Chapter 5

Mick was pouring himself a drink when he heard the sound. The scream was far too familiar. Beth! He jumped through the open window landing a few feet from Beth and her attacker, his teeth merely inches from her soft neck. He drew his hand back and punched the assailant while pulling Beth backwards with his other arm. Once he had her free, he wrapped her in his arms and jumped back up to Josef's office. This was no time for heroics, it would take more than one vampire to take the attacker and Beth needed him. Mick brought Beth's unconscious form through the window and laid her on the couch.

"A bit melodramatic, don't you think?" Josef asked teasingly. "I know women want us to carry them across new thresholds, but this is going a little over the top."

"She was attacked, Josef. Now is no time for games."

Josef became serious. "Do you know who it was?"

"No, Beth was in danger and I knew I could not take him alone."

"One human too much for you? You are getting soft."

"He was one of us. He was about to bite her when I arrived."

"Why would anyone want to bite Beth?" Mick and Josef remembered the third party in the room. "I think a simple bite would hardly count as danger, unless he were Hannibal Lector." Talbot smirked at his own joke. Mick and Josef stared at him as he made the last statement. "Well, I'm just saying," he said defensively.

Mick turned to Beth on the couch. "Beth," he shook her gently. "Beth, wake up sweetheart." Slowly Beth's eyes began to open.

"Mick?"

"I'm here. Are you alright?" Mick took a quick perusal of her body. She seemed fine, just a little shaken up.

Beth stared up at Mick, blinking her eyes rapidly to remove the last traces of fogginess. Why was she laying on a couch and why did Mick look so concerned? Suddenly the recent events swam in Beth's mind. She bolted upright on the couch. "He attacked me!" she blurted. "A vampire attacked me!"

"You're safe now, don't worry." Mick told her soothingly. "And we are not alone." He whispered in here ear.

Beth glanced around the room and saw Josef standing at the bar holding a glass of wine. She continued to scan the room and spotted Ben Talbot in the chair across the room. "Oh my God! Does he know?"

"Not from us, but your recent outburst kind of introduced the subject." His lips lifted in a mocking smile. "But we were planning on telling him anyway." He quickly continued when he saw her panicked gaze.

Sure enough, Talbot interceded. "What do you mean vampire."

Josef interceded. "All will be explained shortly, just be patient."

"I am tired of being told to be patient. I want to know what is going on here. What is that list and why is Beth in danger? What is going on?"

"I'll explain in a moment, Talbot. Now please be quiet for a moment so I can talk to Beth. She will be able to help explain things to you, but she has to know what's going on first."

"Why were you going to tell him?" Beth asked interrupting the argument.

"I think you need to see this." Mick handed her the list.

Beth quickly scanned the names listed pausing at Mick's name at the end. Why would he be on this? What was it? She scanned the list again pausing at other familiar names trying to grasp their connection. As she read Jackson and Emma's names, the realization hit her like a Mack truck. "Oh my God." She said aloud. "Where did you get this?"

"From Talbot." Mick answered.

"You're sure he doesn't know? How did he know to come here?"

"I guess he just saw our names and decided to ask us. I don't understand the man's logic."

"When are you planning on telling him? Now?" At Mick's nod, she glanced over at Talbot. He was quickly glancing around the room trying to gauge a situation that was far from his understanding.

"We were waiting for you. I think he would take it better coming from you."

"Tell me what to do."

"Ben." Beth began. "I have a terrifying tale to tell. By the end you may no longer want to remain in your seat, but I pray that you do. The information you are about to receive will be hard to bear and may seem unbelievable, but I swear it is the truth. Do not interrupt and listen closely for the very knowledge may save your life." Beth paused to let her words sink in. "The document you hold in your hand is a complete list of all the vampires living in Los Angeles, this includes the two men standing before you now."

"But…" Talbot interrupted, his eyes widening in alarm.

"Please, let me continue. You have no need to fear. These men will not hurt you considering you do not threaten the way of life they are accustomed to. They do not kill mercilessly and are not a threat to any innocent person walking the streets. However, there are vampires out there who would not think twice about taking your life. It is of these creatures I must now warn you."

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Talbot eyes glazed over the longer the tale went on. How could he have lived so long in the same vicinity with these creatures and not known it? Sure they are careful, but someone had to have slipped up. Were they telling the truth? Was he really in no danger? Talbot took a quick glance at Mick. The man seemed so more dangerous than before. Was this man before him really the same kind of creature responsible for so many of the unexplained murders in the town? Talbot did not feel threatened, confused, but certainly not threatened, at least by Mick. Talbot then glanced at Josef. The man was gazing at him with an amused indifferent expression. He unconsciously reached up and touched the spot where Josef had grabbed him. Josef's mouth lifted in a slight smirk in response. Talbot shivered. He returned his attention to Beth. She was now describing the method of disposing of such creatures. Fire. Decapitation. Silver? Would he ever have to use one of these methods on the two men in front of him? Could he trust them? Did he have any choice?