Disclaimer: I do not own Blood Ties or any of its characters. They are all Tanya Huff's creations.

Characters thoughts are in italics

Thanks to Lena for her beta work!

Chapter 4

Moonlight illuminated the hospital parking lot as Henry steered his black jag into a parking space. He grabbed his sketchbook and went inside. Before heading to Vicki's room, he stopped by the chapel. His shoes walked along the red plush carpet until he settled into a white pew. The vampire clasped his hands together and bowed his head in prayer.

He hoped his prayer would be answered and that Vicki's amnesia would not be permanent. He had grown accustomed to their nightly excursions into the supernatural world and to the fact that he could be himself with Vicki. Henry rose from the pew and walked down the hallway to Vicki's room.

Vicki was staring at her wrists when he entered.

Henry's eyebrows rose slightly. "Is everything okay?"

"I was just looking at these tattoos and wondering what possessed me to get them. I'm not one for tattoos. Never have been. At least I don't think I am."

Henry was unsure how to respond to that comment so he sat down in a chair next to her, opened his sketchbook and handed it to her.

"I thought some of these drawings might help jog your memory."

Vicki's green eyes looked at him. "So what are you? A cop by day and an artist on the side?"

"I never said I was a cop."

"But you said we are partners, didn't you? Let me guess you're a private investigator like me."

Henry's brows rose in surprise. "Do you remember being a private investigator?"

She shook her head. "No, I figured it out while talking to Coreen. So are you a private investigator?"

"No, I am a graphic novelist."

A confused look flashed across Vicki's face. "How did we end up being partners then?"

The vampire gestured to the sketchbook trying to steer the conversation in a different direction. "Enough with the questions, Victoria. Perhaps looking at these sketches will help you remember that."

"I'll humor you for now but the question and answer session is not over just postponed."

"Fair enough," Henry raised his hands in mock surrender.

The PI started flipping through the pages. Most of them were part of some story. People dressed in hooded robes. Midway through the sketchbook she started seeing sketches featuring her. She paused on a sketch in which she was dressed in a warrior's garb. She was holding a sword in her left hand and a shield in the opposite hand. Her hair was down and seemed to be blowing in the wind.

"I remember this."

Henry inched a little bit closer. "What do you remember?"

Vicki concentrated on the image.

She and Henry were sitting in a living room. She was twirling a sword around as he sketched her. Then he displayed the finished product.

"You forgot my glasses."

"This is how I see you," Henry responded.

"Vicki Nelson, warrior princess."

She was jarred from that memory by Henry waving his hand in front of her face. "Vicki, Vicki."

"I remember you drawing this. I remember some of our conversation."

Henry's eyes brightened. "Maybe this is the start of your memory returning."

The former detective yawned. "Maybe. It's just one memory. Besides I'll still have some questions for you. Why was I swinging a sword around?"

She yawned again.

"Vicki, it is obvious that you are tired. Whatever questions you have I promise I will answer them tomorrow night."

Vicki refused to draw the interrogation to a close. "Why do you only visit at night?"

Henry grinned. "I have an aversion to sunlight."

The PI's eyebrows rose. "Do you have that skin condition which doesn't allow you to go out during the day?"

Henry chuckled a little. "I guess you can call it that."

"Can you be any more vague?"

"I'm not being vague. I would say I'm being mysterious."

"I can definitely agree with you on that."

Henry rose from the chair and bowed slightly. "I have really enjoyed our conversation. I hope you have pleasant dreams. Night, Vicki."

"Night, Henry."

As Henry approached the elevators, he couldn't help but smile, Vicki was still in rare form.

The demon watched as Henry Fitzroy steered his car out of the parking lot. According to her sources, Victoria Nelson couldn't remember the past year. This would be an opportune time to eliminate her. Without her, Astaroth would be unable to enter this plane. Her lord would be pleased. I just have to choose the right time to strike.