Chapter 1

The Cabal quivered, it shook in fear. Bastian Whitcomb loved being in control. He thundered down the hall, people leaving him wide berth. They knew he was in charge, held power. He was the boss now that the legal bullshit was over after his aunts' death and loving it. Doors slammed behind him, people scurried and whispered. Submission was key to holding this place in his hand. Mr. Whitcomb walked into his office, the door held open by his secretary. The place was metal, clean, sterile and cold.

"Sir?"

Bastian stood behind his desk, staring out over the city. The day was beautiful, bright and it ruined his plans.

"Mr. Whitcomb, sir?" she asked again.

"Speak."

"Sir, reports have come in. She was found in the city."

He smiled. "Good. Send them out. Tell them to watch and follow, kill anyone who gets in the way and on the mark kill her."

"Sir?"

"Are you questioning me?"

"No sir. It's just...she would be worth so much more to the company alive, sir. We, you would be able to do so much with the tests. Some of the scientist have requested time..."

"Mrs. Lownt."

"Yes sir?"

"Please remember she is an it. All of them are its."

"Of course sir."

"And it is worth much more dead. Less trouble that way. Tell the people downstairs they will be able to perform the autopsy, nothing more."

"Of course sir."

"Mrs. Lownt?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Your son, his name is?"

She paused. "I have a boy, 8 years named Andrew"

"Please remember that I have heard of your...compassion...towards those who we deal with. Please remove it."

"Of course sir."

A soft kiss was transferred from her lips to her gloved hand then down to close the eyes of the man staring up at her. She hadn't meant to do it again, it killed her inside. The man lay still in the ally, the black pavement contrasted the pale lifeless white the man had turned.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. At least in her state she still chose a man of lesser morals. He was a hit-man from what she could remember seeing in his thoughts while feeding, a drug dealer and a ruthless man who killed for little reason. She pulled the paper from her pocket, and folded it, placing it in the man's jacket. The cold air picked up, blowing at the little amount of clothing she had, her hair whipped around as she walked from the alley.

Will Zimmerman ran a hand over his face and dropped the paper onto the end table in the Sanctuary's library. It was the fourth body found like this, drained of blood with a typed out note reading 'I'm sorry'.

"Anything new?" Kate Freelander strode into the library and jumped into the chair beside Will, a wide smile on her face. He sat silent and her smile faded. "Ah what wrong, what's got your panties in a knot?" She reached across his lap for the paper and read the front page. "Another one? Wonder why the Doc hasn't sent us out yet? This is one weird ass calling card if you ask me."

"I wasn't asking you," he muttered and grabbed for the paper again.

"Ah so it does speak."

He rolled his head over towards Kate and shot her a droll glance. "Don't you have something else to do? Someone else to bother?"

She shrugged. "Not as of now, no. But how about you and me go investigate our sympathetic murderer? This has abnormal written all over it."

"I'll talk to Magnus today, until then, get back to work." He rose and moved to walk out but stopped short when Bigfoot walked in. He looked down at the smaller man and grunted.

"Dr. Magnus need both of you in her study." Will sighed and walked past the Neanderthal. Today was not going well.

The pair walked through the halls and made their way to Magnus' office. Inside Helen Magnus rubbed at her temples as she analyzed the newspaper with another story of the mystery murderer. Each victim had been either a large crime boss or a man wanted by the authorities for murders; each had a small printed note laid atop the body. Each was drained of blood, a puncture wounds on each neck, messy and unclean, the mark of something that was hungry and untrained. The door to her study clicked open and Bigfoot strode in carrying a tray of tea followed by Will and Kate. She looked up from the paper and tried to smile but stilled as Will glanced down at her with a miserable look. He had been incorrigible since their return from their battle with Nikolas' newly created vampires. Her old friend placed her cup of Earl Grey before her and grunted as he nodded towards her.

"I see you're in a good mood," she said and leaned back in her chair. Will crossed his arms and leaned against her desk.

"I assume this is about the bodies?"

Straight to the point. "Yes."

"Any ideas?" he asked.

She sighed and rubbed at her head again. "Several but none seem to add up perfectly."

"Do they ever?" Kate muttered. Will ignored the woman and looked at Magnus across her desk.

"I have an idea but I'm going to assume you will deny it."

Magnus bit her lip, leaned forward and rested her chin on clasped hands. She knew who Will's accusation would turn to right away. His distaste for Nikola had risen since his stay at the Sanctuary and more after his departure a few weeks ago. Since then they had yet to hear from the ex-vampire, no new schemes or ideas. She knew Will had a point, a creature turning up with the qualities of another vampire, but the idea was impossible. They had found it was impossible to use the teens vampire blood to return him to normal.

"Will," she began slowly.

"No Magnus," he pulled away from the desk. "It has to be him. He always has something up his sleeve; you and I both know that. Maybe this is something he cooked up before the whole Cabal thing?"

She shook her head. "Unlikely," she snapped back. "Will, Nikola would have gone to this project and destroyed it to get the blood for himself. No project would have lasted this long. And," she trailed off. "Will, he looked lost when the tests didn't work. HE knew that was his last hope."

"He is a good actor, Magnus," Will rebutted.

She smiled warmly and drew in a breath. "I've known Nikola for long enough to know when he is defeated. He may be able to fool most people but I'm not most people."

"That's not an understatement," Kate said from her chair.

A knock came and Bigfoot walked in again. He grunted and looked around the room to each person. "We were just contacted by the Father. He said an abnormal came to confess to the murders and sent him to us. He should be arriving within the next few hours. If you will excuse me, I'll prepare a room."

"Wait," Magnus called. She scowled. "If Will is right and this is a creature created by Nikola, I am not sure how much we can trust him."

Will rubbed at his face and crossed his arms. "We can judge when he gets here. Maybe this is like the teens, unsuspecting victim."

Magnus contemplated Will's idea and nodded to Bigfoot. "Go prepare a room and ask Henry to ramp up security. We need to be able to stop this thing if it turns."

Henry whistled a tune while configuring the security system for the new guest. The front entrance was quiet, still. The night had come early as winter came and a chill had set in. His tablet flashed with completion and a smile crept on his face. He placed the pen back and turned to walk back to his station when a light knock sounded on the thick wooden doors. The sound was quiet, unheard by anyone without enhanced hearing. He grabbed at the radio on his waist and alerted Magnus.

"Let him in Henry, just keep an eye out and keep him there till I arrive." Henry called over his agreement and opened the door a crack. The scent of the abnormal hit him first. A vampire, no doubt about it but this one came with a soft flower scent, a woman's scent. He pulled the door open wide and stared down at the figure. Before him stood a slender figure dressed from head to toe in a black cloak, hood pulled over her face.

"Is this the Sanctuary?" she asked, not looking up from the floor, hiding in the cloak.

Henry leaned against the doorway. "It is. Were you the one sent by Father?"

"I am." She paused and the scent of fear and worry permeated from her. Henry pushed off the doorway and motioned for her to move in. She slowly moved into the front foyer and looked around but refusing to meet his gaze. Footsteps came from the hall followed by Magnus and Will. Magnus strode forward, ever confident and held out a hand.

"Hello there, I am Dr. Helen Magnus Head of the Sanctuary and this is my protégé Dr. William Zimmerman, and I see you have met our resident tech Henry Foss. I am glad you were able to come to us."

Henry frowned as the woman refused Magnus' hand. Magnus held her gaze locked on the figure and kept her hand out. "You do know it is polite to shake a hand."

"I am sorry," she whispered. "But I fear if I touch anyone it will lead to something else and I am really, really trying to prevent that."

"Then please, we can take you coat, make you comfortable." Henry's eyes widened as the figure slowly pulled down her hood and removed the cloak. She was smaller, no taller than his shoulders with thin straight dark brown hair. Her skin was a very fine pale colour and the eyes that scanned over him where a blue-grey colour. The young woman handed Magnus her coat and pulled her grey knit throw closer to her neck.

"I thank you, Dr. Magnus. I am...ashamed to confess to my murders and was surprised when the Father offered me a home instead of a call to the authorities."

Magnus smiled lightly. "Well, while I don't condone the murder of humans, I understand you are young and untrained."

"I am afraid I cannot oppose on you for long and I don't have any money to offer and," she drew in a long deep breath through her nose, scenting. "I do not trust myself around so many people; things tend to get out of hand quickly."

"No money is needed, this is a home to all who need to and we can help with your...problem. I had a friend in a similar situation and we found a medication that worked. Here at the Sanctuary we help abnormal find homes, find ways to assimilate in the real world. Please let us help you."

The woman nodded. "Now," Magnus started. "Can we start with a name?"

"Of course, my name is Nikola."

Will choked on air and patted his chest. "Nikola? Are you serious?" He paused as Magnus raised a brow. Will pointed to Nikola. "See."

She frowned, ignoring Will. "Yes. My name is Nikola, Nikola Vincent. 25 years old, born in New York City and moved to Canada at age 5. Anything else?"

Magnus' lips pursed. "How about we talk in my office, get you set up."

Nikola nodded. "I think I would like that." Magnus excused the two men and led Nikola through the large mansion. The place was a beauty, original wood everywhere with quaint decorations and flowers. The mansion was very well kept and yet felt lived in. Magnus explained each hall as they went but Nikola didn't hear words as she took in the surroundings. The doctor finally stopped at a large wooden door and opened it. Nikola drew in a breath and took in the warm office room which the Doctor had lead her into. The room was surrounded in wood, a large window opened to the snowy city below. Bookshelves and antiques littered the walls, giving it an old school professor feel. In the corner Nikola noticed heavy duty computers, scans and the like she noted. Dr. Magnus, a kind looking English woman strode behind her desk and sat gracefully. The woman was stunning in a black skirt and jacket, someone Nikola had always envied.

"Please take a seat," Dr. Magnus motioned to the chair in front of the desk. "We have much to talk about."

Nikola sat in the chair, pulling and tugging on her dirtied and torn grey sweater. She knew she looked horrible but living on the street for a few years would do that to you. Her jeans were unwashed for a few weeks and the t-shirt she had stolen from the lost and found a few days ago, her last shirt had been destroyed while feeding on her third crime boss. Nikola licked her lip at the memory. He had tasted much better than the other men who were filled with illegal drugs that had left her light headed for days.

"Now Nikola," Magnus pulled a notebook from her desk. "I need you to tell me everything you remember about yourself, especially how you...came to be. Here at the Sanctuary we offer protection and homes for abnormal of all kind and to be able to help you I will need to understand you more."

Nikola frowned and pressed her tongue against her slightly sharpened fangs, mostly hidden away when not used. "I was born like...this is guess. Do you know what I am? I mean I have an idea but it's just too farfetched, I mean really?"

Magnus sighed and leaned back in her chair. "From what we can tell so far, without blood tests and DNA mind you, is that you are from the extinct race of Sanguine Vampiris, a highly intelligent abnormal species that once held control over the world before they were eradicated. And for you to be here, as a part of this race is astounding beyond what you can believe. We had thought the last of the species and the last of the blood was destroyed months ago when, well when an old friend of mine lost his abnormality."

"How is this possible?" Nikola asked.

"I would as you the same question."

Nikola sat deeper into the chair. "I always knew I was different, my mother always said so."

"How in heaven's name did you survive without taking blood?"

Nikola shrugged. "As a child my mother took me to the hospital and explained I had a rare blood disorder that required me to have multiple blood transfusions. If the doctors began to get suspicious then we would move on, travelling the country. At least, we did until she was killed."

"Killed?" Magnus echoed.

"Mother and I were followed a few cities ago by some men in black, they kept following us. And one night in Alberta they caught up with us. They, they broke into our motel and caught mom. She knew they were coming and had me hide in the ceiling." Magnus frowned when Nikola wrapped an arm close around herself and rubbed over her head and her eyes. "They killed her after they asked her where I was. She told them I had died in childbirth and then they just shot her."

"How long ago was this?" Magnus asked.

"It was ten years ago. I was fifteen when it happened. And I've been on the run from then since then."

Magnus leaned back. The men in black that had hunted her could have only been the Cabal. But why would they have left her alone, left her alive? And how on earth had this woman, this child escape both the Cabal and Nikola for so long?

"I will need some blood samples before we can continue this. Until they come back I can have a room set up in the meantime and I will begin working on the medication does for you to help with your urges. And, unfortunately until we are able to run full scans I will need to have you escorted around the grounds."

"Until what?"

"Until we can be sure you don't work for someone else. We have enemies Miss Vincent and vampiric blood has been the source of many battles. Your arrival seems to come at an odd time, having just lost the last source of the blood."

Nikola held up her hands. "I have no reason to hide anything from you. I'll adhere to anything you say. I just need somewhere to stay, somewhere where I don't have to worry about hurting anyone."

"Then we should be able to come to an agreement soon, now if you'll excuse me I'll get a blood kit ready and send you off."

"So who wants to take bets on who she's really working with?" Kate leaned against the wall next to Magnus' office. Will, Henry and Kate all stood waiting for the pair to exit.

Will smiled. "I'll take a hundred on her working with Tesla."

"Nah, I'd say if anything she'll be freelance. I mean Cabal would have killed her already if they had her and Tesla would have been a vamp again if he had access to her." Kate worked out.

"True, but I'll still put money on her in loop with Tesla," Will affirmed.

Kate shrugged. "Well just be ready to pay up Zimmerman." She pushed him lightly and laughed as he almost fell. "How about you Henry?" Kate looked across the small hallway where he stood staring at the door.

"I'll say she's innocent. Nothing to do with anything."

"Really? Bore much." The door clicked open and Magnus walked out followed by the new girl. Nikola walked into the hall and saw three people standing outside. The two she met before, Dr. Zimmerman and Mr. Foss. Kate almost laughed as Nikola looked Henry up and down with a lingering glance.

"Kate," Magnus began, "can you please take our guest to her room and get her settled. We have work to do. Henry, Will would you come with me."

"Thanks again Dr. Magnus," Nikola bowed slightly to the woman.

"Don't thank us yet Miss Vincent. Kate." Magnus nodded and walked away.

"Well come on now, best be moving before the Doc comes and shoos us away." Kate walked with her hands in her pockets, slowly meandering down the hall next to the new guest. "This will take you to your room," she explained.

"Thanks."

Kate side glanced to the young woman. Nikola Vincent, she was told, a vampire, the last now. God what a few drops of her blood would be worth...Kate could be set for five life times. The woman was unusually beautiful, her face was a pale colour with long features and a slightly pointed face with a sharp nose. Her blue grey eyes searched everything. But while her body seem to be regal looking her clothing was a different story. She obviously had been out on her own for awhile, her clothing ripped and muddy.

"So I heard you killed a few guys."

The woman beside her paused. "Yes I did what I had to to survive and yes I do hate taking lives which is why I chose who I did."

"Eh, I thought it was totally bad ass Robin Hood kinda thing. You know, taking from the rich."

"I am well versed on the tale," she said.

Kate rolled her eyes and stopped before the room. Inside the Big Guy had already gotten it ready. "So here it is, case de Sanctuary. Meals are usually around 9-10 and lunch is grab what you need when. Dinner is at 5 and garbage pickup is every other day at 8. You need to send someone to get your things?"

"What things?" Nikola stepped inside and looked around. "This place is so nice."

"I know. And things, you know, your personal belongings?"

Nikola shrugged. "This is it. I travel light."

Kate bit her lip. "I'll ask the Doc if we can get you some things."

"Thanks, um, Kate right?"

"Yeah it's Kate."

Nikola sat on the large fluffy bed. "So Kate, are you an abnormal?"

Kate laughed. Oh how much this girl had to learn. "No, Will and I are humans and the Doc is for the most part. Other than that, yeah everyone else is abnormal."

"God this is a lot to take in," she whispered.

"Says the girl who is the last vampire on the earth." Kate paused and walked up beside the bed to sit beside Nikola. "You really didn't know this world existed did you?"

She shook her head. "No. As a kid I just thought I had some weird disorder and after my mom died it's what I thought until I ended up killing my first human. After that, I knew I was different."

"Harsh. So then this is all new to you, the whole abnormal thing."

"Yes, and I have to admit, it's nice knowing there are other beings like me. Well, not exactly but knowing there is a world I belong in helps."

"I'd guess so. So any questions? I was going to get going, if you don't mind."

Nikola waved her hand. "No you can go; I'll just try and get some sleep. It's been a few years since I had a bed to sleep in."

Kate jumped off the bed. For some reason, she knew the girl wasn't exaggerating. "Swell. I'll get going. The phone works so if you need anything just press 9 and you'll get me, if not press the others and play roulette with who picks up." She smiled and winked. "Henry's number is 4"

Nikola blushed. "Henry? He's the one who answered the door right?"

"Now she gets it," Kate laughed. "Just call around and someone will help you. I'll see you in the morning at breakfast. But I warn you until I have my cup-o-joe I'm liable to bite your head off."

Nikola grinned, fangs poked out from her mouth. Kate wasn't shy about saying the wrong thing for sure. "I believe I am more apt to be biting heads off then you."

"See I knew I'd like you." Kate waved and walked out, locking the door on her way out, Magnus' orders to lock her in unless she was supervised. The room was one designed to be nearly impossible to break out of, perfect for an unpredictable unknown new guest.