It took all of my self-control not to kill her instantly, when it came to fighting I didn't have morals, but this wasn't a fight this was malice, I'd seen slayers like this before, so full of misdirected hatred, viciousness and disgust that they were beyond help.

I'd never let even one live yet. This will be no exception. But then there is Elliot to consider, he'd understood last time, but Vicky was his 2nd in command, it was possible that if I killed her the Lancers would crumble. And if I didn't then I would have to break the few morals I still had.

"I might have known." The contempt in her voice was unbelievable, and bitter enough to make lemons seem sweet.

"Known what?" I was genuinely curious.

"That you were a vamp sympathizer"

"I don't do sympathy." I didn't even have to work on the tone of my voice this time, it was cold hard and uncompromising.

"Then why stick up for this scum."

"Because I don't do sympathy" I let her consider this answer for a minute before pulling back and resheathing my daisho. Her first move was to try and punch me in the jaw while at the same time kick me in the balls.

I caught the fist but let the kick connect. I find it's generally a good party trick, however even in my adrenaline fueled combat state of mind I felt the pain, acutely, I just stood there, I'd have time to scream and swear later.

"But they're monsters!"

"Yes they are."

"Then why -"

"But so are we" I interrupted, "can you even remember how many you've killed? What makes you any better than them?"

"But they're not human!"

"I said what makes you better than them, not what makes them better than you."

"But they drink blood!"

"And we eat meat, and plants, all involve killing, as I said do you know how many you've killed?"

"No" Her answer was quiet and subdued, I may have actually gotten through to her.

"Now let's ask her." I turned to face the lamia. "Stand up." She got unsteadily to her feet.

"Answer honestly, do you know how many humans you've killed?"

"No." I heard fear in her voice, despite six years in the job it still hit me like a punch in the guts. I knew they were supposed to fear me, I'd spent years building up such a persona but I still didn't like seeing it manifest.

"I know how many I've killed, 10,536 if you include todays work. Now as long as you don't try anything it won't be 37. Understand?"

I got a worried nod in exchange for my speech. I sighed.

"Look if I can't torture info out of it at least kill it."

"Why must we kill it?"

"Because it's seen us."

"Exactly, but we've got masks on."

"But-"

"This is how I became infamous, I advertised. Miss Lamia here will be going back to the rest of the Night World with a message and instructions."

"Advertise? j- ju- just who are you exactly?"

"I think you know me as The Shadow."

Vicky looks at me quizzically, "Out of all the identities out there why the shadow?"

"Because they haven't caught me yet but I'm always right next to them."

"lol" Did I seriously hear someone actually say lol?

"Ok, so now everything's fine Vicky please wait in the truck while I give instructions to our immortal friend here."


Author's Note: Bit of mystery and suspense here lol, what do you think, plz R&R. Also are there any requests for a character.

I will be selecting the first five to submit a name to become characters later on.