CLUB NACHTERFST, JAN. 6th 7:30 P.M.
Felicia had to get ready for tonight's performance, she hadn't heard nor seen hide or hair of Donavan or Anita so it was an off bet that he went after whoever was behind these attacks, she only hoped that they'd come out of it all right.
SAN FRANCISCO, 4:30 P.M.
Othello, Michael, and Morrie arrived at the hotel where they'd be staying, to say the least when Mr. Nightshade was willing to give you a second chance (this is from Michael's perspective) he wanted to show you just how much faith he had in you.
"So what you guys want to do about dinner?" Othello asked.
"I could go for some sea food right about now…I thinking Red Lobster." Morrie said from his rooms' doorway.
"I don't know…I was thinking more along the lines of a Steakhouse…" said Michael.
"You know fish has as much protein as a chuck roast." Morrie said sarcastically.
"Well I'm sorry if I'm not the one with an addiction to popcorn shrimp." Michael retorted.
"Hey I'm not addicted, I can stop anytime I want!" Morrie argued.
"Yeah—anytime meaning when shrimp get on the endangered species list." Michael grumbled.
"Hey, at least I'm not the one who tried to get a little action off that cat broad." Morrie jeered.
That comment sent a fist in Morrie's direction, his head spatters on the wall only to reform and say, "Okay fangs…IT'S GO TIME!"
Morrie was about to attack when Othello got between both of them and said, " That's enough…both of you, I saw a TGI-FRIDAY'S on the way here, I'm sure that place has steak as well as shrimp dishes, so everybody's happy, now just get into your rooms and we'll meet again.
Michael closed the door behind himself and thought, "Morrie had no right bringing that up, just because of one little mishap I have to be seen as the black sheep of this group. He was part of the Navy…heck he should be one to talk."
Othello laid down on his bed and thought, "Out of all these guys I'm thinking I'm the only one who can keep a clear head…hope Chang gets here soon, don't know what's in that crate Dominic wants so badly…but whatever is…" Othello then looked at the door and said, "it better be worth keeping Michael and Morrie from killing each other."
Meanwhile Morrie paced around his room, "The nerve of those two…first Michael gets a cheap shot off of me, then Othello stops me just as I'm an inch away from pay-back, is EVERYBODY against me!"
NIGHTSHADE MANOR, 8 P.M.
Dominic was in his library, reading a book when Lachlan came in and said, "Uh sir…I think we might have an intruder in the mansion somewhere."
Dominic put down the book he was reading and asked, "And what would make you think that Lachlan?"
"Because sir I've been hearing noises…" Lachlan started to explain.
"Noises—oh no, not noises Lachlan." Dominic joked.
"Sir please take this more seriously, these noises weren't the natural ones you'd hear in a place like this, it almost sounded as if these noises were trying to keep quiet while searching for something." Lachlan explained.
"Something…Lachlan, or someone." Dominic corrected.
"Sir should I call security or—?" Lachlan started to ask, but Dominic held up his hand as a guesture of 'no need'. "Lachlan…I didn't hone my powers just to let them go to waste…if she wants to find me, then I say by all means let her."
B.B. Hood had little trouble getting into the mansion, all she'd seen since she got here was that old geezer…but she knew something was up and it had to be from here, she'd seen the news and that gave her enough reasoning to investigate, that and she had some questions to ask Mr. Nightshade.
"Come on Nightshade…this place may be big, but you can't hide from me." B.B thought to herself.
She soon found herself back in the front hall again, she looked up and around and said, "God this place is a blasted maze…I don't know how anyone could find their way around here!"
"When one is lost in a maze, it's best to do as Greek Mythology dictates…have a ball of string in handy." A voice answered.
B.B. looked up and saw Dominic staring down at her from the top of the main stairwell, he slowly started to step down.
"So Mr. Nightshade…we finally meet." B.B. said to him.
"I already told the girl scouts I have enough cookies for the year, but then again I'm guessing you're not here to sell me anything…anything that I'd like anyway." Dominic said, in a cold tone of voice that time.
"You may be able to fool most of these people…but not me." B.B. said to him, wagging her finger at him.
"Well, and here I thought I was going to get off scott free…oh well." Dominic said with a shrug as he descended the last step and turned to face B.B. taking off his over coat in the process and folding it over the stair railing.
"I'd never imagine in all my years you'd be in league with the Dark Ones…but I guess give someone time, he'll show his true face." B.B. told him.
"Yes, and you're no exception…for even the sweetest smelling rose can attract the most poisonous viper." Dominic retorted, getting himself into a fighting stance.
"You wouldn't hurt a little girl now would you?" B.B. asked, trying to put on the innocence routine.
Dominic looked at her and said, "You may look like a little girl, but then again time does wonders for some people…especially those who look younger than they really are."
B.B. then realized the innocent act wasn't even going to phase Dominic, she quickly pulled out both her Uzi's and pointed them at Dominic, "I really don't want to do this…" she warned him.
Dominic gave a slight smile, "Fine…then you shan't have the opportunity." Suddenly he vanished before her very eyes, she looked around rather confused. Suddenly she felt something press against the side of her neck, she didn't see anything there…but it felt as if something metallic and sharp was being placed there.
"Surprise, not that I don't give a Dark Hunter like you credit…you nearly had me convinced you'd pose a threat to me, but then I guess I'm wrong…not the first time, but then I guess when you haven't faced an opponent that can enter a time dilated dimension on whim—you'd be a little clueless too."
B.B. gave a laugh and said, "I'll admit your little trick caught me off guard…but I'm not as helpless as I look."
She then sweep kicked Dominic, throwing him on his back and forcing him to lose his concentration. She then leapt away and fired at least a few rounds of ammo at him. They missed him completely, but at least he didn't have her at his mercy anymore…but before she could regain her stability he disappeared again.
B.B. got up and said, "Something tells me you can't stay like this forever…sooner later you'll have to show yourself."
And as if to underscore her point she saw Dominic dart right past her, she opened fire…but hit nothing but the wall and a few paintings hanging on it.
"Damn this guy is fast…no wonder why he was able to keep it a secret for so long, probably no one left to live and tell about it." She thought to herself, "Come out of hiding you snake!"
"As you wish…" Dominic's voice answered, suddenly he lunged at her, but she ducked under and he slid across the floor on his front. B.B. then saw an opening and as she turned to Dominic asked, "Any last words?"
Dominic looked at her and was smiling…she gave another puzzled look, he was at her mercy, but why was he smiling.
"MORRIGAN NOW!" Dominic shouted, the little Dark Hunter had little time to act before Morrigan came up from behind and put her in an arm lock.
"You? How are you tied into all of this!" B.B asked Morrigan.
"Mr. Nightshade is a very convincing business man…didn't cut you up as badly as he did me." Morrigan said to her.
"Yes, and if the little Dark Hunter like you Mrs. Hood…would want to live to see what happens in the future…then perhaps you'd better keep this in the dark." Dominic said, his arrogant smile refusing to leave his face.
"And what if I don't?" She asked.
"Well then…I suppose if anyone were to write a biography about you, it would have a very unhappy ending." Dominic said with a chuckle.
B.B. Hood weighed the choices out, she could either try and tell someone about what she'd seen…but god knew how much power Dominic had accumulated in New York City over time. She'd probably be sniped the moment she opened her mouth.
"Okay…you win," she said weakly, looking away from him.
"I knew you were smart enough, let her go Morrigan." Dominic said with a satisfied smile on his face, Morrigan released her and walked over to Dominic's side. "Now remember little lady…" Dominic said to her, "if you tell anyone what you saw here or about me, I'll come down on you so fast you'll never see it until it's too late."
B.B. just nodded and went out the door, Morrigan looked at Dominic and asked, "You don't really trust her to keep quiet about something like this…do you?"
Dominic looked back and said, "When the final stages of my plan fall into place, I'll do away with her and any Dark Hunter that stands in my path."
SAN FRANCISCO 5:30 P.M.
At the restaurant Othello ordered a mushroom-swiss cheeseburger with a side order of onion peals, while Michael found something to please him, a nice sirloin steak platter, while Morrie had a sort of Cajun shrimp alfraedo pasta. Every so often Morrie would give Michael an angry glance, then take a bite of his food, then another angry glance, then another bite, and so on and so forth.
Othello noticed this and said, "For the love of…Morrie just give it a rest, let's just put what happened at the hotel behind us okay."
"That's easy for you to say," Morrie said flatly, "you're not the one who was insulted then attacked."
"I quite understand that Morrie…but right now our own petty little differences should be put aside, let's just enjoy our meal and forget about that." Othello told him.
"Yeah, it's nothing to release your short-fused temper on." Michael added.
"Michael you're not helping." Othello said sternly.
"You know I'm actually not that hungry," Morrie said finishing the last of his garlic bread slices, "I'm going for a walk…I'll meet you two back at the hotel."
As Morrie left Othello shot Michael a stern look, "What?" was all Michael could say in his defense.
Meanwhile on the San Francisco coast, a figure emerged from the water…it's eyes ready for another show down with the one who had wronged him.