Author's Note: I'd like to thank my beta readers, Northwoman and Ms. Peppermint for their beautiful and amazing corrections.

The Gedaechtniskirche (Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church) is not in its original shape anymore. What you can see in Berlin is just a little part of it. I try to describe its original shape in this story (and helped by Ms. P) the best I can. Because I can only see it from photos and memories of some older generation, who are fortunate enough to witness its beauty.

Chapter 4

The First Encounter

They changed the cars with a blue Mercedes before they entered the main road. Schulz and the driver of the blue Mercedes took the Gestapo cars; Mueller took the blue Mercedes. Edvard didn't want people seeing them riding a Gestapo car, he said. And Sookie couldn't agree more. Sam and Debbie looked more relaxed as they continued the journey.

Everywhere, long red swastika centered flags flew in the wind, as if they wanted to welcome the trio. In the vehicle's mirrors, their red reflections were like snakes' tongues, ready to strike at any moment, whilst their white and black reflections were like the eyes of a beast in a deep dark cave, lurking, waiting patiently to grab someone, then drag them to their chamber and feast on their bones.

Sookie tightened her coat, trying to fight a sudden feeling of claustrophobia. Did every part of the city look like this? How long would she be able to stand this uncomfortable feeling?

"Ignore them, Sook," Sam whispered in her ear. "Close your eyes and try not to pay attention to them."

"Them what?" asked Debbie.

Sam pointed to the flags with his head.

"Oh, that," she stretched her legs, like a dog stretching its legs."They're only flags, Sook. Nothing but meaningless three colored pieces of fabric."

Sookie looked at her and knew, no matter what she said, Debbie was uneasy too. It wasn't just a meaningless piece of fabric, it was a representation of evil, and both of them knew it Ignoring that or trying to minimize the meaning didn't change the fact that the symbol had reached its goal, spreading terror and making them feel small.

The Mercedes proceeded down a long road sided by many old and beautiful buildings (Sookie couldn't take her eyes off the red brick churches they had passed by), and entered a street which Edvard called Kurfürstendamn.

The street was divided into three lanes. Two lanes were for cars and one lane was for streetcars. Different from Louisiana streetcars, which had bright red colors and yellow stripes, Berlin streetcars were yellow. And different from home, people drove on the right lane.

"I'd love to get to know this city," Sookie heard Debbie saying. "It looks like it's an exciting place to be."

"It is, Miss Pelt," said Edvard. "If you want to get to know important people in the cultural scene, this is place to be. Writers, poets, students, politicians, they all come here to share their thoughts or to drink a beer or two."

"You still have all of those? Poets and writers and such?" asked Sam.

"Of course, we do, Mr. Merlotte," Mueller, answered from the driver's seat. "We are not barbarians, we understand the worth of art and culture."

"Sure, you aren't," said Sam, rolling his eyes. "As long as they serve your needs, you keep them. But if you think they threaten your power, I bet they're off the streets pretty darn quick."

Mueller's eyes narrowed. In his head, he said, Had Herr Kragh not specifically told me I am not allowed to touch his guests, my bullet would already have landed inside his thick skull. However, he smiled and said, "You are welcome to attend one of the Silver Legion of America's meetings, here in Berlin, to prove me wrong, Mr. Merlotte. I think they will have a meeting next month, of course, if you're still here."

"Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Mueller, but I'll take a rain check."

"Pity," said Mueller. His eyes were still narrowed. "I thought you'd like to meet some American people who understand the situation better and refuse to believe the propaganda and lies the allies have created about der Führer and his leadership."

Sam lurched towards Mueller, but Debbie's hand, covered now in thick red fur, gripped his leg with supernatural strength. She held him in place as he fumed in silence. Her eyes changed to orange, only for a second but it was enough to make Sookie's skin crawl. "I would like to know those American people," she smiled.

"Maybe someday you should come to Asheville, North Carolina," said Mueller. "You can talk to the members of Silver Legion over there and hear for yourself what they think about our Führer."

"I'll do that," her smile was still on, but her eyes was getting orange again. "I'll go there and pay my respects to its leader. You can count on it."

Mueller glared but luckily, a curt nod was his only reply.

The rest of the journey was spoiled. Sookie looked out the window and watched the buildings outside without any energy anymore. She usually would have been able to enjoy seeing a new place, but not now.

Suddenly, as the car turned a circle, something appeared that made her jaw drop. Through the softly falling snow, she saw a building with a large tower at it's center and four smaller towers at each corner. The towers had crown like fascia and their spires seemed to almost touch the sky. There were two half round entrances and a huge round window on one of its walls.

"What is that?" she asked Edvard. "Is that a palace?"

"No, Miss Sookie," said Edvard. "That building is a church - Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church."

Debbie opened the window and popped her head out. "That's a church? What a waste!" Suddenly she pulled back into the car and focused on Sookie. In her head she said, Look at the building across from the church, Sook, beside the Boutique.

Sookie followed Debbie's mental command. Beside the Boutique, whose atelier displayed the newest (according to Talbot) mode from Paris, a dark red evening gown with lace at the collar and arms, was a Cafe. The phrase, Der Weiße Lupus or The White Wolf was written above its door.

They looked at each other.

We have to go there if we get the chance, said Debbie in her head. Day or night.

No, that would be too easy, Sookie thought. And nobody would be stupid enough to actually name a Cafe something that would reveal its connection to werewolves!

"Now if you want to go to a Cafe, my ladies, that's a good one," said Edvard, as if he knew what they were thinking.

Debbie looked at him. "Really?"

"Many officers go to The White Wolf. The food is good and the music is wonderful. Rumor has it, der Führer himself gives his blessing to that place. So it's a good place to have a fun night, and we don't have to worry about the security." Edvard's gaze appraised the cafe again. "It's been a while since I've visited, but nothing seems to have changed much."

"In that case," said Debbie. "I'd like to go there, Edvard. It would be lovely if you can accompany us."

Edvard touched his hat. "I'd be honored, Miss Pelt."

Debbie smiled. Her eyes flickered orange.

xxxxx

"Welcome to Kragh's Residence," Edvard said and gestured with an open arm. He then bowed slightly as the ladies stepped from the car. "At Thusnelda Allee, the shortest allee in Berlin."

"This is not an alley," said Sam. "It's more like an avenue, but short."

"Not alley, Sam. Allee - a-l-l-e-e," said Debbie.

"How do you know? You don't speak German," said Sam.

Debbie smirked. "But I can read," she pointed at the street name, which was written Thusnelda-Allee.

Sookie looked up to see the building in front of her. An ivory, five story building, with an oriel at each corner. Centered on the buildings facade was a huge arched brown door, which was guarded by two round pillars. Right above the door were two statues, which faced to the left and to the right. And on each floor, in line with the door below, was a balcony. The railings that surrounded the balconies were wrought iron and featured a kind of ornate fleur de lis pattern. The windows were square, except the ones under the roof which echoed the curve of the front door. The roof itself was a jewel! Its shape was elliptical and had a small tower on it. Its color was cyan blue. As Sookie viewed the first floor, she realized that it had a souterrain or a half basement. She wondered if that souterrain was where Kragh slept during the day.

Kragh's residence was the only building at this side of Thusnelda Allee. No wonder Edvard said it was the shortest avenue in Berlin. Its length was no more than 55 yards! On the other side of the allee was a red brick church. It had a different architectural style from Kragh's residence, but shared it's breathtaking beauty. Sookie promised herself she would visit the church before she left Berlin and light a candle for Gran.

The door was open. A woman in her twenties greeted them. "Edvard! You didn't tell me you would arrive today!" she said in German.

"Octavia, " Edvard touched his hat. "These are Herr Kragh's guests from America," he went to her and said in a low voice, almost a whisper. "King Russell's friends."

Octavia looked at her and then at Sam and Debbie. In her head she said, a were, a shifter and...what is she? Then, suddenly she shot a look. A look that made Sookie's heart miss a beat. Octavia knew!

That was look of recognition! Did this woman know she could listen in on her thoughts?

A witch.

Sookie heard Sam murmur in his head. Sookie was about to turn around when she realized it wasn't a wise move. She had to pretend she didn't hear a thing.

"Welcome to Berlin," Octavia said, smiling.

The three of them smiled back.

"Octavia, please take our guests to the guest chambers. And prepare Herr Kragh's chamber as well. He's coming tonight."

"Yes, Edvard."

As they entered the building, Sookie walked closely behind Sam. A witch, Kragh had a witch of his own and King Russell didn't mention it. It was an important thing and he had failed to mention it. What else had he failed to warn her about?

Sam took her hand and said in his head, Stay close to me, Sookie. You'll be safe.

Yes, she'd do that. She'd stay close to Sam, no matter what happened.

xxxxx

The snow had stopped falling around an hour ago. However, the ground wasn't cold enough for it to stick. The streets were wet with snow melt and the wind carried chilled air. The leaves which were now only dry brown remnants looked harsh and lifeless. The lamps had been lit long before the sunset and for a good reason, since whether the sun was in the sky or not, the city was gray and dark. More lights in this gloom wouldn't hurt anybody.

Sookie's small hands gripped the cold iron of her balcony railing. This Thusnelda allee was a peaceful place. They were only a few yards away from the first of many shops on the adjacent Turmstraße, and yet, she didn't hear the sound of cars. She saw people walking down the street – some where in a hurry and some moved more slowly, seemed to enjoy the evening and a leisurely walk in the cold. She could heard their voices whispering, she even heard some laughter somewhere, and yet she didn't feel disturbed or annoyed.

What an ironic feeling! She thought she would feel lost in a miasma of hatred in the center of hell and yet, here she was, standing on a balcony by herself, admiring the scenery. Berlin must possess some special quality; something that made her feel at home.

She sighed. Home. She shouldn't feel that way. She had to stay vigilant, alert. She didn't come here to have a picnic or holiday; she came here to rescue somebody!

"Sookie! We're going in fifteen minutes!" Debbie popped up her head. "Are you coming?"

Debbie and Edvard were going to the cafe – The White Wolf cafe. They'd asked before if she wanted to join them, but she couldn't make up her mind. Yes, she wanted to go there, to glean whatever information she could find, and the sooner the better, but she still wasn't sure if it's a good idea. Mr. Herveaux had told her Alcide's friends in Berlin would be in touch, but he couldn't tell her who her contact would be. He only asked that she be sure to wear his ring. The family ring, he said. From a distance, it looked plain, but if you paid close attention, one would see that it had a shape of a wolf.

She looked at her hand. She had two rings now. One was King Russell's, which she worn on her ring finger, and on her index finger, Mr. Herveaux's. And she also wore Gran's cross, which she hid it under her blouse. She'd never worn so much jewelery, and she didn't particularly enjoy it, but she had a feeling; she must wear all three pieces. She couldn't explain why, but it was a strong feeling and she'd decided not to question it.

"Sookie? Are you all right?"

"I am fine, Deb. Thank you," she said. "I am coming...," she was about to turn around when suddenly, she saw something standing beside the church's tower. She rubbed her eyes to make sure that she wasn't seeing things. Jesus! She took several steps back. There was something! A man! He was standing...no, floating beside the tower! In the dim light from the church she could clearly see his long jacket whipping in the wind and the empty air under his feet.

Then, a window in the tower opened. As if it wanted to accompany the dreadful feeling that suddenly overwhelmed her, its desperately oil needing hinges made a creaking sound, chasing away the peacefulness that had lingered for a while.

He doesn't listen. Sookie heard a man's thought. He'll put everything and everybody on danger!

And suddenly,

Woman, go inside!

It was loud, as if the man was screaming. However, Debbie didn't seem to hear it, because she said, "Not too long, okay?"

Please, go inside, before he can see you!

Too late.

The floating figure turned towards her.

Panicking, Sookie ran inside and closed the door. In a headlong rush, she snatched up her coat, opened the door and ran downstairs to catch Debbie.

Whoever it was, whatever it was, she didn't want to know because dear Lord, even floating by a church, he really didn't seem like an angel...

xxxx