A loud "DAMN!" rang out followed by a resounding thump of a leather boot hitting the wall.  A furry streak ran across the room and dove under the bed.  "Oh, I'm sorry, Toby!  I didn't know you were over there."  Eliza got down on her hands and knees and peered under the bed.  Calling softly and making soothing sounds she coaxed him out from under the bed.  "Bet a can of food would sooth your shattered nerves, wouldn't it?"  He purred and kneaded her shoulder.  She had the feeling that he was one step ahead of her most of the time, but she really didn't mind.  He was a good companion and a lot of company.  Opening the can of food, she grinned as he did his cat dance.  "Wish I could get that excited about something," she muttered emptying the can of smelly goop into his bowl.

It really seemed like a long time since she'd been out of the apartment. She sighed.  How many nights can you party?  Vicki was on the street and in the bars, but she wasn't partying.  She was hustling and trying to make a living.  She never got ahead.  Eliza learned that you do not loan a user money.  Vicki was sweet and she could be fun to be around but that woman could spend the money.  Eliza had doubled with her a few time, to help out of course, and that was good money.  Within the week, she'd be broke again and wanting to borrow money for rent, food, or a little something to take the "edge" off.  That had gotten old too quick.  Eliza had found herself avoiding Vicki and she felt bad about it, but she didn't know what else to do.

She sat on the bed and sighed.  Jesse was fun and she really liked him but he worked and she almost never got to see him lately.  She wanted more than long days in bed, especially when he was only sleeping!  Except for Codrin, most of the clan were young and had to work.  She'd finally figured out that he owned the restaurant and it was a great  front for what ever he wanted to do.

If you were smart and saved, a very long life means that, sooner or later, you have enough money to live on.  Eliza was smart, and even though she was young, she'd discovered that she was sitting on a gold mine and used that knowledge wisely and to her advantage when she needed it.  She hadn't held a regular job since she'd been let go from the library, and money was not a problem for her.  Her problem was crushing boredom.  She needed something to focus on.

She opened the drawer and took out a bottle of brandy and took a long swallow.  She sighed and lay down on the bed. The felt the warm tingle of the alcohol coursing through her body and she sighed.  She ran her hand on the inside of her thigh and slowly worked her way up.  A smile flickered on her face as she reached the spot that felt so good.

"NO!"  She sat up.  "No!  I am not spending the night this way," she said aloud.  She took another long drink of the brandy.  "I'm getting my ass in gear and I am going to have fun tonight."  She burped and took another drink of brandy.  She stripped off her dirty clothes and just let them drop on the floor.  She giggled to herself.  "You wait," she said to her image in the mirror. "I'll be right back."  She walked back to the bed and had another pull on the brandy bottle.  She held it up to the light and scowled darkly. "Wonder who drank all that?" she grumbled.

She went back to the mirror and poked at her hair.  She picked up her brush and tried to make herself look a little neater.  She seemed to be having a little trouble focusing on her image but she was feeling good.  "I just need to get out a little.  A girl can't sit at home every night," she giggled.  She braced herself on the dresser and tried to find something she wanted to wear.  She help up a short black leather skirt and nodded.  She slid it over her head and nearly fell when she let go of the dresser to slide the skirt on.  She caught herself and giggled.  "Oh," she said.  "I am feeling good!"

She had opened and closed a couple of drawers when she hesitated and raised a dark, plum colored silk blouse.  "Ah ha!"  She slid into the blouse, liking the feel of silk against her bare flesh.  Silk always made her feel sexy, and tonight, she was already feeling that way.  It was the new moon but she hadn't even had a snack for several days.  The combination of boredom, her need, and the alcohol had combined to put her into a mood.  She put on a wide belt and cinched it tight, emphasizing the narrowness of her waist.

Sitting on the bed, she worked on her boots.  She spread her legs, as far as she could with the tight skirt was wearing, and caressed her thigh.  She smiled, revealing her fangs.  "Oh, I am in the mood tonight!  I wonder if anyone will notice I'm not wearing any panties?" she mused.  She stood and stamped her feet to seat the boots comfortably.  "I sure hope so," she snickered.

Eliza shivered as the blast of cold air hit her.  She clutched her cape to her and grinned.  She loved the cold and the cold wind, with the hint of snow, in her face, and she loved the wind in her hair.  "This is living!  This is great."  Her foot steps on the concrete echoed through the night, a counter point to the whistle of the freezing wind.

She walked for some time, no destination in mind, just enjoying the sensation of moving.  A sip, every now and then, on the plum brandy kept her mood light and helped to keep her warm.  As much as she loved the cold, it was beginning to work to her bones and she was beginning to hurt.  She was considering doing her blink trick but that seem like cheating.  A girl has to have standards.  She spotted a light at the end of the next block.  Ok, standards are one thing but you have to be practical too!  A blink and she was standing in front of what appeared to be a commercial establishment.  She could hear low music and laughter so she didn't hesitate.

Opening the door, she was surprised how dim it was inside.  She seemed to be in a vestibule type of arrangement and couldn't see into the main establishment.  The door closed behind her and the warmth was welcome.  She opened her heavy cape to allow the heat to access her chilled body.  A light shiver passed through her and then the warmth of the room seemed to penetrate a little.  A man, in evening dress, came around the corner and approached her.  "Good evening, Miss.  And your member number is?" he asked smiling.

Eliza hesitated, wondering what she'd stumbled into.  She explained that she was just out for a walk, enjoying the night air, and had gotten a bit chilled.  She had seen the light and sought the shelter, hoping to maybe find a drink and some entertainment.  She could still hear low music and the sound of occasional laughter but the entrance arrangement did not allow her to see in.

The man looked at her and raised one eyebrow.  The look on his face indicated that he was suspicious of her "enjoying the night air" story.  It was well below freezing and past midnight so she didn't blame him.  Just because it was true didn't mean it sounded real.  She smiled winningly.  Now, she was really curious.  She shivered, still feeling the chill from outside.  Her unwitting host became instantly solicitous.  Eliza felt a wave of dizziness and realized she was lying down.  A soft blanket covered her and she felt a warm hand on her head.

"Must you minister to every wounded stray you find?" a shrill voice spoke.

"I think it's the right thing to do," a masculine replied.  "What should we do, put her on the street to freeze?"

"Well, if you don't mind, I think I'll go find ways to amuse myself," the feminine voice replied.  Eliza could hear receding footsteps.

The man chuckled and gently smoothed Eliza's hair. " You want to try to sit up now? " Eliza opened one eye and saw a very tanned face smiling at her.  He grinned.  "Yes, I realized you were conscious but it was to both of our benefits for my "date" of the evening to not know that, don't you agree?"

Eliza opened the other eye and gave a weak smile.  With help she sat up, the blanket falling to her lap.  She realized that her cape had been removed.  She shivered again.  "I feel strange," she said, more to herself but aloud.  "This is not like me."   She was in a small room that had a desk, a chair and a small couch in it.  The desk lamp was the only light that illuminated rich paneled walls.  Being attuned to such things, she realized the couch was covered with a very soft leather.  The place screamed, "money!"

The man saw her shiver and took the blanket from her lap and wrapped it around her shoulders.  Eliza glanced down, and as she suspected, her chilled, erect nipples were prominent in the silk blouse.  That explained his smile as he pulled the blanked around her.  Seeing his smile broaden a little, Eliza casually shifted, moving her legs to eliminate the draft she was feeling and his smile.  "And I wondered if anyone would notice," she thought to herself.

He had been on one knee, next to her.  Standing he pulled the chair to where he could face her.  "Despite your abnormally low body temperature, you seem healthy."  He smiled.  "When was the last time you had a decent meal?"

Eliza considered for a moment.  She'd not even had a snack for over a week, the moon was new, a time she seemed her weakest, she been drinking and had gone walking in bitterly cold weather.  She wrinkled her nose and grinned.  "Guess it's been a little while. " She sobered and sighed, staring into his concerned face.  "I've been a little depressed lately.  Oh!  I hope I haven't caused a problem with you and your wife."

He shook his head.  "No, you haven't and she's not even my girl friend.  It's sort of complicated and boring.  But I think we need to get some food into you.  Could you handle that?  Maybe a nice steak?"

Eliza looked a the large vein in his neck and knew what she really like to have.  The thought of her fangs in his warm neck and those wonderful hands on her bare ass sent a delightful shiver through her again.  "Oh, a steak would be wonderful, absolutely wonderful.  Rare, very rare, ok?"  she smiled.

The man smiled at her, stood, opened the door and said, "Richard, a very, very rare steak and two glasses of Chianti, please.  A muffled conversation ensued after which he returned to the chair.

Eliza stuck out her hand.  "I'm Eliza and I'm very glad to have met you.  You may have just saved my life."

He took her hand stood and partially bowed.  "You may call Adam and it has been my pleasure.  We'll get some food and wine into you and you'll be strong enough to leap tall buildings."  He sat, and with a serious expression his face, stared intently at her, not speaking.  Eliza squirmed a little with discomfort.  She wasn't quite sure what she should do.  Finally, after what seemed forever he said, "Have you been feeling well?"  He put his hand on her head again.  "If your body temperature is 95 degrees, I'd be surprised, and you are unnaturally pale.  And tell me about this depression."

Eliza felt like she should be offended.  This was rather personal from a total stranger.  The expression on his face was so concerned, though, that it was difficult to take offense.  If that vein in his neck would just stop throbbing!  She looked up at the ceiling, considering what to say and how to say it.

"Eliza."  She looked at him.  "Talk to me.  You can trust me."  She felt herself getting dizzy and she realized that she was hugging him and sobbing into his neck..... his neck!  He was holding her and patting her on the back and she just couldn't resist.  She took a little taste.  Just a little one and it was so sweet.  A single drop of blood was trickling down his neck.  He laughed.  "You are getting my neck all wet."  Putting her lips over the drop, she licked is off.

"Um, I'm sorry," she muttered, resuming her position on the couch.  A loud knock sounded at the door.

"Come!" Adam called.  A tray, bearing a steak, along with a small folding table was brought into the room.  Richard quickly and professionally prepared the serving for Eliza.  She looked at it and it was wonderful.  It had been warmed through and then seared on the outside.  There were warm pools of blood surrounding and plenty of hard bread to sop the blood and juice.  She concentrated on not allowing her fangs to fully deploy but it was impossible to completely control them.  Considering the voraciousness with which she was eating, she doubted that he would notice.

As she finished the rather large steak, she looked at Adam.  "I think that's twice you've saved my life, tonight," she smiled.

He picked up his glass of red wine and pointed to hers.  "Can we go for three?"

She picked up the glass and held it to the light.  It was a deep, deep red.  The aroma was delightful.  She tasted and it was even better than it looked.  Adam had watched her eat with fascination.  The sensuous expression on her face as she drank totally enthralled him.  "What an alluring creature," he thought.  "I have get to know her better."

Eliza put the glass down and looked at Adam.  She realized that she wanted him.  She wanted all of him. S he wanted his blood in her mouth, she wanted his hand on her body and she wanted to feel him straining with her to ultimate satisfaction.  "Damn, I want him.!"  "Oh," she wondered, "did I say that out loud?"

Waking, Eliza looked around.  “Man that was a very real dream I had,” she thought to herself.  Holding her head in her hands, she thought that vampires weren’t supposed to have hangovers.  “Ohhhh,” she moaned, holding her head.  Spying the brandy bottle, she leaned over to pick it up, sending waves of pain through her head.  Picking it up, she realized it was empty and that there was another lying close by.  “No, no, I couldn’t have finished off two bottles of brandy, now could I,” she wondered.

Thinking back, she wished that the man she’d dreamed about was real.  He was an intriguing man.  That he turned her on was a fact.  Too bad she didn’t know anyone like him in person.  He was only a figment of her rather horny imagination though.  That’s what happens when you combine booze and not getting any.  She laughed at herself, “feeling sorry for myself now, am I?”

Hearing a small noise, she watched as Toby’s ear flattened to his head and then jumped straight back up, pointing forward, as if to catch any little sound.  She knew someone was just outside her front door.  Her excellent hearing told her that.  Not hearing any other sound, but the footsteps moving away, she got off the edge of her bed and moved out of the bedroom.

Looking around, she didn’t see anything out of place. She’d expected that though, her hearing had told her already, that no one had entered her apartment.  Suddenly, she spied a white object on the floor.  Moving toward the door, she picked it up.

The envelope was of rich vellum, buff colored, blank except for her name written in a beautiful, strong, flowing script.  Opening it slowly, she pulled out a single sheet of paper of the same material.  Expensive, rich paper, it was inscribed with the same flowing hand.

The writing wasn’t familiar, she knew she’d never seen it before.  She had no idea who’d sent it or where she was supposed to go.  There were two days until the full moon, so she knew she’d find out soon, who, where and what.

She spent the early part of the night pondering the invitation, if that is what it was. Deciding she would have to wait til the full moon, she thought again about her dream.  “It seemed so real,” she thought.  Maybe I can find out if it was a dream or did really happen.”

With that thought in her mind, she dressed herself all in black leather, grabbed the cape Jesse had given her months ago for their two month anniversary and stepped outside her apartment.  She remembered where, in the city, this place was supposed to be.  She started walking through the cold night, relishing the wind that blew.  With a blink, she was on the block where this establishment was supposed to be.

Looking around, she realized it was very familiar.  The street was almost deserted.  If not for the stray cats prowling, she’d be entirely alone.  Moving along the sidewalk, looking right and left, there on the left, she saw the one building that looked like the one she’d been in last night. Moving to the front of the building, she saw that it was entirely dark and locked tight.  Noticing for the first time a sign over the door.

“Now wait a minute, this wasn’t here last night,” she muttered.  “There hadn’t been a sign, I would have seen it.  Especially a sign like this.  Dunbar & Dunbar, Esq.,” she read.  Sounds like they would be lawyers, she thought.  Well this was an upscale neighborhood.  It seemed to say “Old Money”, very classy but understated..

“Man, I am going to have to lay off the brandy,” she grumbled to herself.  “This time I really did it, seeing things that aren’t there and missing things that were.  I must have been in the part of the city at some other time,” she figured.

Moving off, she looked around and since there was no one about, blinked herself back to the Bristo.  Chuckling, she figured she see if Jerry was working tonight and if so if he’d like some company.

Entering, she knew that Jerry wasn’t playing, at least at the moment.  The music was nowhere as good as his.  Spying Mike, the bartender, she raised an eyebrow and looked at the stage.  Mike, shook his head and shrugged.  Eliza moved toward the bar, and asked him where Jerry was.

Mike replied that he didn’t know, hadn’t heard from Jerry since last night and that he was getting a little concerned.  This wasn’t like Jerry, who was very conscientious about his job.  He loved playing and would show up even when he didn’t have to work.

Eliza thanked him and moved toward the door.  Now she was getting worried.  Turning back, she asked Mike if anyone had tried to get Jerry on the phone.  Mike replied that they had tried several times and that there was no answer til this point and they had given up thinking Jerry must be away.

Again Eliza thanked him, moving toward the door and out into the cold night air.  It was almost two in the morning and she hesitated to awaken Jerry if he was asleep.  She carefully blinked herself to his apartment.  Standing outside, she could see Jerry’s window from the street.  Looking up, staring at his apartment, she saw a faint light.  Quietly climbing the stairs, she listened hard.  Moving to his door, she heard, faintly, sounds from within.  She felt a vague sense of disquiet.  Something was wrong but she didn’t know what.

“Should I knock,” at the same time hearing another noise, she hit the door with her fist.  The door slammed inward and she jumped in as it opened.  The sight that met her eyes made her cringe.

Moving quickly, she approached Jerry.  He was half on and half off the couch, as if he’d been trying to stand and couldn’t.  He was bloody, large scratches running down his half naked body.

“Jerry, Jerry, it’s Eliza.  Tell me what happened,” she cried.

Jerry moaned and tried to move.  “No, lie still, Jerry, just talk to me.” she told him. Licking dry lips, Jerry tried to talk.

Leaning close to him, Eliza heard him whisper, “not........sure........what happened.  Attacked......something jumped me and that’s the last I remember.  I woke up here so I must have made it home,” he moaned.

“Lie still Jerry, lie still.  She noticed he’d passed out, which was better for her.  Knowing she would have to heal him somehow.  Remembering her promise to him, she prepared the way to healing without embracing him.  This was more time consuming, but a promise was a promise.  After doing what had to be done, she knew he’d lost a large amount of blood and couldn’t bear the thought of possibly losing a friend.  She knew he had a chance as the healing was already taking place, but did she find him in time.

Slowly, the scoring on his body healed.  She knew those marks, she’d seen them before and had come into intimate contact.  She’d been within the jaws of the maker of those marks.  What did this portend for him.  Keeping to her promise, did the run-in with the were-creature mean he’d only succumb to them?  She wished Christa were here.  She might know what to do.