Thanks to all of you who read and love Moonlight. Here is the next story continuing my Moonlight universe. Some vampires want more power over humans and that will affect all vampires, everywhere. How will our LA vamps survive?

Once again, I acknowledge the names for my stories come from the song titles of Mr. Bob Seger, who has inspired me for years with his music.

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Moonlight except the joy it gives me to write about the wonderful characters.

Chapter 1

Beth stopped in a darkened alcove to adjust her costume. It was a white halter dress, flowing below her knees, hugging her curves. Mick had been dumbstruck when he'd seen her coming down the stairs at home, and they'd barely made it to the party. It had been two weeks since Coraline's abortive attack, and Simone and Josef were throwing a party to introduce Sofia to the vampire community. Beth remembered her first party after she was a vampire. She had been concerned she wouldn't be able to handle the throngs of humans and vampires, but it had worked out and Mick had helped her to be comfortable.

Now she entered the ballroom at Josef's house, no longer intimidated by the vampires and smattering of humans. Simone had decreed it was to be a costume party, with the guests coming as their favorite television or movie star.

Beth had chosen to come as Marilyn Monroe, wearing the iconic white halter dress from the Seven Year Itch. She had a makeup and hair stylist come the loft to make her up to look like Marilyn, and they had teased and shaped her blond hair into the same style as the movie star. Mick had been less pleased with the thought of dressing up until Beth suggested he come as James Bond. Then Mick became enthusiastic, realizing all he had to do was wear a tuxedo. Beth convinced him to get a shoulder holster to wear under his jacket. Mick didn't think he needed to go that far, but Beth insisted 007 would always carry a Walther PPK. Mick didn't have that type of handgun, but he did have a Smith .380 semi-auto that would fit nicely under his arm. He had to admit having a firearm loaded with silver made him feel rather like the legendary Ian Fleming hero.

They had arrived at Josef's house with the party beginning to heat up. Beth noticed several women dressed as Morticia Addams, and scoffed to herself. Too easy, especially among vampires, she thought.

They greeted Josef and Simone in the hallway. Josef was also dressed in a tuxedo, but sported a half-mask to identify him as Erik from Phantom of the Opera. Simone wore an enticing outfit of gauze and diamonds with a black wig, and was a stunning Cleopatra.

Beth and Simone squealed at each other's costumes, and immediately went off to compare notes. Josef rolled his eyes. "So who are you supposed to be?" Josef asked, accusingly. If he had to dress up, he would be damned if Mick didn't have to.

Mick put his hand into his jacket and drew out his gun. "I'm Bond—James Bond."

Josef snorted. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"You're too blond," Mick responded with a raised eyebrow.

"Not really. Have you seen the latest Bond flicks? Daniel Craig's got nothing on me."

Mick cast his gaze on the crowds before him. "At least you banned the Dracula group."

"Damn straight. We don't need to advertise. C'mon, I'll show you the bar."

Mick nodded gratefully, and the two made their way to one of the open bars placed around the large room. They collected some single malt scotch and retired to a quiet corner.

"What's the latest on Coraline?" Mick asked. He'd had the security system at the loft upgraded, and wouldn't allow Beth to go out by herself at all, in case Coraline was still around. Mick knew he'd tried his wife's patience to the hilt, so when they were invited to the party, nothing on earth was going to keep Beth from going.

Josef took a healthy sip of his scotch. "I told you not to worry, Mick."

"You said you would find her, Josef. It's been two weeks and there's no sign of her."

"That's where you're wrong, buddy," Josef said with a satisfied smile. "I know exactly where she is."

"Josef," Mick growled with irritation.

"Okay, she's back in France at the Duvall compound."

Mick's eyebrows shot up. "How do you know that?"

"I have some friends in the French Sécurité who owe me. I had them put wireless cameras with night vision outside the Duvall estate, and they were able to get a view of the front door." Josef rocked back on his heels with a smirk. "I had Rider hire a few tech guys to monitor who comes and goes, and they saw Coraline drive up and go in last night."

Mick felt himself relax, the tension he'd felt since Beth was attacked disappearing. "So she's in France?"

"Yeah," Josef said as he drained his glass. His voice became hard. "And I need to know what the Duvalls are doing."

The hairs on the back of his neck prickled, as Mick recognized the tone of Josef's voice. Josef, Mick asked. "What haven't you told me?"

Josef shrugged, and made to move away but Mick's hand on his friend's shoulder stopped him. "Josef, what's going on?"

"I didn't want to bother you since you were worried about Beth, but that guy who took a shot at me was hired by the Duvalls."

Mick's eyes narrowed, "Are you sure?"

"I've infiltrated their finances and Henri Duvall withdrew a hundred thousand Euros about three weeks ago."

"To pay an assassin?" Mick said, catching up fast.

Josef took Mick's glass and refilled it at the bar, along with his own. He handed it to Mick. "I called Henri and warned him off. I don't know if he took me seriously."

"Then we need to go to France," Mick said, determinedly.

"There's another problem." Josef explained about what the Head of Council told him about a possible vampire attack on humans and those the Council thought were behind it.

"Geez Josef!" Mick exploded. They looked around quickly noting no one had heard Mick's outburst. "You couldn't tell me about this before now?"

"There's nothing you could have done. I have some information from our Council, but it's not enough."

Mick ran his hand through his hair, giving him a more rakish look. "Couldn't the Council handle it? It sounds like their jurisdiction."

"Yes, but I offered to help. It's me Duvall wants to kill because of Lance. I won't put Simone or any of you at risk."

Mick still looked unconvinced, and Josef continued, "Come to the office tomorrow night and I'll go over everything I have."

"All right," Mick replied. "I'm sick of the Duvalls interfering in our lives." Now Mick glanced around the room trying to seek out Beth.

Josef said, "Let's go find our women. The dancing will start soon and I don't want any of those bloodsuckers trying to dance with my wife."

On the other side of the room, Simone and Beth had complimented each other's costumes and Beth asked, "So where are Sofia and Ewan?"

Simone craned her neck, looking over the crowd. "They got here about fifteen minutes ago. You should see Sofia, she's dressed like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's."

"In the black dress with the long cigarette holder?" Beth asked.

"Yeah, she looks great.

What about Ewan?"

"He came as Zorro. Sofia told me he didn't want to dress up that much, but she got him a cape, sword and a scarf for a mask and he settled down."

Beth sighed. "What's with these guys? Dressing up is fun."

They surveyed the guests, trying to guess who was dressed as whom, and Beth spotted Logan, who was predictably made up as Lando Calrissian from Star Wars. She didn't recognize anyone else, but the guests looked like they were having a good time.

"I think your party is a success, Simone," Beth commented.

Simone smiled widely and clasped her hands in satisfaction. "I think so. Everyone I've talked to is excited about it, and the contest."

"What contest?"

"Later tonight we're going to have a costume contest. We're going to bring the best ones up on the stage and have them judged by applause."

"Sounds like fun," Beth said, glad that Simone was happy.

"Let's go find Josef and Mick." Simone glanced at the stage. "The band is going to start soon and I want to have the first dance with Josef."

Beth grinned. "Me, too. I mean with Mick."

The two ladies wound their way through the crowds in search of their absent mates.

The dancing commenced, with Mick gliding Beth through the older dances. She was glad she'd taken dancing lessons when she was human, otherwise she wouldn't have known how to foxtrot or waltz. He told her about Coraline's whereabouts and Beth gave a sigh of relief. She loved Mick dearly, but having him trail her wherever she went was getting on her last nerve.

The guests took refreshments during the evening, the humans hovered around the heavily-laden buffet tables, while the vampires partook of fresh blood in glasses, or Josef's donors, who circulated the room. The freshies wore regular evening dress, so the vampires could choose among them. Josef was a considerate employer, and told the girls to donate twice and then they had to retire. He had hired extra ladies from one of the agencies in town to make sure there was enough for the vampires to enjoy.

Mick and Beth were taking a break to seek some champagne mixed with blood when the band stopped and Josef took the microphone.

The talk died down and Josef said, "Thank you all for coming tonight." He had removed his mask, and looked at the guests below him. "It is my great pleasure to introduce you to a new member of our community, Ms. Sofia Harrison. Some of you know her, but to those who don't she will be an asset to our community, and as the years go by, I'm sure she will become one of our most valued members."

There was applause, and Sofia sank into Ewan's arm, hiding her embarrassment. She was grateful Josef didn't demand she go up on the stage.

Josef continued, smiling wickedly, "Now, since the gentlemen have, to a man refused, it's time for the costume contest for the ladies only," Josef smirked. "I will call up the ones who will be judged for the best costumes tonight."

A murmur went through the crowd, and expectant faces pointed to Josef. He was pleased Simone's idea had stimulated the party.

He pulled out a piece of paper and read, "Cindy Ammons."

A brunette dressed as Bellatrix LaStrange gave a little shriek, and made her way to the stage. Josef proceeded to name two more women, dressed as Marie Antoinette and Elizabeth Bennet. The last three were Sofia, Simone and Beth.

Beth turned to Mick. "I can't go up there alone. You have to come with me," she whispered.

"But, sweetheart, you're the one in the contest."

Her mouth pressed into a line. Mick knew she hated to be in front of a crowd. Even when she doing her Buzzwire reports, it was only the cameraman, so she wasn't nervous. "I won't go unless you come with me."

Mick sighed. He knew that look. "All right, I'll lead you, and stand back on the side."

Relieved, Beth smiled wanly. "Thank you, Mick."

He escorted her up on the stage, and hung back in the shadows. He was so proud of his wife as she stood with the other ladies

Josef continued. "In case you think I'm prejudice to have my friends and wife up here, the selections were made not by myself, but three totally impartial guests…." There was a ripple of laughter from the audience.

Mick watched Beth, but paused to scan the crowd, who looked on expectantly. He noted a man who was behind most of the guests dressed in camo, his face painted as if he were a sniper. He didn't know why the man piqued his interest, but he felt uneasy all of a sudden.

Josef was continuing the contest, holding up his hand over each contestant, measuring the applause.

While Mick watched, the man in camo pulled out a gun and aimed toward the stage. Mick reacted immediately and his hand went into his jacket. He drew his weapon out of the holster in his jacket, snicking off the safety. Before the man could fire, Mick leveled his handgun on the stranger and shot.

The man in camo went down with a thud, and they heard the ensuing screams from the guests. Josef had ducked, taking down as many of the women as he could reach.

Mick jumped with vampire speed over the crowd and reached the assassin before most of the people were aware. He dragged the dead body out of the ballroom through one of the French doors that had been opened to provide ventilation. Josef's security team was fast behind him.

Josef made sure Simone and the other ladies were unhurt, and picked up the microphone. What the hell had happened? he thought, but he knew he had to keep the crowd calm. He banged his fingers on the mic to get everyone's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, don't be alarmed. This was just a little show to make sure you were paying attention to the ladies up here."

He scanned the women who were now standing, but looking slightly distressed. "Sorry if our little show alarmed you lovely ladies." He glanced at Simone, who knew he was lying his ass off, but he gave a slight shake of the head, and she faced forward again.

"Now, let's start again and I'm going to ask for your applause for each of the contestants in tonight's contest for the best costume."

Josef spared a look at the French doors where they'd dragged the guest who had shot at them. Damn, he wanted to be out there. Instead, he put on his host face and stood behind the vampire dressed as Marie Antoinette, and put up his hand and there was applause. He continued down the line and each woman had about the same volume, until he reached Beth. The crowd reacted with loud hand-clapping and cat calls.

"The winner is Beth St. John as Marilyn Monroe." Josef bent into her ear. "Do something. Play along; we've got to keep them distracted."

Play along? she thought. Her eyes had been fixed on the doors to the terrace, but since she knew Mick was all right, she gave a smile to the crowd. The other ladies gave her little pats and congratulations as they left the stage. She and Josef were the only ones left, and she took the microphone, giving him a sexy smile for the crowd to see.

"Thank you Mr. President," she whispered, in what she hoped was an approximation of Marilyn's voice. The crowd roared, clapping

When the clamor died down she said, "Thank you ladies and gentlemen for the great honor." She twirled around at almost vampire speed, lifting her skirt as she whirled. The audience went wild, the bullet shot forgotten.

Beth gave them kissing gestures, and handed the microphone back to Josef, who said, "The prize to this lovely winner is a pair of diamond earrings." He presented the small box to Beth with a flourish and she kissed him on the cheek, taking the opportunity to whisper, "What's going on?"

He kissed her cheek back, and said in her ear, "As soon as you can, get out to the terrace."

Beth smiled at the crowd again and Josef announced, "My friends, please enjoy the dancing and refreshments." He put down the mic, and nodded to the band. They started playing some Glenn Miller and the happy guests began to dance.

Beth made her way down from the stage, accepting congratulations on the way. She kept her smile in place, even though she was in a fever to get outside. Finally, she escaped the well-wishers, and went out through the doors to the terrace.

Mick was there, looking grim until he saw her. He immediately put his arm around her. "Are you okay?"

She took in his scent and relaxed. "Um-hm." She looked up at him, "What happened?"

Mick drew away and she saw Josef talking to James, with Simone off to the side. They approached Josef. Ewan also came out and after a quick word with Josef, went back into the ballroom.

James said, "It was a vampire, he didn't come in with the rest. He must have gotten in by hiding in a car trunk. When we were doing our rounds we found one of the cars looked like the trunk was forced. He could have come in by these doors. I'm sorry, sir."

"You can't be everywhere," Josef said. "Is he truly dead?"

"Yes, sir," James replied. "Mr. St. John got him in the head with silver."

"Good shooting, Mick. But I wish he'd been alive so we could find out who sent him."

"Sorry, Josef, I wasn't going to take a chance he'd shoot anyone, even you."

"I suppose I can live with that," Josef smirked. He turned to James. "Get fingerprints and send them to Rider. He can try to idenfiy them."

Simone stood by Josef and nodded at Mick and Beth. "If you guys want to leave, go ahead. We have to go back and finish the party."

Mick looked at Beth. "Do you want to go?"

Beth shook her head. "No way, St. John. I won the contest and you owe me a dance."

"You better watch out, buddy," Josef smiled. "After your wife's performance on the stage, I'm sure a lot of vamps would like to get a crack at her."

"Oh? What happened?"

Beth smiled seductively, pleased at Mick's jealous reaction. "I'll tell you later. And you can tell me how you spotted the bad guy, Mr. Bond." She took Mick's arm and headed back toward the party.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The room was long and palatial, covered on one side with floor to ceiling windows, and the other with mirrors. It had been designed to mimic Versailles, but the windows were specially made with UV protection and shielded to prevent too much light to intrude. The vampires called it 'Little Versailles' and the Paris Council used it as their headquarters. It was on the outskirts of the city, but close enough for the Council members to meet frequently.

Comte du Plessis, the Head of the Council studied some papers before him on the long table that served as his desk.

He rang a small bell that tinkled in the darkening room. Several minions responded.

"Oui, your grace?"

He handed the young vampire a piece of paper. "Have the ones on this list be here at midnight. Tell them it is imperative."

"D'accord, your grace." The servant bowed and left quickly.

du Plessis leaned back in his chair. There was more preparation to be done, but things were moving into place so they could control the humans. He was no fool and the plan he had would certainly change the balance of power in their favor. He still needed the backing of the powerful vampires who supported him. They thought they would rule, but du Plessis would make sure he himself would be the only leader.

Le Comte waited for his visitors with satisfaction.

TBC

It looks like the assassin has failed, and Josef will be keeping tabs on the Duvalls. Can he find out what else is going on? Thank you for following the story, and I appreciate your feedback!