The next night Max found David stalking around the boardwalk by himself. He caught the younger vampire's attention and motioned him into a darkened alcove.

"Another body was found. Closer to the boardwalk this time." He said quietly. "Where's Lily?"

"Back at the cave."

"Someone with her?"

David shook his head. "Her head still hurts from last night. The Boys are around somewhere."

"Go back. Keep her with you." Max looked around furtively. "Bring everyone by the house later tonight. I'll explain everything."

David nodded and headed for his bike.

Lily had found an old science fiction novel in a stack by the fountain and was sprawled on the couch reading. She heard a noise coming from the cave entrance and waited for the Boys to appear. When no one appeared, she got to her feet and went to the entrance.

There was no one outside. Lily climbed to the cliff top but she didn't see anyone there either. Her sixth sense was tingling and she looked around more carefully. She thought she saw someone standing in the shadow of the forest. Without thinking, she started toward the trees. The roar of a motorcycle distracted her and she turned to see David come riding out of the forest.

He pulled his bike to a stop next to her. "What are you doing out here Lily?" He asked.

She pointed at the trees. "There was somebody out there."

David looked. "There's no one there, princess."

"I saw someone. I know I did." She looked back at the trees but there was no one in the shadows. "It was man David."

David tugged on her arm. "Come on inside Lily." She nodded absently and let him lead her into the cave.

"What made you go outside?" David shed his coat and sat down in his chair.

Lily paced slowly. "I heard something outside."

As she passed him, David pulled her down onto his lap. "You have to be more careful." He said forcefully. "You could have gotten hurt."

"I thought it was you guys." She explained, confused at his sudden concern.

He buried his hand in her hair, pulling out the clips holding her hair back. "Your father wants you to stay with us for a while."

She chewed on her lip for a moment. "Why?"

"Something's killing people. He wants you safe while he checks it out."

"It's that thing from last night?" Lily let her head fall to his chest.

"He doesn't know yet." They fell silent, Lily worriedly chewing on her lip. David's hand absently played with Lily's hair but otherwise he was completely still.

Noises from the cave entrance drew their attention and David pushed Lily to her feet, standing up. He kept her behind them as the figures came inside.

The Boys noticed David's protective stance as they landed on the cave floor.

"What's up David?" Marko asked, glancing around for some unseen enemy.

"Lily saw something outside the cave." David relaxed and let Lily greet the Boys. "Max wants to see us. Said he'd explain everything."

"We didn't hunt." Paul said, gesturing to himself and Marko.

"Go after. I want everyone to know what we're up against." David took Lily's hand and led her out of the cave.

Max was waiting at the door when the vampires pulled up on their bikes. He motioned for them to come into the living room. Lily sat down on the couch, David on one side and Paul on the other. Marko sat at her feet and Dwayne perched on the arm of the couch.

"The vampire's name is Valdeos." Max explained once they were settled. "He was my childe."

Lily looked at her father sharply. "What does he want?"

"Revenge. I killed the woman he loved."

"So he killed yours." Dwayne said quietly. Max nodded.

"And now he's coming after your family." David added.

"The bodies around town have been a warning. He's letting me know he's here." Max watched the way his Boys seemed to move closer to Lily. "There's something else important to know. He's not a regular vampire. Valdeos is a body jumper."

Marko made a noise. Everyone turned and looked at the small vampire. "I've heard of them. They don't have bodies of their own. They're just shadows."

"He moves from person to person, using the body until it gives out and then moving on. Shadow vampires can jump into any body, human, vampire or otherwise. Whatever body its in takes on the characteristics of a vampire. Aversion to sun, needs blood to survive, strong and fast. But if he's in a human, he doesn't need to be invited into a house. That's how he got in here last night." Max explained. "Valdeos can't be killed in the normal ways. If you kill the body he's in, he just transfers to a new one. Sunlight is the only true way. Trap him outside and he'll be forced from the body and be killed."

"How do you know who he's inside?" Paul asked. His hand absently stroked Lily's hair.

"You don't. At first the person's eyes go completely black but when that disappears the only way to tell is by the changes in the way the person acts. That's why he's so dangerous."

"So we stay together. Put new wards on the cave." David told him. "And keep Lily with one of us at all times."

Lily leaned against him. "I should get some stuff from my room."

"Marko, Dwayne, go with her." David ordered.

Lily protested. "I'm just going upstairs."

He ignored her. "Go."

With an exaggerated sigh, Lily got to her feet and went to her room, the two vampires trailing behind her. She packed a bag quickly, throwing in some clothes and toiletries before slinging it over her shoulder.

"I told him there was no reason for you Boys to come up here." She murmured.

Dwayne shrugged. Marko reached out to take her bag. "You know how David is."

"I do. It still bugs me though." She shook her head and followed him down the stairs.

Paul and David were waiting at the bottom of the stairs. David held out his arm for Lily and she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm.

"I'll let you know if there are anymore bodies." Max watched from the porch as they climbed on their bikes.

David nodded. "Okay. Thanks Max." He raised his hand in signal and they rode off.

Lily unpacked and settled quickly into her room. She went back into the main part of the cave. David and Dwayne were the only ones in the room.

"Where'd the others go?" She found a place on the rocks between the two vampires. Dwayne was reading a well-worn paperback, lounging against the cave wall. David was sitting in his corner, a leather tome in his hand.

"Hunting. Dwayne and I'll go when they get back." He gave her a small smile. "Do you need anything while we're out?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm fine."

Marko leaned over the sleeping young man. Lightening fast, he struck. As soon as he tasted the young man's blood he knew something was wrong. He pulled back but it was too late. The shadow spilled out of the young man and plunged into Marko.

He shuddered as the shadow vampire took over his body. After a moment, Marko straightened up, his blue eyes completely black.

"Marko?" Paul called for him. Valdeos blinked and Marko's eyes went back to blue.

He turned and grinned at Paul. "You done man?"

"Yeah. Let's get back so David and Dwayne can go. They're probably already driving Lily nuts." Paul inclined his head in the direction of the cave.

Marko nodded. "After you." His grin turned evil for a moment before he followed the other vampire into the sky.

Dwayne looked up from his book. "Boys are back." He said, setting his book down. He leaned over and kissed Lily before getting to his feet.

Marko and Paul entered the cave quieter than normal. David looked over at Dwayne who shrugged.

"Any trouble?" David put his book away and pulled on his coat.

Paul shook his head. "Nope. Boardwalk's quiet as a tomb."

"Good. We'll be back later. Take care of the princess." David kissed her cheek as he said the last part, a small smile on his lips.

Marko watched Lily hungrily. "Don't worry David. We'll take good care of her."

David nodded and he and Dwayne left the cave. Paul gave a wild whoop and grabbed her around the waist, spinning her around.

"You're in a good mood Paul." Lily smiled as the blond vampire waltzed her around the cave to music in his head.

"Why not? I get to spend time with a beautiful woman." He dipped her low over his arm, before pulling her upright.

She looked mock hurt. "Is that all I am to you? A pretty face?"

"Course not princess. I love your body too." He grinned lecherously. Lily laughed, pushing him away playfully.

Marko watched their exchange from an alcove in the wall. His eyes followed Lily as she danced around the room with Paul, never leaving her slight form. Had either one looked in his direction, they would have noticed his intense gaze, the very un-Marko like look he was giving her.

Lily did turn to him. "Marko? Come dance with us." She held her hands out to him. He smiled and shook his head. "Come on. Please?" She pulled away from Paul and grabbed Marko's hands pulling him out of his alcove.

He grinned and let her pull him out onto the cave floor. Paul found his stereo and turned it on, some loud generic rock music flowing out of the speakers. Marko grabbed Lily's hand and spun her around before bringing her into his arms.

As they danced, Lily noticed something about Marko was making Lily very nervous. He didn't feel right in her mind. His eyes were harder, missing their usual warmth.

Paul noticed a change in his friend as well. His walk wasn't his usual easygoing, open walk. It was more controlled, more stalking. And he was watching Lily in a less than friendly way. Marko pushed her up against a wall. She cried out as her head struck the stone.

"Marko, man, what're you doing?" Paul put a hand on Marko's shoulder.

Marko shrugged him off, looking back at Paul. Lily took the opportunity and pulled out of Marko's grasp. She ran into one of the side chambers of the cave to get away from him. Marko watched her run before turning back to Paul. The taller vampire took a step back from Marko. Marko jumped at Paul, hitting him across the jaw. Paul went down and Marko went to look for Lily.