She didn't look like a leader. Of a fighter. That's what Deacon thought as he watched Grace sleep. She looked so fragile and innocent. The same as she had three years ago. The helicopter landed, and Grace stirred, opening her eyes. It was suddenly quiet as the engine shut down, and they all got out. Deacon was a little surprised to see that they were on the roof of the Edgewood Towers. Grace stood beside the others as she watched Reinhardt hop down from the chopper.

"Home sweet home," he said.

Grace smiled teasingly as she looked around, "We made it in one piece?" she said, still sounding a little tired.

Reinhardt heard her comment, but pretended he didn't.

Deacon had an arm around Grace's waist to steady her, and as he looked at her questioningly, he said, "You okay now?"

"Yes," Grace said with a smile, "I'm fine, the spell only wore me out."

They all went down the stairs from the roof, to the balcony. The others continued on inside, but Grace and Deacon stopped at the balcony. For a moment, they didn't speak, and Grace leaned against the railing as she looked out over the city.

"Are you going to tell me what the hell happened now?" Deacon asked quietly.

Grace looked behind her to see where the others were, then she replied, "Three years ago, you died. I vowed revenge to kill Blade and joined the ranks of the Vampire Nation. It was really easy, you know, I'm very unique with my visions. So they gave me a job in the Ranks."

She paused for a breath, and Deacon watched her expectantly.

"It took me six months to get into an important enough position to put the plans I had in mind in motion. That's when I started the Bloodpack. It took me another half year to find the right people. It wasn't easy…" she paused again.

"…And?" Deacon prodded.

Grace took a deep breath before continuing. "Snowman was the first of the team," she smiled faintly, "Then I heard about Reinhardt and Chupa. They were in Russia at the time. But I was in for one big surprise though, because when I got there, I found out that there were three of them. Was also Chupa's friend, Priest, so imagine my surprise."

She paused once more, and Deacon watched her curiously, waiting for her to continue.

"I was glad I let Snowman come with me," Grace laughed, "I couldn't imagine going to Russia and all alone. Anyway, I only wanted Reinhardt and Chupa to join my team, but Chupa wouldn't unless I let Priest join too," she shrugged, "So I had to, anyway, why not?"

"Sounds like you didn't have much trouble," Deacon said.

"Oh, I did, believe me," Grace said seriously, "They're not easily trusting, and they thought I was a joke at first. Of course, Snowman wasn't much help convincing them."

"Why not?" he asked curiously.

She looked around again, then replied, "He doesn't speak."

"How come?"

She shrugged again, "I dunno, your guess is as good as mine. I've heard some rumors though. Anyway, I went to Prague to find Verlaine and Lighthammer. They're the only two who don't speak English, only Czech."

Deacon frowned, "If they don't speak English, how'd…?"

"I can speak it too," Grace said in Czech, then repeated it in English.

"So you're bilingual now?"

Grace smiled, "In more ways then one," she said in the Vampire Dialect, then continued in English, "The next two years I spent training the Bloodpack, and myself. I also had a side mission that my superiors didn't know about…" she fell silent.

"What?"

Looking back out over the city, Grace spoke in a whisper, "Searching for a way to bring you back. I spent two years searching, looking all over the world. Until I found a mage in Fiji who knew a few resurrection spells. He manifested the Orb of Recollection for me, and I had to use it at the last place the person I wanted to revive had been."

Deacon was silent for a moment, unsure of what to say. "All that? To help me…"

"…And kill Blade, which I haven't done yet," Grace added.

He though for a moment, and something occurred to him. "Hold on," he said, "Back up a minute, if you work for the Vampire Nation, why were they after you all at the Temple of Eternal Night?"

Grace hesitated for a second, then said, "They want you dead. They didn't want me to bring you back, so they tried to stop me when they found out about my plan. But they found out too late, I was already headed for the Temple. I'm afraid they might try to kill us again."

"What could they possibly do?" Deacon said.

Vampire Nation Army Base

Council Meeting

They'd brought Blade there, formed a truce. Asked him if he'd kill Frost, again. The meeting room was dark. At the long table, only two of the high back chairs were occupied, and one of them was facing away from the door when Blade came in, hiding the occupant.

"Blade, we are all grateful you have accepted our truce proposal and have agreed to take out Frost," the Vampire High Commander said.

"What I want to know is, how the hell is he back?" Blade said, "I killed him."

"A young vampire, Grace Senese. She was a very important aspect to us, with her visions, but she went renegade just a few days ago. And took the vampires she had been training with her, the Bloodpack."

"What was she training them for?" Blade asked. He remembered Grace.

"To kill you, Blade," the High Commander said.

"To kill me…?" Blade said, "Guess she's still mad that I killed her suckhead boyfriend," he glanced at the High Commander, "No offense."

"None taken," the High Commander said briskly, a lie, "But there's one more thing. We've trained a highly skilled fighter for just a case like-"

"A vampire assassin?" Blade said, cutting him off.

"Yes," the High Commander said, annoyed, "And she will accompany you."

The last chair swiveled around.

"Blade, this is Chloe."

Chloe was a fearless assassin. Her hair was black, cut boyishly short, with chunky red streaks. Her eyes were a beautiful green, shining with confidence. Her expression was cocky, and her movements reeked of arrogance. She was pretty, but would have been beautiful if she'd lose the attitude.

She smirked, "So you're Blade, pleased to meet you," she said, feigning politeness.

"Wonderful," Blade said, instantly disliking her, "We've got a mini-Frost."

Chloe leaped to her feet, suddenly angry. She glared at Blade from across the table, snarling, "Shut your fing mouth!'

The high Commander was about to lecture Chloe, but Blade beat him to the point.

"Listen to me, vampire," Blade growled, returning Chloe's glare, "Don't cross me. And we won't have any trouble."

Chloe's eyes were dark with rage, and she knew she hated Blade. "Don't you f with me Blade," she threatened.

"Stop it Chloe!" the High Commander said, then turned to Blade, "And you, please do not provoke her, she has a short temper."

"So I see," Blade said.

Chloe sat back down, watching silently. It was a whole new game now.