Kit was beautiful in here. He looked so unlike Father Kryztof seen by Claudia's own eyes. And the Claudia here unlike her reflection. In here, Claudia was still warm and seemed too pink already. Already? So quickly used to the pallor and fangs. She fought to stay, to not be conscious of things outside. Here in John's mind Claudia wished to dwell.

      Inside the thoughts and memory was to be as close as possible to the beautiful young man. Here everyone was beautiful, more than in life, except John, who still looked younger and more fragile than he did to Claudia. Here Claudia lived John's dreams, felt his memories, tasted his fantasies, knew his thoughts.

      Worry and love. The scents of Elonwey. The taste of Alaric. A green dress on the body of Joy. And then the flush of something. Felt rush of emotion that was what it was like to be in love with Claudia.

      Absolute peace. Braided men and women defiant before hairstyles of foreign counterparts. The passing of a sword to Alaric.

      The yard of father's house in California. The streets of Hollywood lain with stars. Palm trees.

      Marble eyes of statues that seemed to look right at you and the comforting arms of Madonnas. Gorgeous kiss of Kit's young lips and then fear. Sudden shift to guilt over the fear felt at the meaning of that kiss. And then David's fangs paired with the softness of Claudia when naked. The absolute horror and pain of rape; the betrayayal seeing Joy watched without stopping the act. Hazy desire for Orchid. What it felt like to take Alaric's penis into your mouth.

      Claudia. Making love to Claudia. Willingness to die for this experience. Perfect bodily union. Heaven. Shade of God. Absolute love. The strange dissolving of all into this pleasure. A secret whisper, "Please, hurt me just a little so I know this is real!"

      All links were shut off, memory, thought, dream. There was just the sense that came from everywhere and flooded every portal and particle of being: experiencing orgasm when making love to Claudia.

      It felt like an eternity and then suddenly was gone, like a death of a life just lived in seconds. Someone screamed.

      "Claudia!" the pain of being smacked in the back of the head. Consciousness returned. A separation from John's mind forced Claudia to be aware of herself. Her head hurt. She was on her hands and knees. Estatsi's voice was scolding her and shifted now and then to curses in the Italian language. They all were in a small closed space. They were in Daerick's stolen hovervan. John was there. He sat leaning against the interior wall and wept frequent tears from both eyes. His right hand reached for her with effort.

      Claudia's mind returned to full function, she was aware of being drunken somewhat by John's thoughts or blood. She translated Estasi's barrage of language. Estasi had been there by Claudia's agreement to be supervised, never having sucked blood from a Human body before, and so never from one that they needed to survive. The older Vampyre's point: John might have died if Claudia had continued.

      Yes, his color was off. But that wasn't why he cried now.  He was lamenting the loss of opportunity to make love to Claudia, and mourning the fact that he wouldn't ask it of her knowing that she could not share what he felt. "Please tell me I haven't killed him," Claudia breathed in a rush as John's hand touched the tip of her chin with smallest surface of fingertips.

      "He'll live, but that was your limit. I told you it would be best to stay focused on the drinking and heart. You knew his mind, didn't you?"

      Claudia crawled to John. His arms fell about her neck limply. He was weak and dizzy from lack of blood. Somehow his lips retained strength enough to make her really feel kissed. 

      "Claudia," Estasi called, "Don't make me slap you again!"

      Claudia sat back on her legs and turned from John to look at Estasi. "You really could have killed him. I told you, when they allow us to drink from the yellow jacks the first time they instruct us to focus on the heartbeat. Someone's John's size, healthy, might loose several pints of blood and recover shortly, but not more. And it is even less for smaller bodies."

      "I'm sorry," Claudia said. She turned to John, "I'm sorry," she said again. "I forgot myself in drinking, wanted so much to be in your mind."

      "I saw things that only you could have seen," John whispered. "I saw Anne brushing your hair, only it wasn't seeing really."

      "You must have been able to take things from my mind as I did from you."

      "Can all Vampyres do that? Just be in your head?"

      Claudia looked to Estasi, "It's possible for all telepathic talents, but you can block. I believe you were both open to each other at once and the blood flowing always aids the union of minds."

      "I thought we had perfect union when it was only our bodies," John whispered.

      Claudia felt herself blush. She could still do that. And she went hot hearing John speak like that. For a moment she closed her eyes and tried to send an image to John. Her abilities with telepathy were not entirely trained. She should really have considered this before, but it had not occurred to her as human: now a Vampyre she had many potential abilities that came with David's blood or might with other Vampyre blood, but the potential was just that unless each was recognized and practiced. She tried to send the picture of their bodies joined as in human lovemaking and minds joined at the same time.

      "Claudia," Estasi scolded, "You project too widely, any talent within miles may have seen that."

      John laughed. And then he sighed. "You can project images over wide areas?"

      Estasi shrugged as Claudia wondered if she could do it again on purpose. "If you know how and have the ability for that range, it's possible. David would know. Daerick won't like that I say so, but David has more varied talent and better control. I think it is because he is hereditary witch and was trained to use similar talent and abilities when still mortal - I guess, by Joy, Orchid, and probably Morpheus and half his family, if I understand David's telling of history. Some think that any talent can learn any ability, if taught. If so, David had a range of teachers that he should be able to perform anything from setting fire to casting dreams at will...though odds are he wouldn't be very good with each different trick."

      "I might learn many of these tricks then? Only my own blood and body will enable me to always be better at some more than others?" Claudia asked. She continued before Estasi could answer, "And David knows many of these you think?"

      Estasi nodded and the attitude was begrudging. Claudia had realized one trick she was naturally able with was reading body language, even in Vampyres who could make much faster and slighter movements. Claudia smiled as she looked at John. Why not try to master all the tricks known? Even if not a master but having understanding of each she would be able to stand against other talents more powerful than herself. Such warfare was very much about anticipation.

      "What tricks do you know, Estasi?" Claudia asked but John was trying to interrupt.

      "Estasi," he called, "Claudia could make others as far as the American camp see images of her own imagination?"

      Estasi frowned. Claudia saw where he was going. "They are yet too strong for me," Claudia confessed to John quietly, "Remember, not only are they Vampyres and witches, but military. Their army trains these abilities as well as their bodies and minds in general."

      He nodded slowly. His body spoke of need for fresh smelling air. Claudia reached toward the door, or she meant to, but actually moved to the doors very quickly then lost her balance. Estasi fell laughing as Claudia pushed open one of the pair of rear doors. John asked what had happened. Clearly he only knew that Claudia had been sitting back on her feet near him and now was sprawled near the door.

      "She fell on her ass faster than you could see," Estasi laughed, "It was really funny if you could have seen."

      Claudia tried to move that fast to smack Estasi and then return. She moved forward, made a swipe but missed Estasi's face because she flinched backward. Claudia froze where she was and looked at Estasi.

      The other Vampyre smiled. "Faster. You'll get it eventually. You have to move even faster, you'll be able to track the quick movements just as we can, it is how I avoided you."

      "I just need practice," Claudia warned. She thought to herself that every trick she saw a talent do she would attempt to learn and master. It was only logical she make the effort, future was uncertain and she meant to survive. Right now, for example, there were Rowan and SCB in the area. The PU would now have twice as many reasons to kill her.

      Claudia sighed slowly. David said she would not really need air. Claudia thought it might be true they needed vastly less air. If blood was re-oxygenated they would need to feed less often, she theorized. It was no longer entirely involuntary, but Claudia found a mental decision to breathe would start the process until she decided to stop. They really had to look at the condition logically. And how exactly did they see in darkness? Was it to do with light? Or was it a mental way of seeing, the knowing of presences?

      "You're doing that thing again," Claudia heard John say cautiously.

      Claudia turned quickly to Estasi.

      "You were being absolutely still again," Estasi explained. Yes, David had noticed this. It seemed that when in thought and having no other task Claudia instinctively stopped everything but thinking. She became purely thinking machine and devoted all energy to logic or mental action.

      "It's a little creepy, looks like you are asleep sitting there, or dead," John said.

      "Maybe if I had something to do when thinking?"

      "Blinking would be good," John said uneasily, "blinking, breathing, and if you must be gone long a shift of weight, movement of your eyes to an object, or lick of your lips."

      "I'll try to do that when people are around," Claudia promised. "Tell me if you notice it."

      "Do others do that thing?" John asked Estasi. Claudia watched them, focused on being with them and being attentive, not lost in thought.

      "When turned, people who become Vampyres also change in individual ways. I told you they have different abilities. They sometimes get such peculiar traits. I have heard that it is not uncommon for some to forget to speak and do not realize they are using telepathy. Or they don't communicate with anyone, as if they are a ghost. Some move fast all of the time and have to concentrate to slow to Human speed. If a Human had some hardly noticed mental disorder or just a quirky gesture repeated subconsciously, it can seem to deepen in severity. Someone previously depressed might weep very often, and the frequent red tears give them away. Someone who twirls their hair might twirl their hair at superhuman speed and even rip it out...it grows back."

      John nodded slowly.

      "You better walk him outside and get him some food," Estasi instructed.

      Claudia nodded. "We should check in with Sascha. He can eat there."

      John moved to the door slowly. He put his feet to the ground but when he stood his body slumped right back down. He had to be very light-headed. Claudia ducked under his arm and helped John to his feet. He whispered thanks.

      Sascha was her RV. She had her mobile linked to the T within the trailer so she could read incoming communications. It was daylight and as usual Patrick and Adelle along with Maureen were out, leaving the RV free for work. Jayne and Erik were with Sascha then, when Claudia brought John in.

      "Is he all right?" Sascha asked immediately.

      "Just hungry."

      Sascha crossed to the cabinetry. She had foodstuffs there. She tossed an apple toward John. His hand failed to reach it so Claudia snatched the yellowish apple as it fell. She took John to the bed where Patrick and Adelle slept, where formerly Sascha had slept with Marcus and Melitta. Claudia rather missed their presence. Sascha probably missed them more.

      Claudia went to look at Sascha's machine as Sascha took some water to John along with more food. At the edge of her vision Jayne was making gesture to her throat for Erik's eyes. "There was a mark?" Claudia asked. How careless not to check that.

      "Love bite," Erik giggled. He and Jayne seemed to make no judgements about Claudia because she was changed, but they had all new jokes to share, new knowing smiles. They still thought of her as family, as Melitta would say, they just considered her the obvious Vampyre in the family.

      "I wonder how Erik tastes," Jayne said, wide eyes flashing on her boyfriend.

      "Just as good as the rest of me," Erik said, "it's how I imagine you also."

      "Did you ever think of biting other people?" Jayne asked.

      "No, actually," Claudia answered truthfully. "It's something apart from hunger." She looked at the panel listing communications of the SCB. Claudia wondered as she keyed the selection of their map panel if it was possible to send input directly to the computer by way of telepathic on and off signals in binary code. Claudia thought. Perhaps not any talent, but one who understood the nature of the machine, of binary...someone who like Claudia could actually read binary when looking at it or was mesmerized by static or antiquated print composed of dots when it seemed black/white binary but wasn't.

      Possible all right. Claudia felt it work, saw the cursor and panels shift position, saw text type as she willed. She smiled. "What are you doing?" Sascha asked as she came to Claudia side. Could Claudia sense the binary? Could she read without the monitor? Yes, she could. That meant Claudia could hack by force of will. She laughed aloud. Thought was faster than the process of translation of symbol to sound and word to meaning and so on. Vampyres could process thought faster than humans. Quick was much quicker now.

      She knew Sascha's passwords, knew the contents of the communications, had a picture of the map in her mind.

      "She's doing it again," John said, "Claudy!"

      Sascha said, "Forget Quick! How are you doing that?"

      Claudia withdrew, had been focusing with aid of her hand near the keys though she didn't touch them and the keys themselves didn't move. She grinned at Sascha. "I can hack telepathicly. Change your passwords. I'll try not to know them again."

      Sascha nodded slowly. "It was pretty impressive," she said later.

      "I wonder how far she can go with that?" Erik asked.

      Claudia frowned.

      "But, Claudia, if all you need is telepathy and knowledge of computer codes and languages?" Jayne offered, "You, or another talent could hack computers without physical link."

      She saw then what they must. This machine had been in front of her, but did it have to be? And even if a machine needed to be close she could reach any computer it connected to. "Never tell anyone," Claudia said. She looked around to the nodding heads. "The combination of very knowledgeable hacker and telekinetic talent can't be very common, and among them they would need to think of the trick. It's best no one even knows I can do it."

      "It's more telekintic then?" Sascha asked.

      Claudia nodded and returned to Sascha. "It felt like the movement of something, not pure thought, more electric."

      "Makes sense," Sascha said, "I'll keep the secret as long as you keep me informed of how it can be used. I think that fair. Otherwise no one stands a chance of preventing you or another from hacking their system."

      "Acceptable," Claudia said. She remembered that she had the map in her head now along with captured messages, not only those Sascha had been most recently looking over. "The Union forces are up to something, I went through the communications. The VC are in Austria again. The Darkling Guard has reappeared and in record numbers in England."

      "DG from where?" John called.

      "All of them," Claudia said, "all the Union's DG, from all nations, just appeared. The Rowan are in a panic as are the other terrorist groups about the EL."

      "With the drafts they've been talking about? That's an enormous percent of the world's population of Darkling!" John said.

      Claudia nodded. "I suspect the Sidhe involved. The Sidhe are both influential within and loyal to the Union and the Isles have historically been their home."

      "The Sidhe, are you sure?" Sascha asked. She was one of them, remotely.

      "It's in the communications. The terrorists have had word spread by the PD and Manchester school; they are passing the word through the EL loyal forces. If it is not in the news it must be they influence the English media. They estimate nearly a million strong."

      "If they could gather so many why wait years to do so? Why not call them all when war is declared?" John asked.

      Claudia shrugged.

      "We really can't know," Jayne answered for her, "We could guess, but we might never know the real reason. My own guess is that they thought the VC could handle anything."

      "The VC can, they hold back. Angel fears having the humans think of her as a fiend, and so she makes laws for her children," Claudia said, "If allowed free reign and focused enough a small army of Vampyres could conquer anyone."

      "I don't entirely doubt you, Claudia," Sascha said, "But what more should they be doing?"

      Claudia shook her head. "Perhaps I shouldn't have said so. It was impulsive. The truth is I feel Rachael is more frightening than most of the VC. Honestly, they are none of them olderv than a few centuries as I understand it and they are at best third generation, many lower. Whatsmore the mentality of person who joins the VC is lacking in character. But for a few Angel picked out early on they are all manner of ridiculous satanists and power hungry men and women of vaulting ambition. The few Vampyres of the DG, I respect more. When they join the DG it shows they have desire to protect."

      "When Angel stole the Vatican from the Pope she had only a handful," John offered, "They are infamous in the church, just one died, Thomas. A million people lived there with home advantage and tight security. You'd think Angel could plan a successful campaign."

      "Maybe she's really mad like they say," Erik whispered.

      "She's not mad," Sascha said, "I've been told of her. Angel has particular views of good and bad. If she holds back it is because she feels fear, fear of loosing control or vision of what she does see is wrong as she did once. She hunted her own kind once, and was good at it."

      "What they need is for Angel to join battles herself. Any children strong enough would resist distraction by feeling pain through her. She could strengthen them really. The weakest would fall, but those that remained would slay much larger armies without much effort."

      "I just thought, that they are each trained well, but may not be trained to work in teams," John said quietly. Claudia tried to imagine it. She imagined herself fighting then imagined John was a Vampyre that fought. She focused on blocking an attack while he struck out at the coming enemies. She took to the air and cast illusion while John ran low to the ground and cut with blades. Enemy soldiers unable to walk lay on the ground. They might need others. Claudia saw in her mind David throw up an invisible wall of force that threw a line of soldiers back. Joy could call clouds and rain. If Claudia concentrated their weapons would grown hot to the touch and then burn. Together they could easily move to the rear or flank of the opposing army without being tracked by the naked eye.

      John was gazing at her but Sascha talked to the others. Most likely Claudia had gone still again. "Are the armies of Spain and Gaul still within Goth?" Erik was asking.

      "No," Sascha and Claudia answered at once.

      "They seem to be leaving Goth." Claudia sighed. "The war has been fought back and forth two years now. But for Russia, no country has really gained ground. It makes sense that everyone regroup, especially after all we have done. We've all seen them over the past week, the scattered groups of soldiers of the EL moving west. They even trade with us, barely fire at the Americans. They are regrouping for something just as the VC is falling back into Austria and the DG is now in England."

      "VC numbers are back up too," Sascha said, "They've been recruiting yellow jackets among Humans and turning those they had."

      Claudia nodded.

      "Sascha," Claudia called after a minute.

      "What is it?" She asked, had been pointing something out on the monitor to Erik.

      "You know a lot about Athen don't you?"

      "Some...I can't tell you everything of how I know."

      "I only want you to tell me, if you are able, all the superhuman tricks and stunts he seemed able to perform. His abilities, what were they?"

      "Oh, the usual, moving things by will, starting fire, flight, telepathy."

      "Specifically," Claudia asked as nicely as she could, "and if you recall that recipe book I showed you once, what abilities if any were listed there?"

      Sascha sighed and sat down. "Do you wish me to list everything now, for the others?"

      "They are like family to us both," Claudia said as answer. They were. She could trust them.

      "Well, the most obvious is telepathy. It includes knowing another's thoughts and sometimes knowing their hidden memories. It includes making others hear you without sound and hearing this directed communication. Also imagery can be sent to and from minds, that is all sensory information I suppose."

      "Casting illusion," Claudia said, "Joy could do that, in sleeping victims casting dreams but trickier I understand."

      "Morpheus can do it and says it is not easily learned by Vampyres though waking illusion is not so hard to cast, or sleep," Sascha said, "So, another category of tricks is causing various states of sleep including hypnosis and paralysis."

      "Joy can paralyze by touch somehow," John offered.

      "David also, though I only noticed it recently, I don't think he knew the trick before," Claudia said.

      Sascha nodded. "I don't know why you are asking me."

      "Athen," Claudia said flatly.

      "Flight as well as levitation. Of himself off the ground or fully in flight. Of objects, mostly levitation. I suppose levitation could be similar to moving objects through air, either steadily or like throwing."

      "I think steady levitation is more difficult. David and Joy both caused still objects to suddenly throw themselves at people or across rooms."

      "And Joy climbs walls," John offered.

      "Yes," Claudia agreed, "I think the levitating and flight and being on the ceiling is all like in some way. The moving of objects is telekinesis, the making of potential energy into kinetic energy by will and focusing the energy with direction."

      "Pyrokinesis," Sascha said. Starting fires of course, Claudia supposed starting heat was similar and it was all related to telekinesis. Likely flight as a form of self directed telekinesis. "Also there are tricks that might be telekinesis or other ability, I do not know how they are done exactly, but force is sent out invisibly to move or stop objects. Perhaps it is manipulation of air."

      "Let's call them air tricks," Claudia suggested.

      "Stopping missile weapons from hitting you is the most common, or creating something like a wall before you. Also stopping other objects traveling in any direction. And I suppose calling wind."

      "Joy can actually call clouds and storms."

      Claudia nodded. John recalled an awful lot of Joy's gifts. "Pushing and pulling?"

      "But it's not like other telekinesis, if it is aimed at you it really feels like an invisible surface is there against you, not a sharp pinch or poke like telekinesis."

      "Maybe it is just a more controlled form, but I'll keep that in mind."

      "Do you mean to learn the tricks?" Sascha asked.

      Claudia nodded.

      "Moving fast, though maybe all Vampyres do that, and seeing fast things. Also contriving one's body, to seem dead or alive. Heartrate changed by will and breathing. Athen could make himself blush or look less hungry. Also, these may fit in other categories, but communication with animals, something that is called enthralling or dazzling, suggestion."

      "Is that all?" Claudia asked.

      "Well, my view is that it is more the application of abilities that sets one apart and not entirely the ability. Killing a man by will and causing a flower to bloom might be two applications of the same ability."

      "Makes sense," Claudia said. "Let me know if you think of particular applications."

      "Can you cast glamour?" Sascha asked, "It's supposed to be something Sidhe do very well but that many Faerie and Witches can learn. Maybe Vampyres do too."

      "That is causing others to see you differently?" Claudia asked.

      "Maybe it is suggestion, like casting illusion, or maybe an actual manipulation of the space around you, I don't know how it is done, only that it is supposedly done."

      "Thank you, Sascha," Claudia said, "Please let me know if there are more tricks. If you'll look after John I'll go practice. I might try to speak to Rachael about something or I'll be with David." Claudia looked to John, "I honestly don't know what can be done about the SB halting us here. I am more concerned by the growing terrorist presence in the area. They are anticipating something and are fearful."

      "And fear fuels their hatred," John said with sad nod. "I will try to think of a new plan."

      Claudia sent a smile then left.

                      †               †               †

      "There are things," David said, "which Human minds are not yet ready to understand as science no matter how you wish the world to explain all its truths in terms of the four dimensions you are aware of." He spoke again before Claudia could protest, she could not, in the time allowed, compose her thought regarding science and the truth of god. "There are things you will have to accept as magical or else do as most Humans and many Darkling do...pretend they do not exist."

      He was sitting on the snowy forest ground, snow, pine needles, leaves and dirt just not touching his fine clothes. Perhaps he levitated his body, but the distance wasn't perceivable so far as Claudia knew. David retained mystery, expected Claudia to believe in magic. "You are a Witch." Claudia sighed, "You're father was Witch, he and your grandmother immortal Faerie of the Sidhe, and your mother was a Witch from a family long known to the Sidhe..." It never had been explained entirely the import of David's mother. His Father, Thierry, spoke of her only in insults as did others who had met her. David hardly spoke of her. But the very name of her family which she passed to David, Pictfith, was derived from the place name Firth of Pict, which meant Bay of the Picts. Claudia knew from her studies of the ancient tribes that Picts were an ancient Celtic people known to have dwelt in the area now Scotland. When the tide went out in the Firth of Pict a circle of monolithic stones was revealed.

      "David, can't you just allow that I must understand the tricks in my own terms and teach me how they are done?"

      He shrugged slightly as he took in air for speech. "You asked if I knew other tricks."

      Claudia wanted to roll her eyes but bowed her head toward David. She was seated in similar positing, legs folded in front of her such as the baby allowed, and Claudia felt the prick of odd roots and pebbles under her. "It seemed to me that the many tricks I see done can be simplified into use of several different abilities."

      "One Talent," David said seriously and his calm gave him the air of fakir or guru. Jedi Master? The accent partly Scots and partly Pakistani, very much lyrical in cadence with his voice rising to emphasis words so it sounded as if he always spoke in question or arrangement of grammar was off. The voice itself, very deep and clear. David could make himself heard without being loud.

      Yes, Talent. Many Darkling spoke of the Talent, sometimes as a force to be employed sometimes as a person who employed it. "Talent I understand."

      "There is one Talent, it is there for everyone, many have the sensitivity to feel it, some of those have ability to touch and manipulate it, few have potential to use it fully. Even I am a small talent, in the full scheme of things. Christ was a talent. One strong enough and pure of mind and focus can do such tricks, such fetes and magic."

      "What can I learn?"

      David held up two fingers in obvious sign for silence. His lips puckered. David's head remained low, as if listening. "These tricks you mention are common enough. I can teach you most. But what I wish for you, as my child and love, is to have a more basic understanding. How can I explain?" David paused. "It is like having the knowledge to work a machine but having no knowledge of how the machine does what you want it to, or how to make another machine. It is like risking darkness again, risking that knowledge will be lost, because you and others understood only the using, not the fundamental workings of the Talent." 

      Well chosen analogy, meant just for her.

      "You were already sensitive to the magic, if you will, now the blood does instantly what a human mind trains a lifetime to achieve. You have gained a new way to sense and act, added a dimension, though I do not mean that literally, in your scientific sense. Do as I ask. Really see. Do not be so quick, force yourself to meditate on one small thing. Chose a thing and really see it. Start small."

      Claudia looked around, feeling a frown. She would rather practice by reading the minds of soldiers. She picked up a pebble from the ground. "This pebble."

      "See it."

      It was a rounded pebble of sandy color aproximately two centimeters across. "It's a pebble, two centimeters, sort of tan colored."

      "Look more deeply," David prodded, still bowed and still.

      Claudia held the pebble in her palm and raised he hand level with her eyes. What did David want?

      "If you must ask such things, better to ask what the pebble wants."

      "It does not want, it is a pebble."

      "You see that it does not want. You will see more if you know how to look."

      "What is this trick of looking?" Claudia asked.

      David sighed, betrayed frustration. Claudia knew it was her fault. She was unlike him. "Give me the pebble," David said gruffly.

      Claudia held the pebble forward in her right hand. As she looked to David, the pebble left her hand with a power she assumed to be David's though it was invisible. David raised his eyes as the pebble hovered before him. His eyes looked right at it, and then beyond it. His eyes closed. David took quick breaths and released with unusual nasal sound. He licked at his fingers then touched the pebble. Claudia watched as the pebble was rolled between the thumb and forefinger of David's hand, slight sheen of blood-saliva on its smooth surface.

      "This stone," David said was once a riverbed. It was a stone swallowed by a Pleisosaur to give its body balast, ground down within the animal, deposited on land as the animal's carcass was eaten and left to decay by scavengers. It was pushed South by glaciers long ago and left behind, ground small by ice. It was again in a river itself changed by the passing of glaciers. It is sedimentary in nature, limestone partly. Scraped to the riverside by a racoon. Thrown at a child. Dropped in the forest. Several soldiers stood on it, recently. Glint of white in the sandiness, hard. Slightest trace of fossil imprint on its flatter face, shell. Rather dense matter, as things on Earth go. So much empty space compared to a dwarf star or a diamond..."

      "You bluff," Claudia said in a sneer, but didn't mean to be rude. It was just that David mocked her.

      "I don't mock you, Claudia, I can tell these things from this one small pebble. It is a matter of attending it with all of your being, knowing it, being it. Organic matter is easy, you put your blood to it then reabsorb the blood through your skin. With proper concenration you will almost hear it telling you its history. Plus you can know a thing's taste more than a human can, taste variations in elemental make up in purity. You can smell a thing with more accuracy. You can see. Claudia, try it with other things. It is rather like testing your brain with purposefully made optical illusions. I'm sure you've seen paintings made of other tiny images or of dots. Seen a face that is a goblet...seen a dragon in the shape of a cloud as a child?"

      "I'm not known for imagination."

      "That would help," David sighed. "If you can understand this knowing of your environment, you can know much. Start with a single thing. Learn then to know many things at once. Learn then to separate one from another. Learn to feel the planet under you, the atmosphere. Every thing and being is already connected, like your networks of machines; you only have to use the connections. Think of it in those terms if you must. That you ask a question of the whole and from somewhere in the web of it all an answer comes to you. You know."

      "It is very metaphysical what you describe. I am better with Physics."

      "It's the best I can offer. You can pick up the common tricks so easily. Flight, is a matter of being something lighter than the air supporting you or warmer. You just will it. Explain the particulars of what you imagine in your own terms but...it's just when you came to me I hoped you would be able to do more, to not imagine limits given by this or that blood. Surely we have our strong points, but if you strive for perfection you must be like God. All things in all places as all time. I don't mean that you can be God, only that you move toward being more."

      "Embrace change, evolve constantly, be."

      David nodded, "I suppose it may sound spiritual to you, but my tutors were mainly Angels. There are things I can do without fully knowing the how of it."

      "But you just said how important it was to know the fundamentals of things."

      "Yes, because eventually there will be a thing completely beyond your comprehension, and hopefully if you have understanding of enough lesser things you will be able to use the higher thing at least in a small way. I can't think of a good analogy immediately."

      "Is it at all like having partial access to a system?"

      "Could be, your understanding of devices is much more than mine. For example, I know how to make a scrying pool. Actually any surface can be scried into, but the best surface has a ritual preparation and is meant to be used two ways. I do not know why it works, only enough to make one and contact a few locations and people through it. Morpheus, however, can find just about anything by scrying."

      "He is nearly a full angel," Claudia said.

      "What I am saying is that there are other tricks. It's what you asked. Who am I to say you will or will not be able to learn them? Ancient Darkling tell of tricks once performed that few or none can do today.  It is believed that mages of the past could teleport from location to location and described a barrier or space they moved through to get to their destination. I do not know how this would be done. Morpheus apparently teleports all the time but it is so natural to him he is unable to say how it is done. It is like trying to explain which muscles are used in walking to someone who doesn't understand move one leg and then the other in forward direction without falling. Imagine then you had to explain dancing to that person. It's so complicated to explain, but we do such things so easily."

      "So potentially a person could learn to teleport?" Claudia asked.

      "Yes. There are many other old tricks, things dismissed by modern witches and Darkling as fables and myths or descriptions of simple things mistranslated. But so would television sound like a fable to some people in history. My father and mother apparently attempted to learn such tricks by studying old books and scrolls. But, much of what they do, is by merit of the sources or even by nature, considered black magic. You will find that Witches can be more open to magic than Vampyres. You explain casting a spell by use of ritual involving words and candles and blood or even water and chalk and they scoff."

      "I confess I know Karina is Wiccan practitioner rather than hereditary Witch and though I have seen her do works I assumed the physical trimmings of the ritual superfluous."

      "That is what most think. The things I remember most about my parents before my mother took me to Karachi were casting spells. Sometimes the objects help us to work a trick we could not otherwise. Maybe it is placebo effect, a crutch. For talismans are only as powerful as you believe, but...either way, they can do tricks that they could not otherwise when they have the rituals."

      "So, if will is not enough, ritual can help. With higher magics?"

      "Am I explaining it correctly?" David mused, "It is getting rather like telling one how to walk. I can't instantly know what is happening in another part of the world. Morpheus can't do that. But both of us can make a surface to scry in, and in that we can see what is happening elsewhere. Amadeo told me that Vanessa Jewel could see things in the future when she had her tarot cards. She did not have to lay them out and read the pictures, but had to hold the cards. Amadeo, on the other hand, found he could induce a trance and see visions of the future. With both the visions came at times without them trying. You see, they were two of the most powerful of the hereditary witches and seeing the future is a pretty hard trick and Morpheus does it just by opening his eyes."

      "So...even if I do not have full control I may be able to achieve limited use of some tricks?"

      "Yes, that is very common. You will master many if I judge your power correctly, but others will come more difficultly, with aid of talismans or ritual items, or else a small percentage of the time you attempt them."

      "But if there is a struggle between talents, it is of dire importance to know what tricks may be done so you can best defend yourself against attacks you have not experienced before."

      David nodded. "If you think you will be up against other talents?"

      Claudia smiled, "Every nation has its Witches. Nowadays a small talent telepath can make a good living witnessing legal contracts or negotiations. When Regensburg was given to the Goth, the Russians showed up with one, to see if John was honest, to judge his intent. It makes politics very different now."

      Now David nodded. "You and John have become very involved in the politics of the world. Julien involves himself often in the politics within Karachi, Pakistan and the Arab League. Darkling do not vote without his endorsement there."

      "Much of the war is really fought over Darkling, and fear of the Union, because its leader is a Vampyre and ancient. They fear everything being known, and it's taken centuries for this realization that the threats not leaving, to come to war. But whoever wins, afterward, there will be more change. It's very likely those already identified as Darkling or Witch will be issued more demands. They will attempt to legislate crimes of thought...well that is very 1984, but crimes committed by merit of talent. It will be much as when the Internet and World Wide Web were created and available to be accessed by all the world. It is well know in computer history of that time. It was revolutionary, the very way people lived changed. Whole chains of businesses were born while others became obsolete. It has been long coming, but there will be such a revolution over use of talent, commercialization of talent, legislation of talent.  I plan for the future."

      A frown played on David's lips for just an instant. "You think of making John your child. You have his child in you. Is that not enough?"

      "I love him, he needs protecting. I will be here for him no matter what. As I will for our child. I don't want to lose you over it."

      "Try seeing again," David suggested, "See your child."

      Claudia hesitated. It was bound to her, the child, it was logical she should be able to feel its mind, its being, when David could put himself in the pebble. Claudia thought of the time she had felt she dwelt in John's mind. Yes, that was what David meant, that sense of being within anther, of sharing, of knowing what it knows. Only David somehow dwelt within the pebble, within the forest and snow, manipulated them.

      Claudia gave a nod to say she was beginning. She breathed in through her nose, visualized her blood flowing through their link to her child. Claudia visualized making an active link between the two minds, for certainly the child had a brain now, had a soul.

      Claudia gave a start as she thought: what if others can make some mental connection with my child? If I can do it, others can, can't they?

      The child stirred, physically tumbled within her. Claudia felt it, in her flesh, in her womb. She calmed herself again and visualized the link. Claudia thought of a secure hardwired connection between machines, created in her mind a firewall about the network to keep others from prying. She felt alarm.

      The communication came to her in non-language, something primal but understood. Roughly the message suggested the firewall was dangerous that links unknown to Claudia must be maintained. The name Gabriel.

      The Vatican had long had mainframes named for Archangels. The association caused Claudia to shiver. She heard David ask from somewhere, "Is all well?"

      "What does Gabriel mean?" Claudia asked.

      At once three answers came in a jumble of languages and Claudia was unable to entirely distinguish one single message. Something about Angels and unborn. Claudia had not considered this: that real Angels maintained systems across dimensions that were needed, and as far as Claudia was concerned, unexpected. Claudia took in air, visualized oxygenated powerful Vampyric blood touched by Faerie and Angel travelling through her circulatory system, passing through each chamber of her heart, and through their connection to her child.

      The blood circled the child's body and as it did Claudia found in her mind an image forming. She and John had made a son. There was no full consciousness as in other minds she had read, but there was a presence and occasional images and sensations passed to her. There was something like language, but it was neither Francais nor Duetch nor any language she knew, only she understood it.

      Whispers that explained nature, sang a lullaby that was coded with genetic information in its melody.

      There was Claudia, and her son, and the other linked to them. There was the mainframe of Limbo or something Claudia visualized in her mind as such. Someone preloaded her child's software, all knowledge it would be born with.

      Something overtook her. Again David was inquiring about her well being. Everything faded but an image like green glowing text that said, "You have made direct mind contact too soon. Leave. Children always make first contact!"

      "Claudia?" David called. She realized his hands were clamped to her arms.

      "You're hurting me," Claudia said in whisper. The mental connection was lost, but she sensed through her body the child was well. She regained her faculties quickly. "You should not have suggested that."

      "What happened? Is the child well?"

      "A boy. Yes." Claudia looked to David, he was only now letting her go. She smiled realizing how sincerely concerned he had been for them. "Did your parents never tell you children are always to make first contact between minds? They are well warded every one. Protected by the angel Gabriel, or by her command."

      "You communicated with her?"

      "Was overtaken is more like it," Claudia said. She stood then, deciding study was done for the time. She was bothered by looking such a fool regarding her own child. Imagine the horrors that could be done if the unborn's programming was altered? Not something Claudia would risk with anyone's child, no matter the exciting possibilities presented. Scientifically exciting, but Claudia had no wish to actually experiment on living beings in such a way. Manipulating foolish adults was one thing...

      Claudia rubbed the dried needles from the back of her skirts. David looked immaculate where he stood now. He always had really. He'd lived for years as a so-called dust child, he must have been forced to learn much on his own.

      "You have much to learn," David said, "I know you feel invulnerable and powerful. All fledgelings do." He smiled. She thought it was the use of that word, fledgeling.

      A shouting came from the camp. Reflexively Claudia reached to the minds there, all at once. She was aware of the rushing, she knew that it had just been shown on news that the VC were sweeping west, the soldiers of the EL before them. John was talking rapidly with Justin and Alaric.

      Claudia settled back into herself, no longer with the others.

      "That was very good," David said, "As I said, sometimes it happens without you meaning it. You reached to known minds in order to know far events."

      "It's just reading thought and image from them."

      David smiled as he shook his head. "You took in your surroundings entirely, for a moment were everywhere as you identified those minds you knew well. It was all without thinking. Relax, I told you, you'll learn much in time."

      Claudia moved fast to the camp's central area. John shivered as she suddenly stopped quite close to him, the arrival unseen by his Human eyes. "Are many close?"

      "We have scouts out. We've got to speak to the American's again. They must let us move west into France. It is the only way. There are only more EL forces in the mountains just north and everyone's coming from the east. Lord, Switzerland is south."

      Claudia concentrated, tried to know Justin's thoughts only concerning the movements of troops. The information was clouded by the strong image of Elzbieta and Rozz and sense of danger. Claudia frowned and tried language. "So, are there any other options? Are we sure they will attack us?"

      "It's all going down today," Alaric said loudly, "the DG has a huge army crossing the channel through one of the tunnels already. The American's are landing in France. The VC are all of a sudden just kicking ass! Everyone's coming this way."

      John held Claudia's hand and spoke calmly. "The landings in France make it possible the Spanish and Gaul would be cut off from their homelands. As much as they must hate their position now they must head back, to protect their people. Even though we once had to do the same, I do suspect these armies will attack anyone not their own at this point."

      Claudia gave a nod as Daerick skidded to a halt several feet before John. He brushed back his hair then spoke. "They are coming from everywhere, except for the Russians." Daerick took in air as John asked about numbers. "Seems there's been a camp of one of the satellite groups just north in the mountains, it's all astir now. There's all manner of personnel carriers driving ahead, right on us. The Gaul took shots at your Peacekeepers. But coming up are the infantry, massive column. They've picked up mercenaries all."

      John shook his head. "Desperate times," he said under his breath.

      "They tried to play at being civilized and having rules to war, etiquette for killing," John said, "then they realized everyone was loosing and rather than stop they decided larger numbers would help..."

      Sammy ran toward them, offered a radio to Justin. Justin looked grim as he took it. For a long while he stood listening after giving his name, and Claudia saw his thoughts clearly. The VC as well as most armies of the EL had broken the peace on Goth soil. John had made it clear that anyone who shed blood on their land would be considered enemies. Where fighting was worst the Goth Peacekeeperes had carried out several missions in the past few hours.

      "You did well. I understand. I can let you speak to John if you require that." Justin was silent again. "Wait please." He looked to John. "Ulm, Friedrichshafen, Schwenningen, Neustadt...all sites of heavy fire between VC and EL combined forces. Minister says there were some reported civilian deaths, no totals yet, maybe a hundred or so known. Most in structural collapses after bombardment. Spanish and Swiss were still holding the cities in part. Guard has started evacuation of endangered cities already, but it goes slow. Peacekeepers have dropped gas canisters and engaged with stun ammo. I'm afraid we are not well equipped to stop the VC. We only managed to help them by knocking out EL soldiers, VC recovers too fast for us. And most of the Darkling went into the DG. They say Berlin has neighborhoods where only Darkling juveniles and a few elderly remain, the rest are gone. We've no one to stop the VC from fighting on our soil. And John, the Minster says the EL forces took our failure as taking sides with the Union. We are under attack."

      "That is the worst thing that could have happened, political nightmare!" John took the radio. "I'm sorry too, but you followed all our guidelines. The VC rather called our bluff, they probably never believed we could force them out. And we know Alexandria is not cooperating with us...get Anna to make a public announcement if you can. I'm in some trouble here...yes, the entire Schwartzwald is like a funnel right to this point and we don't have long. If I'm able I'll send out a report with Gerhard. If not, see if Anna or Cyprian can make the announcement. We must be clear that we have not chosen sides. As for the casualties, until it is investigated say only that you have a estimated number and cannot be sure who is responsible, though we will find out."

      "We don't have time for this," Alaric hissed.

      Claudia looked for David, he was listening from a distance, but it didn't really matter, he heard everything. He approached knowing Claudia needed him. "Use your clout, David, you must. Tell them you are President Jewel's third cousin or whatever. Make them understand! We are dead if we don't move west and it is the fault of the VC as much as the EL. Make them know orders from the High Lord don't count for anything right now. Can you?"

      "They may resist."

      Claudia looked back once to John. He was still on the phone. Alaric was at his side looking anxious. Justin now was speaking to Daerick and Sammy both. "I'll go with you, David."

                      †               †               †

      The Americans were under a state of alert themselves, the familiar number of guards doubled, the vehicles loaded in anticipation of a move. Soldiers seemed ants right then, the way each carried a large weight from one place to another where it would be loaded onto a vehicle. They hardly noticed the arrival of Claudia and David, even the electronic sensors could be fooled by David's abilities. Still four bodies swept in quickly and stopped them. Claudia felt something the size of a gunbarrel under her ribs.

      Claudia assumed stillness and submissive posture. Looking up, the Vampyre they called Walker had a machine gun against Claudia's gut, while the one named Camile held David in a headlock. Another, called Sonya, aimed a blade at David's ribcage, while Rachael stood calmly in front. Claudia sensed someone trying to reach her mind and thought this was Rachael. All this was taken in within fractions of a second and then a fifth joined them, another male, named Michael, at the moment shirtless and damp-haired. Hair and dogtags still swayed, when the Humans finally saw them all.

      Some quick exchange passed silently between Michael and Walker and then Rachael and Walker. Claudia found at this small distance she could feel the exchange without being able to intercept it. Walker called to the human soldiers or specifically to the most highly ranked, "Miller, we've got them, just two of the Goth's brood. You should get the men and women back to work."

      "Sir," was all the human soldier said and slowly the soldiers retreated but for the five surrounding Claudia and David.

      "Back off, slightly," Walker ordered and Camile loosed David, as Walker and the others drew back, though there were still weapons trained on them.

      "We came to speak to Gates," David said.

      "You can speak to me," Walker said, "Never use speed when entering our camp, if you want us to believe you friendly."

      "Apologies," David said and clasped his hands before him as he bowed slightly, lowering his eyes. Claudia had thought such gestures invention of old movies made in non-arab countries. "You have heard of the troop movements. Perhaps you have been informed of the EL attacks on Goth civilians and Peacekeepers? Or that Union troops likewise injured Goth citizens in their campaign against the EL? I ask on behalf of the Goth here that you let us pass despite your orders. We are in great danger now and have no other window of retreat."

      Walker looked to Claudia as David straightened, "Do you ask this?"

      Claudia stood as tall as she could, said, "My husband, our leader would ask himself if he were not busy with planning arrangements to further protect our citizens also in the path of war. He sends David and myself as emissaries. I meant no harm in speeding. I thought my urgency excuse. We must move across the river, we can't fight your battalion and so we ask your allowance."

      Rachael gave a nod to Walker as he looked at her. Claudia could not figure the chain of command entirely. Walker was the highest ranked officer among the five American Vampyres, but it was apparent, even to Claudia, that he often deferred to Rachael. "Your camp is readied?" Walker asked.

      "But for the vehicles your immobilized," Claudia answered.

      "Tires?" Walker asked.

      "Yes, car and RV."

      "We can help with those," Walker said, he signaled with hand gesture to the Vampyres Sonya and Michael, "Bueller, Knight, get their vehicles mobile. Now."

      They were gone instantly, Claudia could track the red-haired female toward the eastern side of camp. "The Lieutenent Colonel will speak to you, Claudia," Rachael said. She and the other two Vampyres escorted them to the jeep Regen Gates sat in.

      The man gave a nod to Claudia as they approached. They had never met in person, but she was used to being recognized. "Lady Claudia," he said in greeting. "I am as aware of your position as our own. My orders were to keep you from entering France, but the fact that I was instructed that nothing more than restraining force was to be used and told that you should not be considered enemies tells me that those who gave me my orders do not wish you harmed if they can help it. Therefore I see one alternative given that all the EL is headed for this pass and into Gaul, you can travel, with us as escort."

      "At this point agreeable," Claudia answered quickly.

      Gates gave a nod. "You may tell your Leader and General both that they will move when and where I say, and be free of us when I say."

      "I understand," Claudia said. She was not afraid of this man, she did fear being trapped when compromise could save her. Most definitely Claudia did not want to be found by any of the terrorist groups of the EL. "Shall I return now, to them?"

      "Yes, warn them that my soldiers will be taking up positing close to them so they will not be so alarmed and fire upon us with those toy guns of yours." He actually laughed. Claudia was sorry Gates found the Goth so amusing.

      "Our sword is peace," Claudia said simply.

      Gates made no remark but gave a nod.

      Rachael spoke up, "I will walk you and David back."

      As they were between camps David, who had been rather silent, asked a question of Rachael. "So, what about those three?" he said assuming Rachael knew whom he meant. Claudia was unsure.

      "Some of our bloodline know, don't worry."

      "So you tell me and no one will have to know which of our bloodline shared," David insisted. "I know you and Camile are Angel's, though she's a generation lower I'd guess. But those three are not of any of the three bloodlines, or not remotely related to any Vampyres I've found...and I speant many years traveling the world avoiding all our kind, I know how to identify them."

      "DoD operatation Scarlet," Rachael said simply.

      "You are speaking of Walker and Knight and Bueller," Claudia said as she realized it. "Who are they related to?"

      "Everyone and no one apparently," David told her, "If I understand correctly the operation Rachael refers to used mysteriously acquired blood samples to create their own immortal soldiers."

      DoD, that was the initials of the American Department of Defense. And Rachael was confirming David's suspicions that the Americans had stolen Vampyre blood and somehow made their own different Vampyres. Usually Claudia knew of all current conspiracy theories. "Why haven't I heard? You'd think it would be on the net."

      Rachael huffed a breath and halted. "If you stand wondering about it, Walker will pick up on it and confront you. He doesn't speak of it anymore. Angel knows all about it, so does Shade, and Camile, and Joshua who made her, and probably other children of Angel, maybe even Daerick..." Rachael always sounded full of disdain when she said his name, "I don't think he would say anything, he's much too happy thinking he knows a secret."

      "What happened then," David pressed.

      Rachael's gaze seemed sharp and Claudia wondered if she had sent unseen attack against David. The woman seemed to have little tolerance. "Angel knows something of it because the red jacks, the old red jacks led by Zion, had captured a number of Vampyres and other Darkling. Though not tied to the government financially or officially, Zion had definite connections to members of the DoD. He passed a quantity of specimens in form of blood and tissue samples from various Darkling to these associates, before the main cache of specimens was destroyed by Athen and Shade. Angel and I, before she turned me, were close enough that she told me all this plus much else that had occurred in her past. During the investigation of Ardor's murder, we came upon some information that led us back to the decendants of Zion, and found eventually, through my own military and defense contacts, that there had existed Operation Scarlet and that the actions of this operation included selecting American soldiers to turn into Vampyres, who would them serve the military in special assignments. The actual blood fed to the subjects was a mixture of bloods from the three bloodlines they knew of. Evidently, the outcome of Operation Scarlet was that they had created a number of Vampyre soldiers who did not share a bond to any one maker and had traits of all bloodlines. Their experiment showed that many, but not all, Azyurian traits are dominant, as Angel and others already knew from the sharing between blodlines in the past, only the blood one drank at turning remained most dominant in those cases. And they can't be tracked through the blood, the way you two will always be in each other's heads or Angel in mine. Shade was told later. Joshua and Camile have known only as long as Camile has served with the others in the Sacred Battalion. I knew who they were when we met."

      "How old are they? Are they stronger than you?" Claudia asked.

      Rachael smirked. "There were once more, an entire Crimson Guard. All the guard were created during my lifetime, though the specimins were older and preserved. The blood used couldn't have come from anyone higher than third generation of any bloodline. Angel knew all the Vampyres captured rather than killed and roughly how old they were. So, to answer your question, Walker and Bueller are of a similar age and strength to me. Knight is Walker's, made after the original Crimson Guard was decimated in the North China conflict. You may guess, their names are all bogus, made to protect their Human families. They are all dead to their families."

      "Are they the only ones left?" David asked.

      Rachael nodded. "Sonya and Eric had their unit decimated, as I said, being soldiers as well as Vampyres they were used to being told what to do. It didn't occur to them to make others without orders. Both were allowed to leave as they wished some years later, chose to be in the reserves as I did for a time. When the war started we all were called in. Walker brought Michael in as a recruit, but he'd already turned him while outside."

      "So odd that no one would know."

      Rachael rolled her eyes. "All nations have things about their history they would rather hide...or wish they had been able to hide." She seemed to undergo transformation. Rachael's face lost its tension before Claudia's eyes and her posture relaxed. "We knew we would have to escort you from here, that it was the only honorable solution. Gates asked me to stay with you, he thinks my being Angel's will somehow help us bond. And I suppose he trusts me not to up and declare myself Goth. We'll have to try and get along...so I will be honest again. I do not particularly like those sorts of Vampyres who like being spooky and holding blood orgies. I have no taste in such bedroom intrigue. I gather you two are not that sort, but I know Daerick is. As you know, we knew each other when human. I don't like him and he doesn't like me. I will do all I can to smooth the relations between my Battalion and the Goth, I will keep John informed and Justin if John so orders. But, don't expect me to be chummy with Daerick and those other two children."

      "What are your areas of knowledge, if I may ask?" Claudia inquired of Rachael.

      Rachael started her stride up again as she answered, forcing Claudia to skip up to her quickly to hear her answer. "Between the United states Army and Angel I am well trained in most forms of combat and weaponry. I find it has been necessary to point out to those of our kind that Angel is much more than a pretty face and figure, she was trained in the martial arts while still human and has always sought those who could further her learning."

      "I'd always assumed...based on a good amount of data of course, that she was not our General by Accident."

      Rachael shrugged. "Then you understand better that the ancient ones, Claudia, for they all continue to think of her as a fashion model and cannot see her as much more than that and so they spread rumor that she is mad to explain the skill at killing." A small sigh, "But to answer the original question, besides knowing combat, I am a medical doctor, general practice, and army trained medic as well with plenty of experience in triage and emergency medicine. My secondary field is information technolgies management."

      Claudia smiled to herself, or to Rachael if she looked back.  Claudia's vision was glazed by her own thoughts. "Then you will fit in well, Rachael," she said finally, "Your skills will be welcome and you may even find professional equals among us in myself, our crew, or our healers. Daerick should be no problem."

      "He drops names," David said and it took a second at least for Claudia to know what he meant. Daerick often spoke the secret birthnames of immortals in attempts to impress the less ancient. "You know his name," David said.

      "Yes," Rachael said, "I do not understand entirely his attempting to hide his name when those with real power to use it against him are ancient enough to know it."

"To protect family sometimes, as you do not seem to use a family name. For a time, it was necessary I use a taken name, to not reveal my family, or how one of us came by the blood."

"There was an incident in Alexandria?" Rachael looked from David to Claudia, "Orchid acknowledges you now."

"He does. My family as well."

      "If he'd use the jets he could end this war," Claudia said.

      "You know about those?" Rachael asked, her tone remaining casual.

      Claudia nodded. "I heard the rumor and a contact confirmed the story-" She broke off, realizing the activity before her.

      "Load up! Load up! PU and Rowan on the way and we're a target!"