I hope this chapter doesn't hop around too much, but there's a lot going on. I appreciate all of you who continue to read and review.

Chapter 8

The flight to Paris seemed long to Annie. She was glad Josef had arranged for someone to meet her at JFK with some blood, because with security at the airports, she couldn't bring any with her on the flight. Josef had also given her the name of a vampire-friendly hotel in Paris where she could recuperate from her travels before she went to the Duvall stronghold. James was also going to stay at the same hotel, under a different name. He was traveling to Paris by a more circuitous route, but would be there when she arrived. As was her habit, she kept her mind blank. It did no good to keep going over the plan. She knew what to do, and now she used the enforced time to rest. It was how she kept sane as a Cleaner, with all the carnage they saw. Finally, the plane landed at Orly, and she took a cab to the hotel.

James had already arrived and was lingering around the lobby. Josef agreed that both he and Annie could stay at the same place, just not together. Before they left, James and Annie got new cell phones and agreed upon code words for texting, so they would know it was really the other person. Once Annie made contact with Lance, she would have to be covert in her contacts. Now James casually sat near the front entrance of the luxury vampire hotel. He didn't have to watch the door, as he could scent Annie when she came in. He'd already texted his room number and he was sure she'd go there once she was settled in. The hotel was high-class, but James wanted to keep an eye on who was coming and going. He and Annie were basically alone in this undertaking. He could call Ewan Conley if he needed clout with the Council, but Ewan couldn't help with the actual operation.

James sat very still as he smelled Annie walk by him. He didn't look at her directly, but saw as she checked in, then went to the elevators. He knew she had scented him, and he made his way back to his room.

A few minutes after he returned, there was a soft knock on his door. He opened it and Annie was in his arms. He held her for a moment, and then asked, "How was your trip?"

She gave him a smile. "Boring, but I got some rest. How are you?"

"Fine. I've been checking out the hotel. It seems to be pretty quiet. I've already texted Josef that we're here."

Annie sighed and sat down in one of the expensive chairs. "Good. I think we should get some freezer time, and then I'll go to Duvall."

He grabbed her wrist, pulling her up to him swiftly. "Just freezer time?"

"Well, I do see a very large bed over there," she grinned.

"I knew you were a smart woman," he replied, Bending to kiss her.

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Sofia unlocked the door to the new offices, knowing Ben and Simone would be coming in for a few more hours. She wanted to get her desk set up and make sure all was ready for her new bosses. She was back on human time, since Ewan had left the day before on his mysterious trip to France. In the interim, she'd had time to think, and she had a suspicion that Ewan's sojourn to Paris had something to do with Lance Duvall. She'd heard enough to know he was a deadly enemy of Josef, and couldn't imagine why else Ewan might go there.

Sofia had just finished the sandwich she'd brought for lunch when Simone came in.

"Oh, you're here," Simone said, smiling.

"Yes, I thought I'd get things started."

"I forgot to ask if you had any problems leaving the ADA's office."

Sofia shook her head. "No, I was only there as an intern, and I told them I had a better offer. Of course, they couldn't match it, so there were no repercussions. I don't envy whoever takes my place. That interim ADA is a jerk."

Simone grinned. "Well, you're done with that now, and we can work on building up our business." She felt a bit of hesitation from Sofia, and asked, "Are you sure you wanted to leave?"

"Oh, yeah." Sofia knew she needed to tell Simone her decision. "Ewan and I have discussed it, and I want to be turned on my birthday. It's in about six months. Will that be okay? I hate to start a new job and then be gone for a while."

"Don't worry, we'll manage. Being turned is a big decision and both Ben and I will support that. We have some of Josef's ladies that will be doing reception work, and we'll get by. You've had as much preparation as I did by being around vampires, so I'm sure it won't take you long to be able to come back and be around humans."

Sofia sat back, relieved. "I didn't want to cause any problems with your business, but I do want to join Ewan as soon as I can."

"I think it's great," Simone responded. "You'll be a wonderful addition to the tribe. How does Ewan feel?"

Sofia pressed her lips together. "He says he's happy, but now he's run off to Paris. I guess Josef needed him to go."

Simone didn't say anything.

"What's it about, Simone? Is he in danger?"

Simone shook her head. "No, no, of course not."

"Then why did he have to go?"

Simone knew she had to tell Sofia a little, she could feel the human's concern and fear.

"Josef has sent someone to try to get Lance Duvall into the open. Ewan is only there in case they need a liaison with the French vampires."

"Oh," Sofia said, her shoulders sagging in relief. "I know Ewan is older than most and can take of himself, but I couldn't help being concerned."

Simone gave her a little hug. "Of course not. But don't worry. Josef needs his political clout, not his fighting skills."

"Good," Sofia said. "Okay, what do you need me to do here?"

Simone said, "Let's look over some contracts. Ben will be coming in soon and if they're ready, we can meet with the principals and finish the deal."

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Mick strode into Josef's office, and the older vampire could tell his friend wasn't happy.

"Hey, Mick. Like a drink?"

It was just past dusk, but Mick wasn't in a good mood, so he just nodded.

Josef filled two glasses and handed one to Mick. "What's up?"

Mick took a sip, "I want to know what's going on with Lance. I hate having to deal with Coraline, she's becoming more dependent on me, and I can't keep stringing her along."

Josef sighed and sat down. "I know, buddy, I'm sorry."

"Rider showed you Coraline's info on the map, so now we know how to get into their compound. What are you going to do?"

"Uh, Mick," Josef cleared his throat. "I'd better tell you that I have no intention of attacking their stronghold."

Mick sat up, glaring at Josef. "What to do you mean?"

"It was a cover. I don't trust Coraline not to betray us to Lance. So I set you up to keep her distracted while I planned something else."

"Josef!" Mick cried angrily. "Why didn't you tell me?"

His friend drained his drink and poured another. "I needed to keep Coraline occupied while I handled Lance in a different way."

"What way?" Mick frowned.

Josef relaxed a bit, seeing his friend was ready to listen. "I sent Annie over under cover. Tomorrow you'll hear that James has been killed in a foolish mission I sent him on. Annie will want to kill me because of James's death. She's going to Lance to tell him I'll be alone at a meeting in Vancouver in a couple of weeks."

"You think Lance will believe that and come for you there?" Mick asked.

"If she can convince him of her hatred of me."

Mick shook his head and poured himself another drink as well. "Do you think she can?"

"Yes, she's very good at projecting emotions. I think she can persuade him that she wants me dead. I'm hoping Lance will believe her."

"Then what?" Mick asked.

"If she can get him to Vancouver, we can take him out on our terms. I know the vamps up there, and there won't be any problems."

Mick took a long pull on his drink. "Okay, but I want to be in on it."

"Of course."

"So, why did you have me messing around with Coraline?"

"Because I don't trust her," Josef replied.

"You think she's telling Lance our plans? She seems to be afraid of him."

"Mick, my man, she's got a few hundred years on you. I trust her as much as I can pick up this building."

The younger vampire stared at his friend. "So you had me leading her around in circles?"

"Yeah, that's about it."

"Dammit, Josef. You could have told me. Beth is really upset that I have to see her."

"I was afraid she might figure out we were playing her if I told you sooner."

Mick held down his temper as he thought about Josef's reasoning. He knew Coraline was older and could read him because of their former bond. He had to admit if he'd known that Josef's plan was a ploy, he might have not have been able to keep that from his former sire.

"Okay, I see what you were doing, but I hope it won't backfire on us."

Josef smiled, seeing Mick wasn't that irate. "Now that the plan is in motion, you shouldn't have to deal with Coraline anymore."

"That's good," Mick said. I don't want to have to be around her any more than I have to.

When she calls, tell her I've been busy and you don't know what's happening.

That I can do, Mick said, taking a sip of his drink. Beth will be glad.

Go ahead and tell Beth about it. Ask her not to chew my butt about it here at work, Josef said, raising an eyebrow.

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Beth wandered around the loft, waiting for Mick. He had texted her he was going to see Josef, and would be home soon. Still, Beth felt uneasy, what with Mick spending time with Coraline. She glanced at the bookcase, remembering the vampire hunting tools Mick kept hidden there. She knew he kept a loaded Glock in his desk drawer in the office, but it might be hard to get to if something happened in their home.

She suddenly remembered the time Donovan Shepard had broken in when she was human. She'd tried to fight him off, but Mick had showed up and taken the killer's head. Now she felt like she needed to make sure she'd have some protection. She went to the bookcase, pulled out the books and opened the secret cache of weapons. She took them out one by one. The small crossbow was too cumbersome to hide, so she put that aside. There was a machete, with a silver-coated blade. She didn't bother to check it, knowing it was razor sharp. Looking around the room, she hid it under the sofa cushion. There was also a Sig, and she made sure the clip had silver bullets. It did, and Beth nodded in satisfaction. She pushed it down between the arm and cushion of the sofa. There were some knives, also silver-coated, and she hid one under the chair cushion. She didn't know why, but doing it made her feel better. She wouldn't tell Mick unless he found them; she didn't want to have him worry she felt uneasy.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Annie and James lounged in his bed, sated by their lovemaking. James was thinking of round two when his phone rang. He grunted and looked at the phone. "Shit, it's Josef."

"Yes?"

"James? Is Annie with you?"

"Yeah. She got in a little while ago."

"Okay, your death will be known in a few hours. I'm letting it leak at the bars and clubs. I think it would be best if Annie waits until at least another 24 hours before she goes to Lance. It will look like she took off right after your death, but she is taking her time to get to him."

"All right, I'll tell her," James looked at Annie, who could hear the conversation perfectly. She nodded and James said, "She'll text you when she's ready to go."

"Fine," Josef said. "Keep me posted. If there's anything either of you need from me, I'll get it to you as soon as I can. I'll send you the maps to Duvall's place, but I can't be sure the entrances won't be guarded."

Annie grabbed the phone. "I'll go in the front door, Josef. That will be the best way to make him believe me."

"Whatever you think will work," Josef responded. "It's your show. Keep James informed and he'll tell me."

They hung up, and James said, "Well, it looks like we have more time. Any ideas?"

She pulled him down to kiss him. "Yeah, quite a few."

Twenty-eight hours later, Annie got out of a taxi, in front of a gate in the Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris. She buzzed the bell, and a voice asked, "Qui est-ce?"

"I'm sorry, I don't speak French. I need to see Lance Duvall."

"Ooo eez this?" the voice responded.

"My name is Annie Reynolds. I need to see Mr. Duvall. I'm from Los Angeles, in America. It's about Josef Kostan."

Annie took a stance of waiting, and within a few minutes, the door buzzed open. She was met by a vampire in black attire, similar to her own as a Cleaner.

The vampire didn't speak, but gestured for her to follow him. She did so, and the entered a magnificent home, with gilded walls and furniture.

She followed the silent vampire to a room, and he opened the door and indicated she should go in. She took in the room, which was much less ornate than the rest of the house. There was dark wood, with books on shelves surrounding the room. At an ormolu desk a tall vampire sat, his skin pale against his black eyes.

It was obvious he knew that his appearance was intimidating, and he stood, gesturing toward a chair. "Good evening, mademoiselle."

Annie guarded her emotions, knowing that would be what he expected. "Thank you."

Lance sat back down, smiling. He obviously wanted her to be comfortable. "I understand you wanted to see me about Monsieur Kostan."

Annie kept up her façade, and said "Yes." She paused a moment. "I know you and he are enemies."

Lance kept his disconcerting black eyes on her. "Where did you hear that?"

"I'm a Cleaner from Los Angeles. I hear a lot of things." She shielded her emotions from the younger vampire. "It wouldn't do to reveal herself too soon."

"Ah, I know many Cleaners here in France. Are the ones in the new world as difficult as ours?"

"I'm sorry, I don't speak French," Annie readily admitted.

"You are used to killing, and have no qualms, oui?"

"It's part of the job," Annie shrugged.

Lance leaned forward, clasping his hands on the desk. "So what brings you to my domain?"

It was time. Annie's eyes turned hard. She pictured James dead, as she had done in Josef's office. "Josef Kostan killed my lover. It was a senseless, stupid mission, but James worked for Kostan, and he went. He was killed, just because of Kostan's ego. I want retribution. I can't do anything myself. He has LA under his thumb, and I can't do anything about it, but I know you want him dead too. I've been alone for hundreds of years, and when I found James, I thought my life would change. Now he's dead and it's Kostan's fault. I came to you, because I know you have the capability to help me."

Annie let out grief and frustration, and she knew Lance could feel it. She watched the French vampire get up and pace around the room, much like Josef. She made sure she kept her hatred for Josef foremost in her mind.

Lance felt the emotions coming from the stranger were genuine. But, he wasn't going to believe her immediately. He needed to confirm her story was true. He had to get Coraline to find out what she could from the gossip in Los Angeles.

"I'm sorry for your loss, mademoiselle. It is true that Kostan and I have had our differences. Why did you come to me to ask for help?'

Annie knew this would be a tricky question. "Josef has enemies, but I don't know who they are. I heard you did something to his best friend Mick last year in New York. Anyone who tries to harm Mick would make Josef a deadly enemy." Now Annie decided to apply some pressure. "Am I right? If not, then I'll find someone else to help me kill Kostan. I'm going to see him dead." She visualized Josef dead, with his head severed. It was a strong feeling, and she saw Lance picked up on her emotions.

Lance was stunned by the hatred the woman near him felt. Surely, she was sincere. Still, he needed to make sure her story was true before he committed himself to anything. he made his decision. "Very well, mademoiselle. I will consider your request. You are a Cleaner. What did you tell your superiors."

Annie took an unnecessary breath. It looked like Lance believed her. "I said I needed some time away after James." She allowed herself to feel sorrow. "I'm on leave right now, no one will miss me."

"Bon. Where are you staying?"

"At the Van Gogh Montmartre, under my own name." She knew after this, she and James would have to be careful about meeting.

"I will have my driver take you back. Please give him your telephone number, and I will contact you shortly."

Annie stood, almost as tall as Lance. "Very well. But don't take too long. If you can't help me, I'll find someone else. I'm going to kill that son of a bitch with or without your help."

Now Lance smiled, and it was dreadful. "I understand." He moved to the desk and pushed a button. The dark-clad vampire that showed her in appeared.

"Jacques will show you to my car. I will contact you soon."

Annie nodded shortly and followed the servant out, the door closing softly.

Left alone, Lance rubbed his hands together almost gleefully. He was sure this would be his chance to finally finish Josef Kostan.

TBC

So Annie has made contact. What will Lance do, and does Lance really believe her? And what will Coraline do? Thank you for reading and reviewing.