Disclaimer: I do not own Blood Ties or any of its characters. They are Tanya Huff's creations.

Characters thoughts in italics

Thanks to my story consultant, Lena! Thanks for helping me with the dialogue, for all your suggestions and comments. They are always so helpful.

Chapter 8

Mike parted the blinds, double-checking the street for any signs they were followed. He wondered whether that was a waste of time. For all he knew whatever was after Vicki could sense her somehow or turn invisible.

He could feel Vicki's eyes boring into his back before he turned around.

"You have been giving me the silent treatment all the way here. I'm waiting for an explanation. And it better be a good one."

Mike sighed as he sat next to her. "It started with a case. Victims were turning up with their throats slashed and blood loss but there was no trace of blood around the bodies. Coreen came to you because you had witnessed her boyfriend's murder and she believed a vampire was to blame."

"C'mon, Mike. A vampire. Vampires don't exist."

I'm not touching that with a ten foot pole. Fitzroy can handle that conversation.

"Of course a vampire wasn't responsible. A college student, Norman Bridewell, had summoned a demon. Which was in turn responsible for all those murders."

Vicki was looking at him as if he had suddenly grown another limb. "Are you sure I'm the only one to suffering from a head trauma?"

"No, Vic, my head is fine. I know this sounds crazy but just go with me on this. Your life depends on it."

"Alright, Mike. If you say so. What does all that have to do with my current situation?"

"Bridewell used you as part of his ritual to summon another demon and ever since it seems like the supernatural has been drawn to you."

"So you're saying that what attacked me last night was something supernatural." Mike could hear the skepticism in her voice. He couldn't blame her. Several months ago he wouldn't have believed the words coming of his mouth.

Their conversation was abruptly cut short by a knock at the door. Mike instinctively grabbed for his gun and approached the door. Fitzroy. How could he be sure it was really him? How did he find them?

Mike cocked his head toward the window and mouthed fire escape. Vicki nodded to indicate her silent understanding before opening the window and sliding down the fire escape.

"Keep your pants on, Fitzroy." Mike opened the door. The hallway was empty.

Vicki was almost to the bottom of the fire escape when she saw Henry. As she debated her next move, he was suddenly in front of her with his arms raised in the air. "Vicki, it's really me. I'm here to help."

"And I'm just supposed to believe that."

"You have in the past. In fact you once trusted me with your life."

"I must have been temporarily insane."

Henry grinned. "I assure you all your faculties were intact."

Vicki wasn't sure whether she should believe him. Without even realizing it she had been slowly backing away from him. Now her back was literally against the wall. She was trapped.

Henry remained in his original position and took hold of a cross hanging around his neck. "If I was a demon, would I be able to do this?"

Vicki shrugged. "How the hell should I know? I'm not a demon expert."

"If I wanted to harm you, wouldn't I have done so already?" He argued.

"Maybe you want something from me before you kill me? Or just enjoy torturing me by keeping me trapped?"

Henry was becoming more and more frustrated as their conversation dragged on. Vicki's wall of mistrust was still intact despite her memory loss. Or, if possible, was even strengthened by her awareness of her own weakened state. How he wished his power of persuasion worked on her. This conversation would have gone so much easier.

"I won't force you to come with me but I won't be far."

He leapt from the fire escape and vanished into thin air.

She hadn't expected Henry Fitzroy to show up when he did but it really didn't matter. Now Victoria Nelson would be wary of him. The next time she did strike, Miss Nelson would be headed to the morgue.

Author's note: It will probably be a while before I am able to update this story or any of my other stories due to being in school until the end of February. I hope this chapter will hold you until then.