Coraline has tried to do her worst, but she didn't succeed. Now what else will happen. Thanks to all who have read and/or reviewed, you keep me writing!

Chapter 21

Sofia entered Ewan's condo with the Irish vampire right behind her. They'd just been to visit her mother, and Sofia was thrilled that she kept her control around a human, and was even able to hug her mom without difficulty. During the last few weeks, Ewan had taken her out in the car and they'd parked near populated places, allowing her to be near them, without being too close. Ewan appreciated Mick's advice that Beth had responded well to that idea, so he used it with Sofia.

She plunked down on the sofa, and gave Ewan a big smile. "Thank you for taking me, I know my mom wanted to see me in person."

"I'm glad, moghrá," he said. "You did well, and soon you'll be able to be around humans all the time."

She sighed with satisfaction, and pulled Ewan closer to her, putting her hand on his chest. "I know you can feel how happy I am, but I want to tell you."

"And you have healed my heart from all the lonely years," he said, kissing her temple.

With Ewan feeling so good, she thought it might be the right time to mention something to him. "Um, I was talking to Simone the other day…"

"Oh?"

"Yes well," she raised her head to look at him. "She wants to give me a 'coming out' party."

"A what?" Ewan asked, unfamiliar with the term.

"She wants to have a party and introduce me to the vampire community in Los Angeles," she said quickly, not knowing how he would take it.

Ewan was surprised, but after a moment said, "That would be good for you. You are going to be a great asset to us, my love."

Sofia smiled, "I'm glad you don't mind. I'll give her a call later."

Ewan nodded. "I think it's time for some blood and a rest."

"Sounds lovely to me," she smiled wickedly. She could use the blood, but she wasn't sure how much rest they would get.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mick was on his way back from Long Beach after talking with some people who knew Emily, the missing teen. They told him everything they knew, wanting to help with the investigation, but it wasn't much. Mick was deep in thought as he drove when his cell phone went off with Beth's ringtone.

"Hi, baby," he said.

"Mick," Beth's voice was ragged.

He sat up in his seat, knowing something was wrong. "What's the matter?" he said, sharply.

"Coraline came here, she tried to kill me."

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, yes, just come home," Beth cried.

"I'll be there in half an hour. Is the loft locked down?" he asked, his voice hard with fear.

"Yes, Simone is here with me."

"Good, just stay put. I'll be there soon."

Mick rang off and called Josef, but only got his voicemail. He sped through the traffic to get to Beth sooner.

Josef was leaving his office, pleased that the deal he'd brokered in Dubai had been successfully concluded. He knew Simone had left earlier and he was looking forward to spending the evening with her.

He got the garage, and saw his new Aston Martin waiting for him. He reached for the keys in his pants pocket, but as he pulled them out, they fell to the cement floor. Damn, he thought as he bent to pick them up. He heard a crack, and was knocked down. There was pain in his shoulder, and he realized bullets were whizzing by his head. The wall behind him exploded in cement and fragments, cutting him. His clothing shielded him somewhat, but his face and neck stung with the splinters, and he could smell the silver embedded in his skin. He ducked down near the closest car, getting out his cell phone to call security. In less than a minute, the elevator doors opened to disgorge a troop of guards, led by the head of his security forces, a vampire, whom he'd hired after the disaster when his office had been bombed. They spread out and Randall, who had been in Special Forces in World War II, shielded Josef as he got up and crouched near a car. "Are you all right, sir?"

"Yes," Josef said, gruffly. "Find the shooter."

Randall spoke into the microphone on his shoulder. The other guards swept out, and Josef and Randall waited silently. Randall's microphone sputtered and they both heard a voice saying they hadn't found anyone.

Josef and his guard stood up. "Check the tapes. Let me know if you see anything."

"Sir, if they got into the garage, they might have wired your car."

Josef looked at the dark blue Aston Martin. There were very few in the city and it might be known what he drove. He was about to tell Randall not to worry, but then he thought of Simone. If his car was booby-trapped and he was killed, he didn't want to think about what she would say.

"Here sir, take my car. It's over there, the silver Accord." Randall motioned to one of the guards who came over to them immediately.

"Jenkins, drive Mr. Kostan and bring the car back here." Randall gestured with his head. "The Honda over there."

Randall said, "We'll make sure your car is safe and bring it over to your house later."

Josef nodded and in a rare gesture, clapped Randall on the shoulder. "Find the son of a bitch that did this."

Randall nodded, his eyes meeting Josef's with perfect understanding. "We'll get on the security tapes right away."

Now Randall saw Josef's bleeding wounds. "Do you want to see a doctor about your injuries?"

Josef looked down and saw the blood staining his expensive suit, but shook his head. "It's nothing, I can take care of it at home."

Josef got into the car with Jenkins driving, and gave into the weakness he felt from the silver poisoning him. He thought about his wife, and called James at home.

"Yes sir?" James answered.

"Is Mrs. Kostan home?"

"No sir, she's not here."

Damn, Josef thought.

Hearing Josef's tone, James asked, "Is there a problem?"

"Yes, someone just took a shot at me in the office garage."

James responded instantly. "I'll lock down the property. I suggest you come here immediately."

"Yes," Josef said, gritting his teeth against the pain of the silver. "I need to find Simone."

"We can find her, sir."

"Let me make some calls first. I'll let you know."

"Right," James said, hanging up.

There wasn't any blood to drink in Randall's car, so he had to deal with the silver poisoning until he reached home. He called Mick, who answered immediately.

"Josef, I tried to call you."

The tone of Mick's voice told Josef there was cause for alarm. He tamped down his fear. "Mick, do you know where Simone is?"

"Yeah, she's with Beth. Coraline attacked Beth at our place."

Josef's main concern was Simone, but he knew Mick would be equally worried about Beth. "Are they all right?"

"Yes, Beth just called me. She and Simone are in the loft and it's secure. I'm heading there now."

Josef leaned back on the seat, the loss of blood and silver weakening him, but at least he knew Simone was safe. "Come over to my house."

Mick knew something else was wrong. "Josef, what's going on?"

"Someone took a few shots at me."

"Are you okay?" Mick asked.

"I will be. I got some silver from the bullets. Whoever did this was knew I was a vampire. I have to find out who it was."

"All right," Mick responded. "I'll bring Beth and Simone over right away."

"Thanks, buddy," Josef answered and laid back semi-conscious in the seat.

Half a block behind, a blond vampire drove through the traffic, following the car. He squinted through his sunglasses, and picked up his cell phone and made a call.

"Oui?"

"It is Antoine, my lord," the blond said.

"Oui, Antoine, what news have you for me?" Henri Duvall asked.

"I shot Kostan."

"Is he dead?" Henri asked, expectantly.

"Non, my lord. I only wounded him."

"Fool," Henri spat. "Now he will hide and you won't get another chance."

Antoine wasa professional killer, and had more difficult assignments than this. "Then I will wait. I have never given up on a target."

"Kostan is not stupid. He will know someone is after him."

"I will watch him and when I get another opportunity, he will be dead."

Henri sighed to himself. "Very well. do what you need, and report to me."

"D'accord." The blond put away his phone and concentrated on following Josef's car. He had studied his quarry, and soon saw Josef was heading for his house in the hills. He had researched all of Kostan's residences and knew the Elder's schedule. It would only be a matter of time before he got another chance to kill Kostan.

Randall's Honda reached the gates of Josef's hill house and went through. Jenkins pulled into the garage, and several security guards ran up to help Josef out of the car. The back seat had blood stains, and Josef said weakly, "Make sure the car is cleaned immediately."

"Yes, sir," one of them answered.

Josef shook them off and tried to stand straight. "When Mick and the ladies get here, show them in."

The staff had been alerted by Randall, and Hale was waiting at the kitchen door with a glass of blood in his hand.

Josef managed to walk in the door without staggering, but his eyes silvered when he smelled the blood. Without a word, Hale handed it to his boss, and Josef downed the red liquid. Several of his donors were in the kitchen, wide-eyed, and came over to him offering their necks and wrists. Josef smiled at them, grateful for their concern. He chose Melanie, who had been with him the longest. He bit gently into her proffered wrist and the sweet fresh blood revived him.

"Come, sir," Hale said, gently. Do you wish me to call Dr. Courtney?

Josef shook his head, feeling his wounds healing. "No, it was just a graze, but I want to shower and change before Mrs. Kostan gets here. I don't want her to be upset."

Hale looked at him, narrowly. "I believe there are still wounds in your face, sir. Is it silver?"

The shot to his shoulder had focused the pain there, and Josef realized his face and neck still stung with silver fragments. "Yes, let's go upstairs and you can remove them."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mick pulled into the loft garage and vaulted out of the car into the elevator. The ride up to the penthouse seemed to take forever, and Mick sped down the hallway to the loft door and pounded on it.

Beth started, and Simone's eyes went wide with fright. Beth went over and saw it was Mick outside, and fumbled at the locks. When the door opened, Mick bolted in and swept her up in his arms. "Are you all right, Beth?"

"Yes," she said. Now that Mick was here, she let down her defenses and started shaking.

He held her shoulders, looking at her. "Can you tell me what happened?"

Beth nodded, and pulled herself together. "I was upstairs, working. I heard the door, and came down. It was Coraline. I knew she scented me, so I opened the door. She said she wanted to talk to me, that she was leaving town tonight. I let her in, then she attacked me."

Mick growled, horrified that Beth had been in danger. Now that he was home, he smelled Coraline and Beth's blood in the room. "What did she do?"

"We fought, and she raked me with her nails."

Mick looked her over, not seeing any damage. Beth gave a small smile. "I got some blood and healed, then changed my shirt."

He nodded, and she continued. "I knew she was stronger than me, but I managed to find the machete I'd hidden under the sofa cushion."

Mick's eyebrow went up. "I noticed one of them was missing."

Beth smirked. "Did you also notice one of your .38 Special's missing, too?"

"Uh-huh, I did."

"Well," Beth said, relaxing a bit more. "I hid it in the chair." She moved her head toward the chair that had been overturned in the battle. "I slashed her with the machete, but it didn't stop her. I found the gun and shot her." Beth moved over to the sofa, which was splattered with blood. "The bullet went through her into the couch, I think."

Mick knew all his guns carried silver loads. "What happened then?"

Simon had been silent, but now spoke up. "I had a message that I thought was from Beth. I came here and when I got to the door, I could smell blood and I pounded on the door, then heard a gunshot. Beth opened the door and Coraline was on the floor. Before we could do anything, she got up and ran out the door and down the stairs.

"We locked the door and called you," Beth finished.

"I'm glad you didn't go after her," he commented.

Beth and Simon exchanged a glance and they both smiled for the first time. "We're not that stupid," Simon muttered.

Mick said, "I'm sorry I wasn't here."

"It wasn't your fault. I was the one who let her in."

"Yes, but I was the one who said she wasn't a threat. She had me fooled into thinking she'd changed.

Beth shook her head. "Coraline said she didn't care now if you hated her. She was going to kill me so you would be alone. I think she wanted me dead because of Lance."

They were all silent for a moment. Then Simone said, "I need to call Josef."

That brought Mick out of his ruminations. "I spoke to him before I got here. Someone took a shot at him."

Simone gasped. "Is he hurt?"

"Nothing to worry about, but he wants us all to go up to the house." Mick looked at Beth. "I'll go pack some things for us."

"I can do it," she responded.

"No, you sit and rest. I'll go." He looked at the furniture. "I think we should redecorate. Even after the Cleaners, I don't think I could sit on this stuff again." He gave her a small half-smile and went up the stairs.

A short time later, the three were on their way to Josef's house in the hills. Mick had called a limo service, as he didn't want to take any of their cars in case Coraline was still lurking nearby trying to assault them. They entered the gates, and Mick noticed the extra security around them.

James was there, and helped Beth and Simone out of the car.

Simone had kept quiet during the ride, but now asked James anxiously. "Is Josef all right?"

The vampire smiled. "He's fine now, and waiting for you in the lounge."

Simone hurried past them, needing to see her husband. They entered the house, and Simone flew to the lounge to find Josef in a tee shirt and jeans. She threw herself into his arms, kissing him all over his face and neck.

"Hmmm," Josef snarked. "Maybe I should get shot more often."

Simone felt him all over, not caring that Mick and Beth had joined them in the room. "Where were you shot?"

Josef gave her a hearty kiss, then said, "It was just a graze on my shoulder and some bullet fragments. Hale got them out and the ladies made sure I had some nourishment."

"Did you see who did it?" Mick asked.

Josef shook his head negatively, and gestured toward the bar. "I think we all need a drink."

Mick silently poured them all scotch and blood, and they sat down. "Okay, now tell us what happened."

Josef told his story, and Simone clung to his arm, horrified at almost losing him. Josef took her hand. "It takes a lot more than that to kill me, babe." Josef looked at Mick and Beth. "Now you tell me what happened at your place."

Beth straightened and repeated what had happened when Coraline attacked her. Mick held her hand, once again feeling like he should have been there. After she finished, she gave Mick a sharp look. "Mick, you couldn't have known. Coraline is a manipulative bitch and she was playing a game with you. I fell for it, but I won't again."

Josef sat back, thinking. "So, Simone got a false text, asking her to come to your place. I think Coraline wanted to kill both of you."

Beth nodded, and replied, "That's what we thought."

"I was in a meeting and didn't get the message until later. Maybe Coraline didn't want to wait, and decided to go after Beth without me." Simone made a face. "I wish I'd been there, I doubt she'd have been able to take on both of us."

"I'm sure she thought she could," Mick said slowly. "She's always felt she was better than other vampires because of her bloodline."

"Hah! She hadn't counted on Beth hiding weapons around your loft. Brilliant, Blondie," Josef said with affection.

"Hmmm, maybe we should do the same thing here," Simone stated.

"We have security, but not a bad idea," Josef said, thoughtfully.

"We need to find out who took the shots at you, Josef," Beth said.

The older vampire frowned. "I think I know who, and I need to do something about it."

TBC

Henri's plan didn't go so well, but it looks like the assassin won't give up so easily. What will happen now, and what's Coraline up to? Thanks for sticking with the story, I really appreciate all the Moonlight fans.