Dwayne went first, lighting the oil barrels with a driftwood torch. Paul was strutting, cock of the walk; he was always like this when we brought back a new potential Pack member. He smirked at Michael. Anna was next, walking past the circular fountain and deeper into the room, watching Star. Star stayed beside Michael. Marko brought up the rear, carrying one of the pigeons. He loved the pigeons; they were just rats with feathers to me.

"This used to be the hottest resort in Santa Carla about 85 years ago..." I began telling Michael about our cave, how it had been smashed into the rocks and sea by the great 1906 earthquake. He seemed relatively disinterested in my words, but listened because I didn't give him a choice. "So, now it's ours." I finished. Paul strutted by with a joint, handing it off.

"Appetizer?" I grinned, offering it to Michael. He took it. "You'll like it here, Michael." I looked around; Anna was scowling in her corner. Dwayne was uneasy. He'd finished lighting the last of the oil barrels and went to Anna; pulling her to the dilapidated couch he liked so much. Marko teased the couple a bit.

"Marko, food." I ordered. His head snapped to look at me.

He dumped the pigeon and left immediately. I'd adverted him from teasing Anna and Dwayne, but Paul picked up right where Marko had left off. Eventually, unable to get a rise out of them, he gave up.

I felt like I had a headache. That was unusual. Maybe I just needed to feed. I took up my usual spot in the wheelchair we'd stolen from the Boardwalk and watched from there. Michael attempted several times to talk to Star, but she remained silent.

Marko returned shortly, a box of Chinese take-out in his arms. He dispensed the cartons quickly. Time for a little fun! I offered Michael the carton of rice; he refused.

"How could a billion Chinese people be wrong?" I cajoled. Michael finally took it. Marko handed over a carton of sweet and sour noodles to me. Michael started eating the rice with the fork I'd jammed in it. I couldn't help myself.

"How are those maggots?" He looked up at me, dumbfounded, the fork halfway to his mouth.

"Huh?"

"You're eating maggots, Michael. How do they taste?" I laughed. Michael looked into the box and 'saw' the carton was full of tiny white maggots, crawling up the fork. Instantly he began spitting out what was left in his mouth. The boys and I roared. Star shot me a look. Michael was still coughing and spitting the remaining rice out.

"Sorry about that. No hard feelings, eh?" I didn't let my words sound like a real apology; they weren't. I leaned over and offered the box of noodles. Michael took a glance, turned his eyes away, closing them.

"They're worms."

"What do you mean they're worms?" I growled, pulling the box back and taking a large bunch up in the chopsticks.

"No, don't eat them!" Michael cried as I shoveled the sweet and sour noodles into my mouth. I grinned at him.

"They're only noodles, Michael." I replied, voice low. The dark-haired boy just started at me.

"Enough!" Star begged.

"Oh, chill out girl!" Paul shot back, mouth full of fried shrimp. I motioned Marko over and whispered in his ear. He nodded once and headed to the altar shelf. I grinned at Michael. Enough fun and games, lets get down to the real party!

Marko brought over the wine. I uncorked it slowly, letting the scent hit my nose. Maybe I really was just hungry. I took a big pull from the bottle and let the blood fill my senses. There was just nothing like it. I offered the bottle to Michael.

"Drink this Michael. Be one of us."

Star stepped closer. "You don't have to Michael. It's blood."

"Yeah sure, blood." Michael snorted. Paul and Marko began to chant Michael's name. Giving in, Michael took a long drink. As he did, Anna bolted out of the cave. I watched, listening. I heard the roar of the engine as her bike sped away. I looked over at Dwayne. He nodded. He knew this was ritual; that he was Pack, and the Pack always came first.

Anna could be dealt with afterwards.

"Mount up, boys." I called.