A/N: Thanks go to River Styx and GirlWhoLovesFanfiction for their reviews. Also, a very BIG thanks to GirlWhoLovesFanfiction because she so very kindly took a few nights out of her time to check over the upcoming scenes for me, to give me critical feedback from the point of view of someone who has no idea where this story is going. As a result, certain things were fixed, much was hailed as great, and I have a surprise for you folks.

Today, the 4th, is my birthday. And instead of begging for reviews as your presents to me when I posted the last chapter, I am giving all of you the present of three new chapters. I hope you'll enjoy!

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Chapter Twenty-One

The American Elders

It was just after eleven Friday evening. In a tinted-window penthouse suite, on the other side of Center City from where the Archdiocese resided, just over a dozen vampires were gathered in a large board room. The walls were reinforced with over a foot of solid steel, the windows were 2 inch thick bullet-proof glass, and the building was secured with protective enchantments that kept their collective energy from being possibly sensed by those strong enough to pick up on the multiple presences gathered.

Liam was sitting at the head of the long table. Gone were his usual business suits and in their place was a close-fitting, jet black tactical suit, similar to those military personnel wore, that had been his own design and creation. Unlike the military's or Iscariot's, this suit was reinforced beyond what either faction had, made of material and plating Liam had spent decades constantly improving in design and taking ideas from any source he could procure, and was designed specifically for protecting vampires from both injury and exposure to the sun. The latter of which was lethal for weaker vampires and draining for those like the Elders, even to an extent for one as powerful as himself.

Rather than designer accessories adorning his person, a matching sleek black helmet rest on the table next to Liam, which would likewise help protect from injury or sun and keep his identity secret in the more conspicuous outfit he was now donning. He had two large handguns strapped to either side of his lean hips and two more in shoulder holsters. His belt contained magazines for reloading those guns at his waist with traditional bullets and those attached to the harness on his chest contained blessed silver bullets for the guns held there.

The Elder vampire also had a silver-overlaid long sword resting diagonally across his back for easy access, the same custom fitted harness that held his guns likewise held the sword. And while Liam's country of origin was Ireland, a set of matching sgian-dubhs were tucked into his boots. The traditional Scottish blades were made of pure silver that held a wickedly sharp edge despite being made of a softer metal. The blades Liam carried were older than even his three hundred and thirty-two years, some of the few surviving remnants of his mortal life before being turned into a vampire, and had served him well throughout the centuries.

The only thing that remained the same in the aristocrat's appearance was that his light brown hair was tied back from his hawk-like features, but even that was missing its usual flashy streaks of color created by his will.

Those present around the table, male and female Elder vampires alike, were similarly dressed and armed, though their secondary bladed weapons were those of their preference.

The American Elders had been spending countless hours since Alucard had been reported to have entered the city in this room, on high alert for the trouble that often followed in his wake, especially with the increased activity at the Archdiocese. They weren't sure if Iscariot was swelling its ranks because they had been tipped off Alucard would be traveling to the city, or if Alucard had flown in because of Iscariot, but blood flowed like a river whenever those two were involved and the Elders weren't going to ignore the warning signs.

Liam and the other Elders were currently watching, with a great deal of expectancy, a series of TV screens on one wall that were being fed images from multiple locations around the city. Some were their own cameras placed in strategic positions over the years. Others were being tapped into from the local government or private establishments' security feeds. The largest screen in the center was currently split between two feeds.

On the right was a camera trained on the Archdiocese, which was one of their own cameras, keeping an almost constant surveillance on Iscariot's movements and attempting to discover what the Catholics might be up to in there. Even with all the skills in enchantments some of the Elders possessed, they hadn't been able to breech Iscariot's wards. The wards were meant for keeping out vampiric senses and supernatural powers, so they couldn't even try sensing out the magic being used to know how to get past it. Trying to use counter-wards to bypass Iscariot's enchantments, without knowing how those specific enchantments were created, could alert Iscariot to attempts at tampering or trigger further defensive enchantments also placed, and so the American Elders had decided not to make blind attempts to do so.

They had a wide range of dossiers forming on all operatives who had been spotted entering the Archdiocese, which included the priest Alexander Anderson when he arrived on Tuesday, and his protégés Heinkel Wolfe and Yumiko Takagi just yesterday. Anderson's unmistakable presence being seen walking into the Archdiocese, and the later arrivals of the two women, reaffirmed that Iscariot was concocting something major. Most were of the thought that it had something to do with Alucard's presence, and some theorizing Anderson was being brought in to head a large scale sweep-and-clean of proportions they hadn't before seen.

The Elders had also been able to spot on a few occasions when personnel from within the Archdiocese were leaving. They would sweep in to intercept the individuals, hypnotized them into talking, and had unfortunately not found out any helpful information. Any who were being allowed to leave were those not directly involved with Iscariot itself, such as the normal clergy and office staff, and were not being given information on what was going on within the section of the building Iscariot was gathering in. Iscariot was getting better at covering their tracks and hiding their plots- much to the Elders' irritation, though they had likewise gotten more efficient at doing the same- which had also added to the Elders' suspicions of what Iscariot might be up to in the Archdiocese. They wiped the memories of the encounter from those they had caught, left them to go about their business, and continued their watch of the building, hoping for a chance to find more useful information.

They also hadn't been able to track all of Alucard's movements in recent nights. His energy was so great that, in such a small radius as the tightly packed city, it felt more like a constant overshadowing presence than a clear homing signal to his vampiric offspring. And they mostly had to rely on cameras to follow him or they'd otherwise risk exposing themselves if they followed in person.

On the left of the large screen was a feed from a security camera for a private law firm across the street from the hotel Alucard was staying in and was currently being used to watch for Alucard leaving the hotel. The security guards of the building the law firm resided in were now receiving a pre-recorded false feed so they would not be alerted to the fact their own cameras were being put to use by outside sources. Given that it was after hours and no one came or went so late at night, the guards had yet to notice. The Elders had been using the hotel's lobby camera to try keeping track of Alucard's movements, but he could phase through walls at his own will and therefore they couldn't reliably track him through that camera. They had discovered on a few occasions that he would be presumed out of his hotel room already, only to be seen coming off the elevator and leaving the hotel. Or they'd think that he was in his hotel room, only to see him walking through the front entrance of the lobby.

They ended up having to scout out an additional camera with a wider-range view whose feed they could hack into so they could keep better tabs on the elusive vampire. Which had taken a few days to accomplish, but now they could see when he came or left, as long as someone was watching the feed to spot when his shadow form went darting out of his room and past the lights outside before disappearing into the shadows of the night. Their surveillance programs were calibrated to scan the thousands of feeds they had access to and find Alucard should it detect his face or shadow form, track the direction he seemed to be going in, and try to follow him with those cameras in that area. It was easier done when Alucard was posing as a human, his shadow form was near impossible to pick up and follow.

Liam had initiated the meeting at Alucard's hotel they were currently keeping under watch to indeed greet Alucard and make him aware of a severe breech in boundaries, but it hadn't been his sole reason. Liam had gone in to try gaining information on Alucard's plans; and to gain information on Alucard himself, his powers and what they could be capable of. He had gathered all to varying degrees, though what he discovered of Alucard's plans had been incomplete.

His powers were another matter. Without a doubt, Liam could sense Alucard's power was formidable. Greater than any other individual vampire's, or even a few Elders combined. But it wasn't without its weak spots and Alucard was still only one vampire, even if he was the father of all vampires.

As a collective, Liam was more certain than before that they could neutralize or kill Alucard once and for all if the need arose. A few individuals caught away from the group, however, could be killed by the progenitor of their kind, their blood drained and their plans exposed in the process. Liam wasn't going to take that risk of Alucard getting a heads up on their plans of retaliation should he cross any lines. Having some blind spots in their surveillance was a lesser threat, though frustrating to no end when Alucard moved too quickly for them to follow or disappeared from areas they had within their vast network of surveillance.

Liam's contacts had alerted him to Alucard's private jet being sent out of country, though Alucard himself hadn't been reported to be on it. Liam and the other Elders hadn't been sure exactly what that move meant. Their best guesses were either Alucard was hoping that if enemies were trying to keep watch on his movements, they'd not have enough resources to know he wasn't on the plane and was hoping to give a false impression of leaving; or he was sending the plane back to England to retrieve something or someone that couldn't be brought through on commercial flights.

Either way, the American Elders knew their vampiric forefather was not on the flight and he was up to something within their country. After securing the more vulnerable vampires and those humans under their protection away at Liam's mansion with some Elders, vampiric guards, and their human hired guards to protect them; the remaining American Elders convened to this location to once again wait for the progenitor of their kind or Iscariot to make some move to reveal their intentions and then act on their own part in accordance.

When Alucard's private jet had been reported to be returning, with servants in tow, the Elders made their final preparations for a fight and continued their patient watch.

Things were quiet over at the Archdiocese right now. Iscariot was remaining hidden in their building as usual and there wasn't much to view on the right screen. And as best as the Elders could tell, Alucard was in his room still, likely waiting for his servants to arrive at Philadelphia International. What he was planning on doing once those servants arrived was still up for debate, but the Elders were making sure to be ready for as many probabilities as possible, hence their current range in weaponry.

Some of the smaller screens were showing various feeds from the airport, waiting for Alucard's servants to arrive. The Elders had general dossiers on Alucard's servants, including known means of fighting and powers, but they wanted to get a look at those vampires themselves and anything they may be bringing in with them from England.

"For the love of all that is unholy," Davin's bride, Sasha, broke the silence that had been looming in the room for twenty minutes since their last round of discussions regarding the issues with Iscariot and Alucard. Barely contained anticipation could be heard in her voice from where she sat a couple seats down from Liam's right side. "I am getting bored to true death from looking at nothing happening."

Just barely a hundred years into her undead existence, Sasha was the youngest of the Elders in the room. Despite that fact, the petite blonde-haired vampire with eyes that blazed blue like a blowtorch had proven her worth in fights against Iscariot, and other vampires, and had earned her right to join them here tonight. She just needed to work on her enthusiasm as she could sometimes be a little too eager to jump into a fight to try proving herself. Davin had had some business to finish in New York and had let Sasha come to Philadelphia ahead of him to try appeasing her restlessness, but Sasha had found only more waiting in store for her when she arrived.

The others in the room turned gazes to Sasha. Some in silent rebuke for the outburst, others more amused. Laughs came from Marrick, Aaron, Henrick, and Janna.

"What's wrong Sasha?" Aaron asked from the other side the table, hellfire gaze flaring with amusement as his wide shoulders shook with laughter. "Anxious to break in that new toy Davin commissioned for you?"

Sasha gave a grin that was more than a little blood-thirsty, intentionally exposing elongated teeth for emphasis, as she glanced down at the high-powered sniper rifle Davin had had custom made for her only a month ago.

"I haven't had a chance to give it a proper baptism yet!" Sasha said mischievously. "I won't be able to name it until I have. And who better to offer up that blood for such a magnificent weapon than one of those pious bastards of Iscariot, or even one of our dark forefather's own servants?"

"What? Not thinking you'll try enlisting Alucard himself for that honor?" Aaron asked with a teasing smirk, his own pearly teeth standing out all the more accentuated, framed as they were by his midnight black skin.

Sasha's grin remained as she shook her head once. "I'll gladly take as many shots at him as I can," the youngest Elder said proudly, "but I also have heard enough from Davin to know that even this weapon may not be able to permanently shed that old demon's blood. I'm trying to keep my sights set on what will be realistic for my new baby right now and then I can later make some modifications that might make her more useful."

"Well at least Davin's been able to get you to size up the opposition with a little more realism and long-term views," Janna replied teasingly from where she sat next to Henrick and across from Sasha.

Sasha stuck her tongue out at Janna.

The short-haired brunette to give a snap of her teeth playfully and a wink. "Sasha, what have I told you about that tongue of yours?"

"Only stick it out if I plan to use it," Sasha replied blithely. "Maybe this time I do."

The comment elicited more laughter from those present, though Liam and Denissa, who was sitting to his immediate right, both had to resist the urge to roll their eyes at the antics. Liam said nothing about the exchange as it was their usual behavior with one another and he knew they were just trying to release some of the stress they were all feeling from the tension that had been building for over a week.

"If you young ladies are going to use tongues or anything else on the other," Henrick said from his seat next to Janna, who was one of his brides, "I already said I'm game if Davin is and that I want footage."

As he issued that comment in a rather blasé tone, Henrick didn't bothering to look up from the state-of-the-art laptop he was using to keep tabs on Alucard's servants' flight and monitor the various cameras they were using. His fiery red eyes were half obscured by sandy blonde bangs that hadn't been quite long enough to pull back into his ponytail. With his later-teenage features veering towards stereotypical California surfer, and his manner of dress and speech often matching when not in potential combat situations, most wouldn't think that Henrick was near as old as Liam or Denissa. Nor would they likely guess Henrick was a rather brilliant computer hacker. But he was on both accounts and he was responsible for the ever growing network of surveillance they had established in Philadelphia and every other major city any of the Elders resided in or had interests to protect.

Henrick's other bride, Natasia, rolled her eyes at the comments and let out a feigned aggrieved sigh. "You have Janna and myself to keep you occupied full time and nearly a dozen consorts at your bidding. Do you really need to make attempts to steal away Davin's bride to further your little harem fetish? There are more appropriate places to go hunting for new additions."

"Janna made the first pass this time," Henrick replied with a shrug, still typing away at his computer. "I also said if Davin's game, which makes it play, not stealing. But when we're finished with business here, you're more than welcome to go luring in a few more ladies if you'd like. I'm certainly not going to turn down a new face to the mix."

"Hm…" The ebony haired bride said, glancing at her brunette counterpart. "How delightful for you to say so. Janna, you seem to be favoring blondes recently. What about those triplets we met at that club in Hampton while on holiday the other weekend, who were in fact natural blondes?"

Henrick finally glanced up from his laptop to look at the elder of his two brides, eyebrow raised in interest.

"Dearest love of mine, did you say triplets? All virgins?"

"Mhm…" Janna replied with a grin, mocha skinned beauty to Natasia's ivory, drawing Henrick's attention to her as both women giggled. "We verified their purity while dancing with them. They were most accommodating with a little influence. We let them live for the time being because we knew you might wish to have such a find added, as it is so rare these days and spilling their blood for a meal would be such a waste. It would be deliciously fitting to have one for each of us and we know exactly where to find them if you are interested."

"You sinful ladies know me far too well and I love you for it. I'll stop making passes at Sasha," Henrick said in good humor, attention once more back on his laptop. "But I'm expecting bodacious blonde triplets in my bed next weekend so I can make a few new consorts for us to play with. Otherwise, game is back on with a renewed lineup and Davin will have to step up his own plays."

"I'll be sure to let him know," Sasha said noncommittally with a smirk, used to Henrick's flirtations and parrying them.

Henrick glanced up from his laptop again and his more serious gaze went to Liam as he announced, "Speak of the devil, Davin's car just pulled into the garage."

Liam nodded and looked to Marrick sitting on his left as he stood from where he sat at the head of the table. "Come downstairs with me. I have a task for you and Davin."

The taller vampire raised a dark eyebrow in askance, but stood without voicing the question on the tip of his tongue. Marrick bore guns identical to Liam's, his bastard sword an enlarged replica to his grand-sire's, and Marrick wore his long jet-black hair in a style similar to Liam's. Though Marrick's daggers were poignards with elongated engraved hilts, even those were tucked into the sides of his boots like his grand-sire's.

Denissa, however, had no compunction about questioning that statement in front of the other Elders.

"You're not keeping Marrick and Davin here when it looks like things may finally be coming to a head?" Denissa asked from where she sat at Liam's right side. Denissa was a willowy Elder near as tall as Liam's almost six feet. She had her black hair tied up in a twist behind her head, the severe style accentuating the austere beauty of the Elder's face and keeping her hair from being a potential handhold for an enemy to grab hold of. Fiery-red eyes that had seen much in her existence were pinning Liam for an answer. A rapier was the favored melee weapon strapped to her hip, her guns held in a chest harness, and a parrying long dagger with a wide protective hilt was on the opposite hip.

Denissa had left Francesco and another of her strongest vampire children behind to help keep watch over her younger fledglings; her companion Jacob and his little girl, Felicia; and all others who had been gathered at the mansion. As one of the oldest and strongest Elders in the room besides Liam, head of her own vampiric line moved to the US, Denissa had taken it on herself to be on the forefront of a possible battle and expected others like herself to be present.

"There are more than enough of us here for an immediate response strike should something indeed begin," Liam replied with an edge to his voice, reminding Denissa who was the Elder ultimately making the decisions in the group gathered. "I need Marrick and Davin to see to an assignment just as important as the surveillance we are currently overseeing. They will not be going far if combat ensues and they are needed. As Davin will not be joining us for the time being, I was going to ask you to continue serving as my primary advisor. But if you would prefer to question my decisions so quickly, I can always appoint another for the duration of this situation."

"As you say," Denissa conceded with a nod. Denissa and Liam had known each other for most of their undead existences, they were close friends after spending so much time with one another, so they did have a great deal of trust in one another. Even if her pride was appeased and her concern for a unified strike force was allayed, however, she was clearly wondering why Liam had failed to tell her about this choice in advance.

"I will be back shortly," Liam said with a nod to those gathered. "Henrick, alert me over the intercom if anything of importance happens."

"Sure thing, boss man," Henrick said with the Californian accent returning as he gave a salute.

Liam shook his head with a smirk and left with Marrick silently following him. Davin entered the building from the stairs that led to the lobby from the underground parking garage. Once Davin was past the wards that protected the building, Liam could sense the other Elder's presence. Unfortunately, though the wards effectively served to keep Alucard and any psychic operatives Iscariot had from sensing the Elders, they also kept the Elders from extending their own vampiric senses past them. Fortunately, this was the modern era of technology, so they were far from blind to potential enemies approaching, nor were they without means of communication to make up for the hindrance.

"Davin," Liam sent the telepathic greeting.

"Liam. Good evening. I am on my way up right now…"

"Marrick and I are meeting you downstairs," Liam replied, cutting off the explanation. "I will explain momentarily."

"Of course."

Once Liam and Marrick reached the elevators and boarded, Marrick glanced down at his grand-sire.

"So… Grand-sire. Am I allowed to know what my assignment is?" Marrick asked with a teasing smirk.

Liam chuckled and nodded once. "I will detail that when we meet Davin downstairs. I trust you can wait a minute so I do not need stop mid-explanation to repeat myself?"

"I suppose I am inclined to acquiesce to that request," Marrick agreed, referencing one of his favorite movies.

Liam held back his laugh this time and said wryly, "You are becoming more and more like the flippant modern twenty year olds with every decade that passes, Marrick. One would hardly think you have seen nearly a hundred and fifty years."

"This coming from the vampire who uses his powers to change his eye color to green, wears Armani custom made for only himself, uses a state of the art iPhone, drives an exclusive release Ferrari, and allows himself to be photographed and interviewed in magazines as a multi-billion dollar businessman and most eligible bachelor." Marrick gave a chuckle. "A bit hypocritical, Grand-sire, don't you think?"

"I adopt guises according to the times to aid in blending in with those humans of significant social stature to further the security of our hold here as my responsibilities demand I do," Liam said neutrally, giving a shrug. "Outward appearances aside, I still remain the same at my core."

"Yes, well, some of us prefer to change with the times a bit more deeply than others, Grand-sire," Marrick replied, rolling his eyes over this old difference in views.

Liam gave him a look that was hardly amused, but the elevator was already opening to the bottom floor and Davin was waiting for them in the deserted lobby.

Davin appeared in his early thirties, with close-cropped dark brown hair, an athletic build similar to a linebacker's, wearing dark Ray-bans that hid his fiery red gaze and a tailored black suit that accentuated his build.

He looked more like a high-end private body guard than a lawyer, but he was one of the best lawyers in the country. A fact attributed to Davin having more than two hundred and fifty years of experience in the field, having been a colonial judge when he was turned and taking on identities ever since to stay in the business of law as it evolved. Liam's former bride, Fiona, had turned Davin shortly after they arrived to the Americas as fairly young vampires themselves so they'd have a local official to aid in their transition to the new country.

Law history aside, Davin was also one of the most experienced fighters of the Elders and one of the strongest in vampiric powers. He had two massively-oversized duffle bags crossed over his shoulders, which contained his own protective suit and weapons.

"Good evening, gentlemen," Davin said with a noticeable New York accent. He nodded to Liam as he removed his glasses. "I do apologize for taking so long in arriving, Liam, but I had to delay so I could finish overseeing that ongoing matter you requested results for before I could leave and it took a bit longer for those results to come in than I had expected."

"Are there any new results to report?" Liam asked stoically, not wanting to get his hopes up.

Marrick was also looking at Davin with interest in the answer.

Liam was glad he had kept his expectations in check because Davin shook his head once apologetically.

"Still stalemated."

Liam let out a small sigh of frustration and then nodded. Marrick took the recurring answer more stoically.

"I know you are doing your best," Liam said with an attempt to keep the depths of his disappointment from showing. "I would appreciate it if you inform me should the situation change."

Davin nodded his agreement.

"Well, now that Davin's given us that delightful news," Marrick said with a return of the sarcastic smirk, causing both of the older Elders to look at him reprovingly. "Grand-sire, will you please enlighten us as to what this top-secret assignment you have for us is? Perhaps that will have more satisfying results."

Liam pinched the bridge of his nose, attempting not to snap at Marrick as he once more reminded himself they were all under a great deal of mounting tension. He gestured with one hand to an empty conference room and then led the way in.

"Davin, you can suit up inside here without being on display for every pedestrian passing the building," Liam said. "As soon as you both have been briefed, I expect you to be leaving, so let us not waste time."

Davin followed Liam into the office and Marrick brought up the rear of the line, closing the office doors behind them. As soon as the office doors were closed, Liam made a graceful gesture and a violet light filled with eldritch sigils surrounded the stylishly decorated room in a brief flare.

"Apparently Grand-sire means for what is said within these four walls to stay within these four walls," Marrick noted with amusement, sensing the nature and strength of the ward.

Davin concentrated on changing out of his civilian work clothes and into his combat suit, but he gave a short laugh nonetheless at his younger vampiric brother's remark.

"Precisely," Liam said with a pointed look.

Marrick held up his hands in a peace gesture. "I may have a sarcastic tongue, but I don't have a loose one," he said to be placating, as it wasn't often Liam leveled such looks at him.

"I realize that, Marrick. Which is one of the qualifications that made me decide to entrust you with this assignment," Liam replied seriously, but his expression became less sharp.

"So what is the assignment?" Marrick asked expectantly.

"As you noticed when we left the mansion this afternoon," Liam said stoically, "Mercedes and Xander were not among those who are being kept under protection."

"It would have been difficult for me not to notice, seen as where you flew in in quite the displeased huff and lacking said individuals."

Davin paused in unbuttoning his crisp white dress shirt. "Sunshine and the little one are not at the mansion?" he asked loudly in consternation.

Liam shook his head once to the negative.

"Why the hell not?! Pardon the language, Liam, but they were supposed to be kept under guard with the others!"

"I realize that," Liam replied, "but I could not coax her into willingly going and I was not going to drag her and Xander back home by force."

"Does she understand how serious the situation is?" Davin asked bluntly. Though he was a dark grandchild of Liam's like Marrick, they had spent many more years together and had a more equal level of position in speaking with one another.

"Grand-sire didn't tell Sunshine the situation," Marrick piped in.

Davin gave Liam an incredulous look.

Marrick continued in his usual straightforward manner, "And seen as where they've been having their troubles, and Grand-sire had to fib Monday night and tell Sunshine he was out with another woman, on a night when there wasn't some event needing to keep pretenses up for, to cover for our meetings so they remained all hushity-hush, I would hazard a guess that also played a part of her reasoning for not wanting to be 'coaxed' into going."

Liam gave Marrick a rather exasperated look. "Thank you, Marrick, for that succinct summary."

"You said you wanted to keep from wasting time," Marrick stated, unabashed. "You and Davin could have beaten around the bush for hours if left to your own devices."

Now both Davin and Liam were glaring at Marrick.

"The troubles you two have had aside, why didn't you tell Sunshine about what is happening if a gentler means of persuasion did not accomplish getting her to safety?" Davin asked, returning his attention to Liam. "She's an intelligent woman who understands matters such as these and we agreed those entering protection were permitted to know the basics of the situation so they knew why it was necessary to be placed under guard…"

"If Mercedes knew what was happening," Liam interrupted the reprimand, "she would insist vehemently and without relent that we stand down from this confrontation and run. My Sunshine knows about the destruction that followed in the wake of Iscariot's last sweep-and-clean because they caught us so thoroughly off guard. As those outside the Elders and their acknowledged spouses are not permitted to know of any advances we have made in our own protection, even if we did agree as of last night to give the general synopsis of the looming conflict to those being brought to the mansion under guard, I have not been able to tell Sunshine about such. She would not be inclined to believe the outcome in current circumstances would be any different. It would cause her undue amounts of stress to only know part of what is taking place. As Marrick is already aware," Liam's gaze turned to his younger vampiric grandson, "my Sunshine already had enough troubles earlier in this week. Adding another source of stress is not what she needs right now."

"What took place earlier this week?" Davin asked, now even more concerned.

"Sunday evening some drunken humans followed her from the bar and attempted to jump her on her way back to her apartment, with the intent to rape her," Liam said flatly.

Davin's hellfire eyes immediately flared brighter, his broad and usually genial face darkened with rage. The Elder's expression clearly told he was contemplating storming out of the building to hunt said humans down then and there if they had not already been killed.

Liam continued with barely a pause to alleviate some of Davin's concern and explain the rest. "There were only four of them and Sunshine was successfully fighting them off. However, an even more serious threat in the form of Alucard came along. He had one of his hounds devour the attackers and then threatened to do the same to Mercedes herself. The hound would not attack Sunshine and she was able to use her enchantments to get away, but he tracked her down at work the following evening and insisted, under threats of possible further violence, that she allow him to walk her home and answer questions he had for her. Sunshine was unable to reach me, as Marrick and I were here in the meeting Monday evening and I mistakenly left my cell phone at my penthouse, so she agreed to Alucard's request in hopes he would keep his word and leave her be after she answered his questions."

"I assume, as we've not already been sent out hunting the bastard down, that he kept his word," Davin said flintily, attempting to control his anger. "Unless that is what this is about?"

"He kept his word," Liam replied. "But for how long remains to be seen. As I told the other Elders after my little meeting with Alucard, he had similar dossiers on Iscariot to what we have. Though what he planned to do with that information on Iscariot was unclear as he had nothing but the intelligence reports stored in his coffin. Nothing to indicate his actual motivations for collecting the information."

"I received the briefing on your findings after your meeting with those Elders already here," Davin replied with confusion. "And your assessment of his power and what forms of energy he appeared to be able to tap into while you were speaking with him. What does any of that have to do with why you imply Alucard will not continue to leave Sunshine alone if he has thus far?"

To answer that, Liam gave a deft flick of his wrist and a manila folder appeared in hand from thin air. Liam held it out for Davin to take.

Though he was only half suited at the moment, Davin paused what he was doing to take the folder. When he opened it up, his wide brows automatically knitted together and he quickly flipped through the pages.