A New Wish -

Chapter #10: Undercover Vampire...kind of…

*I do not own The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod or The Slayer Chronicles or any of their characters.*

Note: This chapter contains spoilers of the 2nd book (Second Chance) of the Slayer Chronicles!

Sage had fallen asleep in her room after her talk with Dorian and Enrico. It had definitely given her things to think about. Was it really possible that there was another half vampire out there? It seemed so far-fetched to her, that it was almost like a dream. But also in her slumber she thought about another boy she had met. A vampire slayer. Joss. He didn't know she was half vampire at all, and why was he working with D'Ablo if he was a vampire slayer? There were so many questions she wanted to ask, but really no one to answer them at all.

Sage woke up from her thoughts and looked around, expecting to still be in the room she had in Stokerton, but no. She was in her nice little bedroom on top of the V Bar in New York City. She let out a little sigh of content and happiness. It was so good to be home.

So the young vampire girl hurried to change clothes, putting on a simple outfit of white skinny jeans, a black t-shirt, and her favorite worn red converse shoes. Then she bounded down the stairs into the bar area where she could smell food being cooked in the kitchen. She skipped in and found Enrico cooking up tons of food. The teenage vampire snuck a roll out from under a plastic wrap and smiled at Enrico as she sat on top of the kitchen island. "What's the occasion…?" She asked as she took a piece of the roll and plopped it into her mouth.

Enrico smiled as he stirred some pasta and sauce in a pan. "The meeting is tonight, little one…" He told her as he added some spices to the pasta.

Sage nodded, remembering what Riley had told her yesterday. "Where are the guys?" She asked taking another bite

Enrico smiled, "Hunting. A few of our vampire friends are here for that meeting, so they always want to show them a good time."

Sage smiled, "Why aren't you with them?" She asked.

"Dorian wanted me to stay and watch you. But don't worry, I went hunting yesterday, so I'm stuffed." The man said with a smile.

Sage looked down, but still smiled, "I guess he was pretty worried huh?" She asked.

Enrico's smile faded a little, and he nodded, "We all were. D'Ablo had a Tego Charm, so we couldn't reach you in any way. Dorian was silent for nearly the whole time you were gone. It may not seem like it my dear, but you are everything to that man." He said looking at her for a moment.

Sage smiled, "Kind of funny isn't it?" Enrico looked at her, slightly confused, "That Dorian is this well-known and feared, powerful vampire, and he worries about me…" She said.

Enrico chuckled, "I never thought I would see the day when my son would care so much about someone. I had him, but Dorian never truly cared for anyone. But the moment you came along that seemed to change in him."

"Yeah...Riley and Nick always told me about how if they were too rough on me Dorian would get so mad his eyes would flash…" She said with a little chuckle.

Enrico chuckled as well, "Indeed. He's very protective over you my dear."

They were both silent for a few minutes after that. Sage finished her roll and looked around the kitchen, "So are you invited to this meeting?" She asked.

Enrico shook his head, "No...But you are…"

Sage looked at him, puzzled. He chuckled, "Yes...Em herself wanted to see you come. I think they might want you to do something."

Sage furrowed her eyebrows, "What could I do?"

Enrico wiped his hands on a hand towel and looked at her, "You have never gone to a human school, and really aren't even well-known among vampires let alone slayers. You could even pass as a drudge if you wanted to. You know this city like the back of your hand."

Sage nodded, "So when Riley was saying they were going to have someone guide the slayers, you all think I could do that…?" She asked.

Enrico nodded, "Yes. And the only way Dorian would let you do something like that was if it was inside of the city. Which it is. So you are the perfect candidate."

Sage nodded, and jumped off the kitchen island, "Well I'll see you later then…?" She asked. He looked at her questioningly, "Don't worry I'm not going anywhere…" Enrico nodded but watched as she left.

Sage spent most of her day in the bar, helping out the drudges, cleaning and clearing tables and such. It was around midday when she felt a poke in her mind. "Hello again!" She heard a voice in her head say. At the familiar voice she turned around and hugged the large Russian man. "Vikas!" She said as he wrapped his thick arms around her and squeezed.

He chuckled jollily and set her down, "Good to see that you are safe at home again…" He said, giving her an almost chastising look.

Sage blushed a little, "So you heard about all that…?" She said wringing her hands behind her back.

"Of course I did! I was worried sick!" He said putting a hand on her shoulder. "But the most important thing is that you are safe. Enrico told me the whole story and so did an old friend of mine. I understand that while you were there you met Otis Otis under the time you had amnesia. Correct?"

Sage nodded, "Yeah. I've met Otis before when he came to visit, but… Vikas …. D'Ablo was doing such…-"

Vikas shushed her and hugged her, "Little one we can't talk about that aloud. Otis will be here, but on D'Ablo's command. Our friend isn't out of his grasp yet and we need to act like nothing happened. It will be safest for you to act like you never saw Otis in Stokerton...Alright?"

Sage nodded and Vikas released her. And then the door opened, there was Otis, looking not as bad as when she had left, but still he looked unfed and sickly. Sage smiled at him and he offered her hand. "It's nice to see you again Mr. Otis!" She said innocently.

Otis smiled, his eyes twinkling. "And to you as well Miss Sage…" He said. Then he casually wrapped an arm around her and looked between her and Vikas, "Now where is that old bloke Enrico?" He asked heartily.

Sage smiled and pointed them in the direction of the kitchen. The two vampires smiled and went into the kitchen, laughter and loud voices came from that area and she couldn't help but smile to herself. But she was worried. Vikas had said that Otis wasn't out of the woods yet with D'Ablo. But why couldn't he just stay in New York with them? He would be safe...right… It was all so confusing, all the secrecy. But she had to lay low and do what her vampire family told her.

Sage could listen to those three talk for hours, they told stories -whether they were fake boasts or not - about all the little adventures they would have. But a few times Vikas or Otis would mention that same man named Tomas. Enrico didn't seem to have such a great relationship with this man though, so she wouldn't ask who he was. It was maybe a few hours after Vikas and Otis' arrival that her brothers and Dorian came back with many other well-known vampires. Everyone greeted Sage kindly and she greeted them back.

Sage was helping with serving everyone bloodwine when she felt a tap on her shoulder, Sage turned to see someone she had only seen on special occasions. Em. "Oh….Hello Em..It's good to see you again…" She said, a bit nervous to be in this woman's presence again.

Em smiled but it felt almost like a smirk or sneer. "Hello Sage...I hope you are fairing well?" She asked, her voice low toned. Sage nodded, but didn't speak. "Good...Now, I expect to see you at the meeting right?" She asked. Once again Sage nodded but didn't say anything. Em seemed to like that, "Excellent. It's going to be exciting. I wouldn't want you to miss any of it." She said. And before Sage could say anything the old vampire girl was gone.

The vampire meeting came far too quickly for Sage's taste. But soon enough Dorian came up to Sage's bedroom to take her down. "Don't be nervous. All we do is discuss things…" He told her as she walked down to the basement with him. As a child Sage had been given free reign on almost anything, except the basement. She was never allowed down here. So she took the opportunity to take a look. It wasn't anything special, but it felt odd, like it had been there for centuries.

In the meeting room there were lots of chairs and a long wood table where the Council of Elders sat. Em was in the middle. Dorian had Sage sit in one of the back row chairs and he stood behind her. As the meeting got going, first the Elders discussed the problem of the three brothers. Then Em looked at her and Dorian, "Dorian has said he has come up with a plan to get rid of the three brothers without breaking the law of no vampire killing another…" She said. Then Dorian walked out to the middle of the room.

He didn't waste time with introductions, "Yes. The idea is to have an outside member, perhaps a vampire or a drudge, to seek out the slayers that were sent here to take part in the hunting of Boris, Curtis, and Sven…" He said. Dorian had his hands folded neatly behind his back.

Em seemed to contemplate this mentally with the other Council members. Then she looked more focused on Dorian, "Do you a person in mind?" She asked, her eyes flicking to Sage then back to Dorian.

Dorian nodded and turned to Sage, he waved her over. Sage stood and walked over to stand beside Dorian, "Sage, my adopted daughter. She knows the city well, and knows how to read vampires like any one of us. She will be able to pass herself as a drudge and find the Slayers, gain their trust and guide them to kill Boris, Curtis, and Sven." He said, and in a way he almost sounded proud.

Em once again seemed to talk with the Council through telepathy. She nodded and they all nodded, "Step down Dorian…" She said. Dorian nodded and walked away from Sage. Soon she felt Em going through her mind. Once she didn't find anything that would let her assume that Sage would betray the vampires she gave a pleasant smile, "I think you are perfect for the job Sage….But only if you wish to participate, being that you are a minor…" She said.

Sage felt a certain tension coming from one person, Otis. She didn't know why, but it seemed that he didn't like the idea of her going to find the slayers on her own. So she was hesitant, "I would love to help…" She said with a nod. She felt the tension ease a bit, but not completely.

Em smiled again, "Wonderful! Now since you are a member of a vampire family here in New York we will keep a careful eye on you while you are undercover with the Slayers, so no need to worry about your safety. Dorian will brief you on what you are to tell the Slayers and you will find them tomorrow. This meeting is adjourned."

Later than night Dorian went up to Sage's bedroom with her with a few papers. The vampires were leaving, but a few of them would stay in the city a while longer, like Vikas and Otis. Tomorrow she would go looking for the Slayers, including one of the most dangerous of his generation, Abraham McMillan. Just thinking about that man gave her shivers up and down her spine. But this was for a good cause, she was tan like humans, so she could easily pass as a drudge. Dorian had Sage sit down on her bed as he explained what she needed to do. He took something out of his pocket. A small coin, "This is a Slayer coin. Most likely they will make you show this to them, that's kind of how they know they can trust each other. You can tell them your real name if you think that's easier. It won't matter much, we'll probably take care of those more powerful slayers while they are in our territory." He explained. He handed Sage the coin, "Don't lose that…" He said and she nodded. "Alright, there is a slayer arriving tomorrow at the airport. Joss McMillan, he's more mellow than the others and it will be easiest to approach him." Dorian said. Sage furrowed her eyebrows, Joss… Was that the same Joss she had met in Stokerton. Was he a McMillan? Sage nodded. Dorian stood there thinking for a bit, his eyes flashed and she knew he was looking for something, maybe the future? "No...another slayer will be waiting there...It's better for you to speak with Abraham first. It will be more tricky to gain his trust." Dorian pulled out a piece of paper with an address and a picture on it. "This is their 'base'...Go there." He said almost hesitantly.

Sage nodded again. "Is that it?" She asked timidly.

Dorian nodded, "Yes. I'll be keeping an eye on your, keep your mind open and I'll talk to you through telepathy, we'll have eyes on you all through this, don't worry, you'll be safe. Just make it clear that you are there to help and that you are a drudge. If any of them you're a vampire, even just half vampire, they'll kill you. Because they don't care." He said. Then Dorian sat down next to him, running a hand through his hair. "Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked.

Sage nodded, "I want to help...I can do this…" She said confidently.

Dorian nodded and patted her leg, "Okay. Get some rest. You'll need it." He said. Then he stood and left.

The next morning Sage was up and ready to go an hour before she had to be. Enrico made her breakfast and her brothers all sat with her saying that if the slayers laid a finger on her they'd be on them like wolves on fresh meat. That made her feel a bit better about the situation. Otis and Vikas were there as well, talking with Dorian and her brothers along with Enrico. When it was time to go, Sage grabbed her phone, but Dorian shook his head, "If you have that they might get suspicious. You won't need it either way." He said and she handed it to him. Then he handed her the coin and she put it in her pocket.

"Okay, I'm ready…" She said. Then confidently, and like it was just a normal day, she walked out the door of the V-Bar and started walking down the streets of Manhattan. The slayer's base wasn't too far off, close enough she didn't need a cab. It was maybe twelve blocks, but she liked to walk. She was dressed casually, in red skinny jeans, a black belt, a white loose tank top that hung nicely off her shoulders, and her blue converse shoes. While on the way she saw a few people she knew, either regulars at the bar or just humans and vampires alike that Dorian knew.

It was soon enough when she came to the brownstone. She hopped up the steps with a little smile and put her hands in her pockets. She took one hand out and knocked on the door and stepped back. She could hear people talking inside, but they were hushed so Sage couldn't understand what they were saying. After a moment a lady opened the door, "Can I help you?" She asked. She looked Sage up and down, and seemed to relax a little.

Sage smiled pleasantly at her, "Hi…" She was briefly interrupted by Dorian's voice, "Her name is Paty…" Sage continued, "Paty. I'm Sage and I'm here to help you guys out." Sage finished confidently. "Show her the coin." As Paty turned to call in two men, "Morgan and Cratian." Dorian's voice said.

Sage smiled sweetly at the both of them, Cratian gave her a stern look, "Kid, you don't know who you're talking to...Beat it…" He said rather rudely. Paty looked at Sage and Morgan stayed quiet.

"No, Cratian…" Sage said with a little smile, she saw his eyes widen, "I really am here to help…" She said. She then pulled out the slayer coin, "Do you mind showing me yours…?" She asked tilting her head.

The three adult slayers then pulled out their coins. Paty opened the door wider. "Sorry…. Come on in."

Sage smiled, "Thanks." She said. She walked in, following Paty and Morgan. "Good job Sage. Push me with your mind if you feel in trouble…" Dorian's voice said, then it felt like her mind was more empty now. Cratian closed the door behind her.

Cratian patted her on the back, "Hey sorry about that...It's just that you look way too young to be a slayer…" He said, he had a bit of an embarrassed blush.

Sage walked with him to the front room where Morgan and Paty where. "Don't worry about it….And I'm not a slayer…" She said with an innocent. smile.

Morgan, Paty, and Cratian all tensed and Paty walked over to a drawer where there was most certainly a stake. "But...I'm not a vampire either…" She said.

Morgan looked at her, "Then you're human…?"

Sage nodded, "Yep… But I am a drudge…" She said.

Paty looked at her, "What are you doing here…?!" She said, her eyes slightly angered.

Sage smiled at them, "What I told you before. I'm here to help. And don't worry, my vampire master ordered me not to lie to you, so I can't lie to any of you slayers. I can explain more, but I'd prefer to wait until all of you are here. I got that Slayer coin from one of the slayers here in New York. They knew I wouldn't be any trouble so he gave me that to make sure they would never mistake me as a vampire. " She said, surprising herself by how easily the lie came out. The three slayers all seemed to relax again.

They all still looked cautious of her, but they nodded. It was then when Sage noticed the decorations and the cake. "Welcome back Joss…" She read aloud. She looked up at Morgan who was standing next to her.

"A fellow Slayer of ours. He was gone for the school year to visit his cousin…" He explained. Cratian lightly slapped his arm, "What?! Do you really think she doesn't know about Joss. She said all of our names…"

Sage nodded, "I know about Joss, but not as much...He's new right..?" She asked. Cratian lowered his hand from Morgan and nodded.

Cratian and Morgan sat down on a couch while Sage leaned against the arm of the couch and Paty sat in a chair. "So where are Ash, Abraham and Joss?" Sage asked curiously with the same innocent head tilt.

The slayers still seemed astounded that she knew all their names. But Paty shook her head with a smile, "Ash is picking up Joss. Abraham is in London." She said, not evaluating further.

Cratian looked at the other two slayers, "Abraham might not let her be here…" He said.

Morgan shook his head, "He'll have to, we have no idea where these vampires are." He said. Then he looked at Sage, "You do, don't you?"

Sage nodded and smiled, "Of course I do."

It was rather awkward, sitting in the room with just those three slayers, but they were pleasant enough to keep conversation going. When they heard Joss and Ash coming in Paty pulled Sage's arm and whispered, "We're going to surprise him." Sage nodded and stood to the side.

And surprise the poor kid they did. Sage's eyes widened when she did see Joss though. It was the same Joss she had met in Stokerton. And when he saw her his widened too. "Sage?" He asked. Then he looked like he wanted to take it back. What was he hiding from his own team?

Sage decided to help him out, "Joss! You're Joss McMillan!"

Ash looked at the two teenagers suspiciously, "You know each other?" He asked.

Joss was at a loss for words. But Sage smiled, "Yeah, we were on an airplane together to go to Stokerton. You were visiting your cousin weren't you? I was going to Stokerton to be with another vampire for the school year. That's so crazy, I thought you were going to be a different Joss.." She said hugging the teenage boy.

Joss' heart was beating so fast he thought it would explode. "Yeah, it's good to see you again…" He said. He couldn't help but hug her back. She was too adorable. She was just as beautiful as Meredith, but she was so much more...different...in a great way. "What are you doing here…?"

Ash listened in too, but Paty answered as to not cause suspicion. "She's a drudge Ash. They sent her here to help us with the job. They ordered her not to lie to us. She has a slayer coin that one of the New York slayers gave to her, you know, so they won't mistake her as a vampire here." She said showing him Sage's coin.

Sage smiled at Ash, "Don't worry I'll explain everything once all of you are here."

And then everything was good with Sage and the five slayers so far. They ate Joss' surprise cake while they waited for Abraham. Apparently the team of slayers didn't even know why they were there. They had tried to get Sage to tell them but she always said she wanted to wait for Abraham, and that it would be better to have him explain. After a minute of learning that the slayers didn't know why they were here, the door opened then slammed shut. Sage's heart jumped to her throat. "Don't worry Sage. Just keep doing what you're doing…" Dorian's reassuring voice said. Sage took a deep breath and watched the entryway, as the heavy footfalls came closer. Then the man who she probably feared the most out of all slayers stepped into view. "A man is dead…" He said. Then his eyes fell on Sage and he grabbed his stake and raised it. Three of the slayers, including Joss stepped in front of her. Abraham looked at them questioningly. None of them found the words.

"Mine name is Sage….Mr. McMillan, I'm a drudge. I was sent here by vampires to help you out with your little...well vampire problem….I'm here to help out…" She said, using all of her courage.

Abraham put his stake away and grabbed Sage's arm and pulled her out from behind his teammates. He wasn't as rough as he could be, she knew that, so she must have tricked him. "Sage..what?" He asked.

"Sage Tod…"

Abraham released her and nodded, almost like he had been told the name before. Even Sage was confused at that, but she didn't let it show. "Explain why…" He said bluntly.

Sage now caught the attention of all six slayers, she cleared her throat, "Well...The vampires you're looking for...Are well causing trouble for the vampires too. But in vampire law they cannot kill another vampire unless they are put to death, now really there isn't a killing limit for vampires so they can't be put to death. So, the vampires kind of need you to take care of them...And they wanted it to be quick and easy for you, so they sent me and told me to tell you that as long as those are the only vampires you six kill you'll be able to leave Manhattan without harm from the other vampires in this area." She said, keeping eye contact with Abraham. Sage knew that if she didn't he might suspect her lying.

He stared at her for a long time, then nodded. "Come on then…" Then they all left. To where Sage didn't know. "You're doing fantastic…" The voice that kept her calm said.

Hey everyone! So I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I'm sooooo glad I got it out on time!

So as I said in the previous chapter (if you read this little bonus part) that I'm trying to make the chapters longer. And I succeeded! Tell me if you guys like the longer chapters and tell me what kinds of stuff you want Sage to do and if you like what I'm doing with incorporating her into the book Second Chance. I got this idea and thought it was great because, I had already done so many time skips that I knew I could just as easily write her into Second Chance. So I did! But really let me know if you guys like this, if you don't tell me what I can do better.

So as always if you like the story favorite it, follow it. And if you like my writing style I have two other stories, (although one is one hold for now) that you could read up on to. Feel free to follow me as a writer, I love comments so don't feel shy. Write a review!

Thanks so much for reading! The next chapter will hopefully be up by Christmas (December 25th) but if it's not I promise it will be up within a few days of that. I hope you all have a fantastic holiday!