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

Thanks to my story consultant, Lena!

Chapter 14

Henry could not believe his eyes when the woman drew closer. Andrea. It can't be.

The dark haired woman approached the hitman. "Thanks for finally ending this. The money was wired to your account in the Caymans as agreed."

"It's been nice doing business with you."

"I wish I could say the same but I haven't relished being involved in something like this." She turned around and began walking to her car.

The hired killer reached into his jacket, took hold of a firearm and pointed it at Andrea. The vampire quickly disarmed him.

Hearing the commotion behind her, the woman turned around. Henry Fitzroy was suddenly in her path. His black orbs stared at her. His voice sounded odd as he spoke. "Both of you stay where you are."

"I thought you were dead, Andrea. How is this possible?"

"I'm Aurora. Andrea was my twin sister."

"Why did you go to such great lengths to kill me when you and I have never met?"

"I promised Andrea on her death bed that I would protect Maya from you."

"I would never have harmed Maya or her mother." He could barely contain the pain that accusation stirred within him.

Henry still regretted the night he had revealed his vampiric nature to Maya's mother. He had been so certain that she would accept him because they loved each other but he had been wrong. Instead she had rejected him. Labeled him a demon. Forbade him from seeing her or Maya. She had taken away his only chance of having a family.

The vampire's mind quickly returned to the matter at hand. Even though Aurora's actions were misguided, Henry could understand them. She was just honoring her sister's dying wish. He could never have imagined this would be the fallout from that night. His obvious choice would be to kill her but being a vampire gave him a second option.

"Bring Andrea's journal to me. Once you perform that task, you will forget all about me. You will go on with your life."

Aurora continued to her car and drove off.

Henry returned his attention to the hired killer. "You will forget she ever hired you. You will forget all about me. You will go to the Metropolitan Police station and ask for Detective Celluci. Once in his presence, you will confess every murder you have ever committed. Now on your way."

The man slid into the driver's seat and pulled out of the parking lot.