"Immanuel," Marcus said from behind his oak desk, "Why the defenses? What do you know that I obviously do not?"

"There is a girl who threatens you even now. Her name is Demonica; she is the daughter of Lucian." Immanuel answered calmly as he supervised Death Dealer training out on the grounds from above in the study window. "She is young but has the brains and no doubt skill of her father."

Marcus blinked in disbelief. "Lucian has no daughter. His lover and his offspring were killed years ago. Victor's daughter, you know that. Don't tell me you've come to believe every rumor you hear old friend."

"This is no mere rumor. It is a truth that I have seen with my own eyes. She is strong, convincing and the leader of those mutts. If she catches you unaware, you're done for."

"This is foolish. If Lucian had a daughter my scouts would have informed me about it. There is no way, if this drabble was true she wouldn't be able to hide from me."

"That," Immanuel hissed, taking his eyes from the training, turning them on Marcus. "Is what got Victor killed. This belief that Lycans are below us in intelligence. Many are, however some are not. It would do you well to keep that in mind my friend."

Growling, it was clear Marcus still did not want believe Immanuel but he argued it no further. In truth, he was in denial. The fact that Lucian has a Traditionalist daughter unnerved him. She really could be a major threat in the future if he didn't watch his back.

"I'm going out." Immanuel said quietly and turned for the door, Marcus looked at him curiously but his advisor gave no answer. One dark brown eyebrow lifted higher as the door closed behind the silver haired vampire.

The drapes were pulled tightly over all of the windows, blocking all of the sunlight from the haven of Michael, Selene and the other vampiric members of The Truth. Selene entered Michael's chambers from the front door rather than the side one that connect their chambers. Dressed in her usual leather Death Dealer outfit, Selene leaned over Michael's chair. "You wanted to see me?"

Nodding, Michael brought up web page with the days top story news. Selene was about to read the article when the Hybrid summed it up for her.

"Three mysterious deaths. All male in early to mid-twenties, drained dry of their blood. Found in their homes… with their pants down. Cops are thinking it's a serial rapist and murderer, a very twisted one at that. I think otherwise."

"What are you suggesting?"

"I think a certain female Vampire went out partying last night. Check this out." He pulled up another page. "A hospital near the deaths has been robbed of half of its blood stock."

"Who say's it wasn't a Lycan?"

Michael blinked as Selene's eyes skimmed the article then turned around, pulling a map from the board behind the other; she placed it on the desk. "This is the location of Marcus, up here in the north, over here, in the west are where most of the Lycan sightings are, mainly Demonica out on midnight strolls. Here's us of to the east. The attacks happened around here and the hospital is here. Tell me, why would a vampire from either here or Marcus' haven go way over here, into Lycan territory, just to snack?" Again Michael blinked. "Demonica had a night out on the town, she's getting restless."

"But are her numbers really high enough to strike yet?"

"More vampires died in the war than Lycans, most on both sides stayed traditional. Given that fact that we got some of both, more vampires than Lycans, Demonica's forces could easily be double that of Marcus' and match ours."

"She couldn't fight a two front war though."

"I know… I think she's planning something bigger."

Demonica smiled and slipped back down into her underground haven. Her lips were rosy red, but was it from the blood or leftover lipstick? In the tunnels that she called home, hooting and hollering met her ears. Immediately she headed for the fighting chamber where, sure enough, two Lycans were having out as the rest of the clan watched and placed bets on the winner. The room smelled of blood and alcohol. She whistled once and everything stopped. Smirking, Demonica emptied the book bag she had snagged from one of the boys. Out of it fell bags of blood, like those found in hospitals.

"It's lunchtime boys." Demonica said with a smile and proceeded to toss each Lycan in attendance a bag of the red cider. One however, tossed something back at her, a newspaper along with a cool comment. "Seems you've had a busy night."

Nodding she turns and walks away, the dark Lycan follows her into her chamber of the abandoned underground area. Demonica sits on a crate and the other sits opposite of her. There is silence for some time as he drinks, once he is finished he speaks.

"Sending a message to someone are you?"

"Yes, a message to Marcus and The Truth that I'm alive, well and that we are all ready for whatever they have to throw at us."

"Why did you drain the boys? They could have become one of us. The more the merrier right?"

"No. Not now. I don't need rookies making foolish mistakes. I tried that already and we lost the boy to The Truth. Why? You know something I don't Daemon?"

"No but," Daemon stood and ran a hand through his dark tresses then met the girl's dark eyes with his light and stormy orbs. "I want to go out with you next time. I don't want you going out alone anymore."

"Who are you? My babysitter? I can take care of myself."

"Who I am is a friend that worries when you are out all night and do not return until the morning. Demonica, I am not ready to run this show. Not yet do I want to loose you to a silver bullet."

Demonica blinked. Daemon was her best friend and had been for as long as she could remember. Though the youngest of the Lycans, they had a lot of respect for the actions they took after the war and loss of her father. She nodded and spoke softly.

"Alright. I'll bring you along next time."

"Good. You get some rest now; I'll go deal with the others."

Daemon left and started back for where they had left the others when one of the other Lycans that had been around for a while started walking by his side. Though older he was rather childish. "I knew it." He chuckled. "You're getting it on with the boss." Daemon's steps paused.

"Well how is she?" The other pushed eagerly. "Is she-" He hit the ground before he could finish the sentence with a broken nose and Daemon walked on, flexing his hand slightly.