Magnus shoved his hands deep into the dark gray jacket he'd put on after Kurt had taken the humans and himself somewhere they could get their own dinner. He could feel his hands shaking slightly, and he balled them into fists to make it stop. Kurt stood next to him, a bit behind, waiting for him to announce having picked up a scent. So far, nothing. The eyes on him made him nervous, he was always the cadet in the background and being depended upon like this was different. Anne-Britt had her arms folded over the long-sleeved blue shirt she was wearing. The night air was cool and foggy, and Kurt suspected she regretted choosing not to join them all in donning coats. Even Lisa had a sweater on. She'd insisted on joining the three of them in case the vampire had known he had three humans with him. In the tense silence that had hung over dinner, no one wanted to challenge her.

"Ten minutes until it's 21," Anne-Britt announced, her eyes darting around the darkness then landing on Magnus. "Any sign of her yet?"

Magnus' brow furrowed. "I smell her, but it's so faint," He raised an arm forward. "She's over there. But she's taking her time." He let his arm slip back into his coat.

Kurt took in and released a long breath. He had no idea what to expect from tonight, and that was more frightening than he'd like to admit. Why was Tova summoning Magnus? Did she intend to kill him? Drain out his blood reserves until... Kurt shifted his focus. What about the human detectives, including himself? Were they bargaining chips? Potential vampires? Or... her next meal? Kurt tried to convince himself coming out was the right thing to do, since he knew it was. They couldn't just sit around the police station night after night as more bodies showed up and more vampires were created. They had to end this bloody business of Tova's, and they had to end it tonight.

He heard Lisa shift her feet among the dead leaves. "It's so dark," She said quietly. Of course they could see each other and the immediate area fine, the moon was nearly full. But it was still pale light sifting through the trees, and it put her on edge.

"She's coming," Magnus suddenly said, taking a small step backwards. "She's... walking," He narrowed his eyes. "It will be a minute or two until she gets here. But she's moving closer."

For a long time they stood still. Kurt felt the need to say something, anything, before whatever was going to happen did. "Whatever happens tonight," Kurt started, the three others who looking at him with apprehension. "This was the right thing to do. We're going to stop her from continuing her hunt, or at least do what we can to try." He put his hands on his gun holster. "Magnus, whatever happens to us, you need to know that this is what needed to be done. We're police. We have to try to stop her."

Anne-Britt took a step forward, nodding. "He's right."

Lisa looked at Magnus. "I wasn't going to wait for her to kill more people. This is what we had to do."

Magnus swallowed, but after a moment finally nodded. "I know," his tone was quiet, almost defeated. "Thank you." With no words left to be said, all of them turned in the direction of Tova, standing together, and waited silently for her arrival.

They heard the footsteps only moments after Magnus whispered "She's coming."

Kurt's breath was fast, but he knew everyone's heart was pounding. This could be their last night. Which, in retrospect, was an odd thought for police to have, or anyone for that matter, since technically any day could be their last day. But there's something about facing at least two vampires that makes you realize that.

Suddenly Magnus took in a sharp breath. "Something's wrong," He sounded panicked and confused.

Kurt's eyes widened "What?"

"I don't, I don't know," He stammered. "There were three vampires coming towards us, and it was all I was focusing on, but," He turned around frantically, then turned back towards where Tova was coming from.

"But?" Anne-Britt pressed him.

"There's something else," He sounded frantic. "...Can't focus on both scents at the same time... But there's someone... Where are they..." He was turning his head quickly, but kept his body facing the footsteps they heard far off. Suddenly his voice turned dark. "Get out your guns."

They did so quickly. "Magnus, what's going on?" Lisa asked, her voice frightened.

"Someone's coming towards us, but I was so focused on tracking Tova that I can't tell where they're coming from. I can't seem to focus on both scents at the same time..." Suddenly the footsteps in front of them stopped, still out of sight.

But another sound took over. Someone was running, alarmingly quickly towards the line of four from behind.

The group turned towards the running steps too late. Suddenly a dark form burst into view. They were barely turned around without their guns raised when the figure slammed into the line of four. Lisa cried out as she the person grabbed her, pulling her off of her feet and struggling past the three. But the runner stopped as quickly as he started, standing stock still once he reached about fifteen feet in front of them. He put his elbow around Lisa's neck, putting the chief into a choke hold. The detectives raised their guns hastily, but Lisa had been positioned right in front of the runner.

All that could be heard was their breath as none of them dared to move, guns pointed, but no one willing to aim at Lisa's terrified face.

The figure reached back, pulling back his hood. He was a tall man, dark skinned with sickening blood-red eyes. His black hair formed a beard around his lips which had two sharp fangs protruding from in between them.

Kurt felt his heart twist with fear. "He's a vampire." Lisa didn't dare to speak, but she grabbed at the man's thick arms.

"Let go of her," Magnus said, glaring down the barrel of his gun. The vampire didn't seem to hear him. He had to get him to listen."You're a hunter, aren't you?" He taunted, his voice shaking slightly. "That's how you're so strong and can run so fast. Taking a human that's been standing still for half an hour isn't exactly 'hunting.'" The vampire just stared at them, so Magnus tried a different approach. "You aren't hungry, your eyes are red because you're a hunter. I'm right, aren't I?" He still didn't reply. "Tova feeds you well, doesn't she?" He still said nothing. "You don't need her."

"Who said he's doing this for himself?" A feminine voice came from far behind them in the darkness. Slowly the footsteps began again, and the group seemed frozen as the dead leaves crunched, slowly becoming louder. Then she emerged into the moonlight.

She wasn't tall, but she wasn't exactly short either. Her hair was long and blonde and looked completely disheveled, like she really had spent the last nights in the woods. She had on a simple black tank top and khaki pants, her arms seemingly left bare as if she was too strong to care about the cold. Her arms were thick with muscle. Her eyes were the blood red of a hunter, but there was something distinctly human and cruel about the wicked smile she gave them, showing off her fangs. She came to stand next to the other vampire. Her eyes fixed on the cadet. "Magnus."

"Tova," He said, glaring at her. "How do you know my name?"

She raised her eyebrows. "Don't you remember telling the name to that first woman I fed on?" Magnus flinched. "Or were you trying not to think about it?" She rolled her eyes. "You are so pathetically human."

"And you are disgustingly cruel," He shot back, lowering his gun, rendering it useless. "Give Lisa back to us, and get out of Ystad."

"Why, so you can keep playing human?" She taunted. "How long do you think it will be until you lose control and bite one of the others at your station?"

"Why did you call me out?" He demanded, his eyes harsh. Kurt had his gun trained on Tova, but wasn't sure it was going to do anything for him.

"Before we talk about that, I think we need to talk about the fact that I have your human."

"She's not my human, she's my friend," Magnus snapped. "My coworker."

"Vampire's don't have friends," Tova chided him. "She'll be gone in a number of years anyway. So why don't you join forces with people who will be around just as long as you will?" She raised her arms, and on the cue, two more vampires emerged from behind her, a stocky male with red eyes, and a smaller girl who he noticed had hazel eyes. "Just accept the change, and be the hunter Gustav made you to be."

Kurt shifted as he listened, feeling uncomfortably useless. "I'll never be a killer like you."

"Then you better do exactly what I tell you," She lowered her arms, glaring at Magnus. "Let me explain. I could have Erik here drain her with the wave of a hand," He heard Anne-Britt let out a shaking breath, her eyes trained on Lisa. "And then you would be responsible for her death. If, of course, you don't take my other offer."

His tone was cautious. "What offer?"

"First, put away your gun," Tova insisted. "You know it won't do you any good against me, so why wield it?" Magnus paused, then slowly returned his gun to it's holster obediently. He saw her point, while she had Lisa, his hands were tied.

"Magnus," Kurt started.

"She's right," Magnus said. "A gun wouldn't stop her."

Slowly, Kurt and Anne-Britt lowered their guns as well, but as they stood on either side of him, neither made a move to put it in the holster.

"Give me the other humans."

Their eyes shot to Magnus' completely taken aback face. "Why would I ever give you Kurt and Anne-Britt?"

"Because," Tova tilted her head to one side. "Erik just fed tonight before I planted the note. He isn't hungry, and I don't need Lisa here to die. But," She took a step towards Erik. "I also don't want the other humans getting in the way of our discussion. It's too," She made a face as if searching for the word. "Distracting. So," She put a hand on the other vampire. "Give me the other humans. I'll have my servants hold on to them until we're done talking, and then I'll give them back to you."

Magnus narrowed his eyes. "And why in the world should I take your word?"

She shrugged, pulling her hand off of Erik and taking a step forward. "Well, if you don't... I'll give Erik the order, and you will have to watch your 'friend' die." Magnus' eye shot between Lisa and Tova. "Do you want that?"

Magnus suddenly felt incredibly powerless as his gaze locked onto the red-eyed vampire who held Lisa tightly. His chief, the one who'd gotten him started with the force and had always had good faith in him, and Tova would have him stand and watch her die. "I..." His voice was weak, and he paused for a second. Then he considered what she would have him do, and his demeanor became frantic. "I can't just give you Kurt and Anne-Britt! You'll kill them!"

"Magnus," Tova reprimanded him, her foot crunching on the dead leaves covering the forest floor. "We have three fully changed hunting vampires on our side. It isn't like if I took the two of them by force after killing Lisa you would be able to stop me. In the end I will have the humans in my possession. So just give them over to me now, and I won't hurt her."

Magnus stood frozen, unwilling to demand the two detectives move, but two terrified to keep them where they were. He just breathed slowly, staring at Tova. "Don't kill her," He hissed.

She was unphased, folding her arms. "Don't make me. Give them to me now, or Erik will kill her."

She raised her eyebrows in wait for his decision. For another frighteningly long moment, no one moved. Not even Lisa struggled or said a word, everyone stared in waiting at Magnus.

Except one person. Slowly Kurt returned his gun to his holster, letting his arms hang at his sides. Then he took a step forward.

Magnus' eyes widened. He realized instantaneously what he was doing. "Kurt, no," The detective took another slow step towards the vampires.

Kurt's head was spinning as he stared at the monsters he was giving himself over to. Terror for his own life made him want to stop, but worse fear for Lisa's life made him take another step. The red eyes watching him made him feel sick, but he didn't stop. "I'm sorry," He said quietly. Then he spoke loud enough for all to hear. "I'm not letting you kill Lisa." For a moment he held his chief's gaze, then he took two more steps. He wasn't far in front of Lisa now, a few steps to the side of them. He turned to face the two remaining detectives. "This is my choice." He swallowed, watching desperation hit Magnus' eyes. He was doing what he thought he wouldn't be for at least a few more years; he was leaving his younger partner on his own. As much as he hated it, Tova had made this about Magnus, and all Kurt could do was try to help. And right now, this was how he would help. Making the choice so Magnus didn't have to. "Anne-Britt?" His tone wasn't expectant or demanding, simply questioning the detective.

For a moment she just stared at him. Then her eyes became defeated. She slipped her gun into it's holster and came to stand next to Kurt, then turned to face Magnus. "I'm sorry," She gave him an earnest look of apology.

"Looks like the humans morals are stronger than yours," Tova came to stand between the two of them, and they both took a precarious step away from her. Kurt stole a glance at Anne-Britt, and she attempted a reassuring nod. "They gave up themselves for their comrade, and you would have watched her die."

"Magnus was only taking a moment," Kurt shot back immediately. "He's police just like I am, he just didn't want to force us to-"

"Leo, Emelie," She said. Suddenly the two vampires from behind her came forward. They pulled the guns from the detective's holsters, handing them to Tova. Leo pulled Anne-Britt's hands behind her back, and Emelie did the same to Kurt. They held the humans with one hands on their wrists and one on their shoulders like how police would hold a prisoner. Erik pulled Lisa back to where the others were being held and repositioned his hands, moving his elbow from around her neck. Lisa took in a deep breath, grateful for the air. Magnus could see her whisper thank you to the detectives.

Magnus shifted his feet, trying to breath as he watched the three strongest people he knew being treated like weak, meaningless prisoners in some sort of hostage deal. It sickened him, he wanted to free them, wanted them to be out of here and safe. He felt his fists balling up, and rising within him. None of them deserved this. If it wasn't for Tova's cruel and thus far unexplained actions, none of them would be in this situation. Magnus wanted to throw himself at her, but he couldn't risk anything yet. "So, now that both of our three friends are out of our way," She held out her hands, palms upwards, taking a few steps in front of her vampires and the three detectives to come to be only about five feet in front of Magnus.

"Let's talk."