"He's fine, " Came Arlynne's voice as she strolled in and joined the group. "I think he will be coming anytime soon."

Landon bit his tongue and turned to face her, looking up from what Monty was doing to him. "And who might you be?"

"What!" she exclaimed in her bold french accent. "No thanks do I get from him?" she spoke in Adako's general direction and motioned to Landon. She crouched down in front of him. "You wolfs are all the same, you know? Never thankful, doing nothing, living a pointless life when there is so much to be done!"

"We're not living a pointless life." Interjected Monty, running a hand over Esparanza's face, waking her up. "What do you know about us? How can you just walk up and start rattling us about what we are and who we are and you don't know the first thing? We are on a mission. We are leaving this place as soon as the sun goes down and you will never hear of us again.Unless, of course, we accomplish our mission. Then we will be famous."

Arlynne immediately backed off, startled by the silent-until-then vampire's outburst. "And what, if I may ask, is this mission you are so fervent about?"

Monty glanced at Landon for the ok to say something about it. Landon nodded.

"Well, we are a part of a team of vampires and werewolves dedicated to making peace between the two races." Adako smirked at this, thinking of what had just transpired. Monty ignored her. "We are also keeping an eye out for anyone who might have more information separating fact from fiction about the vampire child."

"Mère sainte d'un dieu!" Arlynne gasped, covering her mouth with one hand. She shushed them with a finger to her lips, her eyes widened as she glanced around, making sure no one had heard what they said. They stared at her as if she was a lunatic. "Do you know of what you speak?" She whispered, gathering them in a circle. "Are you truly helping find the bébé?"

"Find it? What happened to it?" Asked Landon, looking concerned.

"You do not know?" Asked Arlynne, her animated face incredulous. "Why, the bébé was kidnapped over a month ago. They don't know who has done it. I am here to find out what has happened. They suspect the wolves- and sources have led me here. One of these wolves might have indirectly had something to do with the kidnapping. I haven't seen or heard anything though, and I've been staying here with them for about a month now, and they think me as part of their pack though it is never told to anyone and of course I am to stay out of sight at all times whe we have guests. I just happened to notice you had a mixed company so I thought I might be able to...I don't know. I kind of want to get back with my own kind, you know what I mean?"

Landon and Monty nodded, understanding written all over their faces. Landon cleared his throat, glancing warily at Adako before continuing. "Um, Arlynne, " he questioned, trying his best to not butcher her name. The way she said it in french made it sound kind of like 'Ach-leen', and Arlynne was the best way he thought he could translate it. She laughed.

"Yes?"

"Uh is there- when do you normally-"

"Feed?"

"Ah yes." He looked releived.

"Last night. However, we do still have-"

Adako made a choking noise and hurriedly rose to her feet, turning and running away from the group, Espie trotting behind her.

"What's with her?" Arlynne jerked her thumb towards the retreating Adako.

"She's still not used to us totally," said Monty. "She- well, I don't know, I've only known her about one night!"

"One night?" Arlynne looked confused. "I thought she was part of your pack?"

"Yeah, well, it all started about two weeks ago when we were staying in this old shop/warehouse place by this old house that no one had lived in for a long time, it looked like. Then yesterday evening..."

Adako knelt in a dark corner of the warehouse, her stomach telling her to find a place to get rid of whatever might be left of lunch the day before. After a moment the feeling passed, but she remained in the same position, mentally shaking herself. How could she? What about mom and dad and grandma and grandpa? Kelly? She couldn't leave it all behind for some fanatical blood-suckers and the like!

Tears streaked her face and she pulled Espie close, stroking her soft fur. She felt a hand rest on her shoulder and she fearfully looked up to see who it was. Luke's concerned face stared down at her.

"What's wrong?" he knelt beside her and moved the dog out of the way.He looked into her eyes and his expression hardened, and he put a hand on either side of her face. "You're not leaving." They stood.

She backed away. "Why not?" She yelled though her tears. "You're a- a werewolf. There is no such thing! And Monty is a vampire! They don't exist either! What am I here with you for anyways?" She jabbed him in the chest. "Were you saving me to be your meal when times are hard? Huh?" He grabbed her hand and held it away so she couldn't jab him anymore.

"Adako, listen to me. We are not going to-"

"Shut up! Yes you are! What, are you hungry now? Huh? Well bite me then and get it over with!" She bared her neck, pulling her hair out of the way and stretching her shirt collar down. Luke looked repulsed and turned away, then stopped.

"You know what?" Luke sneered.

"What?"

Suddenly his hand came flying and he backhanded her, sending her face first into the concrete wall, and she knew nothing more.

Attracted by the shouting, Monty, Landon, and Arlynne came running. Luke barged through them with a dark expression and didn't look back.

"What did you do?" Monty yelled at Luke's back. He knelt by Adako's side, cradling her face in his hands. "Adako," he whispered.

She opened groggy, swollen eyes, looking up into Monty's and said with a trembly voice, "I wanna go home."