Chapter 9

(Almost Re-United)

Angel's point of View

Like most girls I enjoy shopping. I also loved shopping with my mother. Then again what teenager wouldn't like to shop with a mom who rarely said no to something they wanted? If my mom did say no she also told me why. Whitney would tell Raquel no all the time and never give a reason why. It caused more than one argument between them. Funny thing was it was usually my mom that put an end to the arguments. Usually be explaining why Whitney was saying no or in a few instances explaining to Whitney why she should say yes. No wonder everyone loved my mom.

A sigh escaped me as I watched Raquel change her mind over her Halloween costume yet again. I didn't mind when she'd changed costumes the first few times. I didn't even mind her change of heart two costumes again but then I don't like clowns. I can't explain it I just always felt they looked a bit on the psycho side. A clown is probably the only thing in existence that scares me. I don't scare easy. Then again my father is the most feared man in existence. I sometimes wonder if people at school knew who my father was if they'd run scared. I was half tempted to tell a few people.

"Raquel would you pick a costume already?" I told her becoming agitated. "If you don't hurry up we're still going to be here when the Halloween dance starts tomorrow!"

Raquel turned and looked at me with her hand on her hip. "A costume means something Fox. I have to choose the right one."

"Screw that you just want to get Nick's attention," I told her knowingly.

"No I…" I threw her an unconvinced look and she stopped. "He's so cute!" Raquel said as if it was a worthy excuse. "I want to make an impression!"

"You tripped over his feet Raquel you made an impression," I reminded her.

"A good impression," She said annoyed. "Come on Fox! Please? I can't decide and I…"

"Yeah well your father isn't going to let you out of the house in a belly dancer outfit," I said gesturing to the costume in her hand. I watched as she frowned so much her bottom lip stuck out. I rolled my eyes before I could stop myself earning me a glare. "Fine, I'll help you look."

I walked away from my best friend and walked further into the store. Raquel needed a costume that would be acceptable to her father but also enticing for a guy. Not too enticing of course.

My eyes scanned the walls and finding nothing I began looking through the racks. My hand touched something red and seeing the size was Raquel's I pulled it out and looked at it. IT was a Devil costume. Raquel would be covered in a glittery red pantsuit but the fact it was spandex meant it would conform to her body making it sexy. Raquel had the figure for it. Most human girls couldn't have actually pulled this off and it actually look good.

"Raquel," I called.

"What did you…." Raquel let out a scream before snatching it out of my head. "It's perfect! I should've just told you to find me a costume!" I didn't say it but I silently agreed with her.

"Hey what did you…where's your costume?" Raquel asked not seeing one in my hand.

"I found mine nearly an hour ago and it's already paid for," I told her.

"Oh. Well perfection is worth waiting for," she announced before spinning on her heel and heading for the cash register. I just shook my head and headed for the stores entrance.

"Hey Fox," I looked up to see Ashton, Malcolm, Will and Phoenix entering the store.

"I thought you and Raquel were headed here when you left the house," Malcolm commented. I almost glared at him and he laughed. "You had to ask why I didn't want to take you two?"

"I love Raquel but….your sister can be so indecisive sometimes!" I complained crossing my arms in an open pout.

"I take it you didn't find anything?" Ashton commented seeing nothing in my hands.

"Are you kidding? I found and bought my costume nearly an hour ago," I said not hiding my annoyance. "Our moms got annoyed and left a half hour ago. We're supposed to meet them in the food court when we're done."

"Is our dad going to have a fit about what she chose?" Malcolm inquired; knowing his sister liked to push the limits.

"She'll be fully clothed," I assured him. "That's the only requirement he gave."

"That doesn't…"

"Don't worry I found the costume," I told Raquel's brother.

"I am so…oh hey guys," Raquel said walking up.

"Let's see it," Malcolm said. Raquel held tighter to the costume refusing to let him see.

"Just let them see," I told her.

"No. I don't…" before she could finish I had the bag and handed it to Malcolm. "Fox!"

"Good choice," Malcolm remarked looking at the costumes picture.

"Really?" Raquel said abruptly looking at her big brother. He nodded and Raquel smiled. "Thanks."

I internally smiled. Malcolm and Raquel's relationship had improved drastically since our first day of high school. Although I did hear through the grapevine that Tyler and Malcolm had a talk. Though things didn't really improve until a girl at school tried to cause Malcolm a problem and Raquel laid her out. It suddenly brought on a brother sister bond that had not been there before. Ever since that day he'd looked out for her and me.

I hadn't been sure about Ashton at first but he'd quickly learned I'm not difficult to be around unless you make it difficult. Then again the fact I'd helped him and Will with Chemistry probably helped.

Hearing the sound of Evanescence fill the air I couldn't help but let out a giggle. "I bet it's your mom saying to hurry up," I announced glancing over at the curly haired girl.

"Why would Whitney call you?" Ashton asked.

"Because Raquel always forgets her phone," Phoenix said knowingly.

I looked at him and couldn't stop a smile from forming. Phoenix never came around the pack house or at least rarely. I only ever saw him at school or every once in a while he'd meet up with some of us and go to a movie or something. I wasn't sure why he never came to the pack house. He was part of the pack.

I pulled out my phone and flipped it on. "Hello?"

"Aren't you two finished yet?"

I laughed before saying, "Just finished. Raquel finally settled something," I told Whitney.

"Alright well come on then."

"On our way," I told her and hung up. "See you guys later." They nodded and Raquel and I headed to meet our moms for lunch. I still couldn't believe it was about to be Halloween.

Brock's point of View

I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as I looked around the castle. The count's armies had all risen and things were in place. We even had a few slayers in the Dungeon. Though, admittedly, I wasn't entirely crazy about a few of the vampires now in residence. I didn't trust Rasputin at all. I would've questioned the count calling on him but Sedrick had explained there was no way for the count to force so many vampires from their sleep and Rasputin not be awakened as well. Sedrick always did understand the fundamentals better than I did.

A pleased smile crossed from my face as I realized in a very short time I'd have Sasha back. It had been so long since I'd seen my German beauty. The count had inquired about her a few times for me but it wasn't the same. My master had been separated from his beauty but had not been entirely cut off from her. Not since the one time he'd gone to them anyway.

Dracula had marked Katie and so could visit her in her dreams. He had the power to communicate with her at any time. He could make her feel his touch from thousands of miles away; he could even feel hers. I envied him for it. Still at least the time had finally come to an end. 16 years had gone by. So much more time than any of us had imagined.

The count had suffered so much more damage than any of us had realized. It had taken him years to finally heal enough to rise. Unfortunately his trip to see Katie and Angel had even cost him. It had rendered him weak and he'd taken longer to fully recover. Finally he'd recovered but had to gain strengthen his power enough to call Crina, Micea, and Crina from their rest while simultaneously not calling forth anyone else. It was a balancing act that in truth I didn't fully understand.

Sedrick had said it took the count had to force his trusted from the grave with power while at the same time forcing the others to stay rested. Raising them by accident would have caused too much chaos. I don't pretend to fully understand it. My service to Dracula was more about brute force, intimidation, and torture. Sedrick was more of the business type. He was the one to control the counts business and financial things during his rest. I am quite definitely not an accountant. Sedrick isn't weak he just …doesn't enjoy inflicting pain the way I do. It's better that way. We each contribute differently. When it comes to Loyalty however we are equal and would do anything for our master.

"Brock."

"Master," I said seeing him enter the room with Micea at his side. Micea was probably one of the most proper vampires I'd ever met. His pale blonde hair was always neatly pulled back in a low pony tail. He was not loud or even forceful as so many other vampires were. He and Dragos were the same in that they seemed to like to watch before reacting to anything or anyone. Micea also seemed to be the most patient vampire I'd ever known. He was so calm that many could make the mistake that he was not very knowledgeable in the counts plans but I knew better. Micea had learned long ago not to assume many things when it came to my master. I wondered about him sometimes; wondered how powerful he truly was. I never questioned his loyalty to my master though. He Crina and Dragos were extremely loyal to the count.

"I will be leaving in a few moments," Dracula said. "The time has come for me to collect our belongings."

"Does she know you are coming?" I asked.

"I have told neither of them," The count replied. "I thought it best to surprise them." He gestured to Micea and said "Micea will see to things in my absence. I trust you will be at his disposal?"

"You need only give an order," I told the blonde man. Micea gave a small nod but that was all.

"Sedrick will be going with me," he told Micea. "Keep an eye on Rasputin. He knows something is up."

"I will keep order," the blonde vampire assured him.

"I know you will. I have every faith in you." He glanced my way and said, "Rasputin is not happy you didn't bow down to him. Try to avoid him. I expect we will have Badia's location soon bringing us another slayer to the dungeon. Rasputin will be sent to collect her."

"Parker?" I asked

"No but I would expect he has probably found his way back to Danielle's son," Dracula stated.

"We'll soon have Memphis as well," I told him.

"Memphis is another matter," He told me.

"He…"

"I am aware of his part Brock. Do keep in mind he has also protected Fox and Katie in my absence. Even knowing she was my daughter he's put his life on the line several times to protect her," the count reminded me. "Memphis and I will make…" hearing footsteps he stopped.

"Excuse me," Hope said entering the room. "Sedrick said to tell you the plane is on standby and he shall wait for you out front."

"Thank you Hope." The blonde woman nodded and turned to leave. "Are you ready to leave?" I watched as the blonde woman turned to face him. "Reth is expecting you."

"Reth will be here soon and…"

"Memphis and I will be meeting." Hope went completely still. I watched as her eyes went to the ground. "Still care to doubt you love the slayer?"

"I think it best if I stay here."

"Yes well the decision is not yours. Change and meet us downstairs," he ordered. Hope looked suddenly sad and turned to leave the room. "I never said I would kill him wolf." She turned and looked at him and there was no mistaking the look of hope in her eyes. "The slayer will determine much of the outcome. Go." Hope nodded and left the room.

"I knew it!" I said almost angrily. I had tried to persuade the blonde woman into a night of passion more than once but she'd consistently turned me down. Never giving a reason though I had suspected her heart belonged to someone. I glanced at the count to see him unfazed by my outburst.

"You knew," I said less than pleased.

"Yes as I knew it was Memphis," He openly admitted. "Reth told me when he sent Hope here. Though, until recently even he was not aware that Memphis leaving Hope was to protect her."

"Protect her?" Micea asked.

"It seems the slayers were launching a massive campaign against shifters and he left to keep his fellow slayers from finding her," Dracula informed us. "It works to our advantage really."

"How?" I asked wondering what else the count knew that we didn't.

"I can use Hope and their son as leverage over him." My eyes went wide at his words. The count let out an amused chuckle before saying. "Yes Hope and Memphis have a son. I'm going to make him choose a side. Now if you'll excuse me I have a lady and a daughter to collect." Turning he left the room. I didn't know what he had in store but something told me he might have chosen a direction different from any of his others. There was no telling what the count had in store for all of us now.

Dragos' point of view

It was late into the night before we arrived at Reth's Pack house. Crina and I stood on the side of the mountain looking down at the house below. We could see a small light within the house but nothing more. It was silent but a light wind blew causing a faint rustle on the shrubs down closer to house; a sound no mere mortal could here.

There was not a single wolf we could see but we knew they were there. We sensed them. We could have announced our arrival but instead we waited. The pack was responsible for the safety of the count's daughter and we wanted to see how long it would take them to become alerted to our presence.

"I'm rather disappointed," Crina commented.

"You aren't the only one."

I think Crina and I both nearly jumped hearing a sudden voice behind us. We both turned to find a woman was behind us with a crossbow poised to take us out. It was so dark at first even I did not realize who had caught us so to speak. The sudden scent however revealed the presence of a Dhampir.

I couldn't help but be silently pleased. It had been centuries since anyone had been able to sneak up on me or Crina. I couldn't stop an approving half smile from crossing my face. "It seems we are not alone."

"Who are you?" She demanded not wavering from her deadly aim.

"I assure..."

"One more move and I will relieve you of your need to speak!" She warned me.

"Our apologies Fox," Crina told the concerned girl.

"Who are you?" She asked again clearly caught off guard by our using of her nickname. "Only…"

"Friends and family call you Fox," Crina said.

"The nickname your father gave you," I added. I looked at the t-shirt she wore and couldn't escape a sigh from coming forth. The girl was wearing a rock band shirt.

I was surprised to suddenly hear the teenager laugh. "You're Dragos aren't you?" Without waiting for an answer she looked over at the woman next me. "I take it your Crina?"

"Yes," Crina admitted.

"Sneaking around out here is not the best idea. My mother, Memphis, or I either one could have killed you," The red haired girl said lowering her crossbow. "What are you doing out here? Did my father send you to check up on me or something?"

"We are here to look in on you but are here for a little more than that," Crina told her.

"As for not announcing our arrival we wanted to…."

"What the hell are you doing out here?" We all turned to see a less than pleased wolf.

"It's okay Tyler. It's Dragos and Crina," the count's daughter said unconcerned.

"No it's not. What the hell are you thinking sneaking out of the house?" The dark wolf snarled at her.

"But…"

"I don't give a damn who they are you don't leave the house when there could be danger and you sure as hell let me know if you sense something first! It's my job to keep you safe!"

"You may want to remember to whom you are speaking to wolf," I told him calmly. The wolf might be her protector but she was the count's daughter.

"It's okay," Angel said. "Tyler's right. I should've told someone but…I wanted to prove I could handle things on my own. You, mom and Memphis are always so protective of me."

"Yes well you better get back in the house because it's only a matter of time before your mother senses something is up," the wolf warned.

"Alright," she conceded. "Will you still be here in the morning or…"

"We will meet again soon," I told her. The girl nodded and started to leave. "Fox," I called. She stopped and turned to look at me. "Your mother does not need to know of our presence at this time."

"Why?" she asked.

"We do not wish to needlessly alarm your mother," Crina told her.

"Why would…" I watched as a smile crept across her face. "My father's coming isn't he?" she said with only a mere attempt at hiding her excitement. "Wait I thought he was coming at Christmas time."

"Your mother thought he meant Christmas. The most powerful night of the year for Immortals is Halloween," Tyler informed her.

"Boy is she in for a surprise," Angel said not hiding her amusement. "Lips are sealed," she and sauntered away.

"Do you want me to get Reth?" Tyler asked.

"No. He is to meet us downtown at the Venetian tomorrow night. We will be in the penthouse," I told him. The wolf nodded and giving a respectful nod of the head he walked away.

"The girl will be easily underestimated," Crina commented.

"As we did," I agreed. Crina gave a bare shrug and we walked away. Should Katie awaken we would not want her to see us.