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Sarah had awoken heavy headed, groggy and alone in the bed. Johnny had gone. He must have snuck out in the night. She was surprised she hadn't woken when he had left: she was usually such a light sleeper. The banging in her head made her suspicious and she sniffed at the mug beside the bedside. There was an unfamiliar scent mingling with the traces of ale and she began to wonder if maybe he had slipped her something to drive her into a heavy slumber and prevent him having to say a proper goodbye.

The sun was already high in the sky. If things had gone according to plan, he should have returned by now. His absence suggested that the worst had happened. She balled her fists but her eyes remained dry. She had wept so much in the recent weeks that she doubted she had any tears left. Mainly she just felt numb, but the utter emptiness she felt was worse than any pain. There was literally not a soul left on this earth who would care if anything happened to her.

The scrap of paper with the address scrawled across it lay on the crate by the bedside. She picked it up and squinted at the writing but was unable to make head nor tail of it. For the first time she wished that she had taken up Emilia on her offer of reading lessons when she had had the chance. Not to worry, she would find a way. She would always find a way.

She scooped up the coin purse Johnny had left behind, pulled a warm shawl around her shoulders and fastened her bonnet under her chin. She surveyed the room, making sure she hadn't left anything behind but quickly came to the realisation that all she owned now were quite literally the clothes on her back. She shut the door behind her and made her way out into the world.

Hal ached. In spite of the copious amount of blood he had consumed in the hours since his altercation with Johnny, the wounds had not yet fully healed. Bloody hound. He ran his fingers over his face. The scar tissue was still rough beneath his fingers. That was no good at all. There was no way he could go out in public in this state. He had to look invincible. This wasn't a Shakespeare play: he had no intention of presenting his war wounds for others to fawn over. To do so would be to lend too much credibility to the threat that had been posed by Johnny. He needed to appear to be the kind of leader that crushed his enemies with ease, not the kind of leader who had to be rescued by his lover.

'Are you still holding the meeting this evening?' Emilia sat on the bed next to him. 'I can send word that it's been cancelled if you wish.'

'No. It will be going ahead as planned. Finally I have some good news to report.' It would be the first time he had convened with his new council and he didn't intend to miss it. Tedious as these sort of meetings were, they were vital to his continued success as a leader. A man with no allies could never keep power in a city as large as London for long, and if his allies were going to trust him, he needed to be seen by them.

Emilia was looking distinctly glum. She was letting the guilt worm its way in again, he could tell. She was beginning to look worryingly like a liability and he really didn't want her to become a liability. 'How am I looking?'

'Like you got beaten up by a werewolf.' She ran a finger along his jaw. 'Does it still hurt?'

Hal winced as her finger brushed against a sore. 'I've felt worse.'

'Why did you decide to take him on alone?' The question had clearly been on her mind for some time.

'In hindsight, I admit that it may not have been the most sensible idea.' He admitted.

'If I hadn't been there…'

Hal gave Emilia a warning look and she trailed off.

'If you hadn't been here I would have worked something out. If you ever tell anyone that you saved me…' he trailed off leaving her to fill in the rest of the threat herself.

'Your secret is safe with me.' She responded hastily. 'I wanted to ask you something though. A favour.' Her eyes darted to the floor ending her eye contact with him. She was nervous.

'Go on.' He prompted.

'Johnny.' She said after a heavy pause. 'I want to give him a proper burial.'

Hal didn't' hesitate. 'Absolutely not.'

'Hal please.'

'No. I won't have it. The man was our enemy Emilia. He was trying to kill me for god's sake.'

'He was a good man.' She pleaded, all wide eyes and quivering lips.

He pushed her away from him, stood and shrugged a dressing gown over his shoulders. 'We kill good men every day. I've entertained your mercy for long enough. It's time to get over it. You're in danger of boring me.'

Emilia stood abruptly. 'He was my friend and I killed him for you.' Her voice was shaking with anger. 'Is it really too much to ask for you to allow me this one concession?'

'Yes.' He nodded emphatically. 'It is too much to ask.'

Albert hadn't slept a wink the previous night. The sight of the severed heads of that poor woman and her children haunted him whenever he closed his eyes. The very thought of it made him reach for his drink. He had attempted to go to bed, but had given up. He was worried that his tossing and turning would disturb his wife and he had eventually found himself at his writing desk with a dram of whisky in hand.

It had been a relief when the sun finally rose in the morning. For the first time since his childhood he had found himself searching the shadows for the monsters that might lurk within them. Swift had not told him much, and at the time Albert had been glad of this. But the uncertain space left between the facts had been more of a curse than a comfort. His mind had wondered filling the gaps with all sorts of horrors and he found himself trying to find comfort by telling himself that the truth couldn't be as awful as the fantasies he created. Could they?

He wondered what Johnathon had got himself caught up in. The boy didn't seem the sort to court trouble. As far as Albert could see, Johnathon Swift was as straight laced as they came.

The butler called his name from downstairs, interrupting his dark thoughts. A young woman stood in the door. Her face and clothing smeared with dirt. She was not familiar to him. She watched him with empty eyes as he approached her.

'I tried to turn her away sir.' The butler said apologetically, 'but she was having none of it.'

'What do you want girl?' he asked. Surely this couldn't be the friend to whom Johnny had referred. She wasn't at all the sort that he imagined a man like Johnny would associate himself with.

'Sir. I apologise for the intrusion. But I had nowhere else I could turn. My friend, Johnny, Johnathon Swift, he said you would help me.'

His expression must have softened at her words for a look of hope shone through the emptiness. Then he realised what her presence must mean.

'And Johnny? Where is he?' he asked, desperately hoping that his supposition was incorrect.

'Sir, I believe he is dead. He left last night and did not return.'

Albert's face crumpled as he registered the news. He found himself pulling the girl over the threshold and into a tight embrace. 'You're safe here. I made a promise to our friend, and I intend to keep it.'

As he held her, his mind conjured up the image of those severed heads once more and he found himself wondering just what his promise would cost him. His wife had always said that he was too kind for his own good.

'What are we doing here?' Emilia looked around the shop in wonder before darting over to a necklace encrusted with an intricate pattern of diamonds and rubies.

After a few more pints of blood, his wounds had finally faded almost into invisibility. His abdomen was still damaged from where Johnny's blood had penetrated more deeply, but dressed, he bore no obvious physical marks from the previous night. He had decided that it would be wise to smooth things over with Emilia before any of his associates arrived this evening. He didn't want her embarrassing herself, or worse, embarrassing him.

'I thought I'd treat you.'

Emilia's eyes widened in surprise at the promise of a kind gesture so soon after their disagreement.

Hal came to stand beside her and viewed the necklace that had caught her attention. 'You like it?'

'It's beautiful.'

'We would like to take a closer look at this one.' Hal instructed the jeweller.

The jeweller stepped between them. 'Perhaps you would like to try it my lady. Would you like me to fetch you a mirror.'

'No.' Both Hal and Emilia spoke in unison and the shopkeeper stepped back to the peripherals.

'Would you like to have it?'

She narrowed her eyes. 'In return for what?'

The suspicion had raised its ugly head again. Hal could see the cogs working in her head, trying to figure out the catch. For once there wasn't one. It really was just a gift. He looked to the shopkeeper. 'Perhaps we could have a moment alone.' His tone left no room for argument and the shopkeeper dipped his head to him before retreating back into the main part of the shop.

'Why do you find it so hard to believe that a gift may simply be a gift and nothing more?'

'Because I've met you. You don't give gifts, not unless you have something to gain for it.'

'Such as a kiss perhaps?' he teasingly tapped his cheek with his finger.

Emilia rewarded his jest with a dubious look. 'It really is just a gift.' He reassured her. 'You saved my life, this is my thanks.'

'You've changed your tune from earlier.'

'Perhaps I was a little too harsh.' Truthfully, if anything, he thought he'd been rather lenient on her after the request she'd made, but sometimes one needed to wear kid skin gloves in order to deal with Emilia. 'I realise that I do not make things easy for you. But I really do appreciate your loyalty.'

'You said it yourself, you weren't sure if I'd fall on your side.'

'I understand that having me out of the way might seem an attractive option to you sometimes and I know that you cared for him once.'

'Like you said at the time, he would never have accepted what I am. Our species repulsed him. I'd rather not align my loyalties with someone that would always hold me in contempt no matter what I did.'

Her answer sounded rehearsed. It was too reasoned for her to have summoned it up without a lot of prior thought being put into it. No matter. He'd let it go this time. After all, actions spoke louder than words, and she had put a knife in Swift's back. Hal lifted the necklace from its box.

'I'd like to see it on you.' He placed it around her neck and fastened it before stepping back to get a proper look at her. He liked what he saw. 'You look perfect.'

She blushed at the complement. It gave him a perverse sort of joy knowing that he could still make her blush like the girl she had once been, even after all that he'd done to her.

'I don't think I've ever seen you actually pay for something you wanted before. You usually either charm it out of them or take it by force.'

He shrugged. 'I did contemplate tracking down a noblewoman to kill her for her jewels, but I didn't think you'd appreciate that gesture so much.' He looked at her intently. 'I'm going to pursue my goals whether you're by my side or not. But for the record, I'd prefer if you were by my side.'

She blushed again and finally he knew that he had her back. Maybe not heart and mind, but he had her heart, and you only had to have met Emilia for a matter of seconds to know that it was her heart that ruled her.

The meeting was dull but necessary. Hal was satisfied that he'd put together an effective group with which to govern the city. The members of his council were smart and ruthless, but not the sorts that would rock the boat. Anyone that reminded him of himself had been struck off the list at an early stage. There would always be someone around waiting for him to fall, that was simply a fact of life, but he would rather avoid appointing anyone who would actively seek to topple him.

About an hour into the meeting, the door swung open and Ana breezed into the room. She curtsied in greeting towards the gathered men. 'I do apologise gentleman. I hope that I'm not interrupting anything.'

'Ana.' Hal stood to greet her and gave her a weak smile which was, in reality, closer to a grimace. 'If I'd known you'd be gracing us with your presence I'd have put on a smarter suit.'

She pursed her lips like a petulant child. 'Oh Hal, you could at least pretend you were happy to see me.'

'Well you seem to have an unerring ability to see through most of my facades, so I thought I wouldn't insult you by trying.'

Fergus grunted in the corner and Hal had to hide his amusement at the look that Ana gave the young vampire. She turned back to Hal.

'We both know that I don't hold you in the highest regard, but I'm surprised that even you would keep such a brute around for so long. I had thought that maybe he was a phase you were going through, harking back to your youth perhaps.'

Fergus cleared his throat. 'I can here you y'know milady. I may not be of high breeding, but even I know that it's rude to talk about someone as though they're not there.'

Ana giggled. 'Ah, have you been teaching it manners Hal?'

Hal really wasn't in the mood for her games right now, there was too much that she could reveal that he'd rather his council not know. In the wake of Johnny's death, his own popularity would be at a high but he wasn't naïve enough to believe for a second that there wouldn't be a great many in his community that would welcome his fall and take whatever opportunity arose to take his place.

'What are you doing here Ana?' he demanded.

'I'm Snow's representative in London. It's only right that I should be here.' She smiled at the gathered men, unless of course you wish to meet behind Snow's back, in which case I would suggest that you tread carefully. Please, continue.'

Drake obliged her. He was a straightforward operator who preferred to do things by the book. He had written out detailed minutes for this meeting and seemed intent on sticking to then. 'Has anyone had any thoughts on my suggested recruitment policy. We need to increase our numbers in the city in the wake of the recent attack.'

Before any of the gathered men could answer, John Garret, a vampire Hal knew from the dog fighting business spoke up, asking what everyone but Drake was clearly thinking. 'What are we doing with the hound's corpse?

'It's down in the cellar at the moment.' Fergus offered from his position standing guard at Hal's side.

'An example should be made of him.'

Hal glanced over to see who had made the suggestion. It was Kieran O'Connor, an Irish vampire whose reputation as a ruthless enforcer had brought him to Hal's attention.

'I want his head on a pike.' Hal stated decisively. He had welcomed many of the progressions that had been made in human society since he had become a vampire, but he missed the good old fashion human brutality of his day. The ruling tactics employed by the Tudors would have put many vampires to shame. 'The men want blood. I say we give them it. Show them what happens to those who cross me.' It would be a warning to his own people as much as his enemies.

Drake lifted his eyes from the papers in front of him. 'Agreed. It will be good for morale if the men see the dog's head. All in favour, say aye.'

A chorus of 'Ayes' echoed around the table.

They were interrupted by a slow clap coming from Ana's end of the table. 'You've achieved a minor victory Hal. I suppose a congratulations are an order.'

Hal snorted. 'Hardly minor. I killed the dog who had made it his mission to wage war on our community.'

'Yes, but there's still that other thing isn't there? The main reason Snow sent you back here…'

Hal suppressed a wince. What the hell was she playing at? Surely even Ana would appreciate the fact that this was not the place for this conversation

Drake's curiosity reared its head. 'What's she talking about Sir? And who is she?'

'Fergus,' Ana smiled at the Fergus. 'What were you saying about it being impolite to talk about someone as if they weren't present?'

'I was saying…'

Hal interrupted. 'She doesn't actually expect you to explain Fergus. She was simply making a point. Gentlemen, this is Ana, one of Edgar Wyndham's recruits. We became acquainted whilst I was at Snow's court in France. And in answer to your first question Alastair, that is simply not your concern.'

'But sir…'

'I think we should adjourn for today.' Hal addressed the gathered vampires with an authoritative finality. 'Perhaps if we re-convene tomorrow. Fergus, if you could check on that matter I handed to you yesterday?'

'Of course my lord.'

Hal watched the room empty before lazily lifting his drink to his lips and gulping it down. 'To what do I owe this pleasure, my lady?'

Ana took the glass and its remaining liquid from him and let it drop to the floor. 'All this bravado Hal. I can see right through it. You're ability to talk the talk has never been in doubt.' She rested her hand at the fastening of his breaches. 'It's your ability to perform that I'm beginning to doubt.'

Hal laughed nervously. 'If that's your concern I'm sure that we can put those doubts safely to bed, so to speak.'

Ana suddenly withdrew her hand. 'You really think I'd lie with you again? Once was more than enough. You know I'm beginning to think that you slept your way to your current position. Taking inspiration from your mother perhaps?'

Hal slapped her hard across her cheek, his hand leaving an angry red mark in its wake.

'Sore spot?' she smirked. 'I don't know how amenable Snow would be to you seducing him as a means of distraction, I can't say it's a cause of action I would choose myself. I mean, have you seen those teeth.' She shuddered exaggeratedly. 'Joking aside, you're actions aren't exactly filling me with confidence. I never had any doubt that you'd put the dog down. But as far as I can see, your bitch is still walking around.'

'It's in hand.' He growled. She was on the brink of pushing him too hard. The temptation to stake her was almost overwhelming. He gripped the table edge to stop himself from doing something stupid.

'Really? Because from where I'm standing it looks a lot like you're stalling. What's the matter Hal? Don't you have the stomach for it?'

To Hal's relief Fergus burst through the door. For once Hal was glad of his subordinate's seeming inability to knock before entering a room. He swiftly stepped away from Ana and refocused his attention on Fergus.

'I thought I asked you to do a job for me Fergus.'

'You did. And Bailey's just returned with news. If I could have a word sir?'

'Certainly Fergus.'

Fergus paused and glanced at Ana before fixing his attention back on Hal. 'It might be a word best heard in private my lord.'

Ana turned to Hal and curtsied. 'Far be it for me to intrude on your business. I'll be seeing you soon Hal.'

Once the door had closed behind her. Hal settled down into a chair by the fire and motioned for Fergus to sit opposite. 'So what news do you have for me then? Please make it quick, today has been a very long day.'

'You asked me to post someone outside that lawyer's house, update you on any unusual comings and goings.'

Hal leaned in, Fergus had his full attention. 'Go on.'

'A few hours ago a young woman turned up at his door, all scruffy like. A werewolf my man reckons. Stank of dog. She's not left since sir.'

Shit. He had known he was going to have to deal with Sarah eventually, but he had hoped it wouldn't be so soon, that maybe it would blow over altogether. Their history together was an open wound. Raw and vulnerable. It was too soon, too soon by far.

'Thank you Fergus.' He thanked god that the other vampire wasn't perceptive enough to notice his change in tone. 'You may leave now.' Once he was alone again he took the carafe of blood of the sideboard and gulped down its entire contents before letting himself collapse against the closed door

He crushed the glass carafe between his fingers hoping that the pain would drown out Ana's taunts that were reaching a crescendo in his head. What's the matter Hal? Haven't you got the stomach for it?