AN: This story is getting so much traffic. I really appreciate the reviews, followings, and favorites. Please tell me if I'm going at the right pace or right direction. I often have to reread what's already written to know where to start again. Also, this chapter just sort of wrote itself, hopefully everything is clear.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

I don't own anything you recognize.

Blade dried and dressed quickly. He didn't want to waste any more daylight than already passed.

He hastily scribbled a vague note to Whistler, telling her to initiate Operation Lincoln.

He loaded up his trunk with as many weapons and ammunition could fit, along with a spare case of serum. The rest was up to Whistler.

Everything was settled. As soon as King pulled Zoe out of school, the three would be on their way to the cabin. Zoe would like that.

Blade secured his gear in the Charger. He drove around the city, on the lookout for familiars, making certain he wasn't being followed.

He arrived at his hideout hours later. Everything was accounted, everything was in motion.

The hideout was an abandoned strip mall on the other side of town. He wasted little time securing the perimeter, no squatter or riff-raff. He switched the Charger's license plate before unloading the trunk.

Dusk would be soon. He needed to refocus fast. He stood in the middle of the clothing store front, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He moved his arms out in one fluid motion, going through various martial arts stances while inhaling and exhaling loudly. The sounds of the city disappeared. Blade honed in on the beating of his own heart.

He would remain true to his mission. He would rid the world of the twelve houses. He would extinguish the undead.

The stagnate air moved sharply. Blade drew his firearm, searching for the culprit.

A young woman dressed in a habit glared at him with a raised brow. "Is that how you greet friends these days?"

Blade lowered his weapon and scoffed. "Never could figure out how you sneak up on me."

The nun smiled softly. "All God's children are full of surprising talents."

"You know what, you can tell your god-"

She raised her voice over him. "How else would I know you need my help?"

Blade sighed. "You got me there, Sister."

She approached his supplies. "What is it this time, Eric?"

Blade licked his bottom lip in hesitation. "What do you know about Endora?"

The nun furrowed her brow as she began playing with one of his butterfly knives. "Endora? Let me think." She walked around in a circle, twirling the blade. "Several come to mind. Do you mean Endora, one of many daughters of the Mother Goddess Akasha?" She laughed. "Or do you mean the horrid mother on Bewitched?"

Blade snarled. "What about Akasha's daughter?"

The nun stood still for a moment. "Endora didn't do much of consequence. She was a large supporter in her Mother's conquest to rule all mortals; however, I believe Endora met an untimely stake during the ancient Sumerian Coup. None of the reign survived. Dagon made certain of it when he wiped them all out."

Blade frowned. "Dagon? As in Dracula? As in Drake?"

The young woman clasped her hands together. "While I'm all for teaching you a history lesson, why don't you tell me what it is you really want to know?"

Blade folded his arms. "Rachel, we've known each other for a long time."

She nodded. "Eric, just tell me. You know I'll find out anyway."

He brought his arm up, resting his chin on his fist. "I stumbled on something, not sure if it's new or really old."

Rachel's green eyes gleamed. "You know how I love puzzles." She held her hands out.

Blade nodded at her unspoken request, and removed a leather glove. He grasped her hand firmly.

Rachel's eyes moved back and forth rapidly under her closed lids as he thought of Endora, finding her in the alley, dressing her wounds, talking to Zoe about her.

Showing Rachel his memories tingled.

She let go of him with a gasp. "Oh good lord, that's Endora!"

Blade chuckled. "Tell me something I don't know."

Her eyes widened, and she paced once more. "You don't understand. She's one of the House of Dragul, Dracula's own."

Blade shrugged. "And?"

The nun threw her arms up. "The House of Dragul has been extinct for centuries. This is an amazing discovery. If Endora could survive, who's to say there aren't others?!" She jumped up and down. "The scholars are going to go ape-shit over this."

Blade removed his glasses. "So she's definitely a vampire?"

"She's like Drake, she has the purest form of the vampire gene. That's why Zoe could talk to her on the roof like that. The Draguls were paranoid about protecting their secrets. There is no complete list of their abilities or their origins. It's why they were such a target back in the day."

Blade furrowed his brow, "But she doesn't know."

Rachel paused her celebrating. "What do you mean?"

"I didn't show you everything. Endora doesn't know she's a vampire. She has constant blackouts. She couldn't remember her own name when I asked, until the next morning when Zoe asked again."

Rachel bit her bottom lip. "That is troubling. Especially since the Vampire Nation is after her."

They both fell quiet in contemplation.

Rachel sighed. "I'll do some asking around."

"Just remember to be careful."

She hugged him heartily. "And you remember to come see me more often. You know I worry about you, all of you."

Blade pat her on the back. "And as soon as Zoe shows signs, I'll bring her straight to you. I know the drill."
"Don't let this," she placed a hand on his temple, "be your downfall. You should believe by now that there are no coincidences."

Blade inhaled deeply. "Then tell me, where should I start looking for her?"

Rachel walked away towards the back of the building. "That's not how this works. Use those immortal instincts of yours."

Blade heard a door close, and knew he was alone again.

AN: Remember to review!