"I just wanted you to know that Buffy and I are hunting a maybe vampire that's a producer in Hollywood." Cordelia told Xander when he called a little later. "A neck trauma victim was found a couple of blocks from his latest party and she was dressed for a party. Dad knows too since he managed to get us an invite to the next party."

"I know it's not necessary, but I'll say it anyway, be careful." Xander replied. "Hollywood producer fall in the poachers category anyway."

"We will. We obviously can't sneak any weapons, like a sword or stake in with us, but we've both got built in weapons. I'm mostly Buffy's backup anyway. She's the one who's strong and has a bone that grows out of her head that she can stake a vamp with. Not that she's had a chance to use it yet. What about you?"

"Oz's in his second year here and still playing with his band, Dingos Ate My Baby. He was playing a gig last night and was walking back to his place when he spotted what he thinks is a vampire on campus."

"His gig was on campus? Classes don't start for a week."

"The campus bar is open year round because of summer classes, their gig was there. He isn't sure though, he was too far away to smell any blood, he's going off of how the guy was dressed. Jesse and I'll run a patrol around campus the next few night. Tika's going to keep Joyce company since she's missing Buffy and feeling the urge to hunt and add in Faith and Uncle Rory hunting in town and we should be okay. Except I miss you."

"I miss you too, but you'll be here this weekend. Maybe I'll cook for you, Lupe's going to come down and teach me and maybe Buffy a few things."

"Good luck to both of you. Jesse and I have an advantage, his mom made sure he could cook and I can nuke with the best of them."

"How are you guys doing rooming together? No urge to kill each other yet?"

"It's only been a couple of days and once school starts we won't see each other all that much since we have no classes together and he's planning to study at Amy's."

"Studying, right. Is that what they're calling it now?" Cordelia asked sarcastically.

"We call it arguing." Xander shot back. "Everyone has their own word for it."

"We're also trying to decide if a story in the news is anything to worry about."

"Another maybe vampire?"

"No, it has nothing to do with a vampire. Six dead people, six different hotels. No sign of injuries on any of them, nothing stolen, no drugs or poison or anything like that found in the bodies. Just two weird things, each room stank and a guy temporarily living at one of the hotels reported nightmares the night the other guest died. Could just be a slow news day, but six dead people at six different hotels in one city seems excessive."

"It does." Xander agreed. "But without more to go on, I can't begin to guess what it might be. Let me know if anything else gets reported."

"I will. I've got to go. Stay safe."

"You too and good luck with the maybe vampire."

The next night Cordelia drove herself and Buffy over to Russel Winters' party. His house was large and lavish and both of them noticed a few things.

"I've heard people talking." Cordelia told Buffy. "And talked to a few people. They're all wanna bes and hanger ons. No one here has an actual job on a show or movie. Mr. Winters has a reputation for helping put people in contact with the right people to help them get jobs. But it's all second and third hand rumors. No one actually knows anyone he's helped. But he does have connections because Dad's friend was able to get us an invitation. It's weird and it's not adding up. If he's got the connections and claims to help, why isn't he actually doing it? Unless it's all a front for something else."

"I've noticed something too." Buffy told her. "There really aren't any mirrors here, anywhere, even the bathrooms and thick curtains across every single window. He's really got the setting to 'hey, I'm a vampire!' down pat."

"I also haven't seen him at all." Cordelia said. "It's his house and he's hosting the party, but he hasn't shown his face at all. His face was very prominently displayed in the article, you'd think he'd want to milk that, but apparently he's gone into hiding."

"He could be in any one of the other rooms in the house. I think we need to ease out of this room and try searching the house. How far can your super sniffer work?"

"Depending on how strong the scent is, several hundred feet. But I can't smell anything but sweaty people in this room, so getting out of this room will help me see if there's anything to find."

Unfortunately they didn't get that far before a large man approached them. "The party's back that way, ladies." He told them.

"We were just looking for a quiet area." Cordelia told him. "My friend isn't feeling very good."

"If you would just come with me, I can show you to a place you can rest for a moment, unless you decide you've had enough of the party."

"Oh, but we were hoping to meet Mr. Winters." Cordelia protested. "I heard he helps people make the right connections. I could use a little help with that." The guard raised his hand to his ear and the girls noticed what must be a radio of some sort in his ear.

"Mr. Winters is willing to talk to you." The man informed them and began to lead them through the house.

"Stay alert." Buffy murmured softly and than Cordelia smelled it. Blood and fairly recent.