Small town on the east coast. It was perfect. This was exactly what she had been looking for. Quiet. Peaceful. No one to interfer with her plans.

Harmony.

What a lovely name for such a quaint place. This would be the last place she would expect to run into any problems. Citizens of towns like this one often kept a safe distance from strangers. Townspeople like these usually kept to themselves. They lived normal, boring lives.

Her activities would most likely go unnoticed. But if by chance someone were to get too nosey and mess with her business, she would deal with them as she usually did.

She would kill them. Dispose of their remains by means of fire. Drain their life-blood, certainly.

Afterall, she was centuries old. These foolish mortals meant nothing.

Yes, she thought to herself with a smile, I think I will like it here in Harmony. It's just another quiet and dull small coastal town.

Wishful thinking.

Tabitha felt a cold chill rush through her old bones. She knew - no, she felt - that something was greatly amiss in Harmony this day. "Hell's bells," she muttered to herself, rubbing her arms. "I feel like someone just trampled over my grave."

Something alien, something powerful had indeed set foot on Tabitha's ancient soil. Someone had come to Harmony this day that frightened even this 300-year-old witch. Even little Timmy was on edge today, refusing to fix up a batch of refreshing Mar-Timmys to chill this darker-than-dark day that was upon them.

Timmy sat quietly on the couch watching Tabitha pace the living room. Tabby was not a happy witch. Her "friends" in the basement could not enlighten her as to what this darkness, this power was that had suddenly befallen the town of Harmony. Tabitha was at a loss. Timmy knew his Princess wasn't quite right (she never was, truly), but today was something else. Today, a shadow had fallen over their little township. Today, something had come to Harmony that even Tabitha Lennx had nothing to do with. Tabby was scared. So was Timmy.

Charity was finally able to sleep peacefully after all the tragedy that she and her family had suffered. When she had thought that Miguel was dead after the avalanche, Charity had felt as if her soul had fallen into a blackness so deep she would never find her way out. What would be the point of life without his love? Where would she be without him there to save her?

Oh, but thank God, Miguel was all right and they could put all that behind them. Miguel was okay. He loved her. All was well.

Or so Charity thought.

For some reason, Charity's sleep was now disturbed. She had had visions in the past, horrible and bloody visions, but whatever this was that she was feeling now was worse by far. Charity dreamed of someone lost in darkness, filled with loneliness and anger. Someone with power, someone with time, someone with the blood of innocents shed upon their hands.

Charity woke up, sweat trickling down her brow. The sheets clung damply to her. Oh God, she thought, trembling, I thought I was through having these terrible visions.

Why am I having these nightmares?

Something was wrong.

Charity scanned the dimly lit room, hoping the murky darkness was merely the remnent of her dream, but standing at the foot of her bed was the figure of a person, a woman...

"Oh my God," Charity gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth to stiffle the scream that rose in her throat. The figure standing there was her mother. The woman was burned and scarred. The teeth marks of some evil beast marked her throat and face. Blood ran from the grusome wounds. Charred skin peeled from the tatters of flesh that remained covering her ravaged body.

"Charity," Faith called softly to her daughter. Her mother's voice was weak and filled with dreadful pain. "Charity, you must listen to me."

Charity gaped at the woman, but the girl listened as the ghostly image of her mother spoke to her.

"I have warned you of evil in the past," Faith was saying, "but there comes now an even greater evil than the evil I told of before. Something, someone has come to Harmony that will destroy everything unless you stop it."

"M-me?" Charity stammered. "W-what can I do? I don't know anything about this evil."

Faith's image began to waver. "I do not have the time to explain it to you, Charity," she said sadly, "but just know that you are filled with a great goodness. You have special powers that will make you strong enough to defeat the evil that would stalk Harmony. Love is the key, Charity. Love is what fuels the power within you." Faith was fading away as she spoke. "Remember I love you, Charity. Remember Grace and her family are here for you. And Miguel. You always have Miguel."

"Mom!" Charity cried as her mother disappeared. "Mom, don't leave me! I don't understand any of this! Please come back! Mom!"

Just than the bedroom door flung open and Sam and Grace Bennet rushed in. Light from the hallway flooded into the room, sending the last of the darkness away. Grace put her arms around the weeping Charity and looked up at her husband, worry and concern on her face.

Kay Bennet was in the kitchen eating her breakfast when her parents walked in. They both looked tired. It's no wonder," Kay thought with an inner groan. Charity kept everyone up late with more of her premonitions. Looks like I don't need that bird statue afterall. Miss Polly Anna is crazy enough already.

"How's Charity?" Kay asked her mother with mock concern.

Grace sighed heavily. "Eve says she's fine physically, but otherwise we really don't know. I would hate for her to have to return to the hospital, but Eve thinks that would be

for the best," Grace said, tears coming to her eyes. Sam put his arm around her and held her comfortingly.

"Dr. Russell may be right, Mom," Kay said. Everyone looked at her in shock. "I mean, she does need help," Kay said quickly. "She would be getting the help she needs, you know."

"Kay's right," Sam said. "We would all hate to see Charity back in the hospital, but she does need medical treatment, Grace."

"I guess you're right," Grace said, sniffing and wiping at her eyes. "She's just been through so much already."

"We'll always be here for her," Jessica added, giving Kay a sideways glance. "Won't we, Kay?"

"Oh, yes, totally," Kay said, forcing a smile. "We'll be here for our cousin."

"You girls are so wonderdul," Grace said, hugging each of them. "Charity knows she has us all to support her. I better go up and see how she is. Eve wanted to talk to me about how we're going to handle this." Grace left the room.

Sam put on his police jacket and looked at his watch. "I have to head to the station," he said. "With Luis gone we're a bit backed up there. I'll see you girls later." He bent to kiss his daughters lightly on their foreheads. Then he was gone.

"I bet you're just thrilled about all this, aren't you?" Jessica asked snidely. Her eyes had narrowed to slits as she glared at her sister.

Kay just shrugged one shoulder as she ate her last bite. "I admit having Charity gone again will be nice," Kay said, wiping her lips with her napkin. "It'll give me more time to spend with Miguel."

"Don't you ever quit?" Jessica said, her tone dripping with disgust.

"This time I had nothing to do with Charity having nightmares," Kay pointed out. "She's a loon. Miguel needs to be with someone sane."

"Oh, and that would be you, right, Kay?" Jessica snapped. "You're the on whose crazy, Kay Bennet! How can you be so cruel?"

"Look, Jessica," Kay said, standing, "I don't have time for this. We're going to be late for school if we don't get going. I still have to meet Simone before class." Kay grabbed her coat and backpack and headed out the door without so much as a backward glance.

Tabitha watched as Kay and Jessica left their house. She and Timmy were peering through their window at the Bennet house. "I knew Charity would sense this...thing," Tabitha said. "We heard her screams. Now they're going to send her back to that nut ward all over again for sure. Drat! Things are only getting worse in this town. I'm starting to think this is a battle I have no chance in hell of winning."

Timmy grinned with delight. "Does that mean Timmy and Tabitha can retire? Timmy wants to go to Florida with his Princess," the doll said.

Tabitha frowned down at him. "How would you like to retire to the attic with Fluffy?"

Timmy shook his head quickly.

"Go fix us some Mar-Timmys," Tabitha ordered him. "There's something strange going on in this town. I need a drink."

Later that evening,

The sound of the doorbell echoed throughout the foyar of the Crane mansion. Pilar went to the large doors and opened them. Standing there was a young woman dressed in a stylish black business suit. It took Pilar a long momment to let the woman in. There was something odd about her. She gazed at Pilar with wide green eyes. Although she said nothing, it was as if she had silently ordered Pilar to stand aside and let her in.

"I am here to see Mr. Crane," the woman said. Her voice was soft and husky, but it carried an edge. The woman made Pilar feel uneasy. She turned and looked at Pilar again, her long ebony hair swinging like a cloak with the movement.

"Mr. Crane is in his study," Pilar told her. "Give me a momment while I go inform him that you are here. Who shall I say is calling?"

"Tell him Elizabeth Chase is here to see him," the woman said, smiling. A chill shot up Pilar's spine. The woman's smile was not unpleasent, but there was something sinister about it. About her.

Julian Crane was sipping his brandy and wondering how he was going to get out of this mess with the bird statue when his wife's maid knocked softly at the door and poked her head around the corner. "There is a woman here to see you, sir," Pilar told him.

Julain's brow furrowed. Now who would be here to see me at this time of the evening? He wondered. And it was a woman, no less. This turn of events certainly caught his interest.

"Who is she, Pilar?" Julian wanted to know.

"She said her name is Elizabeth Chase, Mr. Crane," Pilar answered.

Julian could tell that something was bothering the maid. "What is it, Pilar? You look like you just swallowed something distasteful," Julain said, chuckling. He swirled the brandy in the glass, admirering the play of light in the liquid.

"I do not know exactly what it is," Pilar said, "but there is something wrong about your guest."

"Whatever do you mean, Pilar?" Julian said, standing. He put the glass down on his desk and came around it to leave the study. He followed Pilar down the hall. "Is she deformed or something?" he teased. "Is she demading money for some bastard she claims is mine?"

"No, Mr. Crane," Pilar said with obvious distaste. "There's just something about her...I don't really know how to describe it."

"Well," Julian laughed, "I'll just have to see for myself."

And see he did. Julian had to keep his eyes from popping out of his head when he did finally get a good look at the woman. She was perhaps the most striking female Julian had ever seen. She wore a sleek black suit and wore her straight black hair down, letting it fall loosely down her back. Her eyes were the color of emeralds. Her skin was like polished ivory. She was slender, not too tall. Maybe this day won't turn out so bad, afterall, Julian thought, putting on his most charming smile and tugging his neckcloth into place.

"Well, hello, my dear," he purred, offering her his hand in greeting. "Whatever can I do for you?"

She turned slowly to face him, but the smile that had been on her face dropped the minute she looked at him. "You are not Mr. Crane," she said, her tone accusing.

Julian shook his head, puzzled. "Of course I am Mr. Crane," he insisted, still smiling. "I am Julian Crane."

"Where is Alistair?" the woman who called herself Elizabeth Chase demanded. "It is he whom I have come to see."

"You've come here to see my father?" Julian asked dumbly. "He's not here. He is abroad on business. Perhaps you would care to..."

"You will call him then," Elizabeth Chase said. "You will let him know that I am here."

"Now see here," Julian said, his temper rising. "You cannot just waltz in here and start demanding that I..."

Just then, another house maid entered the room. "Excuse me, Mr. Crane," she said. "But your father is on the phone. He wishes to speak with you."

Julian looked at the maid then at Elizabeth Chase. This evening was getting weirder and weirder by the minute. "Very well," Julain said, dismissing the maid with a nod.

He picked up the phone in the living room. "Yes, Father."

"Julian," Alistair Crane said over the phone. "I need you to tell me how you plan to handle this matter with Eve Russell and..."

"Father," Julian cut in, "I don't mean to interrupt you, but there is a woman here that says she is here to see you."

"What?" Alistair said. "A woman at the house now?"

"Yes, Father," Julian said, eyeing the woman from the corner of his eye. She might be a bitch, Julian thought, but she sure is a sight to behold.

"Well, who is she?" Alistair asked, annoyed.

"Her name is Elizabeth Chase."

Julian swore he heard his father make a choking sound, dropping the phone on his end.

"Father?" Julian called into the line. "Father, are you there? Are you alright? Father?"

"Julian," Alistair said once he was back on the phone. "Tell Miss Chase I will be booking the next flight to Harmony and will see her once I arrive." With that, the old man hung up, leaving a very confused Julian on the other end.

Elizabeth Chase was grinning.

Elizabeth liked it here. She liked the wind that blew in off the sea at night; she liked the salty smell of the ocean. Harmony was a small place, but Elizabeth now understood why the Crane family had settled in this place. It was a slower place it seemed, not at all like Boston or New York or London. Those were the places Elizabeth knew. In the 489 years that she had lived, Elizabeth often resided in large cities. One could get lost in those vastly populated regions of the world. But here, one would be noticed, especially if that one was different. And Elizabeth Chase was very different.

She had been born in London in 1511. She was born the daughter of a wealthy merchant during the reign of Henry VIII. England was in turmoil during those years. The monarchy and the Catholic Pope were at odds. The English Reformation and Henry's parade of wives made for troubled times. Elizabeth's family was Catholic and many Catholics in England in those harsh days were not looked upon kindly. Elizabeth's father traveled often due to his work, and he wisely took his only child with him on many of his travels.

Elizabeth lived in Paris and Rome for a time. The Renaissance in Europe was colorful and exciting for Elizabeth. At her father's insistance, Elizabeth was educated and given schooling as she grew up. She was taught to read and write in Latin and Greek. She was fluent in Spanish, French and Italian. She was an unconventtional woman, but those were unconventional times.

In 1528, her father died, so Elizabeth married a merchant from Florance named Lucius. Though Lucius was much older than his bride, he had been a trusted friend of her father's and thus treated her very well. For ten years the couple traveled and lived comfortably with one another. Elizabeth truly cared for her husband and enjoyed his company.

But everything fell apart in the spring of 1538 when Elizabeth had just turned 27. Lucius and Elizabeth were traveling through the Spanish countryside one evening during one of their many treks when their carriage was attacked and robbed. Lucius was killed while trying to defend his wife from the drunken madmen attacking them. But it was Elizabeth who fell to a worse fate.

The leader of the bandits was no mere man. He was a creature of the night, a vampire. He took a liking to his new captive and kept her for himself. Over a period of three months, he used Elizabeth as his personal slave. Then one night, he turned her. He turned her into the same as he. Elizabeth learned how it was to survive in this new life. She learned about the power this condition gave her. Then she destroyed her creator with fire and fled.

For years she wandered throughout Europe, only returning to her native England during the height of Queen Elizabeth's reign. Elizabeth herself amassed a personal fortune, mostly what she took from her victims. She used her talents to gain power for herself and for others. There were many who would be forever in her debt. In certain circles it became known that making a deal with the ruthless Elizabeth Chase was the same as making a deal with the devil.

She went to the New World and did the same there as she had in the Old World. For centuries Elizabeth went on. And now, here she was in this lovely little town called Harmony, waiting to collect on an old debt.

Alistair Crane was a tall, distinguished man. Although he was in his mid-seventies, Alistair was still a handsome man with his shock of white hair and rugged features.

He was an imposing man. His pressence filled the room the minute he walked in.

Julian plastered on his his most welcoming smile.

"Father," he beamed, "it is so good to have you back."

Alistair wasn't buying it. "Where is she, Julian?"

Julian dropped his mask the way a person would drop a dead rat. "She said she would be here shortly," he informed his father. Julian was worried. He had never seen his father so tense. And never before had old man Crane dropped everything and flown thousands of miles at the whim of some woman. But it was clear by Alistair's attitude that this Elizabeth Chase was not just some woman.

The doorbell sounded. Alistair spun around and stared at the door for a momment before clearing his throat and motioning for Pilar to answer it. Pilar did so, but this time she avoided making any eye contact with the woman. Elizabeth Chase was wearing a black cocktail dress with a silver chain around her neck. A single emerald dangled from the chain. Pilar focused her eyes on the jewel. Elizabeth smiled knowingly.

I don't like this woman, Pilar thought as Elizabeth walked by.

The woman paused, an amused smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

"A lot of people don't, my dear," she said softly as she walked past the stunned maid.

Just as Pilar was closing the door behind her, Ethan and Theresa came up the steps. They were carrying folders and bags in their arms.

"Oh hi, Mama," Theresa said brightly. "Ethan and I just got back from town. We were getting stuff for the wedding."

"Yes," Ethan said, smiling. "I just know Gwen will love the things Theresa picked out."

Ethan failed to notice the flash of pain that flickered over Theresa's face. Pilar was too distracted by what was going on inside the house to notice either. The two came in and Pilar shut the door.

"What's going on?" Ethan asked, realizing there were several voices coming from the living room.

"Your grandfather is here," Pilar told him.

"What? Really?" A suprised look came over Ethan's face. "I didn't know Grandfather was coming home."

"No one did until last night," Pilar said.

Ethan turned to Theresa and handed her the things he was holding. "I'm going to go in and see what's going on," he said, heading toward the living room.

"I don't think now is a good..." Pilar began, but Ethan was already gone.

Theresa looked at her mother with concern. "Is everything alright, Mama?" she asked as she set the folders and sacks down on a table in the foyer.

"I don't know, Theresa," Pilar admitted. "But I don't think this is a good time for you to be here. I think you should go home for the night."

"Mama, you're worrying me," Theresa said, looking over her mother's shoulder and into the living room. "Is this about Ethan?"

"I don't think so," Pilar said. "But come on, Theresa, I do want you to go home."

"No, Mama," Theresa protested. "I promised Ethan I would help him go through this stuff." She pointed at the items on the table. "I'm going to see what's going on."

"No, Theresa," Pilar said. "This does not concern you."

But Theresa had already walked far enough into the room to catch Ethan's attention. He turned to her and smiled. "Theresa, please come in," he said. "I want you to meet

my Grandfather."

Theresa entered the room and saw Julian standing next to an older gentleman. There was also a woman with them. She was one of the most beautiful women Theresa had ever seen. When the woman's green eyes met Theresa's own dark eyes, Theresa felt an odd pang. It was as if the woman had looked directly into her soul. It was an unnerving feeling to say the least.

"Grandfather, this is Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald," Ethan was saying, "she's Mother's personal assistant. She's also helping plan my and Gwen's wedding."

Alistair Crane came foward to shake Theresa's hand. "So, this is Martin's lovely daughter," he said. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Theresa."

"It's an honor to meet you, sir," Theresa said smiling. "Ethan has told me so much about you."

"I see you and my grandson are spending a great deal of time together," Alistair said kindly.

"Oh, yes," Ethan said happily, "I don't know what I would do without Theresa, Grandfather. She's the best."

Alistair and Julian exchanged a look.

"And this is an old friend of mine," Alistair said, facing the woman in black. "Elizabeth Chase, this is my grandson Ethan."

"What a good-looking young man," she said, taking Ethan's hand to shake it. "I'm sure he does the family name proud."

"Indeed he does," Julian grinned.

The woman looked over at Theresa. "And it is nice to meet you as well, Theresa," she said.

"May I ask how you know Grandfather, Miss Chase?" Ethan asked.

"Oh, we've done business with each other for years," she said, "and please, all of you, feel free to call me Elizabeth."

"And speaking of business," Alsitair said, "Elizabeth and I have business to discuss. I will gladly visit with all of you once that is done."

"Of course, Grandfather," Ethan said, nodding. "Welcome home."

"Thank you, my boy," Alistair said as he and Elizabeth headed toward the study with Julian following.

"That's strange," Ethan said, scratching his head.

"What is?" Theresa said.

"Just that Grandfather is here," Ethan said. "And that woman..."

"What about her?" Theresa said, looking up at Ethan questioningly.

"I'm not sure," Ethan said,shaking his head as if to clear it. "There's just something about her. I don't really know." He looked down at Theresa, then smiled. "It doesn't matter. What do you say we get to work, hmmm?"

"Sure," Theresa smiled. "Let's do that."

Pilar just shook her head as she watched the two head upstairs.

Two days later, Kay Bennet was sitting in the room that had been hers originally then taken from her and given to her cousin Charity. Now the room was hers again. Charity

was locked up at the pyche ward at the hospital, and there was no telling how long Miss Goody Two Shoes was going to be there this time. Kay felt like she was finally the one on top of the world. Charity was out of her way for good. There would be no stopping her now from getting Miguel.

She pressed the channel button on the remote. This TV sucks, Kay thought. I need to get cable so I can watch something. She changed the channel again, but still she saw nothing that interested her. She was about to turn the set off when a news broadcast caught her eye.

Kay turned the television up. The female newscaster was saying something about a body being found near Harmony High School. "This evening police have confirmed that the headless body of a high school student has been found near the school." Kay sat up, her dark eyes fixed on the screen. "The identity of the body has also been made known. It is that of student Reese Derky." The remote slipped from between Kay's fingers. "The body was found drained of blood and decapitated."

"Holy shit," Kay whispered. She was shaking.

She had wanted to kill the bothersome Reese many a time, but never in all the world had she expected something like this to happen. She had thought about killing him especially after that incident in the hot tub. But now someone else had really killed Reese. And not just killed him, tortured him by the sound of it. Headless and drained of blood.

She leaped from the bed and rushed downstairs. Grace was in the kitchen finishing her pot roast. "Mom," Kay said. Grace looked up.

"Oh my God, Kay!" she exclaimed. "What is it? You're so pale!"

Grace rushed over to her daughter and held her.

"H-have you seen the news?"Kay stuttered.

"No," Grace said, shaking her head, her expression serious. "Kay, what is it?"

"Reese is dead," Kay told her. "Someone cut off his head."

Grace just stared at Kay in disbelief. Was this for real? Was Kay telling the truth?

"Mom, I'm serious!" Kay cried. "I just saw it on the TV!"

Grace went to the phone and dialed up the number for the police station. She asked for Sam and was put on hold. She studied Kay for a few momments while she waited for her husband to pick up. Kay's eyes were wide with shock. Her face was as white as a sheet.

"Sam Bennet," Sam said when he got on the phone.

"Sam, it's Grace," she said. "Kay just heard some very disturbing news on the TV. Is it true that someone murdered Reese Derky?"

"Oh no," Sam moaned. "I didn't want the girls to find out this way. Yes, Grace, it's true. We just discovered his body a few hours ago."

"Oh, lord," Grace said. "How could something like this happen here, Sam?"

"I don't know, honey," Sam said. "But I'll be home as soon as I can to be with you and the girls. How is Kay right now?"

"She's extremely upset, Sam," Grace said quietly, watching Kay thoughtfully. "You know how much Kay liked Reese."

Grace got off the phone shortly and went to Kay who still stood in the middle of the kitchen as if frozen there. Grace had never seen her middle child act this way.

"Kay?"

Kay looked at her mother blankly.

"Kay? Can I do anything for you, Kay?"

"This means there's a seriel killer in Harmony, Mom," Kay stated. "Someone is killing people, cutting their heads off and draining them of their blood. But why would they go after Reese?"

"Kay, you don't know that," Grace said calmly. "This doesn't mean soemthing like this is going to happen again."

"How can you be so sure?" Kay cried. "I'm not going to school tomorrow, Mom. I refuse to."

"Of course I won't make you go to school after hearing something like this, sweetheart," Grace said soothingly. "You need to be with your family right now." Grace wrapped her arms around Kay and rocked her gently as if she were a little girl all over again.

"Oh no! Poor Reese!" Timmy cried. "Tabby, what is going on? Timmy is so scared!"

Tabitha turned off the television and shook her head, bewildered. "I don't know Tim-Tim," she said. "I will admit that I strongly disliked that boy, but I certainly don't think he deserved what happened to him."

"Does Tabitha know who did this?" Timmy wanted to know.

"No, Timmy," the old witch said. "But I do know that whoever it is that did this is a lot more wicked than your Tabitha, Timmy."

"How could someone be more evil than Tabitha?" Timmy said.

"How would you like me to yank your head off and pull all the stuffing out of you?" Tabitha said.

"Oh, no!" Timmy screamed, running behind the couch. "Timmy's princess would never do that to Timmy!" Or would she? the frightened doll wondered.

"That's exactly my point, Tim-Tim," Tabitha sighed. "Of course I wouldn't do something like that."

"Whew," Timmy said, wiping his gloved hand across his forehead. "Boy, is Timmy glad to hear that!"

"Something is going on in this town though," Tabitha said, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "And I am determined to find out what it is."

"But how is Tabby going to do that?" Timmy asked.

"I think it's time your princess paid a visit to an old friend," Tabitha said.

"Timmy doesn't like Tabitha's friends," the doll complained. "Do we have to go to the graveyard to see that mean old Matilda again?"

"Oh for hell's sake, Timmy!" Tabitha groaned. "No. Who owns this town, Timmy? Who would know everything that is going on in Harmony besides me?"

Timmy's face lit up with understanding. "The Cranes!" he exclaimed.

"That's right, doll face," Tabitha said. "I think I'll just pop in and pay a friendly visit to the Crane mansion. I just heard that old man Alistair himself has returned to Harmony, and all these strange happenings have been going on since he came back. There must be a connection."

"Does Tabby know Mr. Crane?" Timmy said.

"Oh, yes, Tim-Tim," she said. "Alistair and I go way back."

Elizabeth walked silently through the old church. She loved the irony of it. Vampires were not supposed to able to stand on holy ground. That was all a myth of course. She wasn't about to be struck by lightening for just setting foot in God's house.

But she did feel eyes upon her. But they were only the eyes of the dead saints peering down at her from their shadowy nitches. Sightless eyes. Stone eyes. Statues of cold hard stone.

Elizabeth sat down in one of the back pews and thought back to her meeting with Alistair and his son. She had to admit she rather liked Julian Crane. It would be fun to work with him in the future. When she had looked into Julian's mind she had discovered a man with a degraded past, a man with many hidden secrets. Even his father didn't know the extent of Julian's bad deeds. Elizabeth found Julian to be refreshing after having to deal with the stiff Alistair. When Julian became head of the Crane clan, Elizabeth knew that they would go far.

Julian had been dumbfounded when he realized exactly who and what Elizabeth Chase was. "It's about time you knew the truth, Julian," Alistair had said. He explained to Julian how over 200 years ago Malachi Crane, founder of the Crane dynasty, had created the Crane empire all those years ago. It had been a woman named Elizabeth Chase who had provided the young man with the means to build that empire. And in return, Malachi would provide for her what she needed. Blood.

"You and your line will own entire cities," she had told him. "You will have wealth beyond imaginning. You will have the power to control the destinies of men. And all you have to do is make sure I have what I most want."

Malachi was able to get for her men, women, even children to satisfy her eternal hunger. It was easier to have mortals under her control in this way. No one knew about her activities. She was protected from the public eye. Her victims simply just disappeared, their deaths covered up.

Now she wanted to settle in Harmony for a while. She wanted to live in the small peaceful town. And it would be up to the Cranes to keep her secrets safe, to get for her that which sustained her. Every head of the Crane family was told in time what the pact was and they were expected to keep their end of the bargain or face utter destruction. Provoking Elizabeth Chase was not a wise thing to do.

"Who is in here?" a feeble voice demanded. Elizabeth had not made a single sound, but someone knew she was in here. She turned to see who was there and saw behind her a blind old priest. His pale eyes glinted eerily in the flickering candlelight.

"Forgive me, Father," Elizabeth said. "I did not mean to frighten you."

"Who are you?" the priest demanded. He pointed his cane in her direction. "I know you do not belong in a place like this. You are evil. I command you to leave this place in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!"

Elizabeth laughed. "What do you think this is?" she asked, "An old Hammer horror film?"

"Leave this church now!" he shouted.

"You cannot command me," Elizabeth said, rising and coming toward him. Though he could not see or hear her, the old priest took a step back nonetheless. He could sense her. He could feel the darkness coming off of her in waves.

She reached out and took his neck in her hand. He was unable to scream as she pressed her fingers into his windpipe. Elizabeth tilted her head back, her jet black hair falling away from her white face. Her eye teeth grew longer and sharper. "You cannot tell me where I can go," she said sweetly. "But I know where you can go." She then sank her teeth into the priest's neck, blood gushing into her mouth and dripping down her chin.

When she was finished, she dropped the priest's sagging body to the floor. The only witnesses to his death were the statues. The Madonna with child looked upward as if trying to avoid seeing the sight of her servant laying dead and drained at the foot of the alter. Elizabeth laughed. Oh, how she loved the irony of it! Now he was just another dead and sightless saint himself.

Sam Bennet was not a happy man. This was the second death to occure in only two days. Now the media was pressing him for answers. Another body, again drained of

blood. And this time it was a priest, his body left at the alter in a twisted fetal position. The citizens of Harmony were becomming outraged and frightened, demanding that the chief of police do something to put a halt to these grisly murders.

Grace was crying and sobbing at the news that her parish priest had met such a tragic fate. "Sam, you've got to do something!" she had begged, tears spilling from her eyes. But Sam was just as helpless as everyone else. There was been no evidence left at the crime scene. No fingerprints. No witnesses. Nothing. He had called in the FBI that morning after finding the priest. Two agents were on their way and would be in Harmony that afternoon.

Sam had tried to reach Luis in Paris but was unable to get hold of him. He wished Luis were here. He needed all the help he could get. As Sam was going through some paperwork at his desk, Officer Brentwood came up to him. "Chief Bennet," he said, "those two feds are here."

"Thanks, Scott," Sam said, standing up and heading out to meet the agents. One was a man with short dark hair and the other was an attractive redhead.

"Hello," Sam said, shaking their hands. "I'm Chief Bennet. Welcome to Harmony. I just wish you two could have come here under less tragic circunstances."

"Yes," the man said. "I understand these deaths are pretty gruesome. I'm Agent Maulder and this is my partner Agent Scully."

Charity was in bad shape. Miguel hated to see her like this. He thought they had put all this vision stuff behind them, but Charity was only getting worse. Miguel could see that now. He wondered if she would ever be okay again. At least he had Kay with him. Kay was always there when he needed her. She was his best buddy.

Miguel had to admit he was pretty suprised at how well Kay was handling everything. She didn't seem too shaken up over Reese's death, but everyone reacted to things like that diffently, he reasoned. He was just glad she was around to help him in his time of need.

They were both at the hospital waiting to see Charity, but they had been told Charity was unable to have visitors. Miguel had heard her screams coming from down the hall. "You have to let me out!" Charity had shrieked. "I have to stop the evil! I have to stop the evil!" They had given her some meds to calm her down and even had to restrain her because she was banging her hands against the walls of her cell and hurting herself. After a while the screaming had stopped.

"I just don't get it, Kay," Miguel said. "She was doing so much better."

"I know, Miguel," Kay said, gently rubbing his back. "She seemed okay to me for a while, but then she started saying she was seeing visions of her dead mother and saying that she had to stop some sort of evil that had come to Harmony. Dr. Russell thought it best she be put under observation."

"I know," Miguel said. "But I just don't get it."

He burried his face in his hands. He didn't see the little smile that Kay had on her face.

The Book Cafe wasn't as crowded as it usually was on a Friday night. Lots of people were staying indoors because of the murders. Theresa just didn't feel like sitting at home brooding over Ethan, so she had come out to grab a cup of coffee and write in her diary. Whitney came in a few momments later. She spotted Theresa and hobbled over with her crutches.

"Hey, Whit," Theresa said, putting her diary away. "How's the leg?"

"It's still pretty sore," her friend said, "but Mom said it'll be fine. I was so worried I wouldn't be able to play tennis anymore."

"But everything turned out alright," Theresa said, smiling warmly at her best friend.

If she says it's because of fate, Whitney thought, I swear I'll slap her.

Whitney was not in a good mood. She had had another run in with Chad earlier that day. She was just glad he wasn't working here tonight, otherwise she wouldn't have come. She was just glad that she was able to get around at all.

"How's everything at the Crane mansion?" Whitney asked.

"Funny you should ask," Theresa commented. "Mama doesn't want me hanging out over there anymore, but it has nothing to do with Ethan this time."

"Why?" Whitney said. "What happened?"

"I don't really know," Theresa said. "Ethan's grandfather came home a few days ago and there's been this strange woman around the mansion lately."

"Alistair Crane is in Harmony?" Whitney said.

"Yep," Theresa said.

"So what's up with this strange woman you mentioned?"

"I don't know that either," Theresa said. "All I know is that Mama hates her. I mean, she hasn't said anything, you know, but I can tell. The lady is pretty strange though. Even Ethan thinks so. But she is really pretty. I wonder is she's an actress or something."

Just then the door to the Book Cafe opened and in walked Elizabeth Chase herself. Theresa gasped in suprise. "That's her, Whit!" Theresa said in a hushed tone. "That's the woman from the Crane mansion."

Whitney studied the woman and had to admit Theresa was right. The woman was very beautiful in an exotic sort of way, but there was definitely something about her her that gave Whitney the creeps. Elizabeth was dressed in a hunter green pant suit and black high heels. She saw the girls and must have recognized Theresa because she smiled and came over to their table. She moved with an

almost feline grace.

"Why, hello, Theresa,"she said smiling. She had the whitest teeth Whitney had ever seen.

"Uh, hi, Miss Chase," Theresa said shyly.

"Please, call me Elizabeth," she said. She looked down at Whitney.

"This is my best friend, Whitney Russell," Theresa said by means of introduction.

Whitney nodded. "Hello."

The woman pointed to the free seat at the table with the girls. "May I join you? I am new to town afterall. I would love to have some new friends."

Theresa and Whitney looked at one another, but they relented and let Elizabeth have a seat with them. "Thank you," she said, taking the seat.

"I think I want some coffee," Whitney said, rising with a moan. Theresa looked to her friend with concern, but Whitney waved her hand to indicate that Theresa not worry. Whitney ambled over to the counter to order her beverage.

"So," Elizabeth said conversationally. "I can see that you and Ethan Crane are quite close."

Theresa looked at the woman closely.

Elizabeth smiled understandingly. "I have seen the way you look at the young man. He is rather handsome. I know the look of a young woman in love."

Theresa gawked at Elizabeth. No one had ever read her so well, not unless those people knew her well. But she couldn't very well lie to the woman. "Yes," the teenage girl said. "Yes, I do love Ethan."

"But he fails to realize this, doesn't he?" Elizabeth said, looking at Theresa intently.

"That's true," Theresa said, hating to admit the secrets of her heart to this odd stranger, but not being able to hide the truth.

"Why haven't you told him?" Elizabeth asked. "Why not take the bull by the horns, so to speak, and tell him how you feel?"

"He would hate me for lying to him," Theresa admitted. She went on to tell the woman about the whole story of how Ethan had thought she was his stalker to how everything was at the present.

"I thought he would come to care for me over time," Theresa said, her voice breaking at the thought of how Ethan had so clearly failed to realize how she felt for him.

"How can a man be so blind?" Elizabeth said. "How can he fail to see that a beautiful young woman like yourself is so deeply in love with him?"

Theresa shook her head sadly. "I don't know," she said. "I thought Ethan would understand and come to realize that I was the woman meant for him, not Gwen."

Elizabeth patted Theresa on the shoulder in a friendly manner. "Perhaps in the future he will come to his senses."

"I hope so," Theresa said. "I pray that he will."

"Well," Elizabeth said, smiling in a friendly way, "I hope that you have your prayers come true. We all need to know that God hears our prayers, don't you think?"

Theresa nodded absently. Elizabeth rose. "I have to be going now," she said, still smiling. "It was nice to see you again, Theresa."

"Yeah, thanks," the girl said, still lost in her own thoughts. She failed to notice the smirk on Elizabeth's face. "Nice to see you to."

With that Elizabeth was gone.

Special Agent Fox Mulder glanced at his watch for what had to be the tenth time in the last ten minutes. His partner, Dana Scully, smiled at him wryly over the rim of her coffee mug. They were seated at a table in the Book Cafe waiting for Chief Bennett to meet with them.

"I don't think you're going to make the hands move by force of will alone, Mulder," she said, sipping her drink.

Mulder sighed and looked up at her with a tight smile. "Or make any progress in this case, either," he said. It had been over a week since the discovery of Father Lonigan's drained corpse in the church and the beheaded body of that teenage boy, Reece. Nothing had been found that might lead them to the killer, but Mulder's mind was racing with ideas that would have had anyone else committed to the state mental hospital.

"Both of the deceased were completely drained of blood," Mulder mused aloud.

Scully set her cup down with a soft thud. "C'mon, Mulder," she said, rolling her eyes. "We've been over this. You can't honestly believe there's a vampire running around Harmony sucking people dry."

"Scully, we've seen some pretty crazy things," Mulder said, fixing his partner with a serious gaze. "Why can't this be possible? You examined those bodies yourself. Not a drop left. No indication of any cuts or wounds. Where did all that blood go? There should have been a small lake of it with that much blood loss."

"I know," Scully admitted. "But there must be some other ex-planation. I just don't by it that Dracula would suddenly show up in Harmony for a bite to eat."

"Cute, Scully, real cute," Mulder said, shaking his head, a slight smile on his face. He looked at his watch again.

Scully glared at him over the table.

Mulder shrugged.

Night was beginning to fall; the remains of the day were being slowly chased away as shadows crept darkly over the Crane estate. The air outside was mild, hinting at the return of summer.

It's getting late, Theresa thought, looking out the window of the library where she was working. "I better hurry and finish these papers for Mrs. Crane," she mumbled to herself. She returned to the laptop on the desk in front of her, her slender fingers flying over the keys.

Just as she was finishing up, the library door opened and Elizabeth Chase entered the room holding a thick hardcover book in her white hands. Theresa looked up at her in suprise, then smiled sheepishly.

"Excuse me, Ms. Chase," she said shyly, "I was just about to leave."

Elizabeth was dressed comfortably in a black turtleneck and dark blue jeans, her ebony hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. Her boot heels were silent as she moved gracefully into the room.

"Don't worry, Theresa," she said quietly in the hushed room. "I am only returning this book of poetry I borrowed last night."

Elizabeth found she rather like Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald. She was a lovely girl, filled with dreams of a bright future. In some ways, she reminded Elizabeth of herself a bit when she had once been a young mortal girl filled with dreams of her own.

But those dreams had been brutally snatched away...

Elizabeth forced those old, bitter memories back into the darkest corners of her mind, struggling to keep her expression neutral. She refused such thoughts to come to her unbidden.

She glided over to the shelf where the book belonged and replaced it. Her slender fingers lingered fondly over the spine of the book before she slowly drew her hand away.

"What was it you were reading?" Theresa asked softly, noticing the gesture.

"Lord Byran," Elizabeth said.

Theresa's face lit with a wide smile. "Oh, I love Byron!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"You know Byron?" Elizabeth said, her fine black brows darting up in suprise.

"Oh, yes!" Theresa beamed. "I was assigned to read some of his work for an English class and have loved him ever since."

"Loved who ever since?"

Both women turned to see Ethan Crane as he came into the library, a curious expression on his handsome face.

"Ethan," Theresa said, laughing, the smile on her face grown wider.

"Theresa was telling me how she loves to read Lord Byron," Elizabeth said.

Ethan was staring at Theresa intently. The color rose in Theresa's cheeks. Elizabeth smiled knowingly to herself.

She went back to the shelf and took the book down again. She flipped to a page, her index finger following the lines of words.

"Yes, here we are," she said quietly. "This has always been one of my favorites."

She glanced up at Ethan and Theresa who were still gazing word-lessly at one another.

Elizabeth began to read, her tone low, almost seductive.

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes:

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

The breath caught in Ethan's throught. A memory he shared with Theresa came rushing vividly back to him. And by the look on her face, Ethan knew Theresa was also remembering the incident at the Chicken Hut.

Elizabeth went on, her voice washing over them like silken waves.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,

Or softly lightens o'er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

As if under an enchantment, Ethan and Theresa moved closer to each-other, their gazes locked, unwavering. Ethan ran his tongue over his dry lips. Why was it he always felt he was drowning whenever he looked deeply into Theresa's wide, dark eyes?

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of day in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent.

Ethan's hand was gently tracing the line of Theresa's jaw and high cheekbone. His head bent, the light catching the golden strands in his dark blond hair. Theresa's eyes were half closed, her lips parted.

From somewhere in the vast house, came the sound of Alistair Crane bellowing at his son, Julian.

The spell was broken.

Ethan jerked away as if he had been slapped. Theresa blinked rapidly, blushing. She went to the desk to gather her papers.

"I f-finished your m-mother's work," she stammered, collecting the pile of papers quickly.

Elizabeth snapped the book shut.

Ethan looked over at her, startled, having utterly forgotten she was there, a guilty expression on his face.

"Yes," he said to no one in particular. "Mother sent me to check on that." He ran a shakey hand through his hair.

Elizabeth felt a pang of disappointment for the pair. It was a shame to have such a private momment so rudely shattered. She gritted her teeth.

"I suppose I should go see what it is that is so obviously bothering your grandfather," she said, leaving the library as she spoke.

What was happening between these two young people was really of no concern for Elizabeth. She shrugged the matter aside for the time being. Afterall, she had other more pressing issues to deal with.

Ivy Crane managed to corner Sam Bennett in the parking lot of a local food market as he was on his way out of the store after purchasing a few items for his wife. He was a man pressed for time and being detained by Ivy was the last thing Sam needed. He clutched the brown paper bag in his arms, trying to keep control and not yell at the woman. For the third time, he repeated, "Ivy, I do not have the time for this right now, damnit."

Ivy had just been returning to Harmony from a trip to a very exclusive spa, when she spotted Sam leaving the market. After two weeks away, she was feeling refreshed and confident. Running into Sam like this was an opportunity she could not let pass. She had ordered her driver to turn the limo around at once. When the long sleek car had come to a stop, Ivy bounded from the back seat before the driver was even able to open the door for her.

"Sam, just listen to me," she purred. "There's so much I need to say to you." Her brilliant blue eyes gleamed and her full lips curved into a seductive smile. "I know you could never refuse me but a minute of your time for something as important as out future."

Sam looked at his watch. "Damn!" he said. He was already late for his meeting with Mulder and Scully. The sun was beginning to set. Grace would become worried if he failed to get home soon.

"Ivy," he said through gritted teeth, his tone level, "if you do not get the hell out of my face right now, I will have you arrested

for interfering with a police investigation."

"What?!" Ivy said, taken aback. She had expected to hear him tell her he was in love with his wife, that whatever he and Ivy had once shared was now over or something along that line. This latest threat was the last thing she had expected. "Sam, what are you talking about?" she demanded, a puzzled look passing over her features.

"Perhaps you've forgotten I'm the chief of police," Sam snapped, shifting the sack to one arm so he could jab a finger toward Ivy's striken face. "All my time is being taken up investigating these two murders, and at this very momment it is you, Ivy, who is preventing me from meeting with two federal agents who happen to waiting for me as we speak." He took a deep breath. "Get out of my way, Ivy," he growled, "or so help me God..."

"Murders?" Ivy said blankly, as his words began to register in her mind. "Sam, what murders? What do you mean?"

Sam just looked at her for a momment, studying her reaction. He knew her well enough to know that her confusion was sincere. His expression softened.

"Where have you been, Ivy?" he sighed heavily. "Haven't you heard anything? Father Lonigan and a boy from the high school, who also happened to be my daughter Kay's boyfriend, were both killed early last week. The entire department is tied up with the investigation."

"Oh, dear God," Ivy breathed, her face pale. "I had no idea. I've been out of town." Her eyes flew up to meet Sam's. "Oh, Sam, I am so sorry. I really didn't know."

"Then let me get back to my job and my family," Sam said flatly, his square jaw set at a rigid angle. Ivy stepped out of his path, nodding dumbly. She watched as he left her without so much a backward .glance.

Ivy wondered what else she had missed while she had been away.

"Bloody hell and eternal damnation!" Tabitha swore, stamping her .feet. "Damn those Cranes! I'll make each and every last one of them pay dearly for this!" Her blond curls bobbed about wildly as she shook her head in fustration. The bracelets adorning her wrists rattled and clattered as she shook her fists in the air.

Timmy frowned, his chubby, boyish face drooping. He hated to see his princess so angry. But he did have to admit he was glad the anger was not directed at him this time,or he'd be Fluffy food for sure!

"What is Timmy's princess going to do now?" the little doll whined. The old woman bent to scoop him up into her arms.

"I don't know, Tim-Tim," she said, calming down somewhat. "I need to think. I must keep my wits about me if I intend to find out what is going on around there, Timmy."

"Why don't Timmy and Tabby take a coffee break?" he suggested, pointing in the direction of the Book Cafe.

Tabitha looked doubtful at first but eventually relented. "Why not?" the old witch shrugged. "It's been a while since I've had a good cup of joe, eh, lad?" Tabitha snickered. "It certainly can't hurt."

Timmy smiled happily. "Does that mean Timmy can have a fudge .brownie?" he asked hopefully.

Tabitha arched an eyebrow at him and scowled.

"Okay, okay, never mind," Timmy said, raising his gloved hands in mock surrender. "Timmy will just hang out in doll mode."

"That's a good lad," Tabitha said, pushing open the door to the coffee house. A small bell attached to the door's handle jingled to annouce the new arrivals.

Heads turned to peer in their direction as Tabitha and her doll found a small table set in a private corner away from the onlookers. Tabitha was used to the odd stares others gave her and Timmy. It bothered the old witch not in the least. In fact, it pleased her that the people of Harmony viewed Tabitha Lennox as nothing more than a batty old woman, living alone in her rambling old Victorian. Everyone thought she was a bit off, but harmless.

She smiled at her own cleverness and was about to say something to Timmy when Tabitha felt a pair of keen eyes locked onto her. The eyes were those of an intent-looking young man in a rumpled suit, his tie loosened at the neck. Tabitha had never seen him before. He was sitting with a woman whose back was to Tabitha. His female companion was smartly dressed in a conservative, but well cut business suit, her short red hair fashionably styled. She was saying something to the man, but his full attention was focused solely on Tabitha.

Tabitha had an uneasy feeling. This man knew she was much more than the image she projected. As a rule, Tabitha tended to avoid strangers and this man was absolutely someone to be avoided.

The redhead said something, drawing his attention away from Tabitha. It wasn't until the man with the penetrating gaze turned away did Tabitha realize she had been holding her breath. She let it out slowly in relief. That man had seen something in Tabitha that most others always failed to notice. This man had the ability to see things.

Although he did not turn to look at her again, Tabitha would have gladly left the Book Cafe then and there, but to do so would have conveyed a silent message that this man somehow posed a threat to Tabitha. Not wanting to reveal anymore, she remained sitting and ordered a cup of steaming black coffee. To take her mind off of the unsettling sensations the man had evoked in her, Tabitha let her thoughts play over again the events that had occured at the Crane estate.

She and Timmy had gone to the House on the Hill three times during that week only to be turned away each time. None of Tabitha's charms or wiles could gain them entry into the Crane mansion. She had claimed to be an old friend of the family and had very important news to deliver to Alistair Crane himself. She had even lied about coming to see Julian Crane about a donation he had pledged to so-and-so charity. The guard she told that too nearly laughed in her face before sending her on her way. If only I had my full powers, Tabitha had conplained, she'd teach those snide autocrats who really ran the show in Harmony.

Tabitha finally had to resort to ordering Timmy, much to his dismay, that it was now up to him to get onto the grounds and inside the mansion and learn everything he could about what was going on behind its thick brick walls. Tabitha had ignored Timmy's pleas and protests, shoving him over the wall and onto the other side. In Timmy's attempt to sneak closer to the house, he had been accosted by huge black attack dogs. The slobbering beasts had taken great pleasure in making a game of playing tug'o'war with poor Timmy, causing a tear to open in his left leg, stuffing flying in all directions. The guard dogs had gleefully pulled and dragged the helpless doll in their ruthless jaws over the length of the extensive estate for quite some time.

It wasn't until a security guard had come around to see what had the dogs so worked up, that Timmy was finally rescued. It had taken the guard several minutes to pry Timmy's ripped limb from the between the teeth one particularly stubbern hound.

"What on earth is this?" the man had wondered aloud, holding Timmy none too gently upsidedown by the his bad leg. "Well," the rent'a'cop said, "whatever it was, it's sure ruined now."

Thus Timmy had next found himself tossed into a reeking dumpster set to be taken out with the rest of the morning's trash. Timmy was certain this was the end for him. He was sure he would never see his princess ever again. He was ready to do or promise anything to escape this horrible fate.

"Timmy swears he'll even let Fluffy use Timmy as a cat toy," he'd wailed hopelessly. "If Timmy can survive the Hounds of Hell, how bad an one cat be?"

"Pray you never have to find out, doll face," Tabitha said once she found Timmy after spending hours digging through dumpsters and trashcans trying to locate her little doll. Despite smelling like the city sewer had just backed up and sporting a wide range of food and waste items on her clothes and tangled in her hair, Tabitha and Timmy were both very happy to be reunited. They had gone home, and after cleaning up, enjoyed an extra strong batch of Mar-Timmys, celebrating Timmy's twarted demise at the city dump.

"Timmy didn't see any dogs at the Crane estate the last time Timmy broke in to find Tabby's magic spell bag in that old desk," Timmy observed, rubbing his now restitched leg at the thought of the four-legged creatures.

"That's because there weren't any," Tabitha confirmed, inhaling deeply the rich scent of the warm brew she held clasped in her hands. "For some reason the Cranes have beefed up security on the estate."

"But why?" Timmy asked, looking at where the bite in his leg had been. He shuddered. "Timmy hates dogs!"

"More than cats?" Tabitha teased, an amused smile softening the corners of her mouth.

Timmy's eyes widened.

"Relax, Tim-Tim," Tabitha said, patting Timmy on the shoulder to reasure him. "I'll keep Fluffy in the attic while you recover."

"Whew!" Timmy breathed out gratefully, wiping the back of his hand across his forehead.

"They're hiding something," Tabitha said thoughtfully, the wheels in her head beginning to turn. Timmy knew that determined gleam in her eye all too well. "And we're going to find out what it is, Timmy," she declared.

Tabitha was on a mission.

"Damnit, Julian," Alistair shouted as he paced the study with long quick strides. He stopped and pointed a finger at his son. "I told you to handle things. Yet, once again, you have failed even in the simplist of tasks."

Julian sat behind his desk, shoulders sagging and head bowed. It made him feel like a child again to have his father berate him like this.

"I did everything you asked," Julian pouted, attempting to defend himself. He kept his tone of voice unchallenging, not wishing to provoke his father further. "I have had Sheridan's cottage converted to suit Elizabeth's needs; I have our informants inside the police department keeping tabs on the investigation. No one suspects a thing that could lead back to us, Father. Everything is under control."

Alistair swung around, a death's head grin transforming his face with frightening effect. Even in those rare momments when Alistair Crane smiled for real, the sentiment never reached his eyes. Julian cringed, quickly gulping his brandy to mask the action. If Alistair knew Julian was scared, he would be at his father's mercy. And

Alistair Crane had no mercy.

"Under control?" Alistair said, his voice totally lacking in any emotional inflection. Julian knew that this was not a good sign. "If everything were under control as you suggest, Julian, two FBI agents would not be walking the streets of Harmony at this very momment looking into the two deaths."

"I've contacted our people in Washington, Father," Julian said. "They're working on it. In no time those agents will be reassigned elsewhere, leaving the investigation in the hands of the local authorities." Julian chuckled. "And we both know how well the local authorities handle their investigations."

Alistair was far from satisfied. Was he ever? Julain thought. Nothing he did was ever enough for his ruthless and demanding father.

"As usual, you failed to do your homework, Julian," Alistair sneered. "These are not just ordinary FBI agents. They come from a branch with the FBI called the X-Files. They investigate cases which defy explanation. It will be no easy matter to simply deflect their attention away from these killings."

"X-Files?" Julian said, cocking a quizical brow. "Never heard of it."

"Of course not, Julian!" Alistair snapped. "It's not exactly public knowledge that the FBI has a department established to investigate alien abductions, ghost sightings, werewolves, and babies born with two heads! It's not something the general public would like to know their hard-earned tax dollors are being used to fund."

"Oh," was all Julian could manage. Him sipped his brandy, avoiding his father angry glare. Julian noticed his glass was almost empty and rose to refill it. He knew his father would not approve, but by this point, Julian didn't really care. He needed a buffer against his father's foul demeanor and the brandy was doing just that quite nicely.

A thought then dawned on Julain. He turned on Alistair defiently. "How can you possibly blame all of this on me?" Julian demanded. It was a rare thing for Julian to stand up to his powerful father, but it was unfair for Alistair to lay all the blame at Julian's feet. This was a matter that defied normal human logic and was completely out of the control of any mere man.

"It's not my fault that the nature of these killings somehow caught the attention of this X-Whatever group," Julian pointed out, the brandy flowing through his veins, making him bold. He waved his hand dismissively as if making light of his father's concerns. "I've done everything humanly possible to influence the turn of events in this situation. There is only so much either one of us can do, Father."

"You think of this as just a 'situation', Julian?" Alistair asked. "Do you have even the faintest idea of what is at stake here? All we have worked so hard to maintain can come crashing down at any momment. Elizabeth has only to snap her fingers and we're all destroyed, Julian. She'll do it, too, Julian, do you hear me? She'll destroy us without so much as batting an eye. If she feels we are failing on our part to comply with her wishes, she'll ruin us, Julian. Everything will be gone."

Alistair was too busy belittling Julian to notice the door to the study slowly creak open and Elizabeth sliding soundlessly into the roombehind him, her eyes nothing but slits flashing green fire. Alistair continued with his tirade even as Julian tried frantically to call his attention to the danger lurking at his heels. But Alistair would have none of it.

Only when ice-cold fingers grasped him lightly at the nape of the neck, did the head of the Crane family halt in mid-speech and hurl himself around, letting out a strangled yelp. He gaped at Elizabeth in stunned silence, his mouth haging open like that of a fish out of water. The chill of her fingers on his bare skin felt like the touch of death itself. Alistair felt a tightness in his chest and knew without a doubt he was going to die of heart failure.

Elizabeth removed her hand.

The feeling passed. Alistair desparately began gasping for air, filling his lungs like a man starving for some life-giving elixir.

Julian couldn't help but feel a certain ammount of pleasure in witnessing the whole exchange, though he was trembling with fear at the power Elizabeth had so casually displayed. Good, Julian said to himself, give him a taste of his own medicine. Serves the old bastard right.

Elizabeth looked over Alistair's shoulder at Julian, an amused smile playing about the corners of her mouth, a wicked glint in her emerold eyes. Julian realized in that momment that she had heard his thoughts, just as if Julian had spoken the word to her aloud.

Elizabeth came around Alistair, now ignoring the old man as he continued to take deep, shallow breaths. She had made her point. She stood directly between the two men, looking from one to the other.

"Is there a problem?" she asked, her tone cool, with a hint of slight annoyance, as if it were an insect that were bothering her.

Alistair shook his head as if to clear it. He opened his mouth to speak, but shut it again, choosing his words carefully. He did not want to say anything to raise Elizabeth's ire further. He knew her air of calm was a facade. Julian had never in his life seen anyone who could intimidate the great Alistair Crane. This woman put the fear of God in him.

"Julian and I were having a disagreement about the manner in which he has been handling your requests," Alistair said diplomatically, rubbing at the back of his neck where her hand had rested. He was trying to warm the spot, but a cold clamminess lingered there.

"So I see," Elizabeth stated matter-of-factly.

"Father and I often have disagreements," Julian interjected, laughing weakly, trying to lighten the tension, and failing miserably.

"I noticed," she said flatly.

A long, heavy silence ensued.

Alistair was the first to speak up. "We'll take care of everything, Elizabeth," he said. "There's nothing to worry about."

"I know." She frowned slightly at Alistair. "And since everything is now being taken care of, I see no need for you to remain in Harmony."

Both Alistair and Julian stared at her in shock.

"I am sure you have plenty of busy to tend to back in Europe," she said.

"Yes, that's true, but..."

"Very good," Elizabeth said, leaving no room for protest. "You will return to Europe first thing in the morning."

"But there is much that still needs to be tended to and..."

"Julian is more than capable of handling things for me here," Elizabeth said.

"Surely not!" Alistair blustered. "You cannot be serious. You must..."

Elizabeth raised her hand and held it out as if she were reaching out to Alistair, but instead tucked a stray strand of jet hair behind her ear. The threat in the gesture was not lost on Alistair, however.

"Very well," he said tight-lipped. "If that is what you wish."

"It is."

"I will make arrangements tonight and leave in the morning," Alistair said, looking downcast at the floor, his hands clenching and unclenching.

"Excellent," Elizabeth said cheerfully, smiling brightly. "Now that that's all settled gentlemen, I will take my leave of you. I'm going out." She went to the door and went to walk out. At the last momment she turned back to face Alistair, an almost smug expression on her face. "Have a pleasent journey." With that, she turned smartly on her heel and left the room.

Alistair just stared blankly at the door long momments after her departure. When he turned back around to look at his son, Julian was forced to wipe the snide smirk he had been wearing from his face. He sipped his brandy.

Elizabeth went to the roomy cottage that had once belonged to Alistair's daughter, Sheridan. She had recently returned to Paris, leaving the cottage vacant. Alistair had had the windows sealed from the outside with the use of thick wooden shutters that locked from the inside. The glass behind those were now painted black, reflecting like the smooth surface of polished onyx. On the inside, the tinted windows were covered over with heavy black drapes. Not a single sliver of light made it into the dark interior that Elizabeth had taken over as her own. There was no need for lights within as Elizabeth's eyes were able to pierce the dimness with ease. All the furnishings had been removed, leaving only a large four-poster bed covered with wispy smoke-colored veils across the top and fitted crimson sheets of silk. Elizabeth refered to the bed as her coffin.

She thought it funny to refer to it as such, since the vampire myths all had the undead rising from their graves in caskets. True, coffins made excellent resting places during the daylight hours as the sun could not reach the sleeper within, but as long as the dwelling place itself prevented the sun from entering the sleep chamber a coffin was not necessary. The cottage itself had been transformed into the proverbeil coffin.

Aside from the bed, Elizabeth had brought in an antique rosewood wardrobe to hold her garments. It was from here that she selected the outfit she planned to wear out as she ventured to explore her new surroundings. She changed into a pair a loose-fitting tan slacks and a plain white v-neck T-shirt. She wore flat-bottomed brown sandles. She planned to walk along the beach and dock area and so dressed accordingly. She had no need for a coat or sweater as low temporatures did not cause her any sort of discomfort. True, she was able to feel the chill in the air, but it never caused her to shiver or make the skin on her arms turn to gooseflesh.

Before she headed out for the night, Elizabeth decided to make one more stop to the main house in order to finalize arrangements with Julian and also to be certain Alistair was preparing to leave for Europe in the morning. She had no doubt that the old man would obey her; he knew the price for not doing so. What she had shown him tonight was only a tiny fraction of the suffering she had been tempted to inflict upon him. It had taken every last ounce of her self-control to not run her hand through that spot at the base of his skull to the front of his throat then pulling her hand back out along with the flesh and bone that held his head in place. How she had longed to feel the last of his air seep out through the crushed windpipe with the gushing blood that would have flown to waiting lips from the severed veins and arteries that carried the precious blood to his brain.

Elizabeth had despised Alistair Crane from the momment she had first met him. She despised his shallow arrogance and his lust for false power. He pranced around as if the Crane empire were his dynasty. Elizabeth never hesitated to remind him that the power he reveled so gleefully in was not truly his to be had. She could snatch it away from him at any time. That is what terrified him most. For without his wealth and power, Alistair Crane was nothing and he knew it. And that fear is what drove the man. It was that fear which defined him. He would do anything to preserve his station in life, and that made him weak and pitiful in Elizabeth's eyes, certainly not worth getting her hands dirty with his remains. Yes, it had been best to simply send him away where she would not have to deal with him.

As for the rest of the Cranes and the people that filled their household, Elizabeth found herself experiencing many conflicting emotions. She understood that for her to remain living among them, she would have to restrain from interfering with their lives and they with hers. Julian and Alistair were really the only two she delt with directly. They were the only two who knew the entire truth about who and what Elizabeth Chase was. They also knew that to betray that information or to put Elizabeth at any risk would cost them a terrible price. It was their responsibility to keep her secrets just that - secrets.

One of the benefits of having a wealthy family like the Cranes under her thumb, Elizabeth well knew, was that such families often had others do their dirty work. The Cranes had connections and the means to cover things up when needed. Elizabeth availed herself of their resources, always ensuring nothing was ever traced back to her.

This was an arrangement that dated back centuries. Elizabeth Chase had provided the means for the foundation of the Crane empire, and in exchange the Cranes provided their services to Elizabeth whenever she required it of them. Having realiable mortal allies was absolutely needed for her continuation. She needed people who could move about in the sunlight as she was unable to do so. Elizabeth held vast holdings the world over and human agents were employed to maintain them. Many such mortals within her fold knew nothing of her true nature. It was only those few, such as Alistair and Julian, who were privy to that fact.

Over the centuries, Elizabeth had established many havens. The arrangement with the Crane family was one among many. There were several families and individuals who provided services for Elizabeth Chase. She had havens all over Europe, a few in Asia, one or two in Latin America and one other family in America,besides the Cranes, on the west coast.

For a being that had lived for almost five hundred years, a change in venue every two or three decades was not only a matter of physical survival, but also one of mental stability. Creatures like Elizabeth were prone to fierce bouts of depression due to loneliness and boredom.

Being in a new place was just the thing Elizabeth had been needing for a long time. She chose to stay with the Cranes for several reasons. Harmony was unlike the large cities that Elizabeth often made her home. But she had grown tired of the cities with their smells and noise. New England was not an area Elizabeth knew well. She had wanted to explore this part of the world for some time, and the Cranes happened to be perfectly located.

And the Cranes themselves. Elizabeth kept to herself, but could not help observing the goings-on in this strange family, filled with secrets and intrigues. Even the staff that moved about the estate fascinated Elizabeth. There was plenty of entertainment to be had simply by watching these people.

Elizabeth entered the main house unnoticed. She had free reign of the mansion and the surrounding grounds. She was able to come and go as she pleased. The cottage was her place and was restricted to anyone else but for those Elizabeth allowed entry with only her permission.

She found Julian alone in the living room dressed in his silk smoking jacket and, as always, sipping his favorite brandy. He was unaware of Elizabeth's presence, so she took that momment to study Julian Crane from the shadows of the foyer. Elizabeth had already probed his mind once before, learning firsthand his faults and failings. She knew of his strange sexual games and numerous infidelities. None of that bothered her.

There was no doubt in Elizabeth's mind that Julian would prove loyal to her. He valued the life he lived and the privledges it came with. He knew that in order to maintain the lifestyle to which he was accustomed, he must answer to her. Yet Elizabeth honestly found that she liked Julian Crane.

He could be witty and humorous when it pleased him. He had a sharp tongue and never shyed from using it to offer some offending party a verbal lashing. Despite Julian's sometimes foolish behavior, he was by no means a stupid man. He undestood what it was to use the power of his position effectively. He was a man who often got what he wanted and was not one to be burdened by useless guilt after doing so. He lived his life and even had fun while he was at it. Elizabeth

respected him for that.

She made her arrival known to him by gently tapping her foot against the tiled floor. She simply wanted to let him become aware that she was there waiting to speak with him.

Julian looked up, his face a bit flushed with drink. His eyes were slightly droopy and glazed. This, too, did not bother Elizabeth. Julian was a man who was used to consuming several drinks in a short period and still function perfectly fine. In fact, it had most likely been a while since Julian had not gone about his daily activities without some sort of tonic.

"Well, good evening, my dear," he greeted her, raising his glass to her as if toasting her entrance. Perhaps he was. He offered her a charming, but crooked smile. "I thought you would have left for the evening by now."

"I came to see if everything is in order," Elizabeth said. "I wanted to go over this evening's agenda once more."

Elizabeth noted with pleasure that Julian displayed no outward signs of distress at the mention of the "agenda".

"Oh, not to worry," he said, slurring the words a little. "I've got everything ready. You give me the word then I give the Lurkers the word to clean up and shut up."

"Lurkers?"

"Oh, yes," Julian smiled, refilling his glass even though it was still half full. "That's what I call them. You know, they lurk in the shadows, only coming out at your command. They are waiting right now. For you see, they're hired to make sure all evidence is removed after you're finished. Some people will do anything for the right price, no questions asked. That's how I've always liked to do business myself."

Julian took a sip of the brandy, some of it dripping down his chin. He laughed lightly and wiped the liquid away with the edge of his sleeve. "Sloppy of me," he muttered, chuckling softly under his breath. He staggered some as he walked over to where Elizabeth was standing. "How about a quick drink before you head out," he suggested. "I know we started off on the wrong foot, so to speak. Please have a drink with me. It's the least I can do. We can make a toast to our doing business together for a long time to come." Julian picked up another glass and filled it with the expensive liquir. He carriedit over to her.

Much to Julian's surprise and her own, Elizabeth started to laugh. Julian looked slightly offended for a momment before he turned his head around to scan the room, searching for whatever it was that had caused her to start laughing. But she was looking right at him.

The sound of her own laughter was alien to Elizabeth. It had been so long since she had truly laughed, she could not remember the last time. She hadn't even realized she was still able to laugh until now. And it seemed that once she started, she found it very difficult to stop. Her sides were heaving and her eyes watering.

"What? What is it?" Julian asked, watching her closely, not sure what to make of the sight. "Why are you laughing?"

"Have you already forgotten, Julian?" It was hard to speak and laugh at the same time, but Elizabeth managed it somehow.

"Forgotten what?" Julian was honestly perplexed by Elizabeth's sudden outburst of the giggles. The baffled look on his face only made Elizabeth laugh more.

"What I am," she gasped, trying now to contain her laughter in order to talk clearly. "I think your brandy has affected your short term memory, Julian. Have you forgotten what I am?"

And in a gesture that would certainly make sure he never could, Elizabeth flashed Julian a dazzling and playful smile. It was a smile Julian would have found quite alluring but for the display of needle sharp fangs gleaming white against her parted red lips.

There was no indication that Elizabeth meant him any harm, but the sudden sight of such deadly canines sent Julian stumbling backwards, the glasses of brandy in his hands falling to the floor below, staining the carpet. One of the glasses shattered against the leg of a chair, its scattered shards glinting like flashing knife blades under a starlit sky.

The expression on Julian's face as he tumbled back caused Elizabeth to errupt into more peals of laughter. "I don't think your father would approve of the kind of drink I would have to have with you, Julian," she said. "But thanks for the offer."

She left, still laughing.

Ethan lay on his bed, his hands clasped behind his head, his eyes glued to the ceiling as if it were the most fascinating thing he had ever seen. It was his mind's eye that was viewing an image that truly did capture his attention. He couldn't get her out of his head, especially since the time they had shared at the cabin together.

It was always Theresa's face he saw, her exquisit eyes, her beautiful smile. He was with her in his dreams, holding her in his arms, running his hands through her long sable hair, kissing her passionately. She invaded his thoughts at the oddest times, even when she should have been the last thing on his mind. Lately, it seemed to Ethan, Theresa was the only thing on his mind.

He had trouble concentrating, finding himself day-dreaming about Theresa when he was with Gwen planning the wedding. The thought of Gwen and the wedding forced Ethan to sit bolt-upright, a sudden and intense surge of panic rushing through him, the blood pumping in his veins like quicksilver.

How could he have possibly forgotten? Gwen was returning to Harmony tonight from her business trip in New York. He had promised to meet with her that evening for dinner at the Seascape. He still had time to get ready if he moved fast.

He showered and changed in record time. Once downstairs, Ethan hesitated for a momment, debating whether to tell his father he was going out. Ethan glanced quickly into the living room to see if his father might be dozing in there, but no sign of Julian was to be had. As Ethan turned to head for the door, something shiney caught his eye. He turned the dimmer switch in the living room up and saw on the floor broken glass and stains on the carpet. Bending down, Ethan poked his finger into the stains and sniffed it. Brandy. Well, there was definitely no reason to go hunt down his father to tell him anything. Most likely Julian was lying somewhere around the house sloshed to the eyeballs. Ethan shook his head in disgust. But now was not the time to be concerned with Julian's wild ways.

Ethan went on through to the foyer, turning the living room light off again as he went. In the foyer, again something distracted Ethan's vision. This time what he saw was Theresa's coat, draped over the top of a small wooden table holding an antique vase. She must have forgotten it in her haste to leave earlier, Ethan surmised. He picked the small jacket up and held it carefully in his hands as if it were the most fragile thing in the world. He caught the faint scent of her, and for that brief, fleeting momment the world melted away and for Ethan there was only the intensity of emotion just the very thought of her evoked in him. This reminder of her caused his heart to pound and his body to tense with desire. No one had ever effected him the way Theresa did. How he longed for it to be she he was going to this night. Still clutching Theresa's coat tightly in his arms and Theresa's image vividly in his mind, Ethan left the Crane mansion to meet with his bride-to-be, Gwen.

Ivy knew the minute she entered her home that something had changed. Everything was the same by all appearances, but there was no doubt in Ivy's mind that everything was different somehow. She just didn't know what it was. Yet.

The house was quiet; Ivy found it odd that she encountered none of the household staff. Even at this hour, there was always a maid or two finishing up some last minute task before departing to return to their own homes and families. The foyer was dark as was the living room beyond it. It was eerie how quiet the place was. Ivy's high heels clicked on the floor tiles, sending hollow echoes ringing through the vastness of the seemingly empty house.

Ivy made her way up the stairs, knowing the way even in the dark. She knew this house, its sounds, its turns, its hidden corners and dark secrets. Over half of her life had been spent in this mansion, but in her heart Ivy would never feel of it as a true home. At times, not unlike now, she felt like a trespassing stranger wandering the corridors of some Gothic museam filled with wonderful and exotic treasures, priceless colections and breath-taking master-pieces. All worthless and meaningless objects in a house filled with occupants who harbored cold hearts and kept their distance from eachother. No, this place could never be a real home, Ivy knew.

The atmosphere of the place was surreal, like a shadowy dreamscape or an abandoned soundstage with only ghosts left to per-form. Ivy shivered as a chill shot up her spine. She couldn't shake the feeling of forboding that rose up from the depths of her troubled soul. The Crane mansion had become a tomb, a house for the dead.

Ivy went to the door of Ethan's bedroom. No light spilled out from under the door. He must be asleep, Ivy assumed. Then she did something she had not done since Ethan had been a little boy; she opened his door to peek inside just to see the comforting sight of her slumbering son and to know that all was well with him. By the silvery light cast by the stars through Ethan's open window, Ivy saw, too, that this room, like the rest of the house, was unoccupied.

Ivy forced down the paralysing sense of panic which swept through her. Her child was missing; he was not where he was supposed to be. But Ethan was no longer a child, Ivy reminded herself, he was a grown man now.

Ethan was a man about to be married. He was preparing to take his place in the world. He was the young Crane prince at the threshold of claiming a kingdom that would someday be his.

Ivy laughed at her own foolish behavior. Ethan could take care of himself. He was fine; Ivy was sure of it. Ethan would think it silly of her if he knew his mother were still checking on him in the middle of the night, tip-toeing to his bedside to lightly kiss his smooth forehead and tuck the straying sheets snuggly under his chin.

Sweet sentiments, Ivy mused. All gone now, memories buried in the graves of the past.

Ivy eased the door shut behind her and made her way toward her own room, seeking whatever solace and comfort were to be found in the familiar surrounding filled with her own possessions and belongings. Ivy wished that Pilar were here with her now. Pilar, always sensible and so humbly wise. She was Ivy's oldest friend and confidant; she kept Ivy in check no matter how much Ivy resisted. But Pilar was home, with her family, in that warm, cozy little house of theirs filled with the sounds and flurry of a true family home.

Ivy would never admit it to anyone, but a part of her envied Pilar. Ivy would be loathe to turn her back on the perks and power being a Crane entailed, but there were times when she wondered if the sacrifices she had made had been worth it at all. Ivy was not one to dwell on What Ifs, but she could not deny the fact that she had really missed out on something special. Loosing Sam and his love had been only one of the prices she had been forced to pay. She wondered what other prices there would be for her to pay in the future for all the terrible things she had done. She only hoped that Ethan would never be forced to pay for her mistakes. She only hoped to have some of the love she had lost continue on in some way.

But even love itself had a way of inflicting its own brand of pain and punishment for those who fell prey to its irresistable thrall. We're all the prisnors of love, Ivy thought, kicking her shoes off in the hallway outside her door and entering her room. Slaves to love, addicted to its madness.

Jessica Bennett was in no hurry to get home. Her father would be gone, working late at the station again, trying to solve the grisly murders that had the whole town seeped in fear and outrage. Her mother, now so pale and guant, moping around in the kitchen in her tattered old robe, stressing over everything. And poor Charity, still locked away in the mental ward at the hospital, staring catatonically at the blank walls, her eyes dead, muttering now and then about some vision of evil looming over the town of Harmony. And then there was Kay. She was constantly obsessing over the distraught Miguel, hovering at his side like some sinister wrait ready to steal his soul away with her deceptions and lies.

Kay's behavior lately was really starting to scare Jessica. Her sister had a mean streak, to be sure, but it seemed that Kay was growing ever more treacherous, her black eyes gleaming with malice, her mouth curved into that thin, evil smile of hers. These days Jessica seemed to be the only one to notice the insideous change occuring in Kay. Jessica honestly believed that Kay was finally going crazy, capable of harming others and maybe even herself. Even Simone, Kay's best friend, refused to discuss Kay, even to Jessica. Simone had been staying a safe distance from Kay, as if she feared her. All Jessica knew for certain was that the world she once knew and had felt secure in had been drastically turned upside down. If she hadn't known any better, Jessica would have sworn she had woken up one morning to find herself trapped in some alternate reality filled with demented strangers who had once been her friends and family. No, Jessica was not all that eager to go home anymore. It no longer felt like home, not with the way things were now.

She had taken to going on long walks alone in the early evenings to try to clear her head and get away from the depression which had settled over her life like a huge black storm cloud, its fury ready to be unleashed at any mooment, devouring everything it touched.

So it was thus she found herself wandering aimlessly through Lighthouse Park, having lost track of the time, and really not caring. But it was getting late, and someone was eventually bound to notice her absence. Her mom would worry, and Jessica didn't want to make her worry more than she already had to. There's plenty of grief going around as it is, Jessica thought bitterly, without my adding to it. Relunctantly, she began to head in the direction she knew would lead her home.

A dark figure materilized before Jessica on the footpath, a chill gust of wind scattering leaves and litter around the shadowy shape's feet. The shadow appeared to be growing more solid, taking on the form of a woman. Jessica blinked, wondering if her eyes were playing tricks on her, or more likely,if she were going insane just like the rest of the females in her family.

But this woman was real. She peered at Jessica with glowing green eyes. The wind whipped her long raven hair across her unnaturally white face. She was smiling, her red lips peeled back over long pointed eye teeth. Jessica's heart thudded painfully in her chest at the sight of those teeth. No normal person would have teeth like that, Jessica knew.

This must be it, the frightened teenager thought, this must be the evil that is stalking Harmony. This woman is the physical embodiment of all the darkness and despair that has poisoned us all.

Here was the storm cloud, this woman; lightening flashing from her hellish green eyes, hands like tallons taking hold of Jessica and drawing her into the midst of the fury. The fury was unleashed and Jessica was devoured by it.

Elizabeth Chase flipped open the sleek little cell phone she carried with her and dialed Julian Crane's private line. When he picked up, Elizabeth said, "Send in the Lurkers."

That was all she needed to say.