Disclaimers: Please see Part One
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Boston Is Burning

Part 45 Gathering forces

The reporters were all restless and eager to hear news. They had all heard about the bodies that were showing up in various parts of Boston. It was disturbing but it was news. It seemed that once more Boston had a serial killer and the reporters of the commonwealth wanted to get information out to the public. They waited as the Chief of the Homicide department called the new conference to attention.

Sean Cavanaugh absolutely hated the press. He however knew that they would need all the help they could get and sadly that meant trying to get the fifth estate behind them. He straightened his tie and headed to the podium wishing that his star detective and M.E. were present to handle this. However he knew they were busy making contact and chasing down leads so this rotten assignment fell to him. He was going to keep it brief and move on. Twenty minutes later he plopped down in his office chair and loosened his tie. It could have gone better and it could have gone worse. Of course he had spent half the press conference misdirecting the press so they would not learn of the high level super natural conference going on there was no way that information could leak. It could cause a massive panic. He crossed himself and said a few Hail Mary's just to remind himself that the world was in a higher powers hands cases like this tended to test even his rigid and deep faith but he still had to believe in a higher power or he would have gone insane when he lost his first family. With that last Hail Mary and a quick prayer he headed to face the press.

Twenty minutes later he knew he never wanted to be in the big chair of the Police Commissioner. His own place was hot enough. He used evasion and truth to warn the public and to ask for help. He did not however mention even a tiny bit about the real supernatural world. Instead he hedge his words. Using
'Alleged Witches" and "New Age" feeling dirty as he tried to shield ladies who had never done a damned thing evil from being labeled as "Devil Worshipers." Sean now knew full well the dead were either slayer or witches from the coven or even in the latest case individual worshipers and none touched the dark arts nor were they even suspected of doing so, he hated he had to label their beliefs as an alternate religion when he had seen how real and powerful it was. He felt he cheapened his own faith by demeaning theirs but it was necessary to protect the rest of the Coven from others who might think a modern day witch hunt was a good or just idea. He got the facts about the murders out and stressed that the profile they had was of a disturbed individual or group who seemed to think they were "Chosen" to cleanse the Boston area of witches. Never did he even hint of the ritual because they did not want any other bright spark getting the idea of using innocents to gain power. As he spoke he dearly hoped his team was finding answers. Of course the press wanted to speak to Rizzoli and Isles or even Korsak but he could legitimately say they were chasing down leads. Not that Dr. Isles was supposed to be in the field acting like a cop but she did often go along to help gather evidence so he hoped that the press assumed that was the case and not that she was helping hunt down killers or making alliances with the leaders of Boston's true underworld. If that got out then her being Paddy Dolye's daughter would be the least of their issues. May the gods help the all.

Frankie watched the scene unfold. He moved to be closer to Jane and ironically Buffy. Not that the Queen of the Slayers needed his protection but…he was showing he backed them too. Ok maybe he lacked the past connections to Drac and company and maybe he was just a beat cop but….every bit of authority had to help right.

Dracula watched the young officer impressed. Not many would dare challenge him nor his son. He had to admit the boy had courage. He also seemed to be humming with power. It was something to look into as his blood smelled different than a normal humans, it smelled of sunlight and power and looking at him hurt his eyes. The last time he had smelled such power he had been in the presence of a demi god when he was newly turned. That had not been one of his finer days. He recalled nearly dying because he had been young and stupid. However it had taught him to be careful though he had become a bit more reckless in recent years. Perhaps this youngling would be the mate the slayer queen needed? He could admit liking Buffy Summers and perhaps even having thought briefly of courting her and turning her into his bride or at the time into a bride. However he would never now trade his beloved Harmony for her. That did not mean he did not want the best for her. If he was totally honest one of the reasons he had messed with both her watcher and her ally was to make them wake up and value her. Sadly it had not worked as he wished. However this new male had potential. He was also a good cop if his son was to be believed and a good man something all too rare a man who be a good ally if he could convince him of his good intentions.

Frankie watched Dracula with wary eyes. He was not certain he liked the speculating look the vampire gave him. He snorted at that thought. How had his life become so insane that a vampire of legend was assessing him a mere beat cop? He shifted his weight ready to fight if need be. He watched as Dracula eyes fell on Buffy and seemed so soften. He stiffened suddenly feeling angry and jealous. Not that he had any right to the later feeling and he put the first one on as a worried cop. He glared at the vampire who had once ended the Ottoman armies. Dracula smiled he had last seen a look like that on his former brothers face. The once general in the Ottoman Armies Mehmed II was equally wary of him. Then again his kin did know he could be a sadistic bastard when pushed. Of course Dracula knew he was a being forged by the fires of hell itself. He regretted not one bit of his darkness as it had saved his homeland. He had become a vampire to save his people and he never second guessed that choice. If he had it to do over again he was rather certain he would choose the same unless of course a more useful option happened. However he had become a vampire to save his people. The truth was he was far less blood thirsty as a vampire then he had been as a human not that most people would know or understand that fact. It was one of the things he had liked about his current wife she had asked him about his life and not judged him. She had merely sat there thinking and said. "So even with a soul you did dark things, but they were done to protect your nation and people?"

He had said yes to that.

"Did you kill innocents?"

"I did not at least not intentionally I tried to be a fair and just ruler, those I executed were to the best of my knowledge dangerous to the people in my charge or they were traitors to our people. I may have hurt some innocents there was so much killing back then. However those I executed were guilty of crimes against myself or others. Yes I chose a violent and dark way to end them but it was at the time a legal and accepted way to execute people. The fact that impaling frightened those that would invade my lands was merely a bonus. I admit that perhaps I took joy in causing those who caused me agony to suffer. I don't think I was all together sane at times."

"Well people have done worse for less honorable reasons and you own your sins if they be that at all. You had to protect people. I saw Buffy and Faith once hang a faral demon by his guts for killing children. He was left out across from Willies. It was sickening but the demons community then knew hunting children was not allowed. I suppose it was a warning and so your impaling was the same I think….humans are often slower then demons on getting the point."

Her insightful had eased his heart of his worries he was a monster but….he was a monster that protected what was his.

Frankie moved to Vlad's side and said softly. "You have a bride."

"I seek no other. I merely want what is best for Buffy. She is a queen and should be courted as such."

Frankie glared at him. "Well Prince or not she deserves better."

"And you are that?" Dracula said with a grin.

Fortunately for both men the slayer queen in question was talking to Harmony catching up as the tension had broken and it seemed like perhaps they might now become friends. Having survived Sunnydale did tend to forge a bond even if all concerned were not human anymore. Even Willow seemed to be willing to give the blonde vampire a chance.

"I at least have a pulse and am human." Frankie said giving the vampire a glare. He was not backing down immortal or not the vampire had a wife and that should be enough. Hell even Frankie had to admit Harmony was pretty.

"A pulse yes human not so much. I wonder young man if you have any real idea what you are?" Dracula said with a grin. "Oh don't worry you won't be on the menu even for a sip. I like being in one piece you know."

Frankie gave him a hard look.

"Oh I look forward to you learning what you really are boy. But suffice it to say eating holy blood is not good for vampires. Even donated blood can have rather unpredictable effects though maybe…" He looked at his son speculatively then at the slayers and Frankie and Willow. "Maybe it could be done safely…if…..I well have to think on it a bit."

Frankie looked at him curious as he watched the vampire prince look around the room then his gaze landed on Calin and Luc. What was the vampire thinking and how had he shifted the tone of the conversation so quickly what had he thought of?

Travers and Post looked at their gathered companions. Neither man would consider those here as true watchers but one dealt with what resources on had on hand. It was going to be a struggle to work with this group as clearly they were all very independent types. However each one was a killer and skilled at their trade something both men appreciated. Now they simply had to simply set them loose to create havoc after a plan was hammered out of course.

TBC…..