters?"

She began to answer, looking into his eyes, and her words trailed off. Sands put a friendly hand on his shoulder, but his mind was invading hers, telling her he was the son of an old and trusted customer, who had been a friend of Oscar's. She'd met him when he was just in his twenties, back in 1985. He told her she had no questions about him or his companion. Then he removed his hand, and picked up the conversation. "Yes, holsters for both of us would be great."

The woman exited the room and return with the holsters, handing them over she smiled. "You know, you've grown into the spitting image of your father."

Sands gave her a charming smile. "Yes, so I've heard." Abberline listened to the exchange and then touched Sands lightly on the shoulder. "We should be going."

"So soon?" she asked wistfully.

"I'm sorry," Sands told her. "Would you give us a moment, my dear?"

She nodded and left. Sands began to load his weapons, handing a holster to Abberline and donning two himself.

"You know I don't really like guns," Abberline said quietly as he held the holster in one hand as if it were quite distasteful.

"Yeah well, get over it. From what you've told me these kids are a bad brood," Sands snapped. "And what was that with the silent treatment a minute ago? The boss checking in?"

Abberline sighed. "Yes, as a matter of fact he was."

"What does he want now?" Sands asked. "Don't tell me he doesn't like guns."

Abberline began to fasten the holster around his frame. "He wants to know why we are not out looking for the children and he is a little curious about our attire."

"So he can even see us? Interesting," Sands said, tucking the small gun into his right boot. "Well, you see, the kids don't go directly to the clubs right at sunset, do they? They don't even open until nine or so. We have a few hours to just hunt around."

"Now you tell me!" Abberline complained. "But yes, he can see us through my eyes."

Sands' eyebrows arched in surprise and then he waved rather childishly toward Abberline.

"Oh knock it off." Abberline scolded.

"Time to go a-hunting," Sands said.

They both turned as they heard the old woman return. "There, you are ready then?" she asked. "I'll show you out."

They followed her back down the hall, past the delicious odors coming from the kitchen, and to the front door.

"Keep yourselves safe," she said, opening the door.

"You, too," Sands told her. He again looked deeply into her eyes. "I'm glad to have this chance to do business with you." He released her from his gaze and followed Abberline out into the quickly chilling evening air.

cross posting

thevampiresands @ 2004-09-28T19:34:00

2004-09-29T02:34:37Z

Yet another chapter for THE VAMPIRE SANDS Day 6 part 8
Abberline and Sands ready for the night.

Day 6 part 8

(You can always trust a dishonest man to be dishonest, honestly.

Once he had dressed, Sands went back into the bathroom to retrieve his things. He didn't understand why Abberline wanted him to leave all his personal things in the room. They had to have some sort of I.D. to get into the clubs.

As he sorted through his meager possessions, he found his cell phone in the pocket of his jacket and he casually looked at the screen. He had a message. Who had his tri-band number? Lilith and… He flipped it open and pressed the button to retrieve his voice mail. The monotone voice chimed, "You have one new message. First message..." Then he heard Victoria's soft voice across the line. She sounded a little strange.

He bit his lip as he listened, feeling guilty all over again. Then she said she was going. Going where, he wondered, pushing the button to replay the message. Sands listened again. Victoria's soft voice. "I'm being sent on a little errand. I'll be out of town for a few days." Then there was a long pause. "Goodbye."

He frowned. Did she mean good-bye or good-bye, sayonara, adios amigo, it was nice knowin' you, loser?

Sands listened one more time. Victoria sounded sad? Maybe. Perhaps. Sad why though? Because she was saying good-bye? After almost four hundred years he still didn't understand women.

He closed the phone. He would have to go see her the moment he landed in New York. He stood there for a moment the cell in his hand, staring off into space. Sands did not even hear Abberline come up behind him. "Sands? Is everything all right?"

He stiffened. "No." He turned around and saw Abberline had finished dressing and a smile tugged at Sands' lips. "Oh, aren't you the charmer!"

Abberline smirked. "Yes, aren't these garments lovely? But you didn't answer my question." He stood there looking disappointed.

"Victoria has gone off," Sands announced. "Happy?"

Abberline frowned. "Gone off?"

"Now I have a question for you: Life would be boring without secrets...don't ya think?"

"I thought you liked this one? " Abberline turned slowly. "After all that was the impression I received."

Sands moved up to Abberline. "With all due respect, sir, my personal life is off limits, savvy? Or do you want to talk to me about how you and Lilith get it on?"

Abberline turned sharply and glowered at Sands, his eyes flashing with anger. He stood motionless, but Sands could see that every muscle was tensed. Then the faint hint of a smile began to appear. "Our task should not take long, and then you can be reunited with Victoria."

Sands' eyes narrowed. Abberline would never forget who had Lilith first, he told himself. "I'm not a Guardian," he said in a sandpaper soft voice. "I am more than willing to be an ally, but not a servant. My secrets are my own. I've paid, spilled blood for the clan. I appreciate what you did for me, the gift you've given me, the introduction to the Master, but my secrets are my own. Just so we are clear on that. No offence meant."

"You have a sting in that tongue of yours." Abberline paused as he continued his walk across the room, finally sitting in an over stuffed arm chair. "Not everyone is your enemy." His eyes still focused on Sands intently.

"But everyone is in competition, aren't they?" Sands asked, moving gracefully across to sit on the edge of the bed. "I learned that a long time ago."

"Perhaps."

"Most definitely." Sands looked intently into Abberline's eyes. "Don't tell me on the police force you were all palsey with the other guys."

Abberline smiled and brought his fingertips together in a tapping motion. "No, as a matter of fact I wasn't, except for with one good officer. Most considered me a bit odd. But then again, I never went out of my way to attack any of them." His smile grew broader. "Well, there was that one time." He look up to Sands. "But seriously, I was just saying, that from what I saw, I doubt that Victoria has up and left you."

"I'm consoled." Sands' voice held no emotions. "Let's get on with business. Did you have a list of these goth clubs or what?" Sands sat perfectly still, his expression unreadable. He then moved to pull on a pair of socks, and then his new pants.

Abberline was slightly amused watching Sands slipping into his incredibly tight pants. "Yes, but I thought you found a club from that sales girl?"

"Whatever." Sands' voice was flat and Abberline assumed he was trying to hide his feelings. Next, he assumed, would come more flippant talk or snazzy lines. He'd seen Sands like this before in Portugal once. In Boston. In Dannenberg am Elbe.

"There's the Evil Eye not far from here. We can start there." Abberline fished in his pocket for the little tourist map he'd bought. "I've got them all marked. We must make sure we shield ourselves, though."

Sands roughly pulled on his boot, deep in his own thoughts. It was the way he left Victoria that bothered him. The note. "I'll be ready in a minute, I just need to put on my face." Sands stood and headed back to the bathroom, to messy up his hair and apply the black eyeliner goths were so fond of. The damned note. He should have tried to explain somehow, even if he was under orders to not give anything away.

"What do you mean?" Abberline followed him into the bathroom again. "Put on your face? You look fine."

"Eye-liner," Sands said, holding up the stick. "You need it, too."

"Me?"

"Yes. To fit in."

Abberline's eyes went from Sands' face in the mirror to the eye-liner pencil he was working with.

"Bloody hell." he exclaimed. "Well I guess this will be one of those secrets that no one ever need know about." Abberline leaned against the door jam.

Sands returned his focus to applying his eyeliner. He would have to get Victoria off his mind for now , they were going to work. "Do you need help getting yours on?" he asked Abberline.

"I suppose I do." Abberline leaned against the wall and continued to watch Sands. "You seem all too comfortable with this."

"I am a master of disguise," Sands announced. "You should have seen the arsenal I had in Mexico."

"I've heard the tales," Abberline admitted. "But since this scene is something you are quite familiar with, I'll follow your lead tonight."

Sands turned to him and said deadpan, "I didn't know we were dancing. Close your eyes, so I can put this on you." He held the eye-liner up in front of Abberline's face. The clan head sighed dramatically, then closed his eyes.

"We want to ask a few questions, see if anyone knows anything about people going missing, you know things like that." Abberline kept his eyes closed and nervously waited for Sands to apply his make-up.

Signing to himself, Sands moved to stand directly in front of Abberline. "Close your eyes and I'll kiss you, tomorrow I'll miss you, remember…"

"They are closed," Abberline interrupted the little ditty. "You'll never make a living as a singer, Sands."

"It's dangerous criticizing the man putting your eye-liner on." Carefully, Sands applied the eyeliner, hissing every time Abberline so much as fluttered his eyelid. "There," Sands announced. "That's as good as it's going to get. Now let's blow this joint and see what's shakin'."

"You know what would have come in handy?" Abberline paused uncomfortably as the clay eye-liner grazed his lower lid. "A telepathic."

"Yeah, well your Master didn't invite one, only me. Don't smear that stuff."

Abberline looked into Sands' eyes, studying him intently. "You were young when you were turned. How young?"

Sands pouted. "Less than forty."

"No, seriously."

A smile tugged Sands' lips. "I'm never serious if I can help it."

"Can I never get a straight answer from you?" Abberline asked softly.

The sound of a lorry passing close by their hotel window was the only sound for a moment. "I was born November 25, 1633. I was turned October 24, 1665. You can do the math," Sands replied, his heavily made-up eyes locked onto Abberline's face. "And you?"

"I was in my early forties," Abberline admitted. "Addicted to opium. Heart-broken after my wife died in child-birth. And watched by a brotherhood of evil men." He looked thoughtful for a moment, then turned his attention back to Sands. "I was 44 when I was turned, thus the every slightly graying of my hair. If only my master had moved earlier."

"It gives you a distinguished look," Sands told him. "And looks marvelous with the eye-liner," he winked flirtatiously.

"Youngster," Abberline quipped.

"You are actually some 250 years younger than me," Sands reminded him. "Victoria is even older than you." His thoughts shifted quickly to Victoria and he smiled briefly. Yes her ability to read minds would come in handy as Abberline had put it, but he was glad she was not here, too dangerous. Thinking of Victoria tended to make him feel slightly angry at himself and the reasons he was driven to come to England. "The sooner we get these mis-created vamps off the streets, the better. Let's get going, amigo."

Sands walked toward the door, as Abberline contemplated how many times in his life he had been called "amigo." The total was now one. Abberline shook his head and paused at the door to lock it, pocketing the key. Sands was already at the lift holding the door. Abberline stepped in and crossed his arms, "So you know where we are going then?"

"The question is," Sands said, staring at the doors of the elevator as they started down, "'Do I know where the Evil Eye is.?' The answer is, 'Yes.' Been there. Done that. Bought the t-shirt."

Abberline looked at Sands' profile. "You have an unusual way of utilizing the English language."

Sands glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. "I'll take that as a compliment, chief." The doors to the lift opened and the pair filed out. "Now then , when we get there, try to blend in." Sands studied him again, a smile beginning to spread across his lips. "Maybe have a drink or two, dance a little."

"I'm not an unsocial beast," Abberline assured him. "I can walk, talk, chew gum."

"Party down," Sands added.

"Indeed. I have not been living in a total vacuum."

"Or Hoover."

"Correct." Abberline and Sands were approaching the front desk.

"Jeffrey," Abberline inclined his head toward the desk clerk.

"Good evening, sir," the man in the hotel blazer replied. "Can I call you a cab, sir?"

"No thank you. We're walking," Abberline spoke, then turned to Sands. "I forgot I'm wearing this get-up. We should have gone out the back door."

"You worry too much, "Sands chided. "You look smashing." He effected his old British accent before he quickly turned to the man behind the counter. "Jeffrey, doesn't he just look simply smashing tonight?" Sands smiled like a Cheshire cat. The man behind the counter was taken aback.

Abberline rolled his eyes and grabbed Sands by the fore arm. "Let's get going."

The two vampires went walking out of the building and down the steps. "First of all, you need to walk like a male on the hunt," Sands began to say. "All assured." He demonstrated.

"Not on your life," Abberline said as Sands turned back and smiled at him.

"Well you're just no fun this evening," Sands whirled around.

"Sands," Abberline called. "We're supposed to be keeping a low profile."

Sands stopped and fell into step along side of Abberline walking quietly for a few blocks. Sands scanned the area and shot a occasional glance over to Abberline who seemed to be deep in thought. "Is he in there?" he asked with a smile.

"Hmm? What?" Abberline looked truly baffled, his dark eye-lined eyes opened in question.

"The Master. Is he in your head?" Sands inquired in a lowered voice.

Abberline smiled. "Yes," he replied softly. "He is relaying his concerns to me about the seriousness of this mission." Abberline arched his eye brows.

"When it comes to my skin, I'm always serious," Sans told him. "Don't let me fool you with the charming and witty dialogue, I'm all business."

"I know, that's what is so disarming." Abberline replied and smiled at the disoriented look spread across Sands face.

"You are a master of saying one thing and meaning another I take it," Sands replied as they walked side by side.

Abberline couldn't help but notice the looks on the faces of the people they passed. He shoved his hands into his pockets. "Not to change the subject," he paused.

Sands interjected, "But you are."

Abberline smiled. "These children that frequent these gothic clubs," he turned his eyes up towards Sands. "Do they always dress like this?"

"Well, in New York, for sure. Remember, they think vampires dress like this. They seem to intuit that we're all gorgeous creatures. Must be my legend."

Again, Abberline found himself rolling his eyes. "Is there no length or depth to that ego of yours, Sands?"

"It's like vast, galactic in proportions."

Abberline looked over at Sands and then straight into the night sky. "Okay, Mr. Gorgeous, we're working."

"Fine, Mr. Fabulous."

thevampiresands @ 2004-09-28T18:38:00

2004-09-29T01:38:36Z

THE VAMPIRE SANDS Day 6 part 7

Day 6 part 7

Victoria watched as Weatherton reread the letter from Victoria. "I can only hope," his blue gaze returned to her as he spoke, "that Abberline has caught wind of our dilemma and is trying to help us out. He has a reputation as one of the last centuries great detectives, you know. But surely, being from his clan house, you have dealt with him yourself."

Victoria lowered her gaze. What would Roderick Weatherton think if he knew that less than two weeks ago, she herself had been in hiding from everyone and everything? What would he think if he knew that before two weeks ago she had never stepped into a clan house for fear of being hunted down?

She returned her gaze to him. "Yes, I have had the pleasure and you could very well be right about him." She flashed a lovely smile. "Perhaps you ought to tell me everything you know about these young vampires." She settled back in the overstuffed chair and folded her hands neatly in her lap.

With a sigh, Roderick nodded. "That is part of the problem. We've captured a few, lucky that, but they could provide little to no enlightenment. They were all turned by what they believe to be a male vampire. This is due to the strength. They all remember someone of great strength." He looked at Victoria. "They nothing like us. They went through no thrall period or training. They are turned and basically abandoned. Many kill one another."

He stood up and moved to the desk. "Lately the reports have come in that they have formed a lose affiliation, with a pecking order. Now they are truly dangerous. like a pack of wild dogs." He picked up a folder and brought it over to her. "Why don't you take a look at these reports? I'll have you shown to your room. You can take your time, then come down this afternoon and I will have called some of my Guardians in to meet you."

Victoria took the folder from his hand and nodded in agreement. It was thick. After she retrieved her handbag, she paused.

"You said they believed it was a male vampire, not of the newly turned saw their master then?"

Weatherton stood by the door. "No, they did not," he said with concern before opening the door. A young woman in a maid's uniform suddenly appeared.

"Meg, take Miss Dupree to her room." He turned his attention back to her. "I'll have a tea tray sent up shortly." Victoria smiled and followed the young woman. Victoria looked into her thoughts. Meg was a thrall, and had served Weatherton's household for the last three years.

Victoria tried to get a look around the great house as the pair walked. Strange, she thought it looked very much like the New York house

"Here's you room, Miss." Meg opened the door and showed her in. Victoria's bag was sitting on the bed and patches of sunlight filtered in through the window as the far side of the room. "Shall I close the curtains Miss?" Meg asked, clearly sizing Victoria up.

"No, I rather like the sun." Victoria smiled exposing a sharp fang. She really did not care for busybodies.

Meg's eyes widened. "You may go," Victoria said quietly and Meg rushed out of the room.

Victoria settled onto the window seat with the folder and began to read the pages within. Several hours passed only interrupted once with a tea tray, that still remained untouched.

Putting the papers aside, Victoria looked at the clock on the nightstand. It said it was after 5p.m. She compared its to her own watch, and realized she hadn't put it ahead yet. She remedied the situation, then stood and stretched. It was probably time she find her way downstairs.

She took the time to look at the room she was in with a critical eye. It had a lovely large lead glass window that faced the immaculate gardens below and unless the window curtains were drawn tightly shut, sunlight would filter in all day long. Obviously Weatherton had arranged this particular room before meeting her, so he must have assumed she was an older vampire. No, mature, she thought smiling. She would never let herself get old.

Picking up the papers, which were all stamped in red with the word "Confidential," she headed for the hallway.

Retracing her steps, she easily made her way back to Weatherton's office. Straightening up, she listened for a moment and heard several voices from within. She knocked on the door and waited, smoothing her shirt and then running a hand along the side of her dark hair.
.

The door opened and Victoria found herself looking into the bright blue eyes of a woman about five feet tall. She reminded Victoria of Weatherton and she wondered briefly if they were related.

"You must be Victoria," the vampire held out her hand. "I'm Agatha. Do come in." She gestured with her hand to the room beyond. In a quick count, Victoria saw more than a dozen vampires of all shapes and sizes. She smiled at Agatha. "Thank you," and stepped inside.
~*~*~
In London, Abberline stood by a window looking out at the darkness. "How much longer, do you think?" Sands asked, coming up behind him.

Abberline stood gazing out the window , arms folded as he seemed to stare off into space a fixed point. He did not turn to meet Sands 'gaze. "Two hours before the sun completely sets. Then they'll be out, but as long as our shields are up we should be able to avoid meeting them on any terms but our own. " A brief smiled appeared at the corner of his lips.

"This gift you gave me," Sands said softly. The tone of his voice drew Abberline's gaze away from the window. "It's been a life saver. Did I ever thank you?"

Abberline smile more broadly, a twinkle appearing in his dark eyes. "No, I don't believe you ever did."

Sands sniffed. "I'll have to remember to do that some time." He put on a charmingly disarming smile. "Time to get dressed in our new clothes."

Abberline shook his head. "It's not a game."

"Oh, but it is." Sands went over to the bags they had piled at the foot of the bed. "Everything is a game. We can't take it too seriously or it's no fun."

"I don't understand you," Abberline said, watching the way Sands stood, the tilt of his head, the way his long wet hair was dripping onto the bathrobe Abberline had loaned him.

"What's to understand? I live for the moment. Oh, no. Wait. I'm not really alive am I? So I'm dead for the moment."

"Don't you take anything seriously?" Abberline questioned, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly arms still tightly folded against his chest.

Sands looked thoughtful for a moment. "Just my job, boss." He looked around the room. "I would feel better if we had some decent weapons against all these young critters."

"They are people," Abberline told him.

"No," Sands' dark eyes met his. "Don't think of them as people or you will feel sympathy. Sympathy may delay you, just for a second, but it may be the second that determines if you continue on in this world or not." He gave a quick half-smile, one that said 'I'm sorry to have to tell you this even if you're technically my superior, but there it is.'

Abberline's head lowered as he took a deep breath releasing the tension that was building inside. He did not relish the job ahead of them. After all, Sands was right, they would all have to be destroyed. Abberline watched Sands through half closed lids. Sands was busily pulling their new clothes from the black plastic shopping bags and throwing them into piles on the bed in a nonchalant manner. Abberline turned and began emptying his pockets on to the bedside table.

"You hide your emotions well, Sands, perhaps too well." Abberline commented dryly as his cell dropped onto the small table.

The noise from Sands stopped. "I don't hide, I submerge. You were lucky, Abberline, you had a powerful mentor who sheltered you. But I bet you remember what it was like before you were turned." Sands moved up to him and Abberline found himself looking onto eyes that were difficult to fathom. "You remember the pain of seeing bodies in the morgue. Of seeing children dying in the gutter. I lived in London then, too, you know."

"I don't know what you mean," Abberline replied dismissively, focusing more on the dingy carpet below Sands' wet feet.

That didn't seem good enough for Sands, he moved up even closer, invading Abberline's personal space. "Then you know we have to treat them like the enemy they are," he told Abberline. "No sympathy. No exceptions. We hunt them down before they hunt us down. Capiche?"

Abberline was at heart a gentleman, but he understood Sands' meaning. Too much was at stake, this situation was too dangerous. Abberline took a step back and looked up into Sands' dark eyes. "Well," he paused, "that's why I have enlisted you." Pointing to his pockets, he continued, "Leave your personal belonging behind." He raised an eyebrow. "In case you're captured of course." A thin smile appeared across his lips.

Sands got a cocky look on his face. "I have no intentions of letting the little buggers get me. I'm the hunter now." He had a predatory gleam in his chocolate-colored eyes now, one Abberline had seen before as Sands headed out of Clan House loaded down with the newest weapons hidden upon his person.

"Empty your pockets," Abberline repeated as he poked at Sands' torso.

Sands got an exasperated look on his face. "I'm wearing your robe. The clothes are all new and have nothing of mine in them. What am I supposed to empty?" He had an innocent choir boy look now as he demanded a response.

"Well, I know you are not planning on being apprehended, but it has happened in the not so distant past and we would want to lead these creatures back to the ones we love, now would we?" Abberline took out a billfold and laid it on the table next to his cell phone and then removed a distinctive gold ring and placed it carefully on the table.

Turning, Abberline saw that Sands had not moved. His eyes were staring straight ahead, an almost feral look upon his handsome face. Suddenly it struck Abberline like a bucket of cold water. He heard his own words echo in his head: "I know you are not planning on being apprehended, but it has happened in the not so distant past." Thoughts of the stories he had heard about Sands being apprehended by the Nazis came to mind and he inwardly cringed for speaking so thoughtlessly.

Abberline slowly placed a hand on Sands shoulder, his voice grew softer. "I'm sorry, I did not mean what I said, I was careless in my choice of words. You must forgive me, too many thoughts are rushing through my mind."

Sands blinked, his gaze refocusing on Abberline. "What?" He blinked again. "No, you are right. If there is someone behind these kids, he may be waiting for vampires like us to make a move. I didn't think of it before. This is not such a piece of cake after all." He looked pointedly down at Abberline's hand on his shoulder. "I didn't know you cared," he said with a wicked grin, his mood switching as suddenly as a strobe light.

Abberline quickly cupped his hand and playfully swatted Sands in the head. "Get dressed," he instructed as he reached for his own pile of clothes.

thevampiresands @ 2004-09-28T18:37:00

2004-09-29T01:37:39Z

THE VAMPIRE SANDS - Day 6 part 6
Day 6 part 6

"So it's agreed then, you'll leave in the morning." Lilith folded the piece of parchment she had been scribbling on and placed into a matching envelope. "I'll send Quinn and MacGregor around to pick you up and see you safely to the plane," she continued speaking, although her focus was now on the hot scarlet wax dripping across the seam. "When you arrive go straight to the clan house if possible and present these papers to Roderick Weatherton and all your needs will be provided for."

Lilith looked up with her sparkling blue eyes and handed the paper to Victoria. She tilted her head to the side reading the expression in Victoria's dark eyes. It appeared as if a storm was raging behind her half closed lids. "My dear," she began and Victoria looked up from the parchment in her hand to the tiny figure behind the massive desk. "You must get used to our kind, we're not all like Jacob was."

Victoria wrinkled her brow. "Are you reading my thoughts?" Victoria questioned nervously. She hadn't felt an intrusion.

"No," Lilith laughed, "Your eyes."

Victoria tried to smile. "How should I reach you if I should learn anything interesting?" she asked as she tucked the envelope into her handbag.

Lilith thumped the side of her temple. "The usual way," her blue eyes twinkled," And if that doesn't work call this number." Lilith handed her a small business card, blank, except for the cell number embossed in black lettering across the surface. "You may not be able to reach me using your gift across the ocean. You may not be strong enough, yet."

Victoria stood and Lilith followed her motion. "I better go. I have to pack and contact a few people before I leave."

Lilith reached out and touched Victoria's arm. "You'll be fine dear, you're clever."

Victoria nodded and left the office behind. Retracing her steps back to the elevator Victoria paused in the hallway and reached for her cell phone. Turning her head left and then right, she searched the corridors for any sign that she had company. When satisfied that she was alone, she pursed her lips and dialed Sands' cell number. Her heart skipped a beat, what if he answered?

The phone rang several times and the message picked up. What would she say? Beep. "Sands, it's me, Victoria." she paused, "I didn't want you to worry when you got back and couldn't find me. I'll be gone for a few days at least. Lilith has a little job for me, I'll be out of the country." She paused again. "I hope you're all right." She paused again, "Good bye." She hit the send key and shut the phone.

Victoria leaned against the wall for a moment and sighed. She stuffed the phone into her bag and straightened up. She would go to the infirmary and see how Jackson was recovering.

Stepping into the elevator she pressed the button and the doors silently glided shut. She had forgotten to ask where the Infirmary was located. No problem. Victoria opened her mind and search the great house for Jackson. He was easy enough to find, human minds are always easy to read.

"Jackson?" she said sweetly without speaking.

"Miss Dupree?" he sounded excited.

"Yes, Jackson. I'm in the house, but don't know where you are." She smiled as he happily explained how to find the hospital wing.

Victoria made her way to the infirmary and found the human struggling to get out of the bed. She rushed over dropping her handbag on a nearby chair and placed her hands against his chest.

"Where do you think you're going?" she scolded. The thrall pushed against her hands, but even in perfect health, he would have been no match.

"What are you wearing?" she asked as her eyes scanned his torso critically. Jackson stopped pushing and glanced down. His checks reddened.

"A hospital gown." he mumbled. Victoria took a step back.

"Well then you better stay in bed." She pointed a finger at him. "You have to do as I say, unless of course," she paused for dramatic effect. "Debbie has already come down and reclaimed her servant?"

A strange questioning look came across Jackson's face. "No Miss Dupree, she hasn't."

"How is your leg? Can you walk?" she asked as she pulled the chair up along side his bed.

"Better." his hands smoothed the bed linen. "And no, the doctor says that it will be at least four weeks, but I intend to prove him wrong."

She watched as he shifted uncomfortably. Victoria ran her hand along the length of the bed sheets and felt the bandages beneath the surface. His entire upper thigh was immobilized.

"Three hundred stitches," he said quietly.

"You don't like it here do you?" she asked sympathetically.

"No." Then she heard his thoughts silently in her mind. "Turn me. Turn me and I'll hop out of this bed and serve you well. I wasn't meant to be confined to a bed."

Victoria watched his eyes as his thoughts wrapped around her. She sighed and shut him out. "I came to let you know that I'm being sent on an errand and will be gone for several days. When I return I'll come and see how you are doing." She smiled and he smiled back.

"Where are you going?" he asked casually. She once again opened the silent pathway of communication between them and scanned the room with her eyes.

"London, I am going out of town. " His eyes grew wider. "You are not to tell anyone. Do you understand me?" Jackson nodded quietly and looked around. "If something should happen to me, if I do not return by the end of the month. Find Sands and let him know where I have gone."

Jackson's eyes narrowed at the mention of Sands' name. He then reached for Victoria's hand and carefully lifted her finger tips to his lips. Victoria watched him carefully, his lips gently kissed the back of her hand. "As you wish."

Victoria knew he meant it, she read his thoughts. He was condemning his misfortune at being wounded in the last adventure. He wanted to throw aside the covers and follow her to London.

"Stay here and heal. I'll need your services when I return." this statement brought a smile to his face. "I've got to go now. Take care, Jackson."

Victoria picked up her handbag bag and headed out the door. She paused at the entrance and glanced back, his eyes held her in place. Victoria pulled herself away. Jackson was bold, too bold and she could see why Sands disliked him so much. Then again Sands was not there and she was fairly certain that Jackson would not abandon her in a club. She would go down to the guardians to see about replacing her weapons.

The journey had been uneventful, Victoria being the only passenger on the private flight. Quinn and MacGregor had picked her up just before dawn and made sure she had made it safely to the airport and found the clan's jet. Victoria was concerned and puzzled when neither of them joined her on board. She was truly on her own this time.

As the plane circled Heaththrow, Victoria rummaged around in her carry-on, checking for her passport should she need to present her papers. How would she get past security with all these weapons? Quinn had made sure she was well prepared for any situation. A little angry that she had left her only weapon with Sands, she sighed. She'd just have to charm them and hope that was all she needed to do.

"We have clearance to land and should be on the ground in ten minutes," the pilot called back to her. "Buckle-up please."

Victoria closed her carry-on and stuffed in under her seat. Seating down she fastened her safety belt. She smiled as she smoothed her jeans, Sands would like these. Victoria decided that she had needed to blend in more with the average person on the street, so she had purchased her first pair of blue jeans. They where prematurely faded in the right places and rested low on her hips in the current fashion. She had donned a simple white v-neck T-shirt and wore a black leather jacket and black western styled boots. Wrapped around her neck was her favorite Burberry scarf.

As the plane touched down on the tarmac Victoria became aware of the presence of vampires. Many vampires! In fact more that she had ever felt in one place at one time! She drew in a quick breath as the jet came slowly to a halt.

Victoria soon found herself going through the briefest of custom checks. A clerk from the custom's office came out to the plane and met her as she stood talking to the flight attendant about what to expect. He asked her if she had any contraband, she told him she did not, and he welcomed her to Great Britain. That was it. He turned and walked off the plane as quickly as he had boarded and she looked at the flight attendant, her mouth open in surprise.

"They know us," the young thrall told her with a smile. "He takes a lengthy vacation every year and the clan house pays for it.

She nodded her understanding, picked up her handbag, and followed the attendant down the plane's steps to the waiting limousine. Apparently someone had called ahead for her. With the mounting feeling of apprehension as she once again felt the presence of many vampires, she gratefully got into the darkened interior.

Victoria settled in and buzzed the driver. The privacy screen slowly descended.

"Yes, Miss Dupree?" he questioned politely. The sound of her name distracted her for a moment.

"How long before we arrive?" she asked politely.

"Less than an hour Miss," he replied. Victoria nodded and looked out the window. The privacy screen rose again.

It seemed odd that it was sunny here in England, when it had been so dark and stormy in New York. She watched the morning traffic as the limousine moved through stop and go traffic, then moved more swiftly as they headed east.

Soon the rolling green countryside was speeding by. It reminded her of her last trip to England.

But that was a long time ago, when the city had been smaller. She liked England, so much so that she had a small flat here years later for a few years before Jacob had caught up with her.

Thinking of Jacob triggered something deep inside and then she felt it. The intrusion in the back of her mind. She frowned and shut it out. The vampires were searching for her. Then she changed her mind, opening only a small corner. It would be good to know who was looking for her.

There were many. Confused. Angry. Hungry. So hungry. And having no idea what was happening to them. They wanted to learn. To understand.

Opening her eyes, she shut off even that small connection. It was nauseating her and her hand flew to her stomach in sympathy.

So this was what was happening in London. But Lilith had wanted her to find Abberline and Sands. Perhaps they were dealing with this problem. But who would make so many? Too many meant danger for them all.

She realized she was frowning, and took a deep breath to settle her nerves and stomach. Maybe this Roderick would know something. The limousine was slowing down, she noticed. Perhaps they were almost there.

But it hadn't been an hour yet, why was the driver slowing down? Victoria reached into her bag and pulled out one of her weapons, carefully she checked to see that it was loaded and then that the safety was off. She buzzed the driver and the privacy shield when down as she tuck the gun under her jacket. "Are we there?" she asked with a smile.

"Not yet, Miss. We have to get off the highway. It's all side roads now." The chauffer smiled briefly at her in the rear view mirror, then directed his attention back to the road.

Victoria nodded and clicked the safety on her weapon. She turned her head to look out the window, where the scenery was taking a definite turn, she smile as the cement and cobblestone walk-ways gave way to hedge rows and eventually a few sheep.

She saw a gaggle of public school boys in their uniforms walking in pairs up a slight hill. The limousine turned, giving her a new view of a quaint village below. They drove down and through the village, which reminded her of a episode of the Vicar of Dibley, then up and out the far side and up a winding road to an hill covered in woods. As she looked up at the woods, she caught the hint of a steep spire of some sort.

The limousine continued to wind up the hill until they drove through a heavy iron gate, which closed behind them, and into a long drive covered by overhanging hardwood trees. At the end of the drive, a huge mansion came into sight. The drive split left and right around a formal garden, then came together again before the steps leading up to the front doors.
This, she thought, is a bigger clan house than we have in New York.

Victoria smiled at the architecture, the grand manor styling. People today lived small, in boxes so close that you could touch your neighbor.

The vehicle came to a stop and the driver hopped out to open her door. The air was cool, even though it was one of the rare days where the sun was shinning in England. She shaded her eyes and looked to the massive front doors. There stood a man, well dressed. Black hair neatly trimmed, with a generous helping of white mixed in. He smiled and walked forward to greet her.

"Good morning, Miss Dupree," he said, inclining his head. "I am Master Weatherton's executive secretary, Smithington. If you will follow me." He gestured for her to join him and they climbed the front steps side by side. "I trust your journey was comfortable?"

"Yes, " she said pleasantly lifting her carry-on over her shoulder. "The crossing was quite uneventful."

Smithington turned his head ever so slightly. "Do I detect a French accent?" he questioned.

"Yes," she paused to gauge his unusual question. "On my father's side, but my mother was English," she hastened to add.

A smile appeared across his thin lips. "Very good then, if you would follow me."

As the entered the large structure a maid approached. "Agnes will see to your bag and prepare your room." Victoria smiled at the pretty young girl and handed her the bag.

Victoria and Smithington continued on across a spotless black and white checkered tile floor, to a heavy mahogany door. Smithington tapped lightly on it, then not waiting for an answer, opened the door and stood aside saying, "Miss Dupree."

With just a hint of trepidation, Victoria started to walk into the room. Her first impression was of a huge study done in dark colors, burgundy, forest green, leathers, dark woods, then her gaze fell upon the vampire standing there. If anything, he reminded her of the movie character Austin Powers, for he was short, his hair in a sort of long 60's cut, and a broad smile on his youthful face. That is where the similarity ended, for the vampire was extremely handsome and he wore the height of the current fashion, nothing gaudy like Austin was famous for.

Victoria put on her best diplomatic smile and reached into her handbag to retrieve the letter Lilith had written on her behalf.

"Come in my dear," Weatherton was stepping forward. "Can I offer you a drink?" he asked.

Victoria handed him the parchment, "No thank you, but I have a letter for you."

"Please come in and sit down." He motioned to a pair of large leather arm chairs in front of and empty fireplace.

Victoria found herself sitting down in a very comfortable chair. "Actually, I've been sitting all night," she told him, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"Oh, really?" He seemed surprise. "You didn't play ping pong on the plane?"

Her mouth opened, but no words came out, then he laughed, and she laughed, and she felt she could like this person. He was nothing like she had imagined.

"No, pilot too busy to play." she watched his face as he read the letter.

He looked up, sharing a conspiratorial smile. "I see Lilith is still writing in chicken scratch," he said. "So, tell me, have you any idea of our current situation here?"

Victoria set her handbag down and looked at Mr. Weatherton for a moment. "Not really." She decided she'd like to hear the story from his point of view. "However," I do have a couple of people I'm supposed to keep an eye out for." She stretched one of her long legs forward as she spoke.

"Which people might those be?" he asked, folding Lilith's letter and tucking into the inside pocket of his suit's jacket.

Victoria opened her mind and looked into his, wondering if he was playing her for a fool. After all he had read Lilith's letter, which she had not. Yet his mind was closed to her and he sat watching her waiting for her to reply. Victoria tried a little harder. Nothing. She did get a sense of age from Roderick. Great age. Maybe he was reading her, she thought with a sinking sensation.

But no, she would feel that. She had felt it when Viscalli had been trying to enter her thoughts.

"I'm looking for two of our members who we have reason to believe are here in London." Victoria interlaced her finger tips. "But I'm sure you already know who I am here for, after all you have the letter." Victoria let her eyes momentarily drop where he had placed Lilith's letter in his pocket before returning to lock her gaze upon his gray eyes.

"She is rather vague," he told her, "more interested that I offer you all the amenities of our humble house." He gestured to the room.

Victoria laughed. "Well then," she paused with a smile. "I'll check in with my mistress before naming names. Mr. Weatherton," she questioned, "what is going on here in London? There seems to be a lot of activity in the city."

"To tell you the truth," Roderick said, "we have lost a few members in the past month. Same over on the Continent. There's a foul wind blowing."

"How?" she asked innocently.

"They were caught unawares at first," he told her, his face solemn. "Some good people have died. Not pretty deaths. We seem to have an epidemic of newly turned vampires."

"Caught unawares?" She was unsure of what he meant. "Do you mean, overtaken?" This concerned her. This was exactly the type of situation Sheldon Jeffery Sands would get himself into, and just the type of situation he would feel was to dangerous to tell her about. She frown at little at the thought. "Because when I entered the city I felt their presence, they are hungry and confused."

Roderick sighed. "Yes. Our telepaths have reported this. They have been able to elude these gangs of freshly turned young ones for the most part, but others have been encircled, captured, drained of their knowledge and blood, until death even." He looked up, his eyes darkened by sadness. "The one great advantage we have is that they are young, so they are limited to the hours of darkness. But we must stop this plague."

"How can I be of help?" she asked, confused about Lilith's intentions for sending her here. Did she want her to find Abberline and Sands, or did she want her to help Roderick Weatherton with his little problem.

"What did Lilith tell you?" He spoke calmly, but his hands were holding the arms of his chair. "Are you merely to find the missing people? Or is she asking you to assist us in stopping this menace? Or does she think your two people have been abducted?"

"I'm here to make sure our people are safe." Victoria saw a reaction behind those gray eyes. "But if you think I can be a help here, once my mission is complete, perhaps Lilith will allow me to stay on." Victoria leaned forward. "But you should be warned, a Guardian I'm not."

"No?" he seemed genuinely surprised. "They why would she send you? You must have some special talent or connection to these mysterious missing people. If I knew more, I might be able to help."

Well, he'd thrown out a bone. She wondered if she should bite.

Victoria bit her lip, not sure what she should say or do. But Lilith had sent her here for a purpose. "Could I make a phone call?" she asked with a smile. "If I could just check in with my mistress then I would know what I am able to say." Weatherton looked surprised but waved his hand towards the phone on his desk. Victoria smiled and walked towards the phone, dialing the number Lilith had given her.

Lilith answered almost at once. "Yes?"

"It's me," Victoria said, turning to look at Weatherton. He was politely walking over to the desk and looking down at its contents, but she knew he could hear every word being said.

"Yes, Victoria. Is everything all right?" Lilith's voice held just a hint of concern.

"They are being very welcoming here," Victoria reported, "but I am unsure how much I'm allowed to say about my instructions."

"Put the old sly fox on the phone, my dear," Lilith instructed.

Victoria covered the receiver with her hand and looked to Weatherton. "She'd like to speak to you." Victoria thrust the phone forward surprised at the turn of events.

Walking back toward Victoria, Roderick took the phone. "Hello, mon amie," he said to Lilith. Victoria could hear Lilith call him several things in a language that sounded like Latin. He turned and smiled at Victoria as he patiently listened.

"Yes, my dear Lilith, I have been keeping my sharp wit keen on any whetstone I can find." He raised his brows as he looked at Victoria, "And the current one is very lovely. No. Of course. Yes. Oh, I see. Thank you for sharing. Do you want to speak to her yourself?" He held the phone back out to Victoria and she took it.

"Latin?" she asked him.

He shrugged. "We both spoke it as children you know."

"No, I didn't know," she took the phone. "Yes."

"He has guessed Abberline is involved somehow, so tell him," Lilith instructed, "but make sure that you two are not being overheard."

"And me, what should I tell him about me?" Victoria once again bit her lower lip.

"Tell him you are trained in tracking, nothing more. He doesn't have a need to know all of your secrets, my dear."

"Yes, I understand. Thank you." Victoria hung up the phone. "Shall we sit ?" Victoria motioned to the chairs.

"I thought you were tired of sitting?" he quipped.

"I am," Victoria crossed her arms. "I'm very good at finding things." She paused to see if he was listening. Weatherton straighten up and placed on hand into his jacket pocket. "I'm to locate Abberline and give him a very urgent message. That is all."

thevampiresands @ 2004-09-28T18:36:00

2004-09-29T01:36:50Z

THE VAMPIRE SANDS Day 6 part 5 under the cut

Day 6 part 5

Sands was aware of Abberline's discomfort and had a difficult time hiding his amusement. The clan's namesake was at the moment looking with distaste at the clothes rack, his jaw clenched, his eyes narrowed. They stood a few feet apart in a trendy West Side boutique which catered to male and female tastes. There was the distinctively strong smell of leather, bus exhaust, patchouli incense, and of course humans. Without turning his head, Sands knew which of the women behind him was having her time of the month. He resisted the urge to turn around and entice her into a fitting room for a quick bite.

"Find anything you like?" Sands ventured as he moved closer to Abberline.

Frederick causally looked over to Sands, the look controlled. He was obviously not pleased with the selection, Sands thought "No, not really." Frederick flipped a few more hangers across the metal ring that held the garments, the noise repeated by the three women behind them also shifting through hangers. "People actually like these sorts of garments do they?"

As Sands moved even closer, he could see Abberline was scowling at a pair of leather pants. Sands found the smell of the new leather actually pleasant. For a brief moment he thought of his leather couch at home and what he and Victoria had been doing on it. Regret was quickly pressed down as he addressed Abberline. "Well, you see, everything has to be dark and sensuous, therefore a lot of leather. Or Pleather for those who can't afford or chose not to wear the real thing You need to get into the mind of these goth club goers. In their fantasy, vampires always wear black," Sands continued.

"So I assumed." Abberline gave him a pointed look, eyeing Sands' wardrobe. "But I can't help but wonder where they got that idea," he said, his words dripping with sarcasm.

"And leather, spiked collars and all that, it's just the punk way. Left-over from the sixties," Sands finished his thought.

Abberline folded his arms. "Well then, since you are the expert in this matter, you pick out the attire." His dark eyebrows rose in a look of surprise, his gaze clearly on an object over Sands' left shoulder. Sands turned to look at rack of piercing jewelry. A smirk spread across his lips.

"Unless you had holes before you were turned," he said under his breath, "I'm afraid they won't work on you." He grinned. "Lucky for me, I had my ears pierced. Was a fashion at the time. I talked a Duchess into buying me an incredibly expensive pearl earring once." Sands looked down at Abberline. "We're about the same size. I'll find you something. Leather, right?"

"If that is what will help us blend in, but you will not mention this to anyone." Frederick said the last in a very hushed voice. He pointed his finger firmly in Sands' direction. "I'll go pick out some foot ware." He looked decidedly unhappy, the corners of his mouth set in determination as he passed Sands' shoulder heading for the wall containing boots and shoes.

It was all Sands could do to hold back a gleefully wicked smile. He pulled out leather pants, then went to the shirt rack and found a dark burgundy silk shirt. For himself, he found black jeans and a black turtleneck. Carrying the clothes over one arm, Sands wandered down to the coats. Long black leather for both of them. They'd say they were brothers, he decided. Of course, Abberline would be the elder, since he obviously looked older. Turning, Sands looked around and spied Abberline holding a pair of heavily soled black boots with buckles up one side. The clan leader's expression was one of puzzlement.

Sands snickered. He was enjoying himself. Next he headed towards a rack of spiked and studded belts and, after selecting a few, headed over to Abberline.

Frederick sat on a small bench pulling on the boots with the buckles.
"Honestly, I can't believe people choose to wear these things," Abberline said under his breath. "I'm sorry. I have to draw the line somewhere. These look like something Boris Karloff wore in 'Frankenstein. What is the point of all these buckles anyway? They just make noise.'"

Sands let out a laugh. "Humans don't hear that often. Too much ambient sounds. Maybe they want to look like Frankenstein's monster, who knows? Now take a look at these." Sands held out the garments for Abberline to look over.

Frederick's brow wrinkled. "Sands, you can't tell me this is what they think we're like?" he questioned earnestly. "Are we all utterly shallow to them?"

"No, we're fantasy, not real. Well, a few believe. Try them on." Sands gestured with a nod of his head toward the fitting rooms. "I agree, though, those boots are a lost cause. Have you ever worn western boots?"

"You must be kidding," Abberline stood, carefully setting the ugly boots down on the chair beside him. "Cowboy boots? What do you think I am?" Abberline grabbed for the clothes that Sands held out for him and stormed off in the direction of the fitting rooms.

"No seriously, I think you'll like them better." Sands called after him. "I'll go pick out a collar for you."

Abberline stopped dead in his tracks and turn around to glower at Sands. "Listen," Abberline closed the distance between them until they were almost nose to nose. "No collars. I am willing to go to great lengths to go undercover for this operation, but not collars. No." He straightened, looking every inch the English gentleman. "One must draw the line somewhere." With that he turned and walked back into the fitting rooms.

Before Sands could move, a petite very young sales woman appeared at his elbow. Her hair was an unnatural red on tope and black on the bottom. She had almost white facial makeup on, loads of jet black eyeliner and mascara, and her t-shirt had a bat and castle motif on it that read: "What happens in Transylvania stays in Transylvania."

"Are you finding everything you need?" she asked in a very Cockney accent, her eyes going up and down the length of him. She smiled.

"Yes, thank you." he replied taking a small step back. The girl stepped forward. "Are you sure?" she question and flicked the stud in her tongue against her teeth.

Sands looked down at her name badge. "Yes, thank you Darling. Tell me, where can my brother and I get some decent fun around here? We've been living in Argentina for three years and we're out of touch, you see."

She smiled and turned toward the counter, bending a finger, beckoning him to follow. He did. Once there she reached behind the glass display case and pulled a flyer off the wall and handed it to him. "Here, this place is the best! Best bands, best hook-ups, best everything." once again her eyes were glued to him and she was flicking her tongue-stud against her teeth and lips. A habit, he assumed. She must have been all of seventeen.

Studying the flyer, Sands ignored the young sales woman for a moment. It advertised the "Fang and Flyers Club." Sands shifted the clothes he still held from one arm to the other, then laid them on the counter. "Hold these for me." His eyes met hers as he held up the flyer. "Can I keep this?"

"Definitely. And I'll hold these items for you also." She pulled the clothes off the glass display case and put them on the back counter. Sands turned and rushed back to the dressing room Abberline had entered.

"How ya doing, boss?" he asked playfully.

"Well, the fit is good, but this is just not what I'm used to." The curtain slid back and Abberline stood there wearing the burgundy shirt and black leather pants. "I guess one costume is as good as another. And don't call me boss. Our cover is brothers, remember?"

"You look quite the vampire," Sands assured him, "though rather on the romantic side. I suggest you shave off your moustache. It's not the in thing for vampires in clubs."

"What?"

"Shave. Your moustache."

"I heard you. But why?" Abberline's dark brown eyes were wide.

"They think we can't grow beards, you see," Sands whispered. "It's part of the legend. They don't understand the whole come as you died thing."

Abberline ran his fingers against his moustache. "It'll grow back." Sands urged.

"Do you know how disappointed Lilith's is going to be?"

This statement surprised Sands and turned his thought momentarily to Victoria. Then to Lilith. Women were such lovely complications.

Unaware of Sands' inner musing, Abberline continued. "I guess there's no help for it then. Yes, it does grow back. Very quickly. I will have to shave often." He stopped suddenly, his head up, his eyes suddenly looking far away. "In your time, no one had facial hair much, did they?"

"What?" Sands asked, looking around for an explanation.

Instead of answering, Abberline's look became softer, his eyes closing, and silence lay between them. Something told Sands not to ask questions.

"It's him," Abberline said. "He wanted me to ask you." Abberline's eyes blinked and he focused on Sands. "Do you dream?"

"What?" Sands was baffled.

"Do you dream?" Abberline asked plainly, "You know when you sleep?"

Sands blinked. "Yes, always," he responded still puzzled.

There was a moment's silence as Abberline apparently communicated with Zack. "He just wondered. The older you get, the more your dreams will become just replays of your memories," Abberline told Sands. "I dream, too. My master does not. He lives in his memories."

"Fascinating," Sands said, not sure if Abberline was pulling his leg or not. He decided not.

"The older we get, the more memories we have, obviously, and to keep them, our brains begin to take us there when we sleep. You and I must be too young to do this," Abberline continued as if he was talking about something mundane. "Of course, you were turned, what, in the late 17th century? You're a good 200 years my senior."

"I don't think anyone I know does not dream," Sands told him. "Even Lilith, and she is older than either of us."

"Yes, which proves we must be well over two thousand years old before we stop dreaming." Abberline looked down at his clothes. "I guess it will be dark in these clubs." It was half statement, half question.

"Always is, "Sands quipped before quickly changing the subject. "I think I have a lead for us," he said proudly holding up the flyer for inspection.

"Fine. You still need to try on your clothes, Sands."

"No I don't," he smiled slyly. "I have the same ones, same brands even at home. Global economy and all, you know."

Abberline looked at Sands' empty hands. "What outfit?"

"They're holding it for me." Sands looked toward the sales counter. The sales woman with the two-tone hair was watching him, even though the three customers were getting closer to the check out counter. She smiled as she saw him look her way.

"I want to see your clothes," Abberline demanded.

Sands opened his mouth. "You don't trust me?"

"If yours are better, we're swapping."

Sands laughed and put up his hands in defeat. "All right, all right." He turned and headed to the counter. "Excuse moi, Darling, can I have those clothes? My brother insists that I try them on." He leaned forward to collect the items. "He's a bit of a stick in the mud."

The sales woman looked over at Abberline, who stood wearing the clothes he was trying on. "Oh, nice stick in the mud," she said wistfully. "I see the resemblance."

"You do?" Sands frowned.

Abberline, who could hear the entire conversation with his vampire-enhanced hearing, smiled. Sands rolled his eyes and returned to the fitting room. "In," Abberline pointed.

Sands dutifully went in and put on the black jeans and turtleneck, then came out to show Abberline.

"They look pretty normal to me," Abberline said, "In fact, they look like what you pretty much wear every time you're over." He folded his arms. "You can keep the pants, butt you have to find a different shirt." He turned his head and searched the room. A smile appeared as his eyes fixed on an object. Abberline turned and went to a near by rack. He quickly returned carry a black shirt made entirely out of black fishnet and sheer black material with lacing up the front. "This will be better." Abberline handed the garment over to Sands.

"Since when did you become the goth expert here?" Sands asked.

"I'm not," he said pleasantly, "I just don't want you looking better then me." He smiled.

Sands took the shirt. "Even in this, I will look better. It comes with my the package and, of course, my innate sense of class."

"Which is why I moved to America," Abberline told him, "to escape the old class system. We're all equal in America. Except me, of course, being special." Frederick smiled, as if he had told a joke.

"Special?" Sands asked, not following Abberline's line of thought.

"In that for thousands of years my master turned no one, then he chose me. That sort of special."

"Humm," Sands grumbled and retreated into the fitting room. He returned wearing the sheer black and fishnet shirt his hands out to both sides. "See, I look still look better."

"I will not encourage you," Abberline said. He had donned the long leather coat Sands had set aside for him. "But we shall dazzle them, laddie."

Sands smiled. "Then lets get started." He returning into the fitting room and gathered their original garments and followed Abberline to the cash register.

"No clunky boots," Abberline told him as he arrived.

"Agreed," Sands nodded. "You're paying."

Abberline rolled his eyes. "Fine."

thevampiresands @ 2004-09-28T18:34:00

2004-09-29T01:34:44Z

Okay - a few more chapters of THE VAMPIRE SANDS under the cut.
Day 6 part 4
Day 6 part 4
Day 6 part 4

The limo slipped silently along the darkening roads. Victoria shut her
eyes to gather her thoughts. It had taken at least an hour to reach clan
house the other night, but the weather had been poor. Why did Lilith want to see her? Had Lilith been tracking her thoughts? Victoria had not felt any intrusion, but then again would she? Lilith was much more powerful.

This put Victoria on guard, she frowned and opened her eyes. "MacGregor?" she inquired.

"Yes?" his lower jaw turned slightly in her direction and she caught a glimpse of his very blue eyes. French Blue, she thought.

"Don't take the front entrance, I couldn't bare walking through all the
crowds this evening."

"Crowds?" The was slight confusion in his voice, "Oh, Victoria,
there won't be crowds there this time of day. The one time you came, it
was during a get-together. It's still early, nothing on the schedule. It
will be deserted, except for those who live there and the Guardians."

Victoria's demeanor changed, relived by this news. Good, she thought, I don't like to be stared at by those catty women. Especially that Cerese, who would certainly comment if Victoria came in alone. "MacGregor, I'm going to need another weapon, I misplaced the other." She smiled playfully at his reflection in the rear view mirror.

"You what?" She saw his shoulders stiffen. "You lost the gun we gave you?" There was a tone of alarm in his voice. His fingers tightening around the wheel.

"Well no, not exactly." Victoria replied quietly once again leaning
forward. "Sands has it."

MacGregor seemed to relax. "Where is Mr. Front Page tonight?"

Victoria looked at those blue eyes through the rear view mirror for a moment before answering. "Don't know," she said nonchalantly, "He had a errand to run."

The car made a wide right and began to drive up the ramp onto the
expressway. Looking forward, Victoria could see the twin beams of the
headlights cutting through a lightly falling snow that was blowing
slightly to the side. It would be another cold night.

Sighing, she sat back and began to think how different her life had been
in the last week.

Well not that different apart from the constantly being shot at. After
all, she spent almost her entire vampiric life on the run. She had become
very adept at hiding and slipping from place to place. But that was behind her now. Now she would settle down, rebuild her life, enjoy her death. A faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips. Sands would have liked that thought.

Time passed quickly, and before she knew it the limo was headed up the
long drive to the clan house. Victoria became unsettled once again as the
limo came to a stop in front of the grand entrance. Victoria was slightly
afraid of Lilith, hell she was slightly afraid of all of them.

MacGregor got out of the limo and darted to the other side to see if she needed help, but Victoria was already opening the door, one long, shapely leg coming into view. He smiled and stuffed the keys into his pocket.

"If you'll come with me, I will take you directly to her," he said,
gesturing toward the front door. He began walking and then turned his head to the side, a strand of red hair falling into his eyes. "Jackson is doing very well." MacGregor paused, "Just thought you'd like to know."

Victoria turned when he mentioned Jackson. "I supposed he has been
enthralled again, by Debbie wasn't it?" her eyebrow arched with interest.

"I wouldn't know," MacGregor said. "I don't think anything has changed. "He walked beside her up the stone steps, which had obviously been recently swept. The snow was falling more steadily now, but the steps were almost completely clean.

"I know Klein is asking to remain in Sands' service, but I don't think he
knows what he might be in for. Besides, Sands is historically not fond of
having thralls, and I don't think he's ever had male thralls unless he
needed them for a mission." MacGregor pulled the front door open for her and waited while she walked inside, then he followed.

"Hum," Victoria snorted, catching the hidden meaning in that last bit of
information. Her eyes scanned the great hall. Her thoughts drifted
searching for Jackson. Victoria liked Jackson, liked the attention he
lavished on her, and especially liked the way Sands reacted to the attention, oh he was dangerous, she knew that. Given the opportunity Jackson would most certainly drink from her to obtain what he wanted; immortality.

"Do you think I could see him? As long as I'm here and all." She gave
MacGregor an enigmatic smile.

"Jackson? He's in the infirmary. You'll need to meet with Lilith first. No
doubt she knows you are here and is waiting for you." Quinn gestured toward the side hallway where Victoria remembered there was a small elevator.

"Will you be taking me up then?" she asked.

MacGregor pushed the elevator's button and the door slid open. "No, dear,
yours is a private meeting." He flashed a very brief smile. "I'll tell the infirmary you might drop by. Later. Good night." He stood, waiting for her to board the elevator.

Victoria felt the rug pulled out beneath her. "Very well then. Thank you
for fetching me."

She stepped into the small elevator. "I'll come down later for that new
weapon." She winked as the doors slid shut. When she was alone she leaned heavily against the wood paneling. "God Sands, where are you? How could you leave me alone to face her?" She sighed deeply. Well she would have to do this on her own wouldn't she? Victoria stood tall and straightened her long coat.

The elevator's door slid almost soundlessly open. The hall before Victoria
was darkened. It's hardwood floor still managed to shine from the faint
light filtering down the hallway. Music gently spilled into the corridor, a quartet playing something baroque.

Following the light and music, Victoria was aware of the sound of her
boot heels on the floor echoing off the paneled walls. Paintings hung on
either side of her, all pastoral scenes, no portraits. She wondered for a
brief moment if Lilith ever had her portrait done. Of course she had, Victoria concluded. No one that lovely could have escaped without
be immortalized on canvas.

Soon she was at the end of the corridor. For a moment Victoria stood
outside the heavy wooden door of Abberline's office and listened. She had been here before. Victoria unbuttoned her coat and unknotted her scarf, preparing herself for what ever might await her. She knocked.

"Enter, Victoria," Lilith's voice called from behind the door.

Holding her head up, calling on all her Southern Belle reserves, Victoria
pulled down on the latch and entered.

The room was softly lit and the dark wood paneling gave the room an old
world charm. Lilith was seated behind the large mahogany desk that
Abberline occupied only a few days before.

Victoria stepped into the room quietly and shut the door. In the brief
moment her back was turned she was aware of Lilith's dark eyes staring intensely at her.

"Thank you for coming," Lilith said. Victoria looked back at her as she
turned around. Lilith was dressed in a soft yellow dress that looked like
vintage Chanel. She graced Victoria with a smile and gestured for her to
take a seat. Everything about her was perfect. The curls in her hair, the texture of her skin, even the perfume she wore suited her beautifully. How could any man resist her?

Victoria nodded and smiled pleasantly. "Not at all. Do you mind if I
remove my coat?" she asked stalling for time.

"Make yourself comfortable," Lilith replied. "I hope you had an enjoyable
ride? MacGregor can be good company."

Victoria removed the long tan car coat and then the Burberry scarf, laying the garment over the arm of one of the two chairs set in front of Lilith's desk. "Yes, thank you for sending the limo. I wasn't having much luck hailing a cab." She smiled and then sat down. She hoped she looked calm, inside she was a bundle of nerves.

"Hailing a cab?" Lilith asked. "You were out in this storm?"

Victoria returned Lilith's questioning gaze. "Yes, I was out for a walk.
Organizing my thoughts, you might say."

Lilith smiled at her. "Have you found others who have our gift?"

For a moment Victoria was caught off guard by the direct nature of
Lilith's inquiry. "Pardon me?"

Lilith laughed lightly. "You heard me, my dear. You discovered you were
not alone in your gift. Haven't you been curious to find others who share
it?"

Victoria thought she saw a faint smile forming in the corner of Lilith's red
lips. Victoria smiled briefly. "Yes, a little."

"Let me guess." Lilith sat back. "Sands has discovered your gift and is
very curious and a little paranoid."

A small laugh escaped from Victoria, "Yes." She decided to keep her answer brief to see where this conversation might be going. After all it was highly unlikely that Lilith sent a limo to pick her up just for a nice
chat and a cup of tea.

"My Frederick still is not sure. We must not let the men know everything
about us. The feminine mystique must remain." The soft light in the room flattered Lilith's delicate features. "Don't tell him everything. Keep him guessing." Lilith's gaze went up and to the right. "He loves a challenge."

A surge of resentment, perhaps jealousy rose inside Victoria's chest.
"It might be a little late for that," Victoria paused, "but I know that I
can trust him."

"You mean you told him everything?" Lilith had a slight pout to her
expression.

"No, not exactly." she folded her hands in her lap becoming increasingly
uneasy by the line of questioning. "He knows that I can hear peoples'
thoughts."

"Victoria, the trick is never to tell a man more than he needs to know.
Especially Sands." She smiled as if in memory. "He loves the search, the
quest. He has the instincts of a great detective. Like Frederick." She
paused. "Which is one of the reasons I called you here."

Victoria flushed. Was Lilith reminding her that she had Sands first?
She didn't like to be scolded and didn't care for the smile that echoed across Lilith's face. Another wave of jealousy crashed through her body. "I'm not a fool you know. I managed to keep myself alive for the past 180 years while Jacob hunted me across the globe. I know how to be cautious, and clever."

Lilith's gaze locked on hers. "I did not call you a fool, Victoria. I'm just suggesting a way for you to enjoy your relationship with Sands on
another level. He's quite brilliant in his own way and he needs constant
stimulation to remain entertained."

It was what Lilith didn't say that made Victoria wonder. She never asked
Sands why he and Lilith had stopped their love affair. Perhaps she should, but then again everyone deserved their privacy.

Victoria narrowed her eyes, watching Lilith very closely, regaining her composure. "I know you have the gift and I know that Viscalli has the gift. Other than the two of you, I have never encountered any human or vampire that had this ability. " She paused. "Although for some time I have operated under the misguided perception that all vampires carried this ability. It was Sands that informed me that this was not true."

Lilith's pale blond head inclined. "He is correct. Very few of us have it,
thought it is a gift that can be passed along with intention. Obviously, one must be very careful to whom one passes it."

"Then how did I obtain the gift?" Victoria leaned slightly forward turning her green eyes intensely to Lilith. "Jacob never possessed this ability?"

"Not to my knowledge. You must have had it as a human and it came to the fore when your life was threatened. That happens. Serve trauma can release power." Lilith adjusted her position. She looked as if she had made up her mind. "Let me tell you why I asked you here. I assume you know it was not just for the pleasure of your company, though I do enjoy you. You have a fresh air quality about you, Victoria." Lilith smiled.

Victoria batted her eyelashes in surprise. This revelation astounded her.
She had only seen Lilith as a rival. "Do you know where Sands has gone?" she suddenly blurted out.

"I expect he has met up with my Frederick," Lilith said in an even tone.
"He disappeared when we went to Hungary and has not resurfaced. He has successfully blocked my ability to locate him, as has Sands." She leaned forward. "A male conspiracy of sorts." She let her words sink in, as she tapped a well manicured red finger nail on the mahogany desk top. "I need a female detective, Victoria. How would you like the job?"

"Me?" Victoria leaned closer setting her elbows and forearms on the desk
between them. "Spy for you?"

"For us."

Victoria smiled. "Spy on them?"

Lilith rose. "I am concerned about Frederick and now that I have learned
Sands left rather suddenly, about him, too. Frederick is not one to play
games." She walked around the desk to stand closer to Victoria. "There
must be some threat to our clan, to me, something to make him leave home. He detests traveling."

"What do you think I can do for you?" Victoria asked bluntly.

"You can read the minds of the others. Find out who has seen them. You can make sure they are safe." Lilith sighed. "I had a call from someone I
trust implicitly. She tells me there are strange things happening in
Europe." Lilith's blue eyes turned to Victoria. "She tells me she thinks
she saw Sands this morning."

"Where?" Victoria asked eagerly.

"London."

"So you want me to go to London and see if the boys are all right? Then
what?" Victoria's mind raced; if Sands was in London, if he was in danger. She felt her face flush with anger. He could have told her where he was going, he could have trusted her. But then again maybe he really did not. Perhaps her trust, her feelings were all one way.

"Frederick and Sands both share an archaic sense of chivalry," Lilith's
words interrupted Victoria's thoughts. "They still see women as frail,
fragile and weak. I'm sure they, in their own minds, are protecting us. I
think it is up to us, as the stronger sex, to watch over them. What do you
think?"

Victoria thought for a moment. She was strong. She had survived centuries of pain, torture and humiliation, she was strong. She nodded, "All right, tell me what you want me to do."

Lilith shared a conspiratorial smile with her. "My pleasure."

thevampiresands @ 2004-09-09T09:35:00

2004-09-09T16:35:24Z

DEPPCON UPDATE 9/9

Due to many requests, we have an adjusted age limit for attending DeppCon :

Any Johnny Depp fan 18 and over. Depp fans between the ages of 14 and 17 may attend the DeppCon PROVIDING they are accompanied by a parent or guardian AT ALL TIMES during the convention. This means if a teen between 14 and 17 registers, the teen's parent or guardian must also register. Each registration is $40. By registering the teen and parent or guardian agree to abide by the terms of this
restriction. One parent or guardian may be responsible for more than one teen from the same family.

DeppCon has a few new sponsors :

LA Tours will be offering a special rate for city tours. This is perfect for any guests coming from out of town who may want to see a few sites of Los Angeles while they are here. They even offer pick up and drop off from the Hyatt hotel. If you are interested in this, let us know. Once we get a count we can set up the best time. The tour will take place before DeppCon starts or during a break. We want to be sure that you get to see the city and not miss any of the DeppCon activities.

House of Blues, located across the street from the convention has joined on as well. House of Blues is a restaurant, retail store and night club all rolled into one. House of Blues will be offering us discounts during our convention stay. They also will be opening up their VIP secluded Foundation Room to us at various times during our stay here . There is a dress code and age limit. We will give more information on this in upcoming weeks.
Enclosed is a link that has more information and photos of the room.
Foundation Room : House of Blues Sunset Strip : HOB.com
http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/sunsetstrip/foundationroom.asp

Our Sunday morning good bye breakfast has been set. It will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The location will be the chic new restaurant " CHI " , part owned by Justin Timberlake which is located in the lobby area of the hotel. Enclosed is the website with a slideshow of the place. The breakfast menu is not listed on the site but will be provided to you at the convention.
welcome to chi
http://chionsunset.com/

We have recieved a few Johnny related items to use for our door prizes and raffle items. We will start to list a few of these items shortly.

We are also checking the archives and finding some rarely seened TV apperances and movies by Johnny. We got old episodes of Johnny's guest apperances on Charlie Rose, Rosie, Blockbuster Awards , 21 Jumpstreet, and many more. These will be showned in our screening room though out the weekend.

Don't forget to check out our merchandise links set up on line. You will see a variety of Depp related merchandise and DeppCon merchandise. We suggest that you place your DeppCon merchandise now on line as all of it will not be at the convention. It can also make great gifts for friends and family who make not be able to attend the convention.
Depp Con 2004 | CafePress http://www.cafepress.com/deppcon2004

Stay tuned next week update for the announcement of our first two guest speakers.
If you already registered for DeppCon we will send you an advance email of the announcement.

Be on the look out for vendors and other activities for DeppCon coming soon .

See you there. Visit our website for more details. www.deppcon.com
Make plans to join us now.

DeppCon Committee

thevampiresands @ 2004-09-09T09:18:00

2004-09-09T16:18:52Z

thevampiresands @ 2004-09-01T20:15:00

2004-09-02T03:16:06Z

DEPP CON UPDATE :

Depp con has signed on with Budget Rent a Car to be one of our official sponsors.
Budget is offering a special rate for those of you needing a car during your stay at Depp con. They have standard cars or fancy sport cars what ever style you should desire. You can even pick up your car at The Hyatt hotel if you wish.
Please check the Depp con website under the travel link for all the details.
How to get to DEPPCON 2004!! 10-22 to 10-24 2004

The Hyatt hotel has also given Depp Con attendees free computer use for their stay at the convention. We know many of you spend lots of time on line. So rest assured that you will be able to check your email at any time. The Hyatt business center will arrange to have a computer set up that can be check for free at any time 24 hours for convention members. Just show you Deppcon name badge and you are all set. For attendees arriving earlier than Friday, just give you name. We will have a list with the business center as well. This way you don't have to worry what you are missing on line while in between breaks at the convention.

We have our merchandise links set up on line. You will see a variety of Depp related merch including , Depp Con merchandise. We suggest that you place your Depp con merchandise now on line as all of it will not be at the convention. It can also make great gifts for friends and family who make not be able to attend the convention.
Depp Con 2004 | CafePress

Deppcon has music from The Kids and P that will be playing at various time during the convention. This is a good treat for those who may not have heard much of music.

Last week we mentioned items for the movie companies that we are gathering. Here is an update on one:
Disney has given us a few POTC related items . They will be used as door or raffle prizes. One of the items was only given out at promotional screenings for POTC and many people have never seen it.....
We will announce more of these shortly.

Also mentioned last week we have a special Viper Room trip planned plus our evening POTC interactive event. For more infor on these, check out the websites What's new link.

We are also checking the archives and finding some rarely seened TV apperances and movies by Johnny. We got old episodes of Entertainment Tonight, Johnny's guest appearance on the TV show Hotel , Slow Burn and many more. These will be showned in our screening room though out the weekend.

Stay tuned for more updates on guest speakers, vendors and other activities for Deppcon.

See you there. Visit our website for more details. www.deppcon.com

thevampiresands @ 2004-08-26T20:27:00

2004-08-27T03:27:50Z

DEPPCON UPDATE :
We have been invited to a special happy hour at the Viper Room during our Depp con convention. We will be in the down stairs part of the club which is Johnny's private area. Merchandise will be available to purchase .We are even getting some merch to give away at the convention. This event will take place Friday before doors open at the VR so we have a special visit. This event is for convention goers 21 +. Merchandise sales will be make available for those under 21. We will also have discount admissions for the evening shows at the VR all weekend. Special thanks to Mike and Sal of The Viper Room for being a supporting sponsor of Deppcon.

We have been busy finalizing some nice treats for attendees from all the movie companies that Johnny has had films with.

We are also checking the archives and finding some rarely seened TV apperances and movies by Johnny. We got old episodes of Entertainment Tonight, Johnny's guest appearance on the Tv show Hotel , Slow Burn and many more. These will be showned in our screening room though out the weekend.

Then there is the POTC Interactive event. The details are : dressing up in your own character choice's garb is encouraged but not mandatory, creativity in creating your own version is appreciated but not necessary for those willing in spirit but lacking in time and imagination .We encourage you to dress the part of your favorite character, arrrrrh, be it a pirate, a class wench or be you the parrot, all adds to the fun of this here adventure...yo ho me hearties...dress up!Stay tuned for more updates on guest speakers, vendors and other activities for Deppcon.
See you there. Visit our website for more details. www.deppcon.com
I hope some of you from RT can come and join us out here on the West Coast.

thevampiresands @ 2004-08-08T18:24:00

2004-08-09T01:24:58Z

I found a very funny Sands site and this page is "Ask Sands"
http://www10.brinkster.com/ouatim/misc/asksands.html

cross posting

thevampiresands @ 2004-08-08T16:57:00

2004-08-08T23:57:48Z

There will be a Johnny Depp Convention Oct 22, 2004 in West
Hollywood. Age limit is 18 and up. For information go to
http://www.deppcon.com

The convention is not affiliated with Live Journal. If you have
questions, direct them to the address on the con's web site. I can
tell you that there are some great guest speakers in the line up and
their names will be revealed in the next two weeks. There is also
plans for a POTC interactive on that night and a trip down to the
Arclight to see "Finding Neverland" on the Friday night before the
con.

cross posting

thevampiresands @ 2004-07-20T07:22:00

2004-07-20T14:22:29Z

You can buy the Captian Jack Sparrow action figure for half price if you hurry:
Follow the directions at this link:
http://www.ohjohnny.net/newpage.html

crossposting

thevampiresands @ 2004-07-18T14:58:00

2004-07-18T21:58:54Z

More of the adventures of The Vampire Sands

Victoria thoroughly enjoyed her afternoon with Andre, both the coffee and conversation were excellent. However, when she left Savage Salon she felt no closer to finding Sands or answers to her many other questions. Stepping out into the cold Manhattan winter, she decided she would walk home. The cool, night air against her cheeks was refreshing and the walk would help her plot her next move.

Andre seemed reluctant to advice her and was confused by her ignorance of vampire issues in general. She sighed, it looked as if she may be alone on this one. Well that was nothing new, after all most of the time she was alone. But the companionship she had experienced over the last six days had been refreshing. It was nice to share her burdens with others. The street was beginning to fill with workers leaving their offices. The five o'clock rush was on and dusk was rapidly approaching.

Walking for several blocks Victoria smiled as the street lamps flickered on one by one. She used to enjoy watching the scruffy lamplighters make there rounds throughout the city bringing the night to life. Victoria cast a glance skyward. There was a heavy cloud cover tonight, but occasionally a break in the clouds revealed the bright luminous glow of a full moon.

Suddenly Victoria stopped and lifted her nose ever so slightly. She had caught the scent of something close by, something familiar and dangerous. The streets were emptying quickly as the snow once again began to fall. Her eyes narrowed as she turned her head to the right. Werewolf! What had she been thinking, of course they would be out tonight and she should be safely sequestered behind locked doors, sipping wine and reading a good book. She reached for her shoulder holster, but nothing was there! Damn, she didn't have her gun! In fact she didn't;t have any defense with her. Thinking quickly she stepped out to the curb to hail a cab. But none could be seen. Her pulse began to race as the scent drew closer, only a few blocks away now and closing quickly. Victoria continued scanning the streets looking for a cab.

A long black limo pulled up splashing snow across her feet. The window rolled down. It was Quinn, the long red haired guardian she had met a few days ago. "Quick get in!" he flicked his head to the rear door and his eyes quickly returned to the rear view mirror. There was no time to argue, the beast was closing, every inch of her being felt it! Feeling relieved and puzzled at his timely appearance she did as he commanded. As soon as she shut the door, she heard the door locks engage and he sped off. This alarmed Victoria in new ways as she was tossed about with the movement of the vehicle. "That was a little close," Quinn yelled back. "Are you alright?" he asked across the lowered privacy shield. Victoria crawled along the smooth leather seats to speak to her rescuer. Setting herself down she leaned her arm over the partition between them.
"Where did you come from?" she snapped. Victoria saw a slight smile appear across his lips. Quinn's eyes shifted between the street and the mirror.
"That was close. Luckily I found you in time. I bet you didn't remember to pack your weapon today." he artfully avoided her question.

"Why were you looking for me?" Victoria question again her pulse still racing, Jacob Connor McLeod's words echoing through her memories.
"You can never trust any of them. They'll always seek ways to do ya in. That's how it is with our kind luv. Remember what I'm saying to ya, you can never trust any of them." His words were driven away but Quinn's response.
"Lilith wants to see you," he said flatly. "She sent me to pick you up." Victoria scanned his mind. She could do this quite easily and the person would be none the wiser. Only some one of similar gifts would detect the intrusion. He was telling the truth.
"So are you taking me to the clan house?" she asked beginning to settle. Quinn silently nodded a response. Victoria leaned back and folded her arms and begin to calculate her next move.
crossposting

thevampiresands @ 2004-07-12T20:18:00

2004-07-13T03:18:06Z

Day 6 part 2 B
Andre & Victoria finish their conversation
"Well, I've only known him a short while, but I can tell that he would not let either one of us get away with that as an excuse." Unfolding her arms she reached for her coffee and took a long slow sip, thinking. "If I don't hear from him in two days then I'll be very concerned."

"He can take care of himself, Victoria." Andre smiled. "You wouldn't believe half of what he's done."

That was not the answer she wanted to hear. She wanted him to be as concerned as she truly was. Perhaps she would go to see Lilith. Victoria straightened up and changed the subject: "Andre," she paused, "how would someone make an appointment to see Abberline or Lilith?"

He shrugged, looking a little surprised. "Just go. Or call. I don' t know about appointments. They are willing to see all clan members. Well, it's only Lilith at the moment." He grinned. "Apparently."

The wheels were beginning to spin in her mind, her eyes widened. "And the library you were telling me about, what kinds of books are there?"

"The sort you can't find most places. There are books about the history of our kind. Medical theories about how we function. How we heal. How we are hurt." He big the inside of his lip. "What are you looking for? Certainly not William Blake."

Are there records?" she asked carefully fishing for answers

"If there are records, I haven't looked for them, so I cannot tell you." He picked up his cup. "What sort of records? What's going on in that pretty head of yours?"

She tilted her head to one side and smiled. "Does anyone keep track of our kind? You know what one would be up to." She leaned forward quickly putting her hand up. "And don't tell me about that awful tabloid. I mean a serious accounting."

"Our history?" Andre's eyes narrowed. "I am not sure what you mean."

"Well, Abberline and Lilith were aware of what Jacob had been up to, all the nasty things he'd been doing. Of course they didn't do anything about it, but they knew. So wouldn't it be safe to assume that somewhere there has to be a record of deeds?"

"Oh." Andre settled back into his chair. "As his creator, Lilith always had a thread of connection with him. Have you ever created?"

"No," she said quietly and dropped her eyes. "So there would be no books." Victoria was crestfallen. "Sands said there were books not out in the open, only for serious study."

"You would need to go search for yourself," Andre told her. "I am not the person who would know. The books I have found there were the kind I have named. You would have to search to find out if there is more. If it is something classified, as it were, then maybe the Guardians can help. I wouldn't think that sensitive information would be just sitting on shelves." He flashed a quick smile. "Drink your coffee. It's getting cold."

She smiled back and then took another sip. She would go to clan house and do some searching. Perhaps she could learn a little more about Sheldon Jeffery Sands, or more about her gift. Perhaps Lilith would know where Sands had gone. Her thoughts drifted again. "Andre, do you know a good lawyer?" she asked changing the subject once more.

"Business or personal? Financial? Trust? Medical?"

"Now that I am no longer required to hide in the shadows, I want my house back."

He nodded slowly, thoughtfully. "Where is it, what country? What proof do you have that it's yours?"

"It's here in the United States, Louisiana Territory. I have papers, deeds and such."

"And how long ago did you lose this house?"

She closed her eyes for a moment remembering the arrangements Claude had made when they left for France. Without opening her eyes she responded, "Before I was turned, 1725 to be exacted." Her eyes slowly opened. "Claude, my brother, had made certain stipulations so that the house would always remain in the family."

Andre took a dramatic breath. "How would you claim it, my dear? You can't very well walk in and say you're a few hundred years old. Do you have some sort of proof you're a family descendant who was born in the 1970's? If not…" He shook his head.

She laughed," That's why I need a lawyer." She took another sip of coffee. "But really now, could I just enthrall someone or something like that?"

"It is not that easy. There would be a title search. That would go back to the first time the land was sold. You can't enthrall the entire country. I'm afraid if you want the house, you will have to buy it."

"Now that's just unfair having to buy back what someone already rightfully owns!" she sighed. "Well perhaps when Sands gets back I'll drag him down south to see what the state of things is." A twinkle appeared in her eye. "Well then again if he doesn't come back maybe I'll see if I can convince any other handsome men I know if they feel like going on holiday." She winked at him across the table.

"It would depend where down south," he told her, smiling. "And, if you haven't learned by now, dear Victoria, life is unfair. It's up to us to manipulate it to our advantage. Maybe you could enthrall the current owner to sell it to you for a dollar." He shrugged. "Now, what do you think of the latest fashions? I happen to love the spring line coming out of Milan."

A smile quickly spread across her face. Andre had caught her off guard with the change of topics. "Milan?" she questioned her eyebrow arching delicately. "You know I have always had a preference for the French designers myself."

"My mother was French," Andre said pleasantly. "Why do you prefer the French?"

"Because I'm a Creole and France is the mother country of all of us from the Bayou. Although my mother was an Englishwoman." Victoria set down her cup and settled back along the couch, swinging her long legs up beside her comfortably. "But really Andre what's so great about the Italians ?"

His hansom face lit up. Leaning forward, he spoke with enthusiasm. "The Italians dare things that are ridiculous, like some of the British experimenters, but simply divine. The colors. The textures. And there happens to be a young designer I have my eye on." He smiled suggestively.

Victoria tossed her head back and laughed. "If you like to experiment, then you should like the Japanese. Those are some daring designs."

He shrugged. "Not much to my taste." He looked at the gray sky outside the floor to ceiling window. "I do like a fine suit. Armani. I've been every type of artist except a fashion designer." He fingered the handle of his cup thoughtfully. "Victoria, I get the impression that you have not had much experience, despite your age." He looked quickly up. "I hope that didn't sound rude or too prying. I just have to wonder."

"What kind of experience are you inquiring about?" she questioned as she smoothed the hem of her skirt. She was making an attempt to not be alarmed.

"In the world. Your talk about the house." He shrugged. "I don't really know where you have been, what your life has been like, or even exactly when and where you were turned. We always seem to talk about me or…Sands."

Andre watched as her eyes narrowed. It was such a slight movement, the kind only a vampire would have been able to detect. "I've been living in a cave, or at least that's what Sands also says to me," a faint smile appeared.

"How charming." His expression was deadpan.

"Oh Andre," she teased, "You don't really think I've been living in a cave do you?"

"No, I mean what Sands said. He has a way with words. Where have you been living, darling?" He lifted his cup. "Certainly not here in Manhattan?"

Victoria looked into his eyes. She thought for a moment about the man before her and his relationship to Sands. If he trusted Andre then perhaps she could also. "This is not something I usually speak about. One does not live a long life by letting everyone in on ones secrets."

He sat patiently, allowing her time to tell her story, a very slight smile on his full lips.

"I have lived in cave," she paused again looking intently into his eyes before continuing. "I've also lived with gypsies, and with crime lords and counts. My last address was Paris, that was two months ago. I left quickly when Jacob's spies tracked me down again. You see Andre," Victoria leaned slightly forward," In 1825 I deiceded to kill my maker and I have been on the run from him ever since." Victoria waited to see how he would react to her statement.

He reached across to touch her hand. "No longer. He's dead now." He sat back. "So how is it that you became involved with such a, "he searched for the right word, "jerk?"

Victoria was stunned by Andre's response. He was so kind, she relaxed. "I've given the subject a lot of thought. Perhaps he used his skills as a vampire to enthrall me. Perhaps I was a young silly girl, perhaps . . .I loved him once," her voice shook a little.

"We were all young and silly once," he said kindly. "Believe it or not, even me." He grinned broadly. Lowering his voice and leaning towards her he added, "Rumor has it, even Sands was young and silly once. But don't tell him I told you so."

Victoria suddenly laughed and then covered her mouth in surprise. "Andre you're lovely." she stated and then giggle a little more.

He tossed his long hair back saying, "So I've been told."

"Andre?" Victoria cupped her hands in her lap. "I miss him."

He looked genuinely surprised. "Sands? After only a few hours?" He shook his head. "This sounds serious. Are you sure you're ready for serious?"

She looked at him without answering, she wasn't sure she knew the answer to that question. When Sands was with her there was no doubt in her mind. She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to imagine what life would be like if she walked away from this city and never came back. She tried to image the look on Sands face if he received a note like the one he had left her. Opening her eyes she found Andre warm smile awaiting an answer. "Yes, I think I am."

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