Blade had just returned from Prague, where he had retrieved La Destrucción de La Magra, the ritual that would kill Deacon Frost once and for all. He was walking down the street in Chinatown, past the park where he first met Frost. The sun was shining high and humans were walking around carelessly, completely oblivious to what was really going on in the world, the real world. As he was walking, her heard someone say his name, almost like they were whispering in his ear. He stopped and turned, looking across the street.

Deacon and Iliana were standing in the middle of the park. Deacon had his arm around Iliana's waist, she had her arms crossed, and they were both glaring at Blade from behind their sunglasses. In an instant, Blade was standing right in front of them. "How ya doin', Blade?" Deacon said, taking off his sunglasses.

Blade grunted and didn't say a word.

"Now, Blade, is that any way to greet an old friend?"

"Frost, I killed you before. You came back. Next time, you won't be so lucky.

Iliana grunted in annoyance and Blade looked over to her.

"Blade, this is Iliana."

"She's human."

"Just the same, that wouldn't stop her from killing you in ten seconds flat if I let her go."

"I see you're still getting your familiars to do your dirty work."

"Not exactly. She's not a familiar. Besides, I would kill you myself, but, she's got a grudge against you. See, she doesn't like trigger happy half breeds like you. She wants you to die by her hands and I can't stop her."

Blade raised his eyebrow. What the hell did I do to her? Her face looks so familiar but I can't remember where I saw her and I don't remember doing anything to hurt her. He thought to himself.

She took off her sunglasses so that Blade could look right into the eyes of the woman that was soon to be his killer. "Don't you remember me, Blade?" She asked, glaring at him evilly. He looked confused, racking his brain to figure out where he'd seen her before. "Let me refresh your memory for you." She said. "Four months ago. It was raining. I was going to the hospital because I was in labor with my son. My fiancé was with me. You killed him for no reason." Blade finally realized who she was and she knew he figured it out. "Yeah, now you remember who I am, don't you? I know you do. You killed him and left my son without a father. Well, now, it's your turn to die. By the time I'm done with you, you're gonna wish you were never even born." She and Deacon turned and walked away before Blade could say another word. She didn't care, though. She already had her mind made up. She was going to kill Blade and no one could stop her. Not even Deacon.

*************

"La Destrucción de La Magra." The man in black leather said as he looked at the computer screen. "Did you have any trouble getting it?"

Blade flashed an evil grin but quickly went back to his cold expression.

"Interesting." The man said, looking at the file.

"What?"

"Look at this."

Blade looked at the screen and raised an eyebrow. "The Temple of Eternal Night?"

"No, look. It's different It's the Temple of Eternal Light. See? No pureblood sacrifices. No blood chamber."

"So where is it?"

"I haven't quite figured that out yet but I'm working on it."

"Have it done by the time I get back. I have to go to Italy."

"What?" Karen asked, walking up behind him.

"Two vampires I've been tracking are in Italy. If I don't kill them while I have to chance, they're gonna reek havoc all over the country by the end of the week."

"Fine. Here, I finished the serum." She said, handing him a small vile. "Test it out and see if it works."

"I'll test it tonight. Ivan, you've got two days." He walked to his car and Karen followed him.

"I don't trust him, Blade."

He turned to face her. He stepped closer to her and gently ran his fingers down her cheek. "Look, he's not gonna do anything to you, I promise."

"He's a vampire. He can't be trusted."

"Look, you have EDTA, stakes, and your gun. If he does anything, kill him. I'm only gonna be gone for two days." He leaned and kissed her. "I love you." He got in his car and drove off.

"I love you, too." She said as he drove off.

*************

Iliana was standing in the kitchen, drinking a glass of water and tapping her nails angrily on the counter when Deacon silently walked up behind her. She turned around and jumped, dropping the glass and it shattered as it hit the floor. "Deacon, you scared me." She said as she started picking the shards of broken glass. "Ow!" She cut her thumb on the glass and blood started to seep out of the cut. "Shit." She said, wrapping her fingers around her thumb.

She started to pick up the glass again but Deacon reached down and put his fingers under her chin, raising her gaze to meet his and she slowly stood up. He stepped closer to her, backing her up to the counter, then he ran his hand down her arm to her hand and she opened her hand, exposing her bleeding thumb. He slowly raised her hand to his mouth and seductively licked the blood off. Chills went down her spine as he did this and she breathed in deeply. He put his hands on the counter, pressing his body up against hers. He kissed her passionately. "Why don't you let somebody else pick that up for you?" He said in a low tone, his lips so close to hers she could feel his breath as he spoke. He turned around. "Crease, get in here."

A guard walked in from the living room. He was the same guard that had his hand taken off by Blade's sword. His hand had fully regenerated but he was still a sensitive about it. "Yes, sir."

"Pick this up for her."

"Yes, sir." He started picked up the glass as Deacon took Iliana's hand and lead her to the bedroom.

He closed and gently pushed her down on the bed then pinned her down under him. He started kissing her. "I love you." He said. Then he kissed down her neck to her chest. That was the second time he's said that to her and she still wasn't sure if he meant it or not. She really didn't care at the moment, though. She was enjoying her current situation with him and she didn't want to screw it up by asking him if he really meant.

Unfortunately for the two of them, they didn't get very far. Quinn knocked on the door and called to Deacon.

"What?" Deacon barked.

"We have to go to Hell." Quinn said. Hell was one of Deacon's many clubs throughout the city.

"Damn it. I forgot." He said to Iliana. Then he thought for a second. "Come with us."

"What about Nix?" She asked.

"I'll get one of the female guards to look after him. He'll be fine."

"Okay."

He got off of her and she got up. He left the room and she quickly changed into black leather pants, a black babydoll t, and a black leather jacket. When she went out into the living room, there was a female guard standing in the living room.

"Ana, this Nissa. She's gonna watch Phoenix for you while we're gone." Deacon told her.

"Hello, ma'am." Nissa said.

"Hi." Iliana said.

"Are you ready to go?" Deacon asked.

"Let me just check on Nix then I'll be ready." She went into Phoenix's room and looked at her sleeping son. She brushed her finger across his forehead then left the room. Deacon put his arm around her and led her to the elevator. He pushed the button for the main floor and the doors slid shut. He stood silently as they descended. Iliana stood in front of him and stared at the floor for a moment. Then she slowly turned to face him. He gazed into her beautiful blue eyes. She stepped closer to him, backing him up against the wall. She leaned in slowly and kissed him passionately. She gazed into his eyes for a moment and he placed his hand on her cheek. "I love you." She said.

He didn't say anything. He just leaned in and kissed her again as the doors opened then followed her out of the elevator.