Resting his boots on the desk, Doran leaned back in the chair and read the morning news. He heard the door slam in the hall and looked up. Aedan walked past him and disappeared without a word. Smirking, Doran flipped the paper over and leaned up to the desk. He picked up the phone and dialed his client's number. The phone rang and he waited, tapping a pencil on the edge of the desk. The line connected and the client picked up. "Hello?" "Good morning, this is Doran." "Yes?" He glanced out into the hall and asked, "Did you happen to hire someone else besides us this week for your problem?" The man sighed and said, "Yeah, but they didn't show to the meeting last night." Doran leaned back in his chair and asked, "Blonde woman, average height?" "Yes! That is her. Do you know her?" He smirked and said, "To a point, yes." "Do you know to get in touch with her?" He frowned and said, "Let us handle it." The man sighed again and said, "I already signed the contract and sent her the paperwork. You two can do the job and get what I said I'd pay, but she will still get her cut." Rolling his eyes at his luck, he thanked the man and hung up. Getting to his feet, he left the office and climbed the stairs. Coming to the second floor, he stopped and found Aedan stretched out on the couch. The man had another beer in his hand and his eyes were closed. Quietly he walked into the kitchen and opened the cabinet. "Run into a certain someone?" Aedan ignored his question and Doran smirked. The man was still easy to read when it came to his cousin. He whipped up some lunch and covered two plates. Carrying them to the couch, he handed one to his friend and took a seat in a nearby chair. Aedan ate his food silently and Doran flipped the television on. Nothing important was in the news and he finished his food. Glancing at his friend, he watched the man walk into the kitchen and clean the dish. It rested in the drainer and he disappeared into his room. Smirking, he took his plate over to the sink and washed the rest of the dishes. ______________________________________________ "The man says she still gets paid even if we do take care of these two." Rolling his eyes, he ignored the conversation and kept walking. They were along the pier and approaching the marina. The client's report had said they were hanging out around here the last time they caused problems. Stopping at the entrance, he looked around and listened to the ships rock to the waves. Nothing seemed off and he shook his head. "They're not down there." Doran snorted and said, "I could've told you that." Aedan shot a look at him and said, "Then start doing your own work." Doran waved his hands and said, "Easy there. Don't take that sexual tension out on me." Ignoring the joke, he walked away from the marina and down the sidewalk. They kept walking in silence until they reached the bad side of the city. Stepping into the slums, Doran gave a shudder and he shot him a silencing look. Walking down the filled sidewalks, he kept watch for approaching people and heard some running above them. He stopped walking and listened again. The sounds of heels came from the roof tops and he looked up. He couldn't see anything and glanced at his partner. Doran took a deep breath and gave a single nod. Quietly they walked into the nearest alley and climbed the fire escape to the roof. Stepping onto the roof, he looked around and saw the shadows moving further down the roof tops. The first one jumped an alley and the second went after them. They came to a stop a roof top away from a nearby church and stared at each other. Another shadow slid into view and stood facing the opposer. Aedan drew closer and slowly made out the feminine forms of all three. His eyes narrowed and he watched the two flash red eyes and laugh. "Come to play, Hunter?" Doran moaned behind him and he silenced him. They watched the two step back and their pursuer draw out a stake. "I think she means business, Artis." "I imagine she does. You ticked her off back there." "You two going to keep blabbing or are we going to do this?" The two vampresses looked back at her and Bryg gave a loud scream. She lunged for Aine and missed. The woman swung behind her and shoved her off the roof. Jumping after the vampress, she disappeared into the alley and the men followed. They reached the alley and saw Bryg fly into a dumpster. Her laugh dug deep into her skin and she shoved her stake into her pocket. Grabbing the vampress's neck, she threw her into the wall and slammed her forehead into the brick wall. Bryg stumbled back and laughed. "Is that the best you can do? I thought you wanted to revenge." The stake landed in her chest and the vampress heard, "I got it." Turning to dust, the scream disappeared quickly and she picked up the stake. Looking up to the roof, she jumped up and pulled herself up the fire escape. Aedan watched her climb back onto the roof and Doran let out a low whistle. "When did she get so strong?" He grunted and approached the pile of dust. Nothing was left of personal belonging and he sighed. Hearing the running continue, he looked up and knocked the fire escape loose. Climbing back onto the roof, he saw Artis jump onto the church and Aine land in front of her. Artis backed up slowly and stared at the dark brown eyes burning back at her. "I didn't think you could kill her." "You should know better." Artis slid to the edge of the roof and said, "I am sorry. I didn't mean for h-" Aine's elbow connected with her mouth and she sent her to the ground. Aedan saw her land next to the vampress and pin her down. The knife pinned her shoulder to the ground and she pulled out a vile. Artis's eyes lost the red and went still with fear. "Please don't! I didn't want Bryg to harm-" A fist hit her jaw and she heard, "Shut up." Aine pulled out her stake and opened the vile. Artis struggled to get loose but she pinned her neck down with her foot. Looking at her stake, she put it away and pulled out an old arrow from her boot. Dipping it into the vile, she tossed the glass onto the ground and listened to it shatter. Artis tried pushing her off and she shoved the arrow into her stomach. The scream ripped through Aedan's head and he watched the knife be ripped out. Artis stumbled onto her feet and looked back at Aine. "Why are you doing this? Coyle-" "I said shut up!" Her fist met Artis's jaw and she sent the vampress into the wall. Aedan jumped down into the alley and Doran ran around the corner. He watched his friend run to his cousin. Doran caught her arm and said, "Aine, don't do this." She shoved him away and pulled out her stake. Artis crumbled onto the ground and stared up at her, shaking. Aedan couldn't believe a vampress was scared but something was off. He saw their gazes meet and felt his gut tighten. "Aine, enough." Her jaw tightened and she said, "Stay out of this, Aedan." Doran reached for her and Artis said, "Coy-" She shoved the stake into the heart and said, "Shut up." The dust gathered at her feet and she knelt down. Picking up the old arrow, she snapped it in two and grabbed a silver ring. Standing up, she looked down at her stake and shoved it into her jacket. Pulling her chain off her neck, she slid the ring on and Aedan saw the other rings cling with it. He saw it disappear around her neck and she looked straight at him. "Grow up." He felt the temper jump and asked, "What?" She stood next to him and said, "You're in over your head, kid." Growling, he reached for her but she walked past him. He watched her walk down the sidewalk and Doran joined him. "Go after her." His fist tightened and said, "I'll kill her." The man smirked and said, "At least you'll work this out." He glanced back at the man and watched him nod. Looking down the sidewalk, he watched her turn a corner and head to the pier. Quietly he followed after her and saw her come to a stop by the harbor. She stood by the edge of the pier and pulled out her stake. Staring at it, she closed her eyes and smirked. Stepping back, she threw the stake into the water and let out a sigh. Catching the hidden chain, she felt the rings in her hand and her free hand curled into a fist. She was far from finished with this hunt. Turning around, she met Aedan's gaze and held her tongue. He approached slowly and stared down at her. "You've changed, Aine." She stared blankly at him and said, "My choice." He caught her fist and looked back at her. She was so different and he felt the knot in his gut return. Staring into her eyes, he saw the hard shadows and looked down at her hidden chain. "What's with the rings?" She pulled her hand free and said, "Reminds me of my job." He pulled the chain off her and held them up to see. She had collected 12 rings and he looked back down at her. His eyes examined each ring and he handed the chain back to her. She slid it on and he saw the shadow of a ring on her right hand. He caught her wrist and pulled her hand into view. The ring stared up at him and he asked, "Coyle's?" She held her tongue and saw him pull out a ring from his jacket. Staring at it, she recognized it as her mother's ring and looked back at him. "Where did you find it?" He smirked slowly and said, "When Coyle took you to the mountain, it fell off your hand and I caught it up before your uncle turned me in." He handed it to her and she shook her head. Pushing his hand back at him, she stepped back and he stared at her. "I can't wear that anymore." "Aine, did he turn you?" "You saw me in the sun, what do you think?" He met her gaze and asked, "Did he claim you?" She looked down the pier and turned her back on him. Walking to the railing, she leaned against it and closed her eyes. He watched her withdraw and slowly slid the ring back into his pocket. He walked up behind her and saw the shadowy hint of tears in her eyes. "Aine?" "He's dead, Aedan." He stared down at her and she asked, "Happy now?" Shaking his head, he asked, "How would that make me happy?" Shoving past him, she walked further down the pier and said, "Just leave me alone." He watched her disappear into the night and he let out a sigh. Seeing her, talking to her, it felt like the old days. Hearing the pain in her voice was something he hadn't expected. He knew she was drawn to the vampire but apparently it was more than their blood connection. Knowing nothing wasn't going to change, he took a deep breath and walked back to the warehouse.