*Beep! Beep!*

Black and yellow checkered cars swim down the streets painted with neon lights. Eight unbalanced travelers in pink almost spill their 28 oz long containers of Long Island Iced Tea onto the pavement.

"We will win next time!" A woman slurs out to her friend wearing a Bachelorette sash over a white dress.

"I love you, girls!" She screams at the top of her lungs.

"We love you too, Sasha! "WOOOOOOO!"

A group hug surrounds the bride to be before letting go. A blonde hails a taxi for them to head to their next destination while the night is young.

As they get into their ride, Sasha stops herself. Her eyes stare at a man in an electric blue shirt helping a passed-out woman in a black backless dress into another taxi. Although he's gently helping her inside, Sasha races over.

"Hey! Is she okay?"

The tan man with a jawline that can cut ice turns to her. His wavy brown hair rests on the top of his muscular frame hiding under his shirt. His matching ocean blue eyes show his appreciation.

"My girlfriend is fine. She just drank too much. I'm taking her home."

"Oh," before her eyes widen. "Uhm, you're bleeding a little bit," she points to the right side of her neck.

His fingers find a little trail of crimson iron on his neck. His eyes dart around to see what could have given him that. He sighs. "I'm fine. Thanks. Have a good night."

The petite brunette with long hair stirs in her seat. A wince leaves her lips while her hand covers over her amber eyes. "Javier?" She mutters.

"I'm right here, babe. Let's take you home."

"Be safe, okay?" Sasha tells the woman before slowly walking away. Despite the alcohol in her system--

"Come on, girl! We have to go!" Her friends interrupt her thoughts.

Sasha takes one last look back as the couple in the taxi drive away. She joins her friends, hoping the feeling in her gut will go away...

Javier kicks the taxi door close while holding the woman in his arms. With a free hand, he pushes the buttons on the electronic keylock to his two-story house with blue shutters. The indoor lights greet him along with a black couch, a glass table, and framed photos of himself on the wall.

His first date stirs up. "Is this a hotel?"

He throws her onto the couch. "Even better. My place, beautiful." He goes to plant a kiss, but a firm hand stops his mouth. He tries to push it behind her head, but it feels like moving a boulder.

She pushes his chest away with one leg. "To warm me up, let's play a game," she curls her finger while her slurring ebbs away.

He grins from ear to ear. "What kind of game?"

She pulls on her hair revealing short dirty blonde hair under the wig.

"What the fuck?"

"It's a game I like to call," her eyes turn silver. "Freeze."

V's stare glazes over the ocean blue eyes.

With a pull of the hand, he crashes against the wall. Framed photos crack from hitting the wooden floor. The vampire's ears perk up from the muffled sounds below. Her heart rattles from fury.

The Hispanic man can't lift a finger to escape this strange woman. Even if he tried, those silver dagger eyes will go through him.

"You have fucked up for the very last time, Javier. A taste of blood from your neck revealed what you do to defenseless women you drug," she drives down her Stiletto heel which draws blood from his knee.

His lips part to scream--

"Silence!" Dangerous fangs extend with the urge to drain him of his blood. "Now tell me, where is she?"

His lips part. "In my basement."

She pulls his 225 Lb body up with one hand. "Open it."

Despite the ongoing pain in his right leg, he limps down to the basement around the corner. Drops of crimson iron decorate his wood-stained floor with each step. V follows him down and sees him enter a code into the lock. He opens the door.

Crackling. Anger explodes from her clenched fists.

Duck tape on the ginger's mouth. Handcuffs bridging her bruised wrists to the water heater. Her amber eyes screaming out for help.

A familiar expression that has the Latin vampire gasp. She blinks, thinking that she saw a smaller, thinner version of herself.

"Stay right there."

Javier remains in place as she walks to the survivor.

She crouches down to her level with dull grey irises. A simple yank breaks and removes the handcuffs. "Now, moisten your lips and poke your tongue out. It will make it easier, okay?"

Her amber eyes switch from her torturer to her.

"He won't touch you ever again."

The reassurance has her listen. Unfolding the ends of the tape, V takes it off.

The ginger embraces her tightly with tears crawling down her face.

She pats her head. "It will be alright," while fighting back tears. She puts some space to blow a kiss. Tara the icy spider is summoned to her shoulder.

With a glowing hand of blue, cold makes contact with the bruises. The red head squirms, but the pain melts away to her surprise. The bruises remain to show proof of what Javier did to her.

She glances back up to see silver eyes of her savior.

"I was never here. You broke out after stabbing him. What is your name?"

The victim's eyes glaze over with those commands in mine. "Iris."

A husky voice with an Irish accent leaves her lips. V's photographic memory takes note of her syllables.

"Follow me."

The survivor stands up and walks past Javier without concern. V has her open the drawers and helps her dress her up in a heavy jacket and pants to keep her warm. She leads her to the couch in the living room before turning her attention back to Javier.

Those silver eyes make his heart jump several times. Icicles form over the basement. The windy chills bite at his skin. She reaches into his pocket to take his cell phone.

Without a word, his yanked down neck is punctured by her fangs. His fingers twitch from the warmth leaving his body.

His deep blues dull with the life leaving him. His tan skin losing color and shape. Wrinkles settling in. Muscles withering away like a flower.

The disturbing images of his victims enter V's mind. More fuel to empty his life....

Javier's now 34 Lb body drops with a soft thud. Tara wipes away the blood from her master's lips before she starts her next part.

Thud! Thud! Thud! The concrete floor breaks from her icy stomps. She throws the evil inside the hole before smoothing it over with a layer of ice. Tara works her eight legs to form a coating that perfectly matches the concrete floor with no trace of him left.

The vampire takes several deep breaths while embracing herself. This isn't my past. This isn't my past. I have control now...don't I?

Her familiar nuzzles her cheek to settle her down to reality. Taking her into her palm, V blows a kiss of appreciation to her. The spider reforms back into her necklace. The icy atmosphere dissipates.

With the taps of her fingers, she makes a call using Iris' voice to the police and alluding there have been more victims before her. And she doesn't know where Javier is now.

After the call, she attends to Iris whose eyes are still glazed over.

She holds her hands. "How I wish I could take away those terrible memories from you," she exhales. "Just know that it wasn't your fault. I hope you find peace one day," she turns Iris' face to her with a gentle hand. "Sleep until you hear the sirens."

Amber eyes squeeze shut with her torso falling onto the vampire. V lays her down gently on the couch before drawing an invisible circle on the naked wall.

When the red and blue lights appear, Iris is the only living occupant in the house.

V looks at the person she wanted to see.

Enzo is speechless while eating another bag of garlic bread in the late hour. "V, are-"

She closes the distance with a tight embrace. Her trembling body has him wrap his arms around her. Tears finally leave her eyes.

The familiar embrace brings back a tragic memory to his mind. "It's okay. You're safe."

She drifts apart from him. "I'm okay."

He wipes away the makeup under her eyes. Dark circles. "Be with Emilio and Sea-"

"I can't! Seeing Seamus. If I had just killed Jack, he would still have his arm! Physical strength is important to a Lycan and I ruined that!"

Dracula remains still and lets her vent all her frustrations to him. When she's done, she maintains her space from their intoxicating past.

He lets her catch her breath. "Would you like some peppers?"

"I'm good. Thanks for listening."

"Always."

"So...how is Imani?"

His caramel cheeks darken from his racing mind. "S-She's good. Getting-"

A wide smile graces her face. "Getting you tongue tied?"

He turns his blushing face away to her laughter. His eyes darken a moment later.

"How can I be with her? The urges--"

"I know. I dealt with that when it came to turning Emilio."

"I don't want to turn her or..."

Why not? Her magic and blood will sustain you--

SHUT UP!

At least make her a vamp-

I DON'T WANT HER TO BE...miserable. She doesn't deserve that.

He lets out a long exhale. "I don't know what to do. She needs my help but what if the urges get worse? What if-"

Her fingers silence his lips before removing them. "Talk to her and see what she thinks."

The king of vampires is stunned from her maturity. He reluctantly gives a nod. "Good night, V and thank you."

"De nada, boss," she taps the Wiccan circle to end up at her warehouse. Her breath hitches from the sight of Emilio waiting up for her at the dinner table.

"Hey," he yawns before eating a potato chip.

"Hey. I know it's been a few days-"

"You don't have to explain yourself, mi amore. I feel the same way," he gobbles down a handful of chips. Standing up, he pulls her in for a tender kiss that makes her legs go weak.

The burning urge to ride him on the table is strong, but she breaks it.

"Let's use up your stress." Sticking out his tongue, Bianca the finger snake appears on his hand ready for sparring.

She blows a kiss out of appreciation for him. Tara appears on her shoulder with loose wires. The nightmare of Van Helsing drives fury into her attacks.

I will not let him get close to Enzo! He deserves to be happy. No matter what happens!