~One~ Ben stretched his leg muscles, hoping to relieve some of the pain that seemed to radiate clear to the marrow of his bones. When he had agreed to allow Dave to give him a crash course in martial arts self defense, he had no idea how physically challenging it would be. Ben had always prided himself in his well preserved and athletic body. He had been a valued player on his college football team and had continued to play with a local group of Owego residents on weekends, just for fun. But, even so, his body was screaming in shocked surprise at the number of muscles he possessed that had not seen action; possibly ever. The floorboards of his cabin’s porch creaked under his weight as he paced back and forth; partially out of impatience while he waited for Dave to return with the newlyweds and partially to keep his muscles from tightening up any more than they already were. Li and Lin Yao had married while visiting China. The group had debated whether or not their going was a wise decision under the present circumstances. But, after all that had happened, the couple felt an overwhelming need to marry while in the comforting embrace of their loved ones. And, since everyone’s body and soul needed some healing time, they prayed for peace and quiet while they each took the time they needed to heal and repair. Although Dave’s body had been broken in some spots and severely beaten in others, he had healed with remarkable speed. He attributed it to his desire to get back out there and finish what they had started. Now, only a few short months later, the cast on his ankle had been removed and the broken rib cage seemed as good as new. It was a classic example of mind over matter. Dave’s black SUV slowly worked its way through the deep ruts that thick tires and melting snow had created in the long dirt drive leading to Ben’s cabin. Spring was slow to come to the Southern Tier of New York and even slower on its wooded hillsides. Even so, the sun managed to peek through the tree tops just enough to work its magic on the fallen snow and, little by little, it was being whittled away; allowing tiny buds to peek through. Ben looked quizzically as he searched past his cousin, only to find the SUV carried no other passengers. Barely waiting for Dave to park his vehicle, he bellowed out his curiosity. “I thought you were bringing the newlyweds. What happened?” Dave eased his foot over a large puddle as he balanced his body while closing the door behind him. “You really need to figure something out with this drive if you plan on spending a lot of time up here. This is bad!” “Never mind that,” Ben scowled, “Where are Li and Lin Yao? What happened?” “I don’t know. They weren’t on the plane. I checked with the airlines. Man, are they tight with their info. It took me hours before I finally found someone that would tell me that they changed their flight. They put their tickets on hold.” “Are you kidding me?” “I don’t get it. I’m hoping to hop online and find an e-mail waiting for me explaining it all.” Dave held his blackberry up over his head and rotated his body. “But, I haven’t been able to get enough reception with this stupid thing all day. I knew I should have met them at JFK instead of agreeing to a connecting flight in Syracuse. These mountains are cell phone nightmares.” “I hear ya.” Ben reached into a small portable cooler, produced two bottles of beer and handed one to Dave. “Do you think they’re okay?” “I sure hope so.” Dave tipped the bottle to his lips and allowed the cool, carbonation to pour down his throat. “Should we go back to my place in town?” “Is your computer hooked up? I don’t know if I’ll get reception with this thing in town either.” Dave scowled. “Yes. What do you have your mailbox with?” “G-Mail.” “Okay then. We’re in business.” Dave handed his empty bottle to Ben and picked his way back through thick slush to his SUV. He was anxious to get to a computer and see what message, if any, Li had sent him. Dave was concerned about Li’s last minute change in flight. He had been against the trip to begin with. It was too dangerous. And now... All he could do was hope that their flight change was for family reasons and not because they had been discovered and were trying to fool the enemy. The desert heat assaulted Li as he stepped out of the airline terminal to hail a cab. Las Vegas... he was back. Only a few months ago he was fighting for his life against the cannibalistic vampires who had held him captive. His body shuddered involuntarily as the still vivid memories of his ordeal flashed through his mind. He moved through the crowd in a robotic fashion; his eyes scoping it warily. It was not necessary, he knew. They had destroyed the vampires who had held them captive and the ones who managed to escape were not cannibalistic mutants and could not walk in the light of day; or so he thought. But, until they had found those demons of the night and destroyed them as well, they would be a constant threat to him and those he held most dear. Tamara and the baby were the key. Find them and they would find the vampires; he was certain of it. The baby was half vampire and would turn if encouraged. Dragos had wanted to take the infant when he was first born, but Tamara had cradled her newborn half brother while she fled during the confusion. Li was certain that Dragos would search for the half vampire baby. Yes, Tamara and the baby were the key to finding and destroying Dragos and his clan. His sources had contacted him while he was still in China to tell him that they had spotted Tamara working in a small, out of the way casino in Las Vegas. Li had changed his travel plans with Lin Yao and had hastened to Las Vegas to secure her whereabouts, as well as safety; promising Lin Yao that he would be back promptly afterward and they would return to the states together. In his haste to leave, he had neglected to inform Dave and Ben of his change in plans. It was probably just as well. They would have insisted on joining him and he wanted nothing more than to grab Tamara and the baby and slip in and out of ‘sin city’ as quickly as he could. He did not plan on being here long enough to justify them coming. He would telephone them from his hotel room tonight and fill them in on what was happening and what flight they could expect the three of them on tomorrow. ~Two~ Tamara smiled as she made her way down the alley to her efficiency that was recessed in the back of the small, out of the way, motel. It had taken some time for her to relax and settle in with Aleksandr. But, after many restless and fearful nights, she finally felt like she and her infant brother could relax and begin to enjoy life. She was starting to trust people again, as well. That was a luxury that she had not known since her mother, Anushka, had decided to leave Russia with her and her older brother Pasha. Anushka had put her faith and trust in the wrong people to help them get to the United States safely and those people had placed her in the hands of that despicable demon vampire, Von. Tamara scowled as she remembered the tortuous years she had spent living in Von’s vampire den, hidden in the midst of Fremont Street. Nothing stuck more vividly in her mind than the night of Aleksandr’s birth. She had watched her mother die at the hands of vampire hunters and had stood in head on confrontation with her brother, Pasha, who had not been as lucky as she to have escaped being turned into one of those monstrous beasts. Pasha and Dragos, Dracula’s eldest son, had wanted to take Aleksandr back to the den of Count Dracula; to be raised as one of them, no doubt. But, she had clutched her newborn brother to her breast and run with all of her might; thankful that she had spent so many years wandering the maze-like corridors and knew them better than any other resident, including the recently destroyed den leader, and bastard son of Dracula, Von. Aleksandr was still half human and he deserved a chance to live like a human. She had heard of others like him who had managed to lead a normal human existence, with the only exception being that their aging process was slowed down drastically. This would mean he would have to endure the heartache of watching those he loved die as he lived on. But, surely that was better than living as a creature of the night! Tips at the casino had been better than normal tonight and she looked forward to catching up on her back bill with her landlady, and Aleksandr’s baby sitter, Alice. A day did not go by that Tamara was not grateful for having met Alice. Their paths had crossed less than a week after her escape from Von’s den. She was homeless, hiding in an abandoned car behind the motel so that the meager funds she had would last as long as possible for formula and other necessities for Aleksandr. Alice was taking a short cut one afternoon when she spotted them napping in the back seat. After much coaxing on her part, she managed to get Tamara to abandon their make-shift home and move into two adjoining rooms that were in the back of her humble motel. Tamara did not know what would have happened to them if Alice had not stumbled upon them that day. The woman was a saint. She had not only settled them into their new home, turning the two rooms into a small efficiency, but she also lent Tamara money for food and a new outfit so that she would look good for the interview that she had arranged with a friend of hers who managed a small casino on Flamingo Blvd. Within a week of meeting Alice, Tamara found herself settled in her new home with a new job and new hope for the future. Since she was always on premises, Alice offered to watch Aleksandr while Tamara worked. Keeping her pride intact, Tamara had insisted on not only paying Alice back the money she had provided for her urgent needs, but also for the care she was providing for Aleksandr. Tonight Tamara would make the final payment to Alice for the money she had given. It gave her a sense of freedom like she had never known. Tamara’s broad smile disappeared as she entered her efficiency and discovered Li sitting on her sofa with Aleksandr on his lap. Her eyes searched the room quickly to for more unwanted visitors, but found only Alice leaning against the wall on the far side of the room, looking uncertain about what was happening or what to do. With lightning speed Tamara crossed the room and scooped Aleksandr from Li’s unsuspecting grip. He shook his head in awed admiration at the young Russian woman’s agility and speed while he watched her place her infant sibling in Alice’s waiting arms. “What do you want?” Tamara’s thick accent was emphasized by her anger and concern. “To talk. Only to talk.” Li watched Tamara warily. He had seen her in action during their raid on Von’s den, giving him an idea of how adept she truly was in martial arts. Combine her skill with fear and desperation and you had a formidable opponent. Not to mention the fact that he had never fought a woman before and he did not want to start now. “Talk about what?” Tamara’s body visibly readied for action as she slowly inched her way in Li’s direction. She was fully aware of how skilled he was, which was why she did not attack immediately and kick him out of her house. “You are not safe here. It is only a matter of time before they find you. I want you to come back with me.” “Back? And where is back?” “I am sorry. I forgot that you did not really know much about us.” Li’s warm smile did not soften Tamara like he had hoped. “New York. I want you to come back with me to New York, where we can protect you and your ... uh...” “Brother? Where you can protect me and my brother?” Tamara snorted with disdain. “I do not need your protection, thank you.” She rotated her neck and shoulders. It had been a busy night at work and she was suddenly feeling the burden of the long hours on her body. All she wanted to do now was to take a hot shower and go to bed. She looked at Aleksandr wistfully. He was wide awake and ready to play. Even if this intruder left, there would be no sleep for a while. “Please go now.” Tamara turned her back on Li, emphasizing her dismissal. “I beg you to reconsider. We know these vampires. You are not safe on your own and we can not risk them getting their hands on the baby.” “You know them? Did I hear you correctly? Do you forget that I lived amongst those vile creatures for four years of my life? Four very long years. Every day wondering if that was the day they would come for me. Every day watching as they sold, violated or fed off someone who only the day before I had broken bread with or maybe conversed in quiet conversation about life before the den. What can you possibly tell me about a vampire that I do not already know?” Tamara’s chest heaved in frustration. “It is I who knows them. Now go.” Tamara had endured enough from her unwanted visitor and readied herself for battle. This guy was good, she knew, but it looked like he was not going to take “no” for an answer and a battle was inevitable, so she might as well get it over with. With any luck, she would be the victor. Li stood up slowly. It was obvious that he was in danger of having to defend himself against this Russian tiger. His unhappiness was clearly displayed on his face. Before Li knew what had happened, Tamara’s foot flew toward him with lightning speed, and landed it against his jaw. Although he shook his head to clear it, only the most expert observer would have noticed, since his move to recover was masked by his immediate motions of defense. Tamara struck again, but this time her efforts were blocked by her opponent, who was now on guard and ready for her. Tamara’s frustration mounted as Li continued to block her moves, but made none of his own. She circled him, aggressively looking for an opening to take down this high and mighty Kung Fu master once and for all. Sensing Tamara’s need for more aggression, Li prepared himself. He had done everything he could not to move into actual combat with this woman. That was not why he was here. He needed to somehow make her understand that he was on her side. His mind raced for the right words, but before he could come up with them, she was back on the attack. Alice gasped as she watched the battle ensue. She hurriedly put Aleksandr in his crib and rushed to the kitchen area of the efficiency. There must be something here to stop them! When Li had knocked softly on the door, not an hour ago, he had introduced himself as a friend of Tamara. Now, it was clear that she had been duped. Alice had never really asked Tamara the facts on how she and her infant had become homeless. Tamara had told her only what was necessary, so she had naturally assumed that Aleksandr was her son, until Li referred to him as the Russian beauty’s brother. Although Alice believed in honoring a person’s right to privacy, she felt it was now time to learn just a little more about the woman she had taken under her wing; for safety reasons, if nothing else. If the situation had not seemed so grave, Alice would have marveled at the continuity of the statuesque movements between Li and Tamara. It seemed almost rehearsed. It was obvious to Alice that Li was more skilled than Tamara. But, her friend was holding her own and, given the right opportunity, clearly showed enough skill to seize it and become the victor; which obviously was her intention. The smash of a lamp as it hit the floor jarred Alice into action. “No you don’t!” She cried. “Not in my motel!” It was time to do something. But, just what to do was the puzzlement. Noticing a cast iron frying pan on the stove, she dumped the dinner she had heated for Tamara into the sink and moved closer to the fight. Tamara and Li had all but forgotten her presence, so it was easy to sneak up behind him and bring the pan down hard on his head. Li crumpled to the floor like a rag doll. The room was instantly still. Tamara glanced down at Li before moving past Alice to Aleksandr, who was crying uncontrollably. Picking him up protectively, her deep set eyes glowered at Li as she cradled her young sibling in her arms. Alice looked at Li’s still body, studying the ever increasing bump on his head. She touched it gently and a small amount of blood oozed out. “Oh no! What have I done?” Her voice trembled with adrenaline and fear began to set in. “He will be fine.” Tamara muttered, shocking Alice with her cool apathy. “I hope you’re right. Damn, I didn’t mean to hit him that hard. It’s just that...” Alice looked at Tamara long and hard, “You and I need to have a little talk. It’s time you filled me in on some things.” “Okay. But first, what about him? He can not stay here. I do not want him here one minute longer.” Tamara’s voice was venomous. Alice looked at Tamara long and hard. Did she even want to know whatever it was that Tamara was about to tell her? Probably not. But she needed to know. So, the sooner they got this man out of here and back to his hotel room, the better. “Let me make a phone call.” ~Three~ Li’s head throbbed as he merged with the crowd on Las Vegas Blvd. and made his way back to his hotel. He had stepped out for a quick bite to eat at a nearby Chinese restaurant and was regretting his decision. The blazing sun was so hot that it scorched his bare head, intensifying the pulsing of the lump that Alice had given him three days earlier. He had awoken, in the middle of the night, stretched out on his bed, with no idea of how he had gotten there. His pillow was spotted with blood that had leaked through the make-shift bandage someone, he could only assume was Tamara or Alice, had applied. He called room service for some aspirin and a strong drink and pulled himself to the bathroom to investigate his wounds. He was sure he had a concussion. His disappointment in his meeting with Tamara was overshadowed by his desire to put as much space between himself and Las Vegas as he could. He booked a flight to New York and telephoned Dave to fill him in. Needless to say, Dave was concerned, as well as unhappy with his rashness. Memories of his last visit to “Sin City” tormented Li as he forced his body to move. He looked around at the tourist’s smiling faces and listened to the jovial shouts of people winning on the slot machines temptingly lined along the open walled casinos that bordered the crowded sidewalks and wondered if any of them really comprehended how much darkness lurked beneath all the laughter and glitter. He shuddered as he recalled his time in captivity deep within the confines of Von’s horrendous den. His body had recovered relatively quickly, but his emotions still suffered. He still had an occasional life-like dream; reliving the experience over and over again. Li was so absorbed in his musing that he almost did not recognize Johnson when he stepped in front of him and blocked his path. “Well, well. What have we here?” Johnson purred as his men circled Li so closely that he could smell the scent of their perfumed bodies. “You weren’t exactly who I was hoping to run into, but you’ll do.” Johnson nodded his head at his lead man who closed in behind Li and made the presence of his steel knife clearly known. Li took a deep breath while he calculated the odds of fighting his way free. The density of the crowd could go in his favor but his throbbing head was a definite detriment. And, judging by the sharp object in his back, there was a knife just waiting to be shoved deep between his ribs; something he doubted he would be able to move through the crowd fast enough to prevent, even if he did manage to escape. He decided it was best to allow them to take him and deal with escape at a more opportune time. Li’s mind reeled as they made their way through a nearby crowded casino to its back door. He could not believe this was happening. Only one hour more and he would have been safely on a plane flying back to New York. His heart was so heavy with sadness that each pump was an effort. Johnson moved quickly through the crowd, leading his small group and their captive to a less populated room that could only be reached through the alley behind the seemingly endless row of dumpsters. He stopped at a dingy door and, after looking up and down the alley to make certain no one was looking, he turned the key and the group pushed their way through the wide doorway. Their sense of urgency for getting in and closing the door was acute. Once inside, Li took a moment to adjust his eyes to his dimly lit surroundings. He had barely enough time to make out the dimensions of the almost barren room before they shuffled him forward, down a long, dimly lit corridor. By the time Li had reached his destination, his vision had grown accustomed to the lighting. He caught his breath, in shocked surprise and repulsion, upon seeing the room full of large cages that threatened to burst from the sedated human bodies that were almost piled upon each other. “What is this place?” Li stopped short; mumbling more to himself than anyone else. “That’s none of your concern, now move it!” Roared his captor as he pushed the knife point harder against Li’s ribs for emphasis. “Down here Si Fu.” Sneered one of his captors as he pushed Li toward an empty cage, forcing him to struggle for his balance. Li’s mind reeled with dismay when he found himself being flung into the cage; his wounded head slammed against its bars and renewed the knot that had only begun to heal. He could not believe he was back in the clutches of these people. Von’s den had been destroyed, had it not? How foolish he had been to count Johnson out as a threat, focusing only on the vampires. Johnson paced his tiny office. What luck! He had been searching for Tamara and the baby since Pasha had contacted him and relayed Dracula’s wishes the week before. Johnson resented being placed in this position; especially when the message came from a former captive of his. But, he had not survived this long by being stupid. Dracula knew of him and knew how to find him. That was enough to make him move and move fast. He knew very little about true vampires, but he hoped they were a little less gruesome than the mutated ones he had been forced to deal with for the last twenty years. He was growing old and tired. His fortune had grown considerably. Perhaps it was time to consider moving to a tropical climate and retiring. Somewhere serene, without the glitter and noise of Las Vegas. His family was from Jamaica. Perhaps he could go back there. He smiled as he thought of the family house he had inherited, along with a small piece of land when his grandfather died. He had not thought of it for many years. Maybe he would go and make that his home. A scowl replaced his smile. First he had to do Pasha’s bidding. He had been ordered to find Tamara and the baby. And if she was in Las Vegas, it was only a matter of time before he hunted her down. Las Vegas had been his home base since he had arrived in this country twenty years ago. No one could move in or out of it without him finding out. His people were everywhere. He would find Tamara and the baby and turn them over to Pasha, with the promise that Dracula would know that the capture had been his. Now, the question at hand was what to do with the Chinese guy. He was the reason for Von’s destruction; he and his friends. If Johnson was the kind of man who showed appreciation, he would have to say that he owed Li and his friends a huge thank you for that one. Johnson had captured Li on a hunch. Maybe even out of habit. Li knew who he was and that could be dangerous. No one knew of Johnson’s business unless they worked for him or used his services; both of which would incriminate them if they ever told the authorities. But, Li did neither and that made him a danger. It was best to lock him up until he could decide what to do with him. He opened the door of his office and peered across the large adjacent room at the cage that housed Li. Li was pacing like a recently captured lion. Each movement displayed a fine physique, even beneath the loose clothes that he wore. It was obvious that he was in top condition. Johnson recalled how impressive Li was the night Von had forced him to face their Suma Wrestler. He had fought a great fight, even if it was a losing battle. Li would have soon become a blood bath if his buddies had not started slaughtering every vampire in the room. He did not see the entire thing, but heard about it from a few lucky escapees. He himself had snuck out when the vampire killing began, lest he be mistaken for one of them or pick up a stray arrow. A fighter such as Li would definitely pull in a good price if he was placed on the market. He had a buyer in Thailand who would surely snatch him in a second. Johnson scowled when he saw Li favor his head; producing a cloth handkerchief from his back pocket and dabbing at some blood. He had not looked closely enough to see if Li had already been wounded. That would bring down the price. He would have to wait for Li to heal. Damn! That wound had better not have been inflicted by any of his men. He would have their hides! Dave paced the lobby of the airline terminal. Li had not gotten off the plane. He checked his notes again. Maybe he had gotten the flight number wrong. It was possible. After all, he had been pretty taken aback when he found out where Li was and what he had attempted to do. What was his friend thinking by going to Las Vegas alone? He should have asked him, Ben, or both to join him. Even though Dave was sure they had cleaned out the vampire den, they could have missed a few. Plus, there was Pasha and Dragos to consider. They would be looking for Tamara and the baby. And, if Li had been able to find out Tamara’s whereabouts, then Dave was pretty sure that Dragos would find out too. It was official. Dave had not missed Li’s debarkation in the commotion of multiple carriers landing in JFK. The airline security validated that Li was not on the plane. It was time to go to Las Vegas.