Thanksgiving Day.

I don't know what I was thinking about inviting my best friend, two vampires, a vampire hunter, and a security specialist/ex-cop to Thanksgiving dinner. I'm having an anxiety attack imagining all the things that could go wrong.

My first concern is that I've never cooked a turkey in my life. It sounded like a good idea at first, but ordering Chinese would have been the safer call.

Suddenly, I feel personally responsible for everyone's holiday experience. What if I ruin the meal? What if Adam's first Thanksgiving celebration sucks? What if Russell figures out that some of my guests aren't what they appear? What if Dayna gets wind that her current boyfriend was kind of my doing? Yep, one big flipping disaster waiting to happen. How could something not go wrong?

Gabe has been sensing my anxiety and frustration all morning and is currently hiding on the balcony while I'm skimming the Internet to make sure I prepared the turkey correctly. It was merely an accident that it was thawing in my fridge for several days because there wasn't enough room in the freezer. I had no idea that it took three days to thaw a turkey.

This is one of those times that I could have benefited from some maternal guidance. I miss my parents, especially my mom today. Okay, snap out of it, Sam. I can't afford to get melancholy on top of the stress. Bad things could happen to the turkey.

Russell is also on my mind this morning. What do I say if he notices that Adam and Jacob don't actually eat with us?

What am I saying? He will notice. Nothing gets past that man. He'll be curious as to my relationship with them. He may even try to gather enough information to run background checks. That's not going to go over well. I know Russell, he's like a pit bull with a bone. He won't let go.

I'm expecting Adam, Jacob, and Dayna to arrive around two o'clock. Russell is due at three, and he usually doesn't hang around long after a meal. I think he visits with old officer buddies at the union watering hole.

Dayna is bringing rolls and wine, and I'm sure she'll help me serve. Russell is bringing his favorite beer. Gabe picked up wine and a pecan pie when he went to the grocery with me on Monday. Adam is bringing wine and a pumpkin pie as well. For some reason, I can't envision him walking into a grocery store and standing in line with a bottle of wine and pie. Oh, to be a fly on the wall. If the meal's a total disaster, we should be well supplied to drown our sorrows.

Gabe, Adam, and I did manage to hash out a pretty good plan for trapping or killing Zac. After several heated discussions about how, when, and where to lay our trap, we finally settled on the fitness club. It's still a long shot considering he may or may not take the bait. I have a strong feeling he will.

It's my opinion, and we all concur, that waiting will most likely drive Zac bat-shit crazy. Adam feels it's a fifty-fifty chance. He agrees that Zac becomes more aggressive when he's been denied something, and that could work to our advantage. On the other hand, he hasn't evaded Adam for five centuries because he's sloppy or careless.

I'm the ace in this game. Zac will not expect Adam to agree to use me as bait. This concept has been the cause of most of our heated arguments over the last few days. Gabe was furious when Adam and I presented him with the idea. His intense refusal to go along with the idea caused Adam to start second-guessing his original decision.

This conversation went back and forth for hours on end. We took long breaks before coming back to the table to hash it out all over again. Eventually, Adam and I managed to convince Gabe that it was a viable, solid plan. Once he agreed, the three of us got busy working out the details, and let me say, these guys are all about details. A couple nights I would go to bed while they would stay up discussing the plan and any number of possible outcomes.

One morning I woke up to find them still discussing it. I don't even know if Gabe slept or not. But he's a big boy, and I'm not his mother.

According to Adam, he has attempted to lay traps for Zac in the past with no luck. He knows Zac to be extremely cunning and cautious. The big difference this time is me. Zac is looking for an opportunity to snatch me away from Adam.

We are going to give him a tiny window and see if he takes the bait. There is no plan B or C yet, so I'm hoping this one works. I can't live this way. It feels good to have a plan. At least it gives me the illusion of being in the driver's seat.

We laid the groundwork by going to the gym at sporadic times but establishing it as a daily routine. Today will be the only exception. Saturday evenings are dead there, so that's the time we're shooting for. We're willing to try the same plan more than once before forming another.

Outside of planning, Gabe has kept his distance since our spontaneous moment in the kitchen. He's usually on his computer, with his nose in a book, or napping on the couch.

He works out when we go to the gym, and that's a beautiful sight. I figured he had a nice body but had no idea how defined he is.

Truthfully, I'm waiting for that magic moment when he takes off his shirt like so many guys do, but so far, he hasn't.

I can't watch him for long since he can pick up on my emotions, and he often catches me looking at him. My routine for moments like this is to instantly start thinking about cleaning toilets, root canals, and anything else that will end that train of thought before he figures out what I'm really thinking about. I'm getting much better at controlling my emotions around him and Adam—if they keep their distance, that is.

I'm in the middle of peeling potatoes when my date with Adam pops into my head. I've been too busy to even think about what I promised to do at the end of that date. Just thinking about it causes perspiration to wet my temples.

Gabe pokes his head in the door, and asks, "Everything okay?"

I clear my throat and wipe my hands on my apron.

"Yes, but these potatoes are giving me fits. They keep slipping out of my hands. I'm a little nervous about the meal, I think," I say, justifying my emotional spike.

He smiles. "I can peel potatoes to free you up."

Gabe takes the peeler and potato out of my hand and gets to work. Just watching the potato skins flying is a relief. I must be inefficient at peeling potatoes because Gabe's already reaching for the next one. That works for me.

* * *

Several hours later, I have things pretty much under control. The turkey is out of the oven, and it looks good. Gabe turned out to be a tremendous help in the kitchen, and I'm grateful. Without his assistance, this meal could have gone downhill fast. Everything took longer than expected.

While I'm covering the turkey to keep it warm, and Gabe is setting the table, the doorbell buzzes.

Drying my hands on a dish towel, I hurry to the door. Dayna and Jacob breeze through carrying two bottles of wine and a box of rolls from a bakery. Even though Dayna's arms are full, she leans in and kisses my cheek before entering and yelling a greeting to Gabe as if they were long-time friends. I'm surprised when Jacob also brushes my cheek with a chaste kiss as he moves past me.

I'm about to close the door when something prevents it from closing. I look up into Adam's striking face. I don't know why, but looking at him gives me a warm feeling before I remember what's coming Friday evening, and then my warm feeling turns to a nervous chill. I smile anyway, knowing he surely feels my anxiety.

Adam looks incredible in black slacks and a gray knit shirt. I like that he dressed for the occasion. He's holding a pie box that looks like it's from a bakery in one hand and flowers and wine in the other. "These are for the hostess," he says, with a barely there smile. "Thank you for inviting me." I can't help but grin as I take the flowers and the wine from him.

Dayna is chatting with Gabe, and Jacob is listening and smiling as he watches her animated conversation. He glances our way and winks at us before turning back to Dayna.

Adam follows me into the kitchen, and I notice he and Gabe nod at one another. That almost looks like respect. Interesting.

Adam joins the other guys as Dayna moves toward the kitchen to offer help. "So," she says, giving me a knowing look.

"What's the story with you and Jacob?" I ask, giving her my own knowing look. Dayna is leaning over the counter with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Don't change the subject. You have not one, but two incredibly delicious males hanging around you. Is there something kinky going on that you want to tell me about?" Dayna asks, wiggling her eyebrows up and down.

"It's complicated. I won't try to tell you I'm not interested, but there is nothing past a little flirting and attraction. I'm going to the theater on Friday evening with Adam," I say, taking pies out of boxes.

"A date?" Dayna asks.

"I guess it is." I glance over at Adam to find him watching me.

"Wow. That's the real deal. I don't know how you can handle two guys at once. They are both so into you," she says, grabbing a small square of cheese from the hors-d'oeuvres tray and popping it into her mouth.

"They're helping me on a case. They've both been extremely helpful, and I've grown sort of fond of the guys. Like I said, it's all so complicated. Can you pour some wine for anyone who wants it?" I ask, handing her the bottle and wine opener.

Time to change the subject. "Back to you and Jacob. You never told me what happened to you and Robert. Did he break up with you again?" I ask, pulling wine glasses from the cabinet.

Dayna's busy opening the first bottle of wine. "No, this time I broke it off with him. I'm tired of waiting around for him to break up with me over some silly non-existent reason so he can have a break. If he loved me, he wouldn't need a break," she says matter-of-fact like.

I didn't know she felt this way. It's been a cycle they've gone through for several years now. A break up to make up sort of thing. She left me out of the loop, or I dropped the ball as her friend and didn't catch on. Now I'm sort of glad Dayna's seeing Jacob, even if I don't know if it's the right thing for her.

I blush when she catches me looking at her neck for the third time in the last five minutes.

"What are you looking for? Do I have something on me?" she asks, rubbing her neck and collar self-consciously.

I've found myself looking for bite marks. I trust Adam now, but I don't know Jacob at all. And I don't know how close they are at this point.

"No. I thought I saw something, but it was a shadow," I say, smiling at her. "So, what is happening with the two of you?"

Her face blossoms into a huge smile and her eyes take on an instant dreamy look. It could almost make me cry. First, because I'm happy to see Dayna this way. Secondly, because if it's not real, I may hate myself for it.

"Jacob is incredible! I've never connected with someone like him. Not even Robert during our good times. Jacob gets me. I feel beautiful around him, and he always laughs at my jokes, even the ones people don't usually get. He listens when I talk about work, my dreams, goals, and anything on my mind. I find his life interesting and feel sad that he has no living family. Did you know he considers Adam like a brother to him?" she asks.

"No, we haven't had a chance to discuss that," I say thoughtfully. "So, how much do you see each other? I mean, we haven't been able to talk much lately, and I feel like I don't know what's happening with my best friend." I do feel disconnected from her and my normal life lately.

"Well, I've been feeling the same." Dayna can't hide the hurt look in her eyes. "I know that you're holding back on me, and I'm wondering when you'll come clean," she says, looking a bit guilty and unsure.

I feel so torn by her words. I've been keeping secrets from her, trying to keep her safe, but look where that got me. She could have died and wouldn't have known why. She deserves the truth, but these secrets are not mine alone.

"I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I have been keeping secrets from you, but I promise to come clean soon. I need a little more time. Will you trust me to fill you in at the right time?" I ask, feeling sad that I haven't trusted her with my troubles.

She's always kept my secrets. Why wouldn't she keep theirs?

"Okay, but now that you've confirmed my concerns, you better not leave me hanging for much longer," she says, giving me one of her attempts at being serious.

It doesn't last long, and she laughs while she pours the wine. Just like that, she's fine with whatever secret I've been keeping. Dayna starts offering wine, and even Jacob and Adam take a glass. I need to keep cheap wine around for times they decide to fake it.

The front door buzzes, and I rush to answer it before anyone else because I know it's Russell. I answer the door to Russell's smiling red face.

"Russell! I'm so happy to see you. I've missed you." And I have.

He's holding flowers and a six pack of domestic beer that I would never drink unless I were dying in the desert. I take the flowers from him, and we share a warm hug. He follows me in, and I make the introductions. This is where it might get dicey.

"Russell, you know Dayna," I say. Dayna runs over and gives him a hug, and Russell turns redder if that's possible.

"Yes, how are you, Dayna? Nice to see you again," Russell says, shrugging out of his jacket.

"Great! It's so nice to see you, Russell. I think it's been almost a year. You look well," Dayna says, smiling at him in her disarming fashion.

"Russell, this is my friend and neighbor Gabe, from down the hall. He's a professor at ASU," I say, as the two men shake hands. "And this is Adam, a friend from Seattle. He's here on business for a while. And this is Dayna's friend, Jacob," I say, getting ready to move the conversation toward the meal in hopes of derailing Russell from digging too deep.

He shakes hands with Adam and then Jacob, and I watch thankfully as Gabe moves into position to strike up a conversation with Russell. Perfect. He has a legitimate profession, and he's sort of human.

It doesn't take long before Gabe and Russell have the television on to search for the big game, and I realize this might work. My old friends are gelling with the new. Sort of.

I head into the kitchen to find a second vase for the second bunch of flowers. I'm feeling rather content arranging flowers on Thanksgiving with friends and family here to celebrate with me. Jacob and Adam are bantering with Dayna when I begin moving dishes to the table for my first Thanksgiving meal since the loss of my parents.

* * *

A couple hours later we've finished our meal. Adam and Jacob both claimed to be recovering from food poisoning after eating at the same restaurant a couple days earlier. Russell seemed to accept this and even teases that there is more for the rest of us. Dayna doesn't say anything or seem surprised, so I don't know if Jacob used compulsion or not. I don't like the idea of anyone using compulsion on her when her life is not in danger.

Russell seems to be in good spirits and spends his time away from the table arguing sports with Gabe and even Jacob.

Right on schedule, Russell makes his excuses to me and the others that he needs to meet with some friends at the old union hall. I walk him to the door to say our goodbyes.

The way things have been going lately, you never know if it's the last time. He pulls away, but holds me at arm's length and studies my face for a moment.

"What?" I ask.

"Which one of those guys is your boyfriend?" he asks. "I know they were both watching you like a hawk."

"Neither is my boyfriend. We're friends." I'm telling the truth. A few stolen kisses do not imply a relationship. He gives me a look that says he isn't buying it.

"Well, I do kind of like them both, but it's complicated, so I'm sticking to 'neither,'" I say, smiling to reassure him. "I'll let you know if I decide to date anyone. I'll bring them by for your stamp of approval, okay?" I give him another quick hug. Smiling, he lets the topic go.

"Thank you for including me today. That was the first time you've cooked a Thanksgiving meal, wasn't it?" he asks, and I nod, smiling sheepishly. "Your parents would be proud, especially your mom."

His comment touches me deep down in my core. I could be wrong, but I think his eyes start to sparkle with unshed tears. He quickly clears his throat and starts off down the hall, waving over his shoulder as he goes. Now I'm getting tears in my eyes.

I walk back in, and the game is off, telling me Gabe feigned interest for Russell's sake. He gets a big smile from me. Everyone is sitting in the living room sipping on wine, or pretending to. Adam hands me a glass of wine and makes room for me on the couch.

Dayna raises her glass, and says, "I want to toast our incredibly talented and skilled hostess, Samantha. Thank you for a lovely holiday! Everything was perfect." She beams at me.

I smile, feeling content and happy, while everyone raises their glass toward me. I'm about to make my own toast when the front doorbell buzzes.

"Russell must have forgotten something," I say, rising to answer the door.

On the way to the door I feel a breeze, and when my hair blows in a wind where there shouldn't be any, I feel Adam at my back. I look back at him in question, as he moves to position himself between the door and me.

"What is it?" I ask, trying to see the door from behind his body.

"Hunter," he growls.

Gabe almost runs us over to reach the door before Adam does.

"Back off, vampire," he says in a warning voice.

Okay, so much for our common ground. Just when I thought the guys were starting to get along.

"There's a hunter on the other side of that door. Why is he here?" Adam demands, a threat in his voice.

"I don't know. Let me handle this. Back off now or our truce is null and void," Gabe commands, holding his ground.

Adam backs us up a few feet, and Gabe rolls his shoulders back and turns to open the door. Standing in the hall is a rough-looking, muscle-bound man with sandy-brown hair and a serious look on his young face. He has an eight-inch dagger in each hand, and he crouches in a fighting stance.

Gabe visibly relaxes, and so does the other man, but not completely, as he darts looks between Gabe and Adam in obvious confusion.

"Conor, you can put those blades away whenever you're ready. He'll not harm you." Gabe turns and glares at Adam before turning back to Conor.

"You're hanging out with The Dead now, Gabriel?" Conor asks slowly, reluctantly sliding his blades into hidden places in his cargo pants.

Never once does he take his eyes off Adam.

Conor's face is youthful, but the glint in his eyes is seasoned and wise.

"No, Conor. I'm helping the living, who happen to be ignorantly associating with 'The Dead,'" Gabe says, slanting a look at me.

"Hey!" I say when I realize he's talking about me. "Are you going to introduce us to your friend, Gabe?"

"Samantha, this is my cousin, Conor. Conor, this is Samantha, as I'm sure you already know," Gabe says, opening the door a little wider.

Conor doesn't move to come in.

"Adam, can you go into the living room? I think you're making him nervous," I say, looking up at him and pulling on his arm.

He glares at Conor or Gabe, maybe both, before backing slowly into the living room.

I move closer to Gabe and smile at Conor as I extend my hand to him.

"Hello, Conor. It's nice to meet you. If you're not here to kill Gabe, then you are welcome to come in. If you are, then you'll have to stay outside," I offer, still smiling.

Gabe looks at me with a surprised look.

"No, I've not come to kill him, but to warn him," Conor says in a light Irish brogue.

His look is young again, even his eyes, as he looks to Gabe.

"Council has ruled against you. You have a week to settle your affairs and return home for the sentence to be carried out." Conor looks like the words cost him dearly.

His words hit me hard and I grab Gabe's arm with my free hand.

"What sentence? What is he talking about?" I ask Gabe, my voice rising and threatening to crack.

Gabe turns to me and says, "My death sentence, Sam. They mean to kill me for giving you my blood."