Gill answered Callie's call on the third ring, though didn't manage to get a word out before Callie quizzed her. "Has there been any word yet, Gill?"

"Oh hi, Callie, I'm afraid there's been nothing from anybody. None of his contacts have seen or heard from him since he left with you. None of the registered donors either."

"That sucks. Listen, I might have a lead. I'm on my way to check it out. Speaking of donors I really, really need to eat and soon, my throat is starting to burn. Would you point me in the direction of the nearest bank please?"

"Of course, where are you at the moment?"

"Just coming into Seven Tower City."

"There's a big building right next to the hospital. Go round the back to the red door. Ask for Sidney, she'll sort you out. Just tell her it's for Sam and I'll ring ahead to clear it to be put on account."

"Thanks, Gill, I owe you one."

"Call if you hear anything?"

"Yeah, you too?"

Callie hung up and concentrated on finding the hospital. The signposts were fairly decent, but it was a big city and it took a while to find the red door once she was in the area. It was as she was nearing the point of grabbing some poor passing human that she finally spotted it.

"Come on, come on." She willed the door to open with gritted teeth.

"Callie?"

"I need Sidney," Callie hissed through tight lips.

Someone shoved a bag of blood into her hand, which she ripped open with her teeth. She gulped the thick liquid down, barely tasting it.

"Now you can come in," the voice said. "Gill told us to expect you, so how much do you need?"

She considered her predicament. "Maybe another two for me and I think a couple for Sam, if you can manage that much?"

"You know where he is?" A female voice asked as she came into the hall.

"I don't know for sure, I think he's trapped in a warehouse near the ferry port. I'm heading there now to try and find it."

"I'm coming too." The woman stuck out her hand. "Sorry, the name's Sidney, Sam is my sire too. I guess that means were blood sisters."

"How did you know Sam's my sire?"

"Gill told us. With both of us looking we have a better chance of finding him."

"But you don't know what you're looking for," Callie said with reservation.

"I'm a telepath. I can see the building in your mind. I'll also show you how to shield your thoughts on the way. You really don't want certain beings knowing what you are - witch."

The latter was said without malice and the former made Callie wonder who or what she could be talking about.

"The red-eyed demon, dear," Sidney answered her unasked question. "I'm driving. I know these roads better than you do - I've been driving them since cars were invented."

Callie couldn't argue with her logic and once they were on the road again, Sidney kept to her word.

"Imagine your mind is a series of filing cabinets. Now imagine a wall around them - all the way round. The stronger the better," she started.

"Okay, I think I've got that."

"Try something a bit stronger that bricks," she suggested.

"How's that?"

"Hmm. Metal is good and iron is for protection. It's thick too." She sent a stronger probe to Callie's mind but saw nothing. "Excellent shield! Now if you want to let anyone in, all you have to do is imagine an open door."

"Can Sam read minds too then?" Callie asked after a few miles.

"Not unless he touches your temples. He is very good with mass compulsion though, the strongest I've met actually. We should be able to talk telepathically, come to think of it. The blood sister bond thing has its advantages."

Do you hear me? she broadcast into Callie's mind.

"It's a little faint but I can make it out," Callie replied aloud.

Try speaking to my mind, Sidney tried a little louder.

Okay, can you hear me? You were spot on that time, Callie tried.

Sidney cringed and put her hands to her ears. Too loud!

"Both hands on the wheel!" Callie exclaimed as Sidney let go of the steering wheel to cover her ears. They both laughed and practiced talking to each other in their minds for the remaining journey.

I think we should start at the actual dock and work our way around the buildings. You go left and I'll go right. Call if you see it, Sidney suggested, tapping the side of her head to indicate the call was to be silent.

Agreed. We should hide the keys here though, and then the other can bring the car round near the warehouse.

Good idea. Sidney pulled a small stone from a nearby wall and set the key in. She replaced the stone and pulled her lipstick from her pocket to make a mark on it. See you soon, good luck.

Good luck, Callie thought as she disappeared in the shadows.

After Callie's initial sweep of her side of the docks proved fruitless, she looked a second time, in case she overlooked it in her haste the first go round.

Anything? she broadcast to Sidney.

Nothing. Plenty of grey brick but no tin top, tin but no brick, red brick with tin top, and I've been round three times already. Sidney replied dejectedly.

Meet you back at the car. The warehouse isn't here.

Callie slumped into the passenger seat. "What now? I don't know where else to look."

"We could ask about other industrial complexes near by. It's a big port so there must be more stores. I saw a sign for a filling station on the way in, we'll head that way and ask."

A bored-looking man behind the counter of the filling station gave them directions to three other areas. They were unsuccessful with the first and second areas so they drove on to the third.

"Stop the car!" Callie yelled, startling Sidney. "That's the place."

Sidney hit the brakes so hard Callie was thrown into the windscreen. Sidney sniggered and drove on down the road little to park outside a used car showroom.

"Are you sure that's the one?"

"Positive." She opened the door in her shields to show her the pattern of shadows cast by the streetlights around the car park.

They crept toward the gate. The door I remember was on the far side, away from the road, Callie projected.

I'll go in first and distract anyone that may be guarding him. You grab Sam and make a run for it. Tell me as soon as you're clear of the building.

Sidney willed the door not to squeak as she opened it. She pointed to the stairs, indicating left, and then pointed at herself and right. You go left, I go right.

Creeping through the door that led to Sam's cell, Callie prayed that the shadows would conceal her. The sound of flesh hitting flesh came from behind her. Things were being broken and men shouted an intruder alert. She ignored it and concentrated on her task.

Sam lay on the floor of the cell, unconscious. His hands were unbound and the chain lying beside him where she had left it in her dream vision. After failing to find a key to the cell in the immediate area, she smacked herself upside the head. Damn it! she thought in realisation that she didn't need one. Duh! You can control metal!

She held her palm against the lock of the cell door and concentrated on the cylinder sliding back. The door clicked and swung inwards.

"Nice of you to join us, Ms. Williams," a voice said from beyond the only other door in the basement.